Motion tweaks their lightweight rugged tablet for increased performance and enhanced usability
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

On February 3rd, 2015 — a year and a half after the prior generation was introduced — tablet pioneer Motion, which is now part of Xplore Technologies, introduced the latest generation of its F5 and C5 series of rugged tablets—the former geared towards use in the field, the latter for use in healthcare settings. In this overview we'll describe the new F5m; the C5m was afforded the same enhancements.

Note that Motion has been updating its C5/F5 platform meticulously snce its initial launch a few years ago. First was the upgrade to the F5v, then a significant upgrade to the F5t, then somewhat more subtle enhancements to the F5te. The table below shows the primary differences between the new F5m and its immedaite F5t predecessor:

Motion F5m vs. Motion F5t

Device	Motion F5m (2015)	Motion F5te (2013)
CPU best	Core i7-5600U (2.6/3.2GHz)	Core i7-3667U (2.0/3.2GHz)
CPU better	Core i5-5200U (2.2/2.7GHz)	Core i5-3337U (1.8/2.6GHz)
CPU good	Core i3-5005U (2.0GHz)	Core i3-3227U (1.9GHz)
Graphics	Intel HD Graphics 5500	Intel HD Graphics 4000
OS	Win 7, Win 8.1	Win 7, Win 8
RAM	4/8/16GB	2/4/8GB
Mass Storage	m.2 64/128/256GB	mSATA 64/128/256GB
Cameras	2mp front, 8mp rear	1.3mp front, 3mp rear
Drop	4-foot	3-foot
Battery life	over 8 hours	up to 6 hours

And here's our commentray on the changes, what they mean, and why they matter:

• In the engine compartment, there's a significant boost thanks to a two generation jump from 3rd gen "Ivy Bridge" to state-of-the-art 5th gen Intel "Broadwell" core processors. As before, customers have their choice of an i3, i5, and i7 processor, depending on their requirements. Expect a significant boost in overall performance, and especially in graphics. Broadwell processors are also significantly more power efficienty — whereas Motion clained up to 6 hours from the old model, the new one is good for "over 8 hours." That's a big change.

• Memory and mass storage have been expanded yet again. Maximum RAM is now 16GB, up from 8GB. Drive capacities remain unchanged at 64/128/256GB, but mSATA SSDs have given way to newer m.2 SSDs, and a self-encrypting 256GB SSD is available.

• Wireless communication is faster thanks to a switch to 802.11ac WiFi, and to ultra-fast Gobi 4G XLTE for optional wireless broadband.

• Camera resolution went from 1.3 to 2.0 megapixel in the front, and from 3 to 8 megapixel in the rear.

• The drop spec is now listed as 4 feet instead of 3 feet. That can make the difference between surviving routine drops and failure.