MW800 Mobile Workstation

The Motorola MW800 Mobile Workstation was introduced in the early 2000’s as the next-generation successor to the MW520 Mobile Workstation. Designed as a rugged, high-performance mobile computing platform, the MW800 Mobile Workstation targeted public safety, emergency services, utilities, and other mission-critical field operations. At launch, the estimated MSRP for a base MW800 configuration typically fell in the $2,000–$3,000+ range, positioning it as a more capable, but still cost-effective solution compared to its future successor, the MW810 Mobile Workstation.

As mobile data usage rapidly increased, agencies required in-vehicle computing systems that could operate reliably in harsh environments while delivering improved processing power, connectivity, and expandability. The MW800 Mobile Workstation addressed these needs through a modular, split-architecture design, consisting of a vehicle-mounted central processing unit (CPU) paired with a separate touchscreen display. This approach reduced heat buildup in the cabin, improved system reliability, and allowed greater flexibility when installing equipment in increasingly crowded vehicle interiors.

The MW800 Mobile Workstation ran Microsoft Windows operating systems, including Windows XP, enabling compatibility with a wide range of law enforcement, emergency response, and dispatch applications common at the time. It utilized Intel-based processors, typically Pentium III or Mobile Pentium M chipsets, along with upgradable system memory and ruggedized storage options designed for mobile use. Integrated support for GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular modems provided real-time access to databases, mapping, and communications from virtually any location.