Well,
the Las Vegas CES show had many people introducing tablets and notebooks... but one is probably of interest to many boaters....
Fujitsu introduced a waterproof IPX5/7
water resistant tablet...
An interesting writeup is
here:
A
photo:
Hopefully soon we shall be able to use such devices that can be purchased at consumer (not marine) prices.....
<snipped from the
press release:>
IPX5 designation indicates that the tablet can function normally after being sprayed from all directions with
water from a nozzle with a diameter of 6.3 mm at a rate of 12.5 liters per minute from a distance of approximately 3m for a period of at least 3 minutes. The IPX7 rating indicates that water will not penetrate inside the tablet and it will function normally after being gently immersed in a tank of room-temperature tap or still water of a
depth of 1m for approximately 30 minutes.
The tablet has been tested for operability under Fujitsu's examination standards on high-temperature conditions, such as usability in a bath area. Caution should be taken of the following: do not pour water with soap, shampoo or other bath agents on the tablet. Should this occur, please wash the tablet with regular room temperature water immediately. Do not attempt to drop or spray the tablet with warm/hot water. Do not use the tablet for long periods of time in places with high moisture levels. If so, please remove immediately from these areas after use. Do not directly subject the tablet to the spray of a hot water
shower. Do not use the tablet in the sauna. Do not suddenly carry the tablet from cold outdoor temperatures into a hot bath area. Please first allow the tablet to warm up to regular room temperatures. Do not recharge the tablet's
battery in a bath area.
<end snip>