Holtsville, NY —According to statistics from market research firm IDC, mobile field workers will increase to about 13.3 million by 2006. Handheld computers should become more popular as their capabilities go up and their weight goes down.

Symbol Technologies, which makes secure mobile information systems, offers the PDT 8000, a rugged version of handheld computer that runs Intel's XScale processor and Microsoft's Pocket PC 2002 operating system. The computer includes integrated laser bar code scanning along with wireless local area network capabilities, and is built for supply chain applications.

The PDT 8000 offers warehouse workers, salespeople and executives several advantages over typical handhelds. It is a hybrid of pen- and key-based technology with 64 MB of RAM. According to Symbol, the 3.9-in. color screen is among the largest in the industry.

The device is ideal for field service and route workers. It withstands repeated drops on concrete floors and extreme temperature variations. It is shock tested before shipping and sealed against dust and moisture to industry standard IP54.

The computer's weight, including battery, is 20.7 oz. when set up for wireless communication.

The net pad® by Psion Teklogix is a mobile handheld rated against dust and immersion to IP67, or "extremely rugged." It can be used continuously in and out of doors and, like the PTD 8000, has a drop rating of five feet onto concrete. Bar code scanning is available as an option, as are indoor and outdoor screens.

The net pad has an RS232 port that connects to printers, GPS and cell phones. It offers a choice of integrated radio options. The operating system is Windows CE.NET, and net pad has a full-length screen that can display horizontally.

net pad is 8.47 in. long, 3.35 in. wide and 1.37 in. thick. It can be used for inventory database management, asset management, transportation activities, field service reporting and updating route drivers.