Norand Unveils New Additions to PEN KEY Family

Following the principle that if you build what customers want, they will come, Norand has introduced two new computers as part of its PEN KEY 6000 family of stylus-based portables. The new computers, dubbed the PEN KEY 6100 and 6600, represent the range of form factors available from Norand with the 6100 offering handheld portability and the 6600 featuring full-size screen capability.

The PEN KEY 6100

Following a year-long strategic alliance between the two companies, Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based Norand Corp. and semiconductor manufacturer Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) revealed a new product based around a powerful AMD microprocessor. Dubbed the PEN KEY 6100, the new mobile computer from Norand is the first rugged handheld computer to feature the ELAN Am386CS300 processor.

The Am386SC300 combines the processing power of a 386-class CPU running at 33 MHz with direct support for video, PCMCIA, bus and memory controllers, and full-feature power management on a single chip. Because of its low power design, the AMD ELAN is ideally suited for a wide range of mobile applications.

Smallest Windows Handheld

By employing this chip for its new PEN KEY 6100, Norand has been able to create a rugged pen computer with truly portable dimensions and weight: 7″ x 4.5″ x 1.2″ (17.8 x 11.4 x 3 cm) and 22 ounces (624 g). In fact, Norand claims that the 6100 is the smallest handheld computer on the market capable of supporting the Microsoft Windows environment.

The PEN KEY 6100 features a 240 x 320 pixel display intended for operation in portrait mode. Workers have the option to input information using a passive stylus or directly through the backlit touch screen. True to its name, the PEN KEY 6100 also includes a 16-key numeric keyboard making this type of data entry quick and familiar.

The 6100 has two Type II PCMCIA slots which is designed to house optional memory and communication cards. The computer is expandable from four to eight megabytes of RAM, and two to eight megabytes of FLASH. In addition, since the device is designed for a rugged work environment, the 6100 is capable of withstanding multiple four-foot drops to concrete and operating under extreme weather conditions.

In terms of connectivity, the PEN KEY 6100 is designed to connect seamlessly to wireless local area networks using 2.4 GHz spread spectrum technology, and wide area networks such as RAM Mobile Data, ARDIS, and CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data). The 6100 also features an integrated IrDA-compliant interface for peer-to-peer and peripheral infrared communication.

The PEN KEY 6100 incorporates Norand’s power management system with LED indicators on the rechargeable lithium ion batteries. This assures greater confidence and better management of battery cells taken off the shelf.

The PEN KEY 6600

Moving from a smaller device to a more full-featured pen tablet, Norand also announced its new PEN KEY 6600 computer which incorporates a full size, 640 x 480 pixel backlit VGA display with 64 gray scales that works best in landscape mode. The device, which measures 8″ x 10″ x 2″ (20.3 x 25.4 x 5.1 cm) and weighs four pounds (1.8 kg), is expandable from four to sixteen megabytes of RAM and up to eight megabytes of FLASH.

The 6600 is also designed to use MS-DOS and the Windows operating environment. However, by employing an Intel 486DX2/50 processor, high-end applications and those incorporating graphics should run much smoother. In addition, the PEN KEY 6600 features two Type II and one Type III card slot for optional peripherals.

Availability

The PEN KEY 6100 and the larger PEN KEY 6600 are both expected to be available for shipment at the beginning of September, 1995.

Norand Corp.
550 Second Street S.E.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
(319) 369-3115
(800) 553-5971 ext 3115
Cheryl Wery
(319) 369-3488
[email protected]