Motion Computing on Monday introduced a rugged tablet PC with a three-year warranty that covers short drops and exposure to rain and dust.

The F5, built for workers in field service, manufacturing, government, and construction, is powered by an Intel Core Solo 1.2-GHz U1400 processor, and includes an Intel Pro/Wireless 3945 Wi-Fi network connection. In addition, the computer comes standard with 1 GB of RAM and a 40-GB hard disk drive. An optional 32-GB solid-state drive is also available.

The computer has an international protection rating of 54, which means it meets the International Electrotechnical Commission standards for protection against dust and water. In addition, it has a magnesium frame that adds durability, a shock-mounted hard drive, and integrated digital camera and scanner for radio frequency identification tags. The F5 is available with Windows XP Tablet PC Edition or Windows Vista business edition, pre-installed.

Motion is backing its latest tablet with a three-year "field-ready" warranty that covers damage from short drops of about 30 inches, and exposure to rain and dust. In making the F5, Motion chief executive Scott Eckert said in a statement that the company "combined the mobility and ease-of-use benefits of a tablet PC with the increased durability of a rugged PC, without all of the costs associated with a fully rugged system."

Pricing for the F5 ranges from $2,699 to $4,000 depending on configuration. The computer is available through Motion's value-added resellers and distributors.

In December, Dell and Motion Computing were sued by Typhoon Touch Technologies, which accused the companies of infringing on its patents for touch-screen technology. The pending lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Tyler, Texas. Typhoon licensee Nova Mobility Systems, a maker of tablet PCs, is a co-plaintiff in the complaint.