Welcome to the Itronix DuoTouch Information Page
The DuoTouch and Gobook Tablet PCs are made by Itronix, which was bought by General Dynamics.
The new company is sometimes referred to as GD-Itronix.
You can get information and authorized drivers from their web site.
Itronix
Legal Stuff
Itronix, DuoTouch and GoBook are registered trademarks of Itronix, a General Dynamics company.
All copyright and trademark stuff belongs to the holder.
No infringment is intended or implied by anything stated here.
The following information is stuff I've been collecting about the DuoTouch
that I am sharing with the rest of the internet community.
As is always the case with this stuff, use it with care.
Backup your work, don't install stuff if you don't know what you are doing.
This information may not be fully accurate, and/or things may not work for you.
I take no responsability for anything that goes wrong. You have been warned.
Of course if it goes right, then please feel free to take the credit yourself. I don't mind.
Hardware Information
Latest Pen Drivers
The DuoTouch tablet PCs use a Wacom stylus (pen).
The drivers provided by Itronix are typically old.
You can get the latest drivers from the Wacom web site.
You can also get replacement pens.
Wacom Drivers
Be warned; I tried to install the latest Wacom drivers on a Duotouch.
They are much nicer, but the calibration function no longer worked on the DuoTouch.
I ended up having to remove the new Wacom drivers to get it to calibrate again.
Replacement Pen (stylus)
You can buy replacement pens from Wacom. Wacom Pens
Or you can search for deals on eBay with the keyword "Wacom".
You can also buy a replacement pen from GD-Itronix, but they charge a lot for them.
$65.00 for a packet of three. But you get the nifty tether if you buy them from GD-Itronix.
Wacom doesn't offer the tether, but they will sell you a single pen for $30.00
(for the standard Viewsonic pen) instead of the packet of three.
Wacom also offers a cheaper slim pen for $20.
This pen won't stay in the pen slot on the DuoToch, but if cost is important, it is a cheaper way to go.
Wacom also has a more expensive touch pen ($40) with an eraser option.
I don't know if the eraser option will work with the DuoTouch
(see my note about the newer Wacom pen drivers not working correctly on the DuoTouch).
Wifi (802.11 network interface)
You can buy the 802.11b card from GD-Itronix for $113.00 ---
Accessories
Or you can buy a regular laptop 802.11 card.
The card used is a standard laptop mini-PCI card that uses a built-in laptop antenna.
You can use the older "B" technology that GD-Itronix offers,
or you can install a newer "802.11G" card.
I've seen offers on eBay for as little as $30.
The mini-PCI card slot was intended for radio cards.
There are two antenna connectors that are taped down inside
(if there is not a card installed already).
If you install a 802.11 card, you will connect the two connector wires to the card.
The slot is a standard mini-PCI slot, so you should be able to install most any mini-PCI card.
Be careful to insulate the antenna connectors if you don't use them so that they don't short things out.
You can also use a USB 802.11 dongle or a PCMCIA Wifi card if you wish instead of an internal mini-PCI card.
They all work fine.
Installing the mini-PCI card
To install the mini-PCI card, you have to remove the internal battery cover, then remove the battery.
The mini-PCI slot is located under the battery. There are two wires that are taped down
(if there is not a card already installed).
You will attach these wires to the 802.11 card you are installing.
Bluetooth Communication
You can install Bluetooth by buying the option from Itronics or you can buy a Bluetooth USB dongle.
I'm not sure currently on the specifics of the Itronics Bluetooh option.
Myself, I just use a Bluetooth USB dongle when I need the capability.
GPS System
From the pictures, it looks like the Itronix GPS option goes into the compact flash card slot.
(At least that is where the antenna sticks out.)
Th CF is an unusual slot to use for that, but I suppose it leaves the PCMCIA slot open for other things.
I don't have the option, but I don't see any reason why you couldn't buy a PCMCIA GPS kit.
(It should be noted that for every additional device you install on the DuoTouch it will draw more battery power.)
Memory
The DuoTouch uses standard laptop PC2700 memory.
Warning: Laptop memory is not the same as desktop memory (laptop memory is smaller).
You can either buy the (expensive - $360 for 1GB) memory from GD-Itronix
Accessories
or you can buy it on eBay for much cheaper (but with the associated risks).
Hard Disk
The DuoTouch uses a standard laptop 2.5 inch hard disk.
Warning: A laptop hard drive (2.5 inch) is not the same as a desktop hard drive (3.5inch or 5inch).
GD-Itronix doesn't show a replacement hard drive on their web site, but you can
buy one on eBay for much cheaper than Itronix would offer (but with the associated risks).
Replacing a hard drive in a DuoTouch is not an easy task and will likely require expert help.
There is only one hard drive slot available, so there is no easy way to clone the
data and software from the existing hard drive onto a new hard drive.
You will likely need to find a reputable service shop that can do the job if you want to replace the hard drive.
If you can manage it though, you can increase the size of the wimpy 40GB hard disk to something a bit larger (160GB or more).
Replacement Batteries
Currently the only place I know of to get replacement batteries is from GD-Itronix.
It appears to be a custom battery. You can also buy a second expansion battery that will extend
the amount of time the DuoTouch can run on battery from the normal 3 hours to up to 6 hours.
GD-Itronix also offers several soft-cases and straps for the DouTouch.
Both batteries are $159.00 each.
Power Supply
The DuoTouch uses a 19VDC 4.75A (90W) power supply. You can also use a 18.5VDC 4.9A (90W) power supply.
This is similar to the power supply used by the HP Compaq Presario 2100 Series and HP Pavilion series.
You can also use any other power supply that fits the spec (18.5VDC to 19.1VDC at 4.7A to 5A 90W).
Rubber feet
GD-Itronix also offers replacement feet. I recommend getting a packet of replacement feet.
The feet tend to come loose and you will likely loose a couple of feet if you keep your DuoTouch very long.
Cases
Itronix also offers several different handles, straps and soft-case options to protect your DuoTouch.
For most of the case options they include a spare stylus pen and tether.
If you need a case, it can be a good way to get a spare pen and tether.
Alternately you can poke around on eBay looking for a soft-case that sort-of fits your needs.
It can be cheaper and you can get a greater variety of cases
to select from that might be more suitable to your particular needs.
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ForeWater, Portland Oregon USA | mikeday@backwater.com | Feb 18, 2005