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Naturally, these rugged notebook computers
are heavier than non-rugged models but offer substantially more
protection than standard laptops. RuggedNotebooks.com offer a variety of
semi-rugged and rugged notebooks, wireless tablets and even rugged PDAs
in their Recon series. They also offer custom solutions.
Arguably the most rugged and heavy-duty
notebook available is the Rough Rider III from www.RuggedNotebooks.com.
Meeting IEC and MIL-STD 810F, temperature, humidity, altitude, shock,
vibration and drop standards, the case also conforms to IEC 529 and
Ingress IP 54 requirements. It has extensive configuration options and a
second bay available with internal PCI connector that supports a wide
variety of options including two additional COM ports (RS232, RS422, or
RS 485), two additional PCMCIA slots, a SCSI-2 port, DGPS or wireless
modules, an auxiliary battery, or fixed floppy drive. It can be
configured with 1.4 or 1.6 GHz Intel Pentium M processor, up to 2GB of
DDR RAM, a 60GB HDD, and up to a 14.1 inch screen. It also provides
extended wireless communications with 802.11b Wi-Fi, GSM/GPRS and
DataTAC connectivity. As you might expect, all this ruggedness comes
with a penalty and with the primary battery installed, the Rough Rider
III rugged notebook weighs 12.7 pounds, definitely not a light-weight.
RuggedNotebooks.com offers a variety of
semi-rugged and rugged notebooks, wireless tablets and even rugged PDAs
in their Recon series. They also offer custom solutions. As one of the
premier providers of notebook computers that meet and exceed military
(810F and 461E) and industry standards (IP54), anyone interested in a
high quality semi- or rugged notebook should make it a point to check
them out.
Sterling Computer Sales in Landenberg,
PA, offers a series of rugged notebooks meeting MIL STD 810E (which
primarily involves small drops and rough transport). Their RB1500 has a
rubber mounted HDD, spill-proof keyboard and magnesium alloy case. It
comes with a 15.1 inch TFT boasting sXGA+ resolution (1400X1050) and a
Pentium 4 Mobile 1.6Ghz processor. You can stuff it with up to 2GB of
DDR ram and a 100GB HD. For communications this rugged notebook includes
modem, Ethernet and 802.11b/g Wireless. This might be better considered
a semi-rugged, but the price with default options starts at only $1,595.
The Durabook N15RI is a rugged notebook
that has a magnesium alloy top and bottom case - which is 20 times
stronger than plastic. This rugged notebook has anti-shock mounting and
spill-resistant keyboard, scroll buttons and touch-pad. While it meets
some (modified) 810F military specifications for ruggedness it doesn't
appear to be IP54 compliant and is probably best viewed as a more rugged
than usual semi-rugged notebook. It still provides the mobile
professional with a tough, durable notebook at a more reasonable price
than a fully rugged notebook.
HP also has a rugged notebook series -
the HP nr3610 Rugged Notebook. This model meets MIL STD for ruggedness
in the areas of ESD (Electrostatic Discharge), low pressure, humidity,
sealing, temperature and vibration - and the Ingress IP-54 Protection
rating for dust and water. However, it is very pricey for a notebook
with a 12.1 LCD (over $4000) and nearly impossible to find currently.
Another rugged notebook, offering the
choice of 14.1" and 15" Tflex displays - which work very well both
outdoors and indoors, is the Argonaut Ranger. The hard drive and LCD are
both shock mounted and the case is constructed of magnesium alloy. Both
models of this rugged notebook - Argonaut Ranger - meet military
specifications for ruggedness. The keyboard is spill-proof and the
circuitry of this rugged notebook makes use of anti-corrosive technology
for extra protection. Designed particularly for marine use the TFlex
display works extremely well under any lighting conditions - from full
darkness to direct sunlight.
Panasonic has its ToughBook line of
semi-rugged and rugged notebook computers which are also worth looking
into. The semi-rugged notebooks have a variety of features from the T2
with touchscreen weighing in at only 2.7 pounds to the Toughbook 51,
available with a 2GHz Intel Pentium M 760, a shock-mounted 80 GB HDD and
up to 2 GB of DDR2 SDRAM, with a 15 inch TFT Active Matrix Color LCD and
a standard Combo Drive of a DVD multi-drive, weighing in at about 6.7
pounds. Base pricing for the T51 seems to start around $1600.
The Panasonic Toughbook-29 is a fully
rugged notebook tested to MIL STD 810F. The vibration and drop-shock
resistant design has Intel Centrino Mobile Tech and integrated 802.11
a/b/g wireless LAN. It has a 13.3 inch outdoor-readable TFT Active
Matrix Color LCD (optional touchscreen), a shock-mounted removable HDD
in a stainless steel case, sealed port and connector covers and a full
magnesium alloy case with handle. With battery and floppy drive it
weighs 7.9 pounds. Base version pricing seems to be around $3500
currently.
One thing you need to be aware of about
rugged notebooks - particularly full MIL-STD ruggedized models - they
can be a little hard to find at your local computer store - or even on
some of the big internet sites. The substantial added costs of
manufacture and testing - and sometimes, the performance compromises
that are made, make them a questionable option for the usual notebook
user. If you will be working under harsh conditions, then they may be
your only rational choice. However, for a user who will simply be doing
a lot of traveling, day in and day out, and wants a notebook computer
that can better tolerate the inevitable shocks and bumps, a semi-rugged
notebook could be a much more affordable option, providing reasonable
protection and better performance at a lower price.
Copyright 2005 Richard Keir
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