Motion Computing J3500 review

It’s quite a list, and the J3500 doesn’t skimp when it comes to core specification either, with a choice of two processors from the new low-voltage Intel Core iX vPro range – the dual-core 1.06GHZ Core i5-520UM, or the the 1.2GHz Core i7-640UM. The latter was supplied with our review model, backed up by 4GB of DDR3 RAM, and it was good enough for a benchmark score of 1.14, enough to keep Windows Professional 32-bit running smoothly, and considerably faster than Intel’s standard CULV processor range.

The Core i7-640UM’s biggest selling point, though, is that it couples this fine performance with Turbo Boost to give the cores a temporary boost to 2.266GHz, Hyper-Threading to bump up the number of cores from a physical two to a logical four, and an extremely low power draw. This processor’s TDP is an incredibly frugal-looking 18W.

This leads us, however, to the J3500’s major weaknesses – battery life. Despite boasting twin packs, the batteries that slot into the bays at the rear of the device are low on capacity (2,000mAh each), and it shows when you come to use them away from the mains. In idle with the screen on half-brightness, they lasted just four hours 39mins before both ran completely dry. That’s disappointing, as each mobile worker will need at least one spare battery pack to get a full day’s use and, therefore, the desktop battery charger accessory too.

The price softens the blow. In its most basic configuration the J3500 starts at £1,620 exc VAT, going up as you add to the specification until you reach our review model at £2,253, but even at that price it’s good vale for a mobile computer this rugged. Dell’s XT2 tablet, for comparison, although a little more water resistant, starts at a base price of £2,534.

But still, we find it rather difficult to wholeheartedly recommend the J3500. It’s supposed to be a no-fuss, field computer, and it certainly has the feature set to go the distance, but its small batteries and inevitably limited battery life damage the convenience and manageability from both an end user and IT manager’s perspective, and just hold it back from achieving greatness.