GBM InkShow: Motion Computing J3400 Rugged Slate Tablet PC, Part 1

Posted by | 03/15/2009 | 13 Comments

Picture 2 Motion Computing just announced their new J3400 Rugged Slate Tablet PC and we’ve got a two-part InkShow video series, as well as gobs of pictures to bring you.

In Part 1, I give a tour of the J3400, as well as give my hands-on impression of this much anticipated release. In Part 2, I show off the new convertible mobile keyboard, the Flex Dock, give a demo of QuickNav, as well as show how the integrated camera with Flash works. Our Part 1 InkShow, with a gallery of pictures is after the break.

For complete specs, checkout our announcement post, as well as by going to Motion Computing. The J3400 starts at $2299.

All GBM InkShows and Podcasts are sponsored by TechSmith

Pictures: click pictures for higher res images.

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J3400 Flush Bezel ScreenJ3400 Buttons
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Left side of J3400, ports coveredJ3400 Air Exhaust
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J3400 Ports, CoveredJ3400 Ports — Mic, Earphone, Ethernet, 2 USB, VGA, AC, Covered Carrying Strap point
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Carrying Strap pointTop of J3400, Speakers
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J3400 SpeakersRight side of J3400, Air Exhaust, Security button, finger print reader, power button, covered Express Card reader / Smart Card reader, digitizer pen
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Express Card slot / Smart Card reader slot uncoveredopening up the Express Card slot / Smart Card reader slot
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underneath the J3400, covered portsunderneath J3400, opening the covered ports
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bottom of J3400, mobile keyboard connector, magnetsbottom of J3400, mobile keyboard connector, magnets
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underneath J3400, cushion grips,dual hot swappable batteries, docking connector, 4 magnets for mobile keyboard, 2 MP camera / flashone hot swappable battery removed
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both hot swappable batteries removedGobi SIM card slot underneath battery
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one of the batteriesCamera / Flash
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J3400 Camera / Flash up-close

All GBM InkShows and Podcasts are sponsored by TechSmith.

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Category: Featured, Hardware, InkShows

About the Author (Author Profile)

As the Founding Editor for GottaBeMobile.com, Rob oversaw the growth and overall direction for content, advertising, and management of the site. Keep up with Rob at RobBushway.com Send email to Rob
  • Joe

    Just one little nitpick I had, Verizon doesn’t use a SIM card, though the GOBI does support it anyway.

    Great overview though, I really like the look of this one.

  • http://www.gottabemobile.com Rob Bushway

    good catch..I should have clarified that remark.

  • Sara Fauzia

    I can’t provide a hack for Windows, but many screen rotation scripts that work in Linux support four-way rotation (irregardless of the tablet) and automatic rotation. This tablet is absolutely amazing, and I’ve been definitely impressed.

  • Toby

    Great InkShow Rob

  • Bristolview

    I’m really disappointed to see no SXGA display. I’m not sure I want to go back to a low resolution screen, especially for portrait use, 800 wide?! argh!! Besides that, the other specs are top notch.

    Rob, question for you… If holding the device in portrait orientation, the nicely rounded edges are NOT the ones against your fingers holding it. It actually comes to more of a pointed edge where your fingers would be. How pointed is it there? Do you think this would be problematic for say… 6-8 hours a day? (My Lenovo and LS800 are perfectly rounded in this area, providing no pointed areas and giving a nice grip for all day use). The J3400 looks nicely round on top, but pointed on the base where your fingers would wrap around, might not be bad in real life, but looks questionable.

  • Bristolview

    Rob, regarding the 4 position rotation… it should be easy to hack a 4 position rotation utility but… I would not recommend it unless the Gobi radio is off. Bluetooth is very low power, no worries. WiFi is a bit more, and typical HSPA is more yet (I believe this is the right order, but I left this field a year ago and no longer have the Specs). These devices operate near microware frequencies, like well… your microwave. Unlike your microwave however, they are not enclosed as they need to broadcast their signal. The very short distance from the Top of the slate (allowed orientation) does in fact make a BIG difference in the amount of power reaching you (proximity to body parts, groin, heart). The power dissipates in an exponential manner, so the little distance makes a big difference. If the wireless radios are not in operation, it doesn’t really matter. If they’re on, I really don’t recommend it.

  • Tony

    Bristolview- Jason? That you? Mr. CTO? Wow, where R U now?
    What did you invent thi$ week? I see you are still doing
    wireless. Let me guess, WiMax? GSMA? What’s the next thing
    you’ll be launching?

  • http://www.gottabemobile.com Rob Bushway

    @bristolview – I have J3400 at the office and will test out the sharper edges in the morning. To my best recollection, I don’t recall it making that much of an impact to me while holding the slate in portrait mode.

    good feedback on the radios!

  • Observer

    This guy definitely loves the cushions!

  • Brian Lai

    Great machine, but I don’t see why they cannot include a small 1.3MP camera up front for video conferencing….sigh

  • Bristolview

    @Tony, yes it’s me. I’m not the CTO anymore, I left that company. To answer your question, I’m doing software for mobile broadband radio technology (GSMA, LTE; thus my comments above) and UWB.

    @Rob, I work full time using a slate and pen input (no keyboard), so 8-10 hours a day handheld (no desk either) and almost exclusively in portrait (better for TIP use). That’s why my concern with the appearance of sharper corners in the portrait orientation (and my lack of love for the XGA low res screen). Thanks for checking for me.

  • http://www.gottabemobile.com Rob Bushway

    @bristolview – I just tried holding the slate in portrait mode. My non-curved edge on the rights-side while holding in portrait mode doesn’t present any issues for me – it doesn’t feel sharp at all – non issue for one holding a slate throughout the day as far as I’m concerned. In fact, it actually feels quite comfortable to hold.

  • Bristolview

    Thanks Rob. Appreciated.

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