Getac tosses 1.2GHz Core i7 into ultra-rugged V100 convertible laptop, drops it from atop ugly tree
By Darren Murph 
posted July 15th 2010 6:20PM
posted July 15th 2010 6:20PM
Getac's long-standing V100 has never been a thing of beauty, but you'd think it may get a little easier on the eyes over the years, wouldn't you? Regrettably, we're still left looking at a fairly industrial little machine, but at least the improved innards make it that much easier to focus on the Device Manager rather than, well... the device itself. Boasting a 10.4-inch sunlight viewable display, 320GB shock-mounted HDD and an 83-key waterproof backlit rubber keyboard, the revamped V100 is ready to chew through all sorts of computations while laying low from jungle cats and pools of quicksand. The 1.2GHz Core i7 within is the real standout, and it's joined by a multitouch-capable LCD, 2 megapixel webcam, SD card reader, inbuilt Bluetooth, optional 3G and a GPS system. There's no telling how much this five pounder will set you back, but we're guessing it'll run somewhere between "way up there" and "you've got to be kidding me." Getac Upgrades Its Popular V100 Convertible PC with up to 47% Higher Performance
Intel® Core™ i7 Processor, 1200 NITs QuadraClear™ Display, Glove-Friendly Multi-Touch Display All Protected with Magnesium Alloy Casing and 5-Year Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty
IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Getac Inc., a leading innovator and manufacturer of rugged computers that meet the demands of field-based applications, is upgrading its popular V100 fully rugged convertible with several new features and upgrades, including an Intel® Core™ i7 1.2 GHz processor, the fastest dual-core processor of any rugged convertible on the market.
"With better performance, memory, storage and wireless capabilities, the new Getac V100 is more advanced and flexible as ever and even better suited for mobile field workers and users of rugged notebook PCs."
Tests show the new V100 clocks in at up to 47% faster than its predecessor by combining Turbo Boost Technology for processor-intensive applications and a 4MB Intel Smart Cache, readily available to each of the processor cores, to ensure maximum performance whenever and wherever it's needed. For field workers who find themselves in dangerous and extreme environmental conditions, system speed and performance is a critical and mandatory feature and the V100 convertible now offers the fastest in its class.
Another important feature of a rugged mobile computer is the ability to view the display in direct sunlight. The V100 offers Getac's exclusive QuadraClear™ technology, which allows easy viewing in direct sunlight by incorporating special anti-reflective coatings, linear and circular polarizers, and a 1200 NIT LED display. In addition, the V100 provides glove-friendly, multi-touch technology for easy operation of its 10.4-inch display in extreme environments where industrial gloves are essential.
"The V100 fully rugged convertible has always been very popular because of its advanced feature set and super bright 1200 NITS screen," said Jim Rimay, president, Getac. "With better performance, memory, storage and wireless capabilities, the new Getac V100 is more advanced and flexible as ever and even better suited for mobile field workers and users of rugged notebook PCs."
Weighing a comfortable five pounds, the V100 is MIL-STD-810G and IP65 compliant and ready for almost any environment or extreme working conditions. Its Magnesium alloy case, shock mounted 320GB hard disk drive and sealed I/O caps and doors prevent damage from solid particles, moisture, and sudden impacts often associated field applications.
The V100, which easily transforms into a rugged tablet PC with one quick rotation of the display, includes a number of additional standard features including a full-size waterproof, 83-key membrane keyboard for ease of use, Windows 7 (downgradable to Windows XP), an integrated 200 degree reversible 2.0MP webcam, PCMCIA expansion slot and SD card reader, wireless Bluetooth and the industry-leading 5-year, bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Optional features include MIL-STD 461F, SATA 80GB SSD drive, dual-touch mode 1200 NITs QuadraClear™ sunlight readable LED display (multi-touch and digitizer), 83-key waterproof backlit rubber keyboard, fingerprint scanner, 3G Gobi™ 2000, and GPS system.
Wait what???
There's a 1.2 Ghz Core i7?
@skatekarate
I'd like an i7 in my netbook.
@skatekarate
I'd like an i7 in my netbook.
@skatekarate
It's probably an ultra low voltage cpu, so that it doesn't generate too much heat, so that they could avoid having to have a fan, so that it could be water resistant.
@skatekarate
"inbuilt"
built-in engadget
i feel bad having to correct a writer of a popular site but please
@manofchao5 "Inbuilt" is perfectly viable in the English language. Please do not be a douche. Using inbuilt instead of built-in is a matter of style, and it shows stylistic maturity in the area of syntax and makes the article more interesting of a read.
A real working man's laptop. I bet it doesn't get too hot on your lap either with all the space for a heatsink and fan.
@VetteDude
No fan, its sealed for dust/dirt and water resistance. The military used to have these things custom built before companies started manufacturing them. I used one that was encased in olive drag epoxy coated steel and had thumb screw doors that covered the connection ports and cd drive tray. They said you could drop it from a moving vehicle at decent speeds and not hurt it.
@marine6680
Heard a story about a delivery guy who put a Toughbook on top of his truck, forgot it, then drove away and somehow drove over it. Cracked the screen but the lappy still worked fine. Yes, they are that tough, and yes, that's why they cost "you've gotta be kidding me" dollars, unlike the regular consumer-grade laptops that fray power cables and blow video cards at the thought of moving them.
@VetteDude
Oh, and yes, I've had experience with Toughboosk and Dells, they are well-made. The Toughbooks still puzzle us because they seem to be sealed yet they don't have a fan and don't heat up the way consumer-grade laptops do.
This would stick out like a sore thumb in all the Starbucks halfway up mountains, in the desert etc...
I would hate to see what a piece of Energon cube does to this thing...
@DeFlanko
Energon was a fuel that was used.
You may be thinking of the AllSpark.
@A25i
I feal ya... but...
In the novelization and early movie scripts, the AllSpark is referred to as "the Energon Cube". It is also referred to as "the Cube" several times in the film itself.
- Wikipedia
This would be cpu for Iphone 5
@techlord As long as you don't mind the iPhone 5 catching fire!
Why not just put normal laptop hardware with a SSD into a Pelican Case. It would look better and be just as durable. Maybe it will even make for a smaller form factor than this beast.
@devoinregress I don't think SSDs are as non-volatile when they are physically broken. You can still recover some data from an HDD when it is smashed
@devoinregress
These laptops are not made to look good. The people who use them do not give two craps about glowing logos, brushed aluminum, and pretty graphics on a glossy surface. They care about dust, salt, water, rough handling, vibrations, acceleration, etc. not destroying the laptop in the first week on the job. Which what would happen to consumer-grade-assembled hardware in a pelican case.
Who cares if it's ugly?
It can handle more than an encounter with Amy Winehouse!
This laptop can be dropped kicked thrown spilled on and more. Who gives a shit how it looks. Its mean for work not fashion.
If something is built to be rugged I don't think on any grounds you can whine about how ugly it is.
Like does it really have to look that bad so it can be protected? Really?
@EagleyeSmith if it is going to damage your image then you are not manly enough to own one. this is a work tool, not a fashion accessory. do you care what a drill looks like?
@glennc2
Dude what are you talking about? I don't own one, nor will I buy one. It has nothing to do w/my image because I don't tie my image or self worth to my gadgets. Maybe you do but not me. I just simply wondered why can't companies make tough rugged computers that are visually nice. And yes, I would care what a drill looked like as well as how it functioned if I needed one.
@glennc2 Do not make fun of my pink, rhinestone-studded drill with matching purse!
@glennc2 I wouldnt be caught dead with a drill that looked like a Ryobi
@Ioncloud9 Aw, but the green ones are so cute!
ultra rugged with a HARD DRIVE in it? GTFO
SSD is necesarry to even hold the "slightly rugged" title. ultra rugged with a hard drive rofl
@roggit
Genius, read their web site won't you?
http://us.getac.com/products/V100/V100_specification.html
cool, tough book
@banapple
Careful...Panasonic will sue your ass...
"10.4” XGA (1024 x 768) TFT" "Multi-touch", I believe they're going to be visited by the Apple gestapo someday, because you know that Stevie...
(Sorry for bringing Apple into this unrelated post, I'm not supporting or making fun of the iPad, just pointing that out)
WTF is that? There's Function over Form, and then there's this thing.
7300 mAh battery? I LIKE that!
@d0mth0ma5
The iPhone5 only catches fire when held incorrectly...............
@Epyon
stupid comment system
I actually think it looks really awesome. It has a great rugged, industrial look to it that makes it appear powerful and tough.
Engadget has reported on this stuff for years, and understands exactly why it looks the way it does.
Foppish article is foppish.
Wow, seems like all the people complaining about the looks of this laptop have absolutely no clue about ruggedized laptops and what they are used for.
The consumer laptops are made to look shiny and pretty to attract/distract buyers from the Chinese slapped-together innards. These beasts are for people who need to get work done.