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Overview
I received a GooRoo Rugboard with Windows XP
embedded on it as these webpads do not have a hard-drive. Other OS
options available are Linux and Windows CE 4.1. The sub-sized tablet
computer measures 220 mm x 290 mm x 41 mm and weighs 1.4kg. The
10.4" touch screen has XGA resolution and 24-bit color-depth.
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This is the way to hold the
Rugboard. Conveniently the dialog control select buttons are
right where you need them. |
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German GooRoo is packaging the
hardware with custom applications for specific mostly industrial
solutions:
GoFUN - an Entertainment-System package
GoLAN - Wireless Thin Client
GoWEB - Web Browser
GoWIN - Ultra-Thin Client & PC Remote Control
GoXPE - Windows XP embedded
GoJAVA - JAVA Client
GoNTROL - Programmable Control System interface |
The GoRoo Rugboard comes with a stand that can be flipped out to
place the webPad upright. This works very well and is ergonomically
to work with. To hold the Rugboard with one hand on the side and
write with the other is not feasible without getting tired really
fast. 1.4KG does not sound much but it is. The only way to hold it
is to lay on the lower arm and hold it like that. A wall-mount unit
is also available.
The Rugboard is called Rugboard because it is protected against
dust, water splashes and shock. All connectors are covered. For the
use in my living room maybe not that important on the other hand a
vodka martini glass is spilled fast.
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Our I4U Review Lab robot for the
dirty work tests the ruggedness of the GooRoo Rugboard. |
Usage
First thing I did is to
connect it to my wireless network to use it for web surfing. One
thing I noticed while doing this was the quality of the screen, its
crispness and the quality of the touch-screen itself. The reaction
to the stylus movement is very accurate and fast. I felt that it was
better than on the now discontinued
Sony
VGN-U50 I reviewed a while ago. Maybe it was just the weird
shape of the Sony stylus. To make text inputs the system has a
simple on screen software keyboard.
There is no handwriting recognition software. I did some searching
and found the
ritePen from EverNote. The 8MB install package installed with no
problems on the embedded version of Windows XP. The handwriting
software works great on the GooRoo Rugboard. See some photos below.
Now I can write URLs much faster and other text than with the
on-screen keyboard.
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With the ritePen software I can
write on the screen to fill out forms. Here I am searching
Tatung products on the I4U product search field. The ritePen
software is good in recognizing my handwriting. |
A nice little tool is the right and left mouse button switch in the
tray. With that I can change the meaning of the stylus tabbing on
the screen from left to right mouse button. The little helper
switches back to left automatically. The navigation button on the
left allows to tab through control elements on dialogs. It is not
moving the mouse. With the enter button control elements are
activated.
Because it is Windows XP embedded the IE 6.0 browser has all
features which is great for surfing without limitations. This is the
first device I put my hands on that runs the embedded version of
Windows XP. Although the hard-drive is missing the Rugboard feels
like a normal Tablet PC. The speed of the applications running on
the embedded device are comparable to that of normal portable
computers. I tested mainly web surfing and the pages build up very
snappy. The Transmeta 733Mhz CPU does a decent job here. The Rugboard
I am testing is equipped with 256MB RAM and a 1GB Flash drive. WiFi
802.11g with 54 Mbit is already build-in for communication. For
further use a free PCMCIA-Slot is a available as well as a RS-232
and two USB port. The GooRoo Rugboard is actually a Tatung TX-2000 wireless
Thin-Client. I came across Taiwanese Tatung recently as manufacturer
for the Walmart 23"
LCD TV.
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The stylus has its place on the
side. On this side is also the power switch and the power plug
as well as a USB port for a keyboard. |
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PCMCIA slot and audio and
microphone connector. |
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Function buttons to launch
specific apps. |
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Special IO connector and 2nd USB
connector on top. |
Conclusion
Overall the GooRoo Rugboard is a high quality
product and definitely suited for industrial applications. For
consumers who want to have a tablet style web surfing device (webpad)
it might be to heavy. On the other hand the Rugboard is more sturdy
and less sensitive than lighter or small Tablet PCs. The performance
of the embedded system is very good and allows for a wide range of
applications. To have a Webpad lying around in every apartments
those things need to become thin and light ideally foldable like a
piece of paper (electronic
paper). Till then for the advanced, technology addicted consumer
the RugBoard makes a big Home Theater Remote that also surfs the
web.
How to Buy
To buy a GooRoo Rugboard please visit
Go-Gooroo.com.
Specifications
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10,4” XGA TFT Display with
24 bit color depth
- Touchscreen resistiv
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Transmeta 733Mhz
- 64MB-2GB Flash Memory integrated
- 128/256 MB SDRAM
- 16 bit Sound Stereo
- Integrated Speaker and Microphone
- Integrated Wireless LAN EEE 802.11b,g
- Li-Ion Battery
- Power Adaptor
- USB, Mic-in, Speaker-out (Stereo)
- Free PCMCIA-Slot
- Linux, Windows® CE, Windows® XP embedded
- Size: 220 mm x 290 mm x 41 mm
- Weight: 1,4 kg without power
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