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Verizon's G'zOne Type-S, now in black and silver
Verizon's Casio-sourced G'zOne Type-S ruggedized clamshell is now available in black and silver, a color combo seemingly befitting the phone's sporty image. This particular version happens to be among the G'zOnes that support push-to-talk, too, so if you can overlook the VGA cam or you just really need a phone that can tolerate absolutely every shred of abuse you can throw at it, well, here you go. Grab it now for a shade under $80 on contract after rebates.[Thanks, Brian A.]
Dell's leaked E6400 ATG for mustachioed, overall types (just not Mario)
So you like the looks of Dell's 14.1-inch Latitude E6400 do ya? Well what if we told you that Dell plans a semi-rugged E6400 ATG version? While it won't replace Dell's fully-rugged XFR D630 when the ATG launches in June, we can't help but be intrigued at the prospect of a dust-proof, shock-proof, and spill-proof, humidity and altitude resistant Centrino 2 laptop with super bright 750cd/m2 (or 650cd/m2 touchscreen) display, GPS, UWB, DisplayPort and more. It can get pretty rugged working unwashed in our robes and slippers, you know. Full features listed after the break as our Week o' Dell scoops continues.
Vulnerable USB drive gets wrapped in aluminum for security's sake
Corsair's Flash Voyager comes straight from the factory in a water- and shock-resistant enclosure, but for one particular owner, said chassis just wasn't hardcore enough. Rather than swapping it out for an Iron Drive, he took matters into his own hands by gutting the innards and custom building an ultra-rugged aluminum casing. Showing off his fantastic attention to detail, a machined slot for the keychain and a LED indicator hole were included, too. Hit up the read link for the walkthrough if you're feeling atypically industrious -- otherwise, just kick back and admire.[Via Hack N Mod, thanks Joe]
DRS intros rugged ARMOR C12 convertible, X10 tablet PC
Just in case Dell's Latitude XFR D630 was too mainstream for you, DRS Tactical Systems has a pair of equally tough rigs for you to chew on. Up first is the ARMOR C12 convertible (shown above), which packs a 12.1-inch outdoor readable touchscreen, 1.2GHz ULV U1400 CPU, 512MB of DDR2 RAM, a 60GB shock-mounted HDD, full-sized keyboard, integrated WiFi, Ethernet, PCMCIA, a biometric scanner and a die-cast magnesium case built to pass MIL-STD-810F / IP54 standards. As for the ARMOR X10 tablet (pictured after the jump), you'll find a 1.2GHz U2500 Core Duo processor, an optional 16GB SSD, 10.4-inch sunlight readable display, Bluetooth and many of the same highlights seen on the aforementioned C12. No word on a price for either at the moment, but trust us, you'll pay a pretty penny for a machine that just begs for pain. [Warning: PDF read link]
MobileDemand lets loose rugged xTablet T8700 tablet PC
It may not look all that different from its previous xTablet T8600, but MobileDemand still seems to have found plenty to brag about its new xTablet T8700 rugged tablet PC, which it says offers the "industry's highest performance" in addition to "superior ruggedness." That performance is centered around a 1.2GHz Core Duo processor and a standard 2GB of RAM, which certainly isn't much compared to consumer laptops and tablet PCs, but is pretty uncommon in a rugged tablet of this class, which are usually saddled with a Celeron or the like. On that other, even more important matter (at least for anyone in the market for one of these), you can expect an MIL-STD 810F rating for ruggedness and an IP 65 rating for sealing, which you can see put to the test in video form on MobileDemand's website. Needless to say, none of this exactly comes cheap, with a hefty $3,795 required to call this one your own.
Dell's rugged Latitude XFR D630 wants a piece of your Toughbook
While Dell's tame Latitude D630 just got Penryn-ized, the XFR edition comes ready for operation in seriously extreme scenarios. Built to meet MIL-STD 810F standards from the Department of Defense, this beast not only handles just about anything you throw at it, on it or inside it, but it also promises to provide "23-percent better system performance than the Panasonic CF-30." Furthermore, it boasts a 14.1-inch outdoor readable display (with optional touchscreen technology), a 2.0GHz T7250 or 2.2GHz T7500 CPU, up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM, a shock-mounted 80GB HDD (or a 32GB / 64GB SSD, if you prefer), integrated DVD burner, Intel's GMA X3100 graphics set, WiFi / Bluetooth and optional WWAN for good measure. You'll also find a 6-cell battery with ExpressCharge, a magnesium handle, a smorgasbord of ports and a starting weight of 8.9-pounds. Heck, Dell even gives you a choice of Black / Charcoal and Desert Tan color schemes, but you'll be handing over a minimum of $3,899 to pick up either.
Panasonic's Toughbook CF-U1 UMPC eats Hi-K metal gate for breakfast
So you're the type who actually needs to scrub behind the ears? Good, this UMPC is for you. The Toughbook CF-U1 is a "fully ruggedised" UMPC which runs XP or Vista on Intel's Menlow platform. So rugged in fact, that only a case of glass and gravel can withhold it from Intel's new Atom branding. We can't tell you much without an official announcement or any PR types around to drone on (and on) about its Mil-Spec or Ingress ratings. Regardless, it'll still look great strapped to the dash of your Hummer as you pull into the strip mall for a milkshake. And that's all that really matters right, Mr. Milquetoast?%Gallery-17412%
Motion Computing unveils "semi-rugged" F5 Slate PC
It's been a solid tick since we heard a peep from Motion Computing, but nearly a year after we first wrapped our paws around the firm's C5 medical tablet, the F5 has arrived. Granted, this bugger is more suited for service industries and field work than the ER, but its "semi-rugged" nature ensures that it'll get the job done almost anywhere. Packed within the IP54-compliant (read: dust, water, shock and temperature resistant) chassis is a 1.2GHz Intel Centrino U1400 processor, 10.4-inch XGA (1,024 x 768) View Anywhere display, 40GB HDD (optional 32GB SSD available), built-in 802.11a/b/g and Bluetooth, WWAN (EV-DO) support and a 2-megapixel camera for good measure. Additionally, you'll spot an optional barcode reader, integrated RFID reader / passive tag, a biometric scanner, three USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, VGA output and a battery good for about 3.5 hours of usage. Unfortunately, such a well-spec'd Slate PC won't come cheap, as this creature will set you back a stiff $2,699 to $4,000 depending on configuration.Update: Check out videos of the F5 surviving a brutal drop test and enjoying the rain after the jump. %Gallery-17243%
Roper Mobile Technology intros rugged Duros tablet PC
There's certainly no shortage of rugged tablet PCs out there, but those still undecided computing options for their next trek through the wilderness now have yet another possibility to consider, with Roper Mobile Technology introducing its new Duros tablet. On the ruggedness front, this one is sealed to IP-65 levels for dust and water protection and tested to MIL STD 810F standards for vibration, shock, high/low temperatures and the inevitable drops. Of course, all that comes with a slight compromise in computing power, with your only processor options being a 1.0GHz Celeron M processor or AMD Geode LX800, along with a max 1GB of RAM. The optional 64GB SSD hard drive is decidedly not low end, however, and neither is the tablet's connectivity options, including optional GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS and, of course, built-in GPS. No word on a price but, like most things excessively rugged, that's probably best kept on a need to know basis.[Via I4U News]
GETAC's E100 tablet PC won't bog you down, will take a beating
Prior to today, it had certainly been a hot, hot minute since we'd heard a peep out of GETAC, but here we are peeking the firm's second new product in as many days. The E100 tablet PC weighs in at just three pounds, but this dainty gizmo reportedly meets MIL-STD-810F and IP54 standards for "durability and protection against dirt, dust, water, motion, vibration, temperature and other factors that would severely damage or disable a commercial-grade PC." Beyond its tough attire, you'll find an 8.4-inch SVGA display (optional sunlight readable) with 800 nits of brightness, an 800MHz Intel Stealey processor, up to 1GB of DDR2 RAM, 60 to 100GB shock-resistant hard drive, 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0 and optional WWAN / GPS to boot. Sadly, we're not even given a clue as to how much this bad boy will cost, but we'll go ahead and assume "pricey" to be on the safe side.[Image courtesy of RuggedPCReview]
GETAC B300 rugged laptop with LED backlight, "Night Vision"
It's all about 13.3-inch LED backlit displays these days, and apparently even ruggedized military computers are no exception. The new B300 from GETAC features a 13.3-inch XGA "sunlight-readable" display with 1200 nits of brightness. There's also a processor-based display tech built in based on the US Army's night vision spec to auto-adjust for brightness when used at night for improved safety in military and law enforcement situations. The Core 2 Duo L7500 processor is a bit mundane, but the laptop boasts 12 hours of battery life, and the case is watertight, and vibration and drop resistant. Other perks include Bluetooth 2.0, 3G data and GPS as options. No word on price, but hopefully Uncle Sam can afford a few.
Imation intros redesigned Pivot, new Pivot Plus flash drives
As if you didn't have enough options when scouting a totally locked down flash drive, Imation is cranking out a revamped Pivot and an all new Pivot Plus to quell your paranoia. As for the former, it provides "software encryption software," ReadyBoost compatibility and capacities up to 8GB, while the all new Pivot Plus ups the ante with 256-bit AES hardware encryption. And just in case you're still worried, the drive also features "one password-protected partition that only allows storage of encrypted data and a tamper-resistant housing." As for the refreshed Pivot, it's slated to land later this quarter in the US for $29.99 to $199.99, while the ultra-secure Pivot Plus is available as we speak in 1/2/4/8GB sizes for $69.99 to $249.99.
Jeep readies rugged GPS RT 300 for January release
It's a Jeep-branded GPS -- did you really expect it to look any less barbaric? 'Course, we're pretty sure those infatuated with the brand won't find anything to kvetch about, and after all, this uber-rugged navigator will withstand more dirt, dust and bumps that your average Garmin. The GPS RT 300 is slated to launch sometime next month for $399, and in exchange for payment you can expect a 3.5-inch LCD touchscreen, an integrated media / text viewer, one million POIs, turn-by-turn voice guidance and loads of off-road credibility. Okay, so that last feature isn't guaranteed, but we feel tougher just looking at it.
ICI Controls' "completely sealed" SC240M PC gets down and dirty
Trust us, we've seen a smorgasbord of smallish PCs designed to reside in places humans aren't fond of visiting, and ICI Controls is making no bones about the ruggedness of its latest alternative. The fanless SC240M is a relatively small, completely sealed PC designed for "embedded and industrial applications in wet and dirty environments." Packed within the rough and tough exterior is a 1.2GHz VIA, 1.6GHz Pentium M or 1.6GHz / 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo CPU, up to 2GB of RAM, a 40GB hard drive, WiFi and a slew of ports including Ethernet, four USB 2.0 sockets, audio in / out, RS-232, FireWire and S-Video. Notably, users can customize the innards to their heart's content, but the basic configurations start at $1,695, and you can even add in a backlit sealed keyboard for just $250 more. You know, for your upcoming stay in an underwater hotel, or whatever.[Via LinuxDevices]
Visuals surface of Samsung's bricklike "Solid"
In what appears to be homage to old school iDEN cellphones everywhere, Samsung looks to be preparing its latest phone for Orange, a rugged little beast appropriately named "Solid." The important details are a little sparse at the moment, but we hear the device will sport a VGA camera and by the looks of the keypad, it will also have a speakerphone. If it's real -- and frankly, we have no good reason to suspect otherwise -- it should hit Orange come December.
Psion Teklogix launches rugged iKon PDA phone
Last we heard from Psion Teklogix, it was busy cranking out a handheld workhorse for those rough days in the field, but now the outfit is celebrating its 40th year in the biz by offering up the iKon. This PDA / smartphone features a 3.7-inch VGA display, an integrated camera, built-in GPS, GSM / GPRS / UMTS connectivity options, Bluetooth, WiFi, a barcode scanner and your choice of Windows Mobile 6 Classic / Professional or CE.net 5. Furthermore, this tough guy can withstand falls from five feet to polished concrete, and it'll also hold its own when faced with sandstorms and downpours. Sadly, Psion Teklogix isn't fessing up to what the iKon will cost, but you can certainly contact the firm directly when it goes on sale this December should you be interested.
Lowrance unveils rugged 3.5-inch XOG navigator
Lowrance's XOG isn't the first from the company to feel at home away from the beaten path, as this 3.5-inch navigator was built to handle everything from in-car vacations to weekend treks through the forest. Sporting a rugged, weatherproof enclosure, this unit touts a 320 x 240 resolution backlit touchscreen, 2D / elevated 3D maps, a 12-channel GPS antenna, NAVTEQ maps, three million POIs, support for the firm's FreedomMaps, Fishing Hot Spots PRO, LakeMaster ProMaps and NauticPath options, an integrated MP3 player / JPEG viewer, SD expansion slot and a rechargeable Li-ion for good measure. Mum's the word on pricing as of now, but it will apparently be "available soon" and will come bundled with a device cradle, in-car mounting kit and a mini-USB cable.[Via NaviGadget]
Latest Motorola MC70 blessed with GPS
It's been a tick since Motorola / Symbol's MC70 saw a notable refresh, but today Moto is announcing that the newest version of its rugged Enterprise Digital Assistant (EDA) will boast GPS capability. The firm claims that this addition will allow organizations with field-based employees to "track and manage dynamic, real-time tasking, as well as verify specific locations of activities and provide mobile workers with pinpoint navigation support to improve location-based productivity." Additionally, the device will still include barcode data and signature capture, WWAN, 802.11a/b/g and Bluetooth, and should be available for sale worldwide in Q1 of 2008.
Computer Dynamics introduces the Ruffneck "explosion-proof" computer
There's rugged computing, and then there's rugged computing -- and the new Ruffneck PC from GE Fanuc's Computer Dynamics subsidiary is ready to handle just about anything you can throw at it. The unit sports a 15-inch touchscreen LCD that can be used with gloves on, a 1.6GHz Pentium M, 2GB of RAM and a 40GB disk (with a CompactFlash-based SSD option for even more toughness), all wrapped up in a thermally-managed enclosure that allows operation in temperatures as low as -40 and as high as 140 degrees Fahrenheit. All that resiliency means the Ruffneck clocks in just a little larger than your average Toughbook, however -- you're looking 45 pounds of wall-mounted Windows XP action. No word on price, but if you're in an environment where you might actually need one of these things, we're guessing you've got the budget for it.[Via Military Embedded Systems]
OCZ offers up rugged ATV / ATV Turbo USB flash drives
We wouldn't guesstimate that OCZ's newest duo of flash drives were the toughest we've ever seen, but the styling alone is pretty intimidating, we must say. Both drives reportedly tout weatherproof "rubber tread" housings and can withstand being submerged in water, and while the ATV will hum along "at mainstream speeds," the ATV Turbo promises read rates of up to 35MB/per second and write rates of up to 30MB/per second. No official pricing details look to be available just yet, but both iterations should be available shortly in 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB sizes.[Via SlashGear]
