DELL INTRODUCES XT2 XFR RUGGED TABLET

Dell has introduced what it calls industry’s first rugged tablet PC with capacitive multi-touch technology. The device called XT2 XFR has a 12.1 inch display and some decent specifications packed inside a rugged frame.

The XT2 XFR is powered by a 1.60GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9600 processor. It can be configured with either a 160GB hard disk drive or a 128GB solid state drive. Up to 5GB of RAM can be installed. There are no discrete graphics cards: Intel’s GMA 4500MHD does that job. The touchpad is gesture enabled. Other features include 3 USB ports, Ethernet, FireWire, VGA, a fingerprint reader and hot-swappable 2MP camera or GPS.

At just 5.4lb, the tablet is fairly lightweight. Presently it is customizable with Windows Vista and XP. Windows 7 may be available in the near future. Prices start at $3599.

WHO SHOULD BUY A RUGGED LAPTOP

Rugged laptops are the best choice for people whose work environments are less than ideal. Most rugged laptops are costlier than regular commercial laptops and do not offer the same configurations as a commercial grade laptop, but they allow you to work in a wide variety of environments.

Features of rugged laptops

Rugged laptops will be able to survive exposure to rain, snow, sand, hail, wind, extreme temperatures and humidity. They are water proof and come with sealed keyboards and casing that wouldn’t let water or other liquids enter the internal compartments of the laptop. Ports will usually have protective coverings. You can use a rugged laptop in wet and damp conditions without having to worry about losing your data.

Harder casings
Rugged laptops have stronger casings. They will easily survive a fall off your table or other high surfaces. Rugged laptops are also protected against shocks and vibrations.

Electromagnetic emissions
While ordinary laptops can’t work properly in areas where they are exposed to electromagnetic emissions, rugged laptops can easily withstand emissions from radio and power terminals.

STEALTH RELEASES WARRIOR 2000 RUGGED LAPTOP/TABLET

Stealth Computers has unveiled its Warrior NW-2000 rugged laptop/tablet. It comes with a magnesium alloy chassis and meets the MIL-810F standard for shock and vibration.

Specifications
Processor: Intel Core 2 duo 1.06 GHz ULV Processor
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Graphics: Intel GMA X3100 graphics
Storage: shock mounted 160 GB Hard disk or an optional SSD.

The laptop has a 13.3 inch sunlight readable resistive touchscreen display with 1280x800 resolution. The touchscreen can be operated either with the hand or with a stylus. The LED backlit keyboard is spill resistant.

Connectivity
The machine supports a wide variety of connectivity options like Wi-Fi b/g/n, gigabit Ethernet, GPS, Modem and Bluetooth. Other features include a standard DVD burner, PC Card slot and optional HSDPA. For security purposes, there is a fingerprint reader and TPM security module.

The estimated battery life is 6 hrs. The machine weighs 9.04 lbs. Prices starts at $4,895.

LACIE RUGGED XL DRIVE

So its not everyday you see an external hard drive (eSATA, USB 2.0) that looks so darn sexy and yet is ruggedized. But LaCie can do that thanks to a design by Neil Poulton which features durable aluminum casing and external and internal shock absorbers.

MOTION J3400 RUGGED TABLET PC DEMOED ON VIDEO

We're going to be short here because we're sure you're dying to get to the video. The tablet PC you're about to see demoed on video is from Motion and comes with a 2 megapixel camera, GPS, biometric sensor, Bluetooth 2.1, Qualcomm's dual-mode Gobi WWAN, Wifi, 1.8-inch shock-mounted HDD or a 64GB SSD option.

TRIMBLE ANNOUNCES YUMA RUGGED TABLET

Trimble has announced the Yuma rugged tablet handheld computer, one more in the line of tough computing devices that confirm to the MIL-STD-810F and IP67 ratings of military standards for vibration, drop and humidity. The Yuma UMPC is dust and water proof and can withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -30 oC to 60 oC. And this tough guy can take a dive up to a depth of one meter.

The Yuma rugged tablet is powered by an Intel Atom 1.6GHz processor, 32GB SSD, WiFi 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0, an ExpressCard slot and a SDIO card slot for expansion. It also includes a dual geo-tag enabled integrated digital cameras and has a built-in GPS receiver.

The Yuma tablet has a 7-inch WVGA touchscreen that is sunlight readable and measures nine inches wide by two inches thick. There is no word on pricing yet, but Trimble is all set to ship its Yuma UMPC somewhere in April.

BUFFALO LINKSTATION MINI - RUGGED PERFORMER

The Buffalo LinkStation Mini is a packed together and expedient network storage space solution for anybody who requires a self-governing storage drive that can be mutual by manifold computers. This diminutive file sharing explanation supports SMB, FTP, and HTTPS right of entry: permitting friends, family, and coworkers to right to use the similar files even if they labor on dissimilar computers. The Link Station Mini lives up to its given name when it comes to size; the piece of equipment is diminutive and packed together:

• Height: 3.2 in (81 mm)
• Depth: 5.3 in (135 mm)
• Width: 1.6 in (41 mm)
• Weight: 1.1 lb (.498 kg)

The enclosed space is all black and has an extremely uncomplicated design with the Buffalo sign on either side. The top, bottom and back of the dual hard drive corral have vents to maintain the drives from overheating. Also, on the pinnacle there is small utility button. The main characteristic of the Link Station Mini is that there is no supplementary software to be added in order to administer the hard drive. The Mini's chief configurations are all accessed from side to side to a web browser by merely typing in the IP address. Through web access, users can scrutiny all the shared substance, add users/groups, and administer RAID settings, network settings, disk backup, etc. from anyplace on either a MAC or PC computer.

RUGGED SERIES NOTEBOOKS UPGRADED- PANASONIC

Panasonic today upgraded its rugged series notebook, the Toughbook 19 Convertible Tablet PC. This is the next generation Toughbook rechristened as 19F joins hands with existing flagship Series of Toughbook the 30F laptop with the power loaded Core 2 Duo processor and expanded memory.

Tough book 19 also features an optional in-built camera to be used in inspection and confrontation records applications for which the convertible tablet has been widely deployed in military and commercial applications. These MIL SPEC-certified laptops sports all new magnesium alloy cases, and an all sealed keyboards and ports, hard drive heaters, elastic internal connectors and shock-mounting’ that combine to deliver the highest levels of reliability.

The Toughbook-19 convertible tablet pc and the Toughbook-30 laptop include an anti-glare, anti-reflective sunlight viewable screen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a mobile WWAN design, loaded with backlit keyboard, GPS wireless and many more options.
The Toughbook-19F is launched now for $3,199. The Toughbook-19 with inbuilt camera will be made available from May 2008 with an anticipated street price of $3,699.

"EXTREME" RUGGED LAPTOP BY DELL

Dell has launched their fully ruggedized Latitude XFR D630. The first such laptop made by Dell, the Latitude XFR D630 offers "extreme durability with performance." Aiming at government and commercial customers, the laptop is available in the U.S. and starts at $3,899.

This rugged performer meets MIL-STD 810F standards from the Department of Defense for products that are used in extreme temperatures, moisture and altitude. The maintenance is simplified by using the same line of components used in the latitude laptops from DELL.

The XFR D630 clearly smashes the Panasonic Tough book line of fully ruggedized notebooks on its face. The patent-pending thermal management system used by DELL allows the XFR D630 to deliver up to 4 times better graphics enhanced way above the Panasonic CF-30.

Dell also offers an impressive standard service with this rugged XFR D630, including On-Site service for major components inside the laptop.