Motion Computing, a Texas based manufacturer of tablet PCs and peripherals has announced that its J3400 ruggedised tablet PC will feature integrated access to the Verizon Wireless 3G network. The J3400 is targeted at a number of industries including construction, field service and, most importantly, healthcare.
Prior to and following the announcement of Apple’s iPad, healthcare was marked as one particular sector where the device could be deployed. However, after the official announcement, I decided that the iPad was perhaps not ready for the medical market due to the lack of a camera, lack of an easily changeable battery and the fact it is not ruggedised.
Motion Computing's J3400
The J3400, looks like it goes some way to overcome these issues. The device includes a digital camera/video, which, given its access to the Verizon Wireless 3G network makes it able to conduct video calls. The J3400 also includes WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. Motion Computing also claim a ‘full day of performance’ thanks to a hot-swappable dual battery. The J3400, thanks to a rubberised, shock-dampening coating, can withstand falls from up to 36 inches. Moreover its sealed design makes it easy to clean and disinfect with regular cleaning materials. Solid state drives are an optional extra that can further improve shock and vibration protection.
So is the J3400 the perfect tablet for healthcare? Probably not. Although superior to the iPad in the aforementioned respects it falls down in other areas. I expressed, concern over the size of the 25cm x 19 cm, 0.73kg iPad but the J3400 is positively gargantuan by comparison measuring 32cm x 23 cm and weighing in at a portly 1.6kg; more than twice as heavy as the iPad. Similarly, the price tag is more than twice as heavy as the iPad: £1468.
Apple's iPad
It will be interesting to see which tablet PCs will be adopted by the healthcare industry in the coming years; the consumer devices such as the iPad or the more robust industry devices like the J3400? I would hazard a guess that over time consumer devices like the iPad will have increased functionality (I’d be surprised if the next generation iPad did not include a camera for instance) and uptake by health professionals will increase, but for now, it doesn’t appear that the devices on the market are ideally suited to healthcare.
The Motion 1600, I used for several years until I wore it out. Now the J3400 is a great Machine with Windows7. The iPad is a nice toy but Motion makes a great computer.