Specifications

Page 11 of 27
Figure 1: Toshiba Tablet P.C.
What software is required?
There are many communication software products on the market such as:
• Speaking Dynamically Pro
• E.Z. Keys talking screen
• Winspeak
• Win bag
• Clicker 4
• The Grid
• WiVox
• Write out loud
• Writing with symbols
• Discover
• Dynavox
The above programs often have access options built into the software allowing clients to
use the program with switches or other access methods. These features are not always
included within the windows environment in which case it is difficult to use the Internet,
word processing and other windows software. In order to be able to obtain switch or
alternative access to windows software on a computer it will be necessary to use further
software, such as the Hands off program, E.Z. keys, Discover, or The Grid. This becomes
an additional cost in setting up the system and requires additional training for the clients.
How durable does it need to be?
If the user is rough on their equipment then the ‘ultimate’ rugged computers are the
Panasonic Toughbooks that are widely used for police and military applications. These
computers have been tested to military standards and can withstand rain, coffee spills and
heavy dust. The hard-drives are shock mounted so the laptop can withstand heavy
vibration and drops of 3 feet (see the Toughbook website for further details and
information http://www.panasonic.com/computer/toughbook/home.asp).
If you don’t require military standard, but still require a slightly more rugged system then
the Fujitsu Stylistic tablets may be acceptable. Pen Tablet Magazine (Walker, 2002)
suggest that “Fujitsu, who have been in the pen tablet business for a long time, have
learned through years of painful experience exactly where the weak points are in a tablet,
so their products tend to be more durable than average” (not even close to the
Toughbooks however). They utilise a magnesium case and shock mounted hard-drive to
achieve an increased durability. The Fujitsu has been widely used as an A.A.C. device and