Small, Robust, and Portable WinCE-based USB Masters?

Dandre asks: "We have come across a need for a very small and robust USB master to portably read data off a USB device. It should have significant memory (>256M), but ideally needs to be robust to vibrations (such as running). Our initial searches have found that no WinCE like-handhelds are USB masters (except one that is a master in the cradle, which is unacceptable). We have software what does this for a Win32 laptop PC, but most laptops fail the portability and size tests. Ideally, we would want a solution that allows us to easily port this code -- so WinCE initially seemed like a good idea, but the reality of the WinCE situation makes us, well, wince."

Comments

Check out the HPC

[RzUpAnmsCwrds]

Look for HPCs that support this feature - while it was rare on PocketPCs, it was quite common on later HPCs. The Panasonic Toughbook 01 comes to mind. It's a bit steep at $1350 but it is ruggedized, compact, and it includes your choice of wireless modem (CDPD, Cingular, etc.).
Also take a look at Internmec's products.

Re:Check out the HPC

[RzUpAnmsCwrds]

Info on the Panasonic Toughbook 01.

hmm

[Hadlock]

except one that is a master in the cradle, which is unacceptable

um, epoxy the winCE device into the cradle, and then file the cradle down to the size you need it? generally the cradle is a metal weight, some pretty plastic molding, and a wire sticking out the bottom

Re:hmm

[Bastian]

I doubt the handheld supplies power to the cradle - it will either come from a dedicated power source or through the serial/USB connection to the PC. The USB master in the cradle would be useless while this device is being carried around.

Re:hmm

[cybermace5]

You can simply put 5V on the USB power line if necessary. Add a battery pack and regulator, maybe one of those nice InfoLithium batteries that seem to last forever. BTW, serial does not carry power.

OQO

[RevAaron]

Check out the OQO. By default, it runs Win XP or Linux rather than WinCE, but you can run WinCE for x86 on it if that's your fancy -in most single-app/embedded situations it would likely perform better and be more robust than WinXP at least!

The OQO is a bit expensive and it's not out until April... But the cheaper model has a 800 MHz Transmeta CPU, 256 MB RAM, 10 GB HD, USB, FireWire and docking ports (adds VGA, PCI and AGP bus interface). Not sure what the shock protection is like, but you could always run it out of a RAM disk.

Is this close?

[The Iconoclast]

http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=VP-203 0

Re:Simputer

[pacc]

And since it's made for illiterate indian villagers the design focus is on sound, really. Hi-fi?

Toshiba e740

[Chanc_Gorkon]

Add the expansion pack for the USB and you can us a IBM Microdrive to caoture yoru data. If you can't afford the 99 bucks, there is a 40 dollar solution to add a USB dongle.

Re:Toshiba e740

[Chanc_Gorkon]

Check this page out. The have both drivers for mass storage, for floppies, for serial cables too. He also has a link to the site that sells the dongle (in case you don't need/want the VGA port on it) and the USB-Serial cable complete with driver and of lengths great for hooking a GPS up to it.

What about the Mine?

[Myself]

Have you looked into the Terapin Mine? It sounds like exactly what you're looking for:

USB master, USB slave, PCMCIA slot, 10baseT, and it's small! Replace the rotating-platters laptop drive with a solid state version if you're really worried about vibration.

Re:Do not look for WinCE

[Rick the Red]

Pocket PC is a hardware/software spec; WinCE is the OS portion of that spec. All Pocket PCs run WinCE but not everything running WinCE is a Pocket PC.

Toshiba Pocket PC

[benjamindees]

Toshiba Pocket PC