Symbol Integrates Wide Area Wireless

Offers Updated PPT 4600 Pen Computer

Symbol Technologies has taken an already innovative design and enhanced it by integrating a wide area radio modem into its PPT 4600 rugged handheld pen computer. The new device, known as the PPT 4631, takes the ergonomically-designed handheld and adds to it a Type III Ericsson Mobitex-compatible wireless modem PC Card.

Mobitex is a standard wireless communication system used in many parts of the world. In the United States, the service is offered nationwide by RAM Mobile Data.

The PPT 4600 series computers feature a 486SLC processor and can be equipped with 2-16MB of RAM. The handheld device includes a 320×480 VGA display (Half Screen model) or a 640×480 display (Full Screen model) and offers backlighting with a resistive touch panel interface. The pen is passive.

“The PPT 4631 includes a Type III Ericsson Mobitex-compatible wireless modem PC Card.”

The computer offers one Type II and one Type III slot, the later of which is used for the wireless modem. Powered by lithium-ion batteries, the system comes standard with MS DOS, though MS Windows for Pen Computing is available as an option.

Also on the wireless front, Symbol enhanced their Sprectrum24 and Spectrum One network Gateway products. Workers can now communicate with a range of host environments and up to 240 terminals through the same Symbol Gateway controller. In addition, the system supports multiple sessions—up to a maximum of four simultaneously—enabling users to have VT100, HP700, 3270, and 5250 sessions established at the same time.