Motion Computing J3400 Supplementary Manual
While our test unit came with a solid state disk,
Motion expects to sell a good percentage of units
with conventional hard disks, and hard disks are
historically one of the first points of failure. To
minimize that danger, Motion not only uses the 1.8-
inch format that is inherently more shock-resistant
than the larger 2.5-inch disks, but also designed a
simple but very effective hard disk cushion that
absorbs shock and reduces impact G forces to
within hard disk specs in almost all cases.
with conventional hard disks, and hard disks are
historically one of the first points of failure. To
minimize that danger, Motion not only uses the 1.8-
inch format that is inherently more shock-resistant
than the larger 2.5-inch disks, but also designed a
simple but very effective hard disk cushion that
absorbs shock and reduces impact G forces to
within hard disk specs in almost all cases.
Units equipped with conventional hard drives are
protected by Motion’s “DataGuard” that uses a
shock sensor to detect drops or harsh vibration that
could damage the hard drive. It then instantly
moves the read/write heads to areas that do not
contain data and may also stop spinning as hard
drives are less vulnerable to damage when they are
not in operation. DataGuard has its own control
panel where you can configure things to your liking.
shock sensor to detect drops or harsh vibration that
could damage the hard drive. It then instantly
moves the read/write heads to areas that do not
contain data and may also stop spinning as hard
drives are less vulnerable to damage when they are
not in operation. DataGuard has its own control
panel where you can configure things to your liking.
Keyboard/stand and FlexDock
Since tablet computers don’t have an integrated
keyboard like notebooks, makers of tablet comput-
ers either offer optional external keyboards or they
develop clever, more integrated keyboard solutions.
This goes all the way back to early pen computers
such as the ground-breaking Compaq Concerto of
some 15 years ago. Motion also has been offering
keyboards designed to double as stands and display
covers. The problem was always merging a function-
al keyboard into something that was actually useful,
fit nicely into the overall design, and didn’t get in
the way. This, it turned out, was easier said than
done. Older designs often didn’t reliably connect to
the slate computer, were not stable enough to work
well, had insufficient keyboards, had the touchpad
in weird places or were built so that your hands
bumped into the sides.
keyboard like notebooks, makers of tablet comput-
ers either offer optional external keyboards or they
develop clever, more integrated keyboard solutions.
This goes all the way back to early pen computers
such as the ground-breaking Compaq Concerto of
some 15 years ago. Motion also has been offering
keyboards designed to double as stands and display
covers. The problem was always merging a function-
al keyboard into something that was actually useful,
fit nicely into the overall design, and didn’t get in
the way. This, it turned out, was easier said than
done. Older designs often didn’t reliably connect to
the slate computer, were not stable enough to work
well, had insufficient keyboards, had the touchpad
in weird places or were built so that your hands
bumped into the sides.
This time Motion got it almost perfect. The very
thin keyboard/stand doesn't snap onto the comput-
er, which eliminates weird hooks and such. It does
have the same design and uses the same materials
er, which eliminates weird hooks and such. It does
have the same design and uses the same materials
as the J3400, so it definitely looks like it belongs to
the machine. The keyboard opens to reveal the keys
and a stand.
the machine. The keyboard opens to reveal the keys
and a stand.
The QWERTY part of the keyboard is 94%-scale,
which makes for a slightly cramped feeling that can
throw off touch-typists. The distance between the
center of the letter “Q” on the left and the letter “P”
on the right is 6.75 inches on a full-scale keyboard.
Here the distance is only 6.375 inches. That could
have been fixed by making the punctuation keys a
bit narrower, the same way the keyboard’s designers
made the period and comma keys a bit narrower
narrower in order to have an ergonomically correct
navigation diamond. Not making the QWERTY part
of smaller keyboards wide enough is something I
often find on mobile keyboards, and I cannot ex-
plain in any other way than assuming Asian lan-
guage designers (who use an entirely different input
method where touch-typing does not matter) don’t
realize how important 100%-scale of the QWERTY
part is to Westerners.
throw off touch-typists. The distance between the
center of the letter “Q” on the left and the letter “P”
on the right is 6.75 inches on a full-scale keyboard.
Here the distance is only 6.375 inches. That could
have been fixed by making the punctuation keys a
bit narrower, the same way the keyboard’s designers
made the period and comma keys a bit narrower
narrower in order to have an ergonomically correct
navigation diamond. Not making the QWERTY part
of smaller keyboards wide enough is something I
often find on mobile keyboards, and I cannot ex-
plain in any other way than assuming Asian lan-
guage designers (who use an entirely different input
method where touch-typing does not matter) don’t
realize how important 100%-scale of the QWERTY
part is to Westerners.
Thin keyboards are often difficult to type on
because they offer little tactile feedback or feel
flimsy. The Motion
keyboard works
better than most.
One interesting
aspect is that the
keyboard has a very
thin, form-fitting
translucent protec-
tive rubber skin
over it. It doesn't
affect typing at all
and provides
protection. The
skin is glued on
along the top and
bottom but open
on the left and right
and it looks like you
can just take it off
keyboard works
better than most.
One interesting
aspect is that the
keyboard has a very
thin, form-fitting
translucent protec-
tive rubber skin
over it. It doesn't
affect typing at all
and provides
protection. The
skin is glued on
along the top and
bottom but open
on the left and right
and it looks like you
can just take it off
(which I probably would).
You can’t adjust the angle of the stand. Thanks to
the superb display with its 180-degree viewing angle
and total lack of any color shifts, that is not an issue.
The keyboard has a built-in standard touchpad with
left and right mouse buttons. They work great and
are very responsive.
and total lack of any color shifts, that is not an issue.
The keyboard has a built-in standard touchpad with
left and right mouse buttons. They work great and
are very responsive.
Motion also offers a FlexDock that essentially
converts the J3400 into a full-featured desktop
computing solution (see picture above to the right).
The FlexDock consists of an elegant, heavy metal
base and a plastic docking part that continues the
look, materials and design theme of the J3400. The
tablet snaps onto the FlexDock and can then be
rotated from vertical to about a 45 degree angle.
There is a charging slot for a battery and the Flex-
Dock also provides extra connectivity.
computing solution (see picture above to the right).
The FlexDock consists of an elegant, heavy metal
base and a plastic docking part that continues the
look, materials and design theme of the J3400. The
tablet snaps onto the FlexDock and can then be
rotated from vertical to about a 45 degree angle.
There is a charging slot for a battery and the Flex-
Dock also provides extra connectivity.
Neatly tucked away under a plastic cover in the
back are four USB ports, a DVI-D port, audio in/out,
an RJ45 LAN jack, and a display port. The dock runs
US$299 and is well worth it for those who intend to
frequently use the J3400 in an office setting.
an RJ45 LAN jack, and a display port. The dock runs
US$299 and is well worth it for those who intend to
frequently use the J3400 in an office setting.
SPECIAL REVIEW
Rugged
PC
review.com
Motion J3400: Summary
With the J3400 Tablet PC, Motion Computing has created an advanced modern tablet computer with state-of-
the-art performance, functionality, and an outstanding display that’s perfectly suited for the machine's intend-
ed use in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor applications. In addition, the J3400 is designed to absorb more
of the punishment and abuse a mobile computer may encounter on the job than the company's prior tablets.
A display that can be used outdoors and even in direct sunlight has become indispensable in many
vertical and industrial applications where the tablet is primarily used outdoors. Motion’s UltraView Any-
where technology delivers in conjunction with a superb display that can be viewed from any angle.
Ruggedness and sealing have been elevated to the next level with this Motion tablet now offering
IP52 sealing and the ability to survive three-foot drops. This is due to a cleverly designed system that
combines a floating magnesium chassis with a tough ABS skin, and plenty of shock-mounting. Motion
also offers a 64GB Solid State Disk that provides superb performance as well as quicker startup and
lower power consumption.
Two ultra-low voltage Intel Core 2 Duo processor options, both running at a very low thermal
design power of just ten watts, provide a significant performance boost over the prior generation
E1700. Battery life is better, too, thanks to larger batteries and improved power management.
The J3400 also has an integrated biometric fingerprint sensor, integrated
camera, an optional GOBI wireless broadband module and GPS, a new and improved
convertible keyboard, good onboard connectivity and expansion, Motion’s
Speak Anywhere multi-directional array microphones with their excellent
noise cancellation technology, and a SIM card slot. Combining durability,
noise cancellation technology, and a SIM card slot. Combining durability,
performance, efficiency and understated elegance, the versatile J3400 platform
will be a workhorse in numerous target vertical markets for years to come.
– Conrad H. Blickenstorfer, Editor-in-Chief, RuggedPCReview
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