Early attempts with Pocket PC’s for on-site CAD mark-up struggled to cope with memory capacity and performance limitations.
DualCor Technologies, Inc have announced The DualCor cPC – a combination Tablet PC and Windows Mobile Hand-held device which promises to solve that by offering portability, connectivity and power.
It uses twin Operating Systems, XP Tablet PC & Windows Mobile, with twin processors; 1.5 GHz and 400 MHz. This allows full XP applications to run, working as a Tablet PC, but when “off” it reverts to the Mobile OS with full time connectivity, instant on and claims long battery life. Both OS are supported by a 127mm (5”) 800x400 Display, 40GB HD, 1GB RAM + 1GB Flash + full connectivity, allowing it to function as a desktop replacement, in a tiny 165 (6.5") x 83 (3.3") x 30 (1.2") mm package!
So, how would it go with Design Web Format (DWF) 2D/3D CAD data and Autodesk Composer (DWF View/Mark-up) or maybe even a full CAD application?
We can only wait and see but the spec looks good enough to justify testing. I can’t see it as a CAD Desktop replacement, the likely hitch is graphic performance, but as a device to take your CAD Model, in DWF or native format, on the road to site/client/meetings it has great appeal. Add MindManager (for presenting project information) and ActiveWords InkPad (ease of operation) and you’d have a stunning presentation tool. Perhaps it’s worth the cost (said to be us$1500 retail) just to see peoples reaction to CAD/BIM presented from your hand.
If the DualCor cPC lives up to the preview it’s going to be huge, even though it’s small.
