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NextComputing's rugged Vigor Evo HD flextop has an LCD on its side
Under most circumstances, we too would take one glance at the monolith pictured above and scream in horror. But of course, we're entirely sure you're familiar with the wacky machines emerging from NextComputing. The ultra-tough Vigor Evo HD is hailed as the company's "highest performance rugged workstation," and besides offering up a floating chassis which absorbs all sorts of bumps and shocks, it also comes with a 17-inch LCD plastered right on the side. Said panel is covered with a hard-coated protective screen, and sitting just beneath that is your choice of AMD / Intel processors, up to four PCIe or PCI-X 64-bit slots, a dual-layer DVD writer, up to 3TB of internal HDD space and most everything else you'd find in a pre-fab desktop. Of course, it loses the vast majority of its intimidation factor when equipped with the optional wheels / telescoping handle package, but we won't tell anyone if you're not man / woman enough to lug it over your shoulder.
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.]
Samsung's M110 "Solid" phone is rugged, boring
Samsung's M110 "Solid" phone is apparently making its way to the UK soon, bringing with it a ruggedized exterior sure to resist even the most violent attacks (or scratching, at least). Aside from the tough exterior the device, it's actually a fantastically boring GSM phone, featuring EDGE / GPRS data, a 240 x 320 screen, Bluetooth, a VGA camera, FM tuner... and MMS! The Korean electronics-maker claims this phone is the "first ultra durable handset," which is wildly inaccurate, though the device can apparently withstand shocks, water, and hanging out with Tara Reid for a night. Price is expected to hover somewhere near the £59.99 mark (or about $119), and will be available in the UK on the O2 network soon.
Augmentix debuts the XTG630 ruggedized laptop
If you're in the market for a ruggedized, kill-or-be-killed type of laptop, perhaps one which closely resembles a mutated Speak & Spell, then the Augmentix XTG630 might be right up your alley. The 14.1-inch laptop is based on the Dell Latitude architecture, and features a Core 2 Duo processor, up to 4GB of RAM, a removable 80GB hard drive plus a 32GB SSD, an Intel GMA X3100 integrated graphics chipset, 802.11a/g/draft n, mobile broadband in EVDO or HSDPA flavors, Bluetooth 2.0, and a whole load of ports and jacks for your connectivity pleasure. Of course, the XTG630 has been tested to "Military Standards" for ruggedness, meaning you can operate the laptop in extremely low (minus 4 degrees) or extremely high (140 degrees) temperatures, drop it from a height of 3-feet, soak it in 4-inches of rain per hour, or run the system in an environment with 95 percent humidity. Additionally, the laptop says it will do "whatever it takes" to gather enemy intelligence, and will also "take a bullet for you."
Acturion's Victum Tablet 8 is the UMPC for soldiers of fortune
Thinking about heading out into some harsh territory, really getting down and dirty, or seriously roughing it? Well don't you think you should take a ruggedized UMPC with you, just in case you need to update your Myspace profile while you're gone? That's where the intimidatingly named Acturion Victum Tablet 8 comes in. The company, which is a specialized military and industrial vendor, says that the 8.4-inch, Windows or Linux rocking tablet is resistant against drop, shock, vibration, high and low temperature, rain, and dust and sand, which should make it the perfect companion on those cold, lonely nights. The Victum features a low-voltage 1.2GHz Pentium M processor, up to 1.25GB of RAM, a 40GB or 80GB hard drive, and 802.11a/b/g. The war-ready tablet gets a whopping seven hours of battery life, which we're pretty sure Jack Bauer will appreciate.[Via Tablet PC Talk]
Getac announces ruggedized, 3G-equipped P470 laptop
Thanks to the FCC, we've already had a pretty good look at Getac's upcoming ruggedized convertible tablet PC, but it looks like the company isn't stopping there, today announcing the somewhat less-rugged P420 laptop. While it may not take quite as much of a beating, it will give you a bit more in the way of specs, including a 14.1-inch display, a 1.83 Ghz Core Duo T2400 processor (or a T7400 Core 2 Duo if the company's website is to be believed), a max 160GB hard drive, up to 4GB of RAM, and optional ATI Mobilty Radeon X1450 graphics if the standard integrated Intel fare isn't enough for you -- not to mention optional WWAN capabilities for those in need of a little 3G action. Earning the laptop its "rugged" status is its magnesium alloy case, sealed ports and connectors, shock-mounted hard drive, and various dust and water-proofing measures. Unfortunately, there's no word on what it'll cost or when it'll be available, although we're guessing Getac will be spilling those details at the official unveiling at this week's GTC West show.
Apple's Mac mini gets ruggedized, aluminum shell
While there's long since been ways to make your Mac mini even more portable, the vulnerability typically increases right along with the downsizing. VictorSystems is out to throw mobility to the wind in exchange for assurance that your precious mini can withstand just about anything the world throws at it. The company has conjured up an entire computer system, peripherals and all, that is based around a mini and its accessories being sheathed in "aircraft grade aluminum alloys made from wrought plates, extruded rails, and finned heat sinks." Attention to detail was crucial, as even the power supply, a flat-panel display, keyboard, speakers, printer, and mouse were also given the ruggedizing treatment for a lengthy stay in the Amazon wilderness (or similar). Unfortunately, the setup doesn't sport a pricetag due to the BTO nature of the company, but if you're interested in removing every ounce of sexiness from your machine in order to carry it through unthinkable circumstances, VictorSystems can apparently do it up.[Via Slashgear]
Persides announces ruggedized, waterproof VEEcam
British manufacturer Persides has announced a new digital video camera for those in need of something that can take a bit more abuse than your run-of-the-mill DV cam, with its VEEcam catering to the military and extreme sports crowds alike. Likely to appeal to the latter of those two is the detachable camera module that can be affixed to your helmet, with the video output on the main unit's 2.4-inch LCD. Supposedly, you'll be able to record between four and eight hours of "DVD quality" video (depending on the model), although the company isn't specifying what that translates to in gigabytes. It also isn't getting very specific with a release date, only saying that it'll come out sometime this summer for around £800 (about $1,600).
ZDNet Netherlands trashes a Dell ATG laptop
While we don't think Dell ever intended for its ruggedized ATG Latitude laptop to be taken for an indestructible laptop, the smash-happy folks at ZDNet Netherlands nonetheless decided to see just how far that supposed ruggedness would take it when pushed to the limits. As you can see for yourself in the video linked below, the battery of tests they put the laptop through are definitely not for the faint of heart, with it facing coffee spills, drops onto a concrete floor, and the wrong end of a hammer -- not to mention the grand finale seen above. While the laptop managed to stay in one piece it certainly didn't come out unscathed, so the ATG users among you out there will probably still want to take it easy on it -- and if you don't, be sure to send us the video.
Algiz intros ruggedized Algiz 8 tablet PC
While there's certainly no shortage of ruggedized tablet PCs out there (or laptops, or UMPCs), upstart Algiz seems to think there's enough room for it to squeeze itself into the mix, recently announcing its beefy Algiz 8 tablet. According to the company, the device is "dedicated to defend and protect," although it may be somewhat hampered in that task by its low-power 1.0 GHz ULV M Processor, which gets complemented by an 8.4-inch SVGA display, a 40 GB hard drive, and a maximum 1GB of RAM. On the upside, that should translate to some decent battery life, which can be further extended thanks to its hot-swappable 5800mAh battery. It also looks like you'll get plenty of connectivity options to choose from, with built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, as well as optional GPRS/CDMA connectivity and GPS should you decided to haul it into uncharted territory. Unfortunately, there's no word on how much it'll cost, nor is there any indication of when it'll be available -- although, judging from the image above, we wouldn't expect it very soon.[Via Navigadget]
Kontron intros ultra-rugged 13-pound NotePAC
If you think your Toughbook or Itronix laptop is hardcore, then you haven't been formally introduced to Kontron's forthcoming NotePAC. While we've seen our fair share of rugged (and not-so-rugged) devices, this bad boy definitely ups the ante. Presumably designed to literally go through hell (and back), the nearly 13-pound beast can survive a 3-foot drop onto solid concrete, is MIL-STD 810F and IEC 529 certified for shock and vibration tolerance, and there's even an available upgrade that adds MIL-STD-461 certification for low electromagnetic radiation output, and ATEX (atmospheric explosives) certification "for use in areas where the slightest spark could prove deadly." Besides the tank-like armor surrounding it, it holds a 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo T2300 processor within, accompanied by up to 2GB of DDR RAM, a 12.1- or 14.1- touchscreen LCD, removable 80 GB / 120GB SATA hard drives (mounted in shock absorbing, sealed cartridges, no less), and a hard disc heater that keeps your platters spinning down to minus 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, you'll find twin PCMCIA slots, gigabit Ethernet, FireWire, VGA output, and a myriad of connectivity options that include UMTS, GSM, GPRS, GPS, WiFi, and Bluetooth. Notably, the system has been "fully validated" under Windows XP, but can also be ordered sans an OS if users wish to install Linux, and the company's own product manager stated that Kontron had already tested SUSE Linux and found that it "ran well" under the circumstances. Though we've no idea how much coinage this uber-tough NotePAC will demand, it'll be available to customize starting next month.
Azentek planning ruggedized, longevous "Scout" UMPC
While the UMPC in general hasn't had the appeal manufacturers surely hoped for, they're still hanging in there, and apparently Azentek sees an opening in the less-than-attractive market. Diverting from its traditional "carputer" (i.e. in-car PC) offerings, the firm has announced a forthcoming UMPC built to military specifications to handle any dropkicks it may receive once the battery craps out after an hour or two, and will be based on its "Scout" platform. Beneath the hood, the device will be built around Intel's second generation "UMPC ultra low voltage platform," and feature up to 1GB of DDR2 RAM, 30 to 160GB standard / hybrid hard drives, and a rotatable webcam to boot. The 6.5-inch touchscreen will sport 500 cd/m2 brightness, and the battery will supposedly last "six to eight hours," which seems mighty liberal considering how pitiful most UMPCs are at sipping juice. Nevertheless, it'll also boast a biometric scanner, PC card / SD slot, and a pair of USB ports. While no concrete information was given on future availability, the outfit is aiming for a $1,500 pricetag at launch, which wouldn't be all that bad if the battery lives up to the admittedly lofty promises behind it.[Via Carrypad]
Fujifilm's rugged BIGJOB HD-3W digicam
Fujifilm's got a new ruggedized camera for those whose photography takes 'em into less than ideal conditions -- or anyone that just tends to beat up their equipment, we suppose. Its BIGJOB HD-3W also doesn't seem to skimp too much on features to accommodate your abuse, packing in a reasonable six megapixels and a 3x optical zoom, along with ISO settings up to 1600, VGA video recording, 23MB of built-in memory, and an xD slot for expansion. Just don't plan on going too crazy with it -- Fujifilm apparently doesn't recommend drops of more than two feet, although the cam is water and dust resistant. Price and availability are as yet unknown quantities, as is so often the case.
SwitchBack ruggedized UMPC can rock multiple OSes simultaneously
While we're not buying Black Diamond Advanced Technology's claim that its SwitchBack UMPC (no relation to the Kyocera Switchback) is the world's first such ruggedized device -- either the P630 Spartan or Catcher holds that honor -- it is by far the most versatile. This three-pound jack-of-all-trades comes equipped with a 1.0GHz Celeron M processor that not only runs Windows XP or Linux, but Windows CE and Windows Mobile to boot -- and not just one at time, but simultaneously as well, meaning that you can effortlessly switch between Internet Explorer and Pocket Internet Explorer (even though you wouldn't really want to). Also packed into the magnesium and rubber housing are a 5.6-inch, WSVGA (1,024 x 600) display, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0, 40GB removable hard drive, 1GB of 400MHz DDR2 RAM, and even a weird little QWERTY thumb board underneath the screen. Perhaps the best part of the SwitchBack, though, is its Handspring-like upgradability, meaning that separate back modules can be attached to endow it with added functionality such as GPS, fingerprint scanning, additional processing power, digital camera, and even a breathalyzer to make sure your fellow troops aren't too drunk to shoot straight. The initial units -- price unknown, meaning they probably cost a grip -- will ship sometime in Q4 as XP-only machines, with the multi-OS upgrade coming in Q2 2007, hopefully in time to help out our armed forces before they get involved in yet another major conflict.[Via PR Newswire]
Dell considering ruggedized laptops, tablet PCs
We've seen other companies try their hand at ruggedized notebooks and tablet PCs, but today, we found out that an old hat may be getting into this specialized sector of the market as well. At Dell's Technology Day last week, Alex Gruzen, general manager of Dell's Product Group, said that his company was looking into entering these two product categories; an article in eWeek, however, added that Gruzen (pictured at right) stressed that the company was merely considering its options at this point, and hadn't decided if it would begin production anytime soon. Our take? If Dell could make a ruggedized computer as cool as that XPS 600 Renegade that we saw at CES, we're sure they'd make a killing. [Via Laptoping]
Ricoh Caplio 500SE Model W rocks WiFi and Bluetooth
If you're looking for the perfect camera to take on your next vacation to the Amazon rainforest or Sahara desert, look no further than Ricoh's upcoming Caplio 500SE; like the 500G that preceded it, this 8 megapixel ruggedized shooter also sports a water-, shock-, and dust-resistant casing, but throws in some sweet wireless action to offload your pics no matter where you are. The high end Model W not only features a WEP- and WAP-secured WiFi radio like several other products on the market, but is one of the first imaging devices to also include Bluetooth 2.0 in the mix. No hotspot? No problem -- just transfer the pics over to your smartphone and release them onto the Internet wherever a cellular connection is available. Besides the dual radios, you're getting a 3x optical zoom, 2.5-inch LCD, 26MB of internal memory (enhanced via SD), and rather underwhelming QVGA video capture that may not even include sound. Still, this is a hell of a package (both in terms of its feature set and its weight: 482 grams fully loaded) with a price to match -- ¥130,200 ($1,100) for the Model W and ¥115,500 ($990) for the WiFi-less Model B when they ship sometime this winter and September 1st, respectively.[Via The Raw Feed and dottocomu]
Symbol's invincible MC70 Pocket PC phone
She may not be pretty or pocketable (and "invincible" might be going a bit far), but unlike your typical consumer-grade Windows Mobile device, Symbol's beefy MC70 is probably going to handle the occasional drop, dunk, toss, or burn. The quad-band GSM / EDGE handheld comes equipped with your choice of Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Premium or Phone Edition, 802.11a / b / g plus "comprehensive VoIP support," Class II Bluetooth 1.2, and -- being that this is a Symbol device and all -- the obligatory barcode scanner, all sitting atop a crazy fast 624MHz PXA270. Of course, we're suspecting everything-proof smartphoning doesn't come cheap, but for the accident prone among us, it does have a certain strange appeal.[Thanks, Cristian P.]
General Micro Systems' ruggedized P630 Spartan UMPC
With the "Origami lifestyle" being portrayed as so fun and carefree, we were surprised to see that UMPCs will also be tasked with the decidedly less fun-filled duty of helping soldiers locate and terminate their targets. The latest high-tech addition to the military's mobile arsenal is a pocketable 1.4GHz Pentium M-powered tablet from General Micro Systems known as the P630 Spartan, whose half-inch-thick ruggedized case houses 2GB of DDR SDRAM, a 30GB hard drive, 64MB of dedicated VRAM for OpenGL and Direct-X support, and an optional 16GB of bootable flash memory. You also get a CF slot, optional 802.11g or Bluetooth, USB and FireWire ports, and E-Purge hard drive self-destruct utility for your $3,400, although that price is for 100 of the devices, so we're not sure if they'll even be willing to sell just a couple to your militia group.
Ricoh Caplio 500G 8 megapixel ruggedized wide-angle digicam
Ricoh has long been a player in the niche market for ruggedized wide-angle digicams, and the company's latest entrant, the 500G, continues to up the ante. Like the 400G and 300G before it, the 8 megapixel Caplio 500G is shock and water resistant, dust-proof, and has a wide-angle zoom lens. The latest version can withstand regular falls from about 3 feet, can handle ISO ranges from 64 to 1600, and has a wide-angle lens that zooms from 28-85 mm. We have no idea whether or not it takes good pics; the point with this one is that it'll take pics in places you won't want to go with other cameras, such as construction sites and offshore oil rigs. Pricing hasn't been announced, but the 3.2 megapixel Caplio 400G went for a premium price of $370, and we expect this one to be priced above other point-and-shoots as well.
Motorola's new ruggedized i580 iDEN clamshell
If push-to-talk isn't too sissy for you now that those Cingular kids can do it, Motorola is prepping a rugged version of their i870 iDEN phone, the i580. The phone has the same WiDEN connectivity, PTT (of course), Bluetooth, 1.3 megapixel camera, and dual displays of the i870, though the external display on the i580 is a smaller grayscale one. The phone does lose the external MP3 controls, though it can still play your tunes off of the internal microSD slot. Of course, the main addition is the rubberized shell and military grade resistance to rain, dust, shock, and vibration that the new handset includes. The i580 should be available in Q2 of this year for an undetermined price.[Thanks, Allen]
