LXE Inc. is now shipping a “RFID-enabled” rugged handheld computer, the MX3-RFID. The new model is based on LXE’s MX3 horizontal half-screen wireless computer.

The device comes in two models. One based on Windows CE 3.0 runs an Intel SA-1110 CPU at 206MHz, and comes with 32MB SDRAM and 32MB flash storage available for user data. The second model, based on Windows CE .Net 4.2 runs on an Intel XScale PXA255 CPU at 400MHz, with options of 64MB SDRAM or 128 SDRAM and 64MB flash memory (32MB user accessible).

Both units have a 63 key QWERTY keyboard built-in, and a 640x240 1/2 VGA touchscreen. The company says it can deliver up to 8 hours battery life after a full charge.

The mobile handheld is capable of reading both barcodes and EPC-compliant RFID tags. It gives users the flexibility to use one unit for both traditional bar code-based data collection applications and RFID applications. The unit includes an EPC-compliant, class 0 (read only) and class 1 (write once, read many) tag reader. The unit’s firmware is also Gen 2 field upgradeable so companies won’t have to buy new hardware or even take the units out of the field when upgrade is required.

API’s are also available for easier application development. And the MX3RFID includes “keyboard wedge” software that places valid EPC data directly into the keyboard buffer so that any off-the-shelf application can access the data without complex development.

Transitioning from barcode read mode to RFID-tag read mode is effortless, by simply pressing the left scan button to scan barcodes and the right scan button for RFID tags.