Tablets are invading CES. Almost every major manufacturer seems to have its own iPad competitor in the works and Motion is no different. The company has unveiled its own finger-touch tablet with a twist: it’s built for the outdoors. With a thick, rubber-bumpered exterior and a tough Gorilla Glass screen, Motion CL900 is designed to be a tablet for the outdoors.
The device clocks in at about 8 hours of battery life and is powered by the upcoming Intel Atom “Oak Trail” 1.5GHz processor. It has 30GB and 60GB models (SSD), built-in Wi-Fi, 1-2 GB of RAM, an aluminum-alloy frame, and a 10.1-inch widescreen LED display designed to be visible even in the sun. While it can’t take a trip into the pool, it is water, dust, and splash resistant, according to representatives at CES. Its Gorilla Glass screen can also take a beating.
While Android is the hot operating system for many new tablets, Motion has chosen to stick with a modified version of Windows 7, a desktop operating system, on the CL900. Representatives at CES defended this decision, pointing out that the device’s main intention is to easily integrate with existing businesses that primarily run Windows 7 software and PCs. Stylus support and a number of peripherals and docks will also be available.
“Motion’s new CL900 will enable users to take advantage of connected applications, while also supporting uninterrupted productivity in remote or disconnected areas,” said David Altounian, Motion CEO, in a press release. “We’ve combined our trademark rugged design and robust solution set with the connectivity and portability of a tablet that is designed and built for business.”
At a CES press event, the tablet ran smoothly and appeared as rugged as described, but we couldn’t help but wish the operating system was a bit more intuitive.. It remains to be seen if Motion’s decision to stick with Windows 7 over touch operating systems like Android will pay off. The CL900 will run businesses about $1000, about twice the price of the iPad.
