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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.
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]
AQUiVO's weatherproof HDTV meets a fire hose blast, survives
Rest assured, we've witnessed our fair share of hardcore devices, and while we've seen fancy LCDs that purport to be waterproof, AQUiVO's IP56-rated weather resistant LCD took one on the chin to prove its claim. The aluminum-framed, completely sealed HDTV was hoisted onto a wall outside, and with little mercy shown, a fire hose blast tried its best to infiltrate the screen. Amazingly enough, the display appeared relatively untouched after its midday shower, and if you've got those skeptical genes, feel free to check out the video for yourself after the break.[Via ShinyShiny]
iKey intros rugged, mobile keyboard with LED-backlit keys
Sure, we've seen our fair share of rugged input peripherals, but iKey's FT-86-911-TP hits a niche that isn't often covered. This ruggedized mobile unit is resistant to spills and sealed to IP55 specifications, and the universal mounting holes make it ideal for placement in "police, emergency, transport, service, and marine vehicles." Notably, this here device also boasts a built-in trackpad, a one-touch emergency key, and LED-backlit keys in case you're left typing after hours. No word yet on pricing nor availability, but considering just how expensive one of its rebadged siblings is, don't count on it coming cheap.
Trimble unveils rugged lineup of Nomad handheld computers
If Trimble's Juno ST PDA wasn't rugged enough to handle your oh-so-critical field duties (or unexpected drink spills), you'll be thrilled to know that the firm has you on the brain. The Nomad lineup of handheld computers weigh just 21-ounces, are designed to "fit comfortably in a user's hand," and pack a fairly decent array of specifications. Internally, you'll find an 806MHz processor, 128MB of RAM, and optionally, you can tack on integrated Bluetooth, GPS, a bar code scanner, two-megapixel camera, and 802.11g; additionally, an SDIO and CF slot, up to 1GB of flash memory, a daylight-visible VGA touchscreen, Windows Mobile 6, and a rechargeable Li-ion are on board. Trimble is offering up four separate Nomad 800 flavors depending on your level of necessity (and budget), all of which can be found real soon ranging from $1,699 to $2,499.
'All' Panasonic Toughbooks certified for Verizon's EV-DO Rev. A network
It's not like you couldn't get connected to an EV-DO network on a Toughbook before, but Panasonic and Verizon Wireless are making things uber-easy on us all by certifying "the full line" of rugged lappies for connectivity with Verizon's EV-DO Rev. A. Yep, the Toughbook 30, 19, T, W, and Y series of machines have now been admitted into The Network, which means that you can potentially download a presentation while surviving a hail storm at up to 1.4Mbps and send in your corrections whilst dodging tree limbs at up to 800kbps. The Verizon WWAN treatment will require users to purchase the Sierra Wireless embedded MC-5725 PCI Express card and VZAccess software, but the oh-so-important pricing information was casually omitted.[Via Slashphone]
Tangent's Rugged Mini Fanless PC resembles a giant heatsink
While Itronix's latest GoBook should handle your workload whilst on the go, Tangent is hoping that you'll look its direction for a rugged PC in your home or underground bunker. Quite frankly, the company claims that its Rugged Mini Fanless machine is "designed to take a beating," which apparently includes the ability to withstand "shock, dust, vibration, humidity, extreme cold and heat, and even electromagnetic interference." Externally, this thing is certainly on the opposite end of sexy, but it's the inside that counts; packed within is your choice of an Intel Celeron M, Core Solo, or Core Duo processor, up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, Intel's GMA950 integrated graphics set, up to 120GB of hard drive space, optional external DVD writer, 802.11a/b/g, FireWire, a pair of PS/2 ports, six USB 2.0 connectors, VGA / DVI outputs, audio in / out, and Ethernet. Furthermore, you'll purportedly find "no moving parts" (aside from that HDD spindle, eh?) as its cooled by a passive convection-based system, and you can snag one right now with Windows XP Pro for $1,195.[Via Gearlog]
Itronix's semi-rugged GoBook VR-2 gets a day job
General Dynamics Itronix certainly has the rugged computer gig down pat, but the GoBook VR-2 scales things back a bit and only gets the "semi-rugged" treatment. Don't think this bad boy's not a workhorse, however, as this machine was reportedly designed to "meet the demanding needs of mobile workers in a variety of commercial, field service, public safety, and military markets." Among the niceties that make the day-to-day a bit easier is a 13.3-inch XGA DynaVue touchscreen display, Intel's 2GHz T7300 Core 2 Duo processor, up to 4GB of RAM, up to 120GB of hard drive space, an optional HDD heater for those chilly morns in Killington, DVD burner, PC Card slot, optional ExpressCard slot, VGA output, audio in / out, four USB 2.0 ports, gigabit Ethernet, 802.11a/g/n, integrated fingerprint reader, optional WWAN / GPS, Bluetooth, and a three-year warranty that should keep you feeling secure. Of course, this beast can handle a decent amount of shock, dust, and humidity too, but we wouldn't expect anything less with a base price of around $3,500. Click on through for a few on-the-job snaps.
ACA Digital's XT1100 rugged tablet PC hits the FCC
You won't hear us grumbling about a new competitor in the rugged tablet PC arena, and while it's probably too early to tell whether ACA Digital's latest device is one to pay attention to, it has managed to slip into the divulging hands of the FCC. The self-proclaimed "rugged" XT1100 sports a fairly uninspiring enclosure, a VIA Eden CPU, VIA CX700M chipset, 256MB of DDR2 RAM, optional 2.5-inch HDD, a 10.4-inch SVGA or VGA TFT touchscreen, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, optional GPS module, and a rechargeable Li-ion battery. Additionally, there looks to be a PC card slot, CF slot, headphone / microphone jacks, "telephone" and Ethernet ports, a pair of serial ports, VGA, a duo of USB connectors, padded bumpers on each corner, joystick, numerical, and directional buttons on the face, and 802.11a/b/g WiFi. As expected, there's no word on pricing nor future availability, but we all know the final frontier isn't too far away after getting green lit by the FCC.
Satmap's Active 10 handheld GPS / mapping system
If you're planning on roughing it out in the woods anytime soon, there's already a plethora of rugged GPS options to keep you (somewhat) on track, but Satmap Systems' Active 10 handheld puts a new spin on trekking. The device is being dubbed the "world's first to offer fully integrated digital maps and GPS hardware," meaning that users can purchase additional map cards that include detailed imagery of counties, regions, national trails, and national parks. Additionally, the unit sports a 3.5-inch backlit color display, integrated patch antenna, Windows CE operating system, a multitude of power options, USB 2.0 connectivity, an SD card reader, ARM 9 processor, 128MB of RAM, SiRF Star III receiver, integrated media player, and an impact resistant waterproof enclosure to boot. Initially, the company will be offering maps of popular UK locales, but additional maps (including "international" zones) will purportedly be available in SD cards or potentially as internet downloads in the not too distant future. Satmap is currently accepting pre-orders for the Active 10, and while the unit is set to ship sometime this month, you can get on the waiting list now for £299.99 ($594).[Thanks, Simon]
Corsair Flash Survivor GT 8GB escapes torture test unscathed
We've seen some mighty rugged flash drives put to the test in our day, but Corsair's Flash Survivor GT 8GB managed to withstand a well-planned and carefully executed attack on its life like none that have come before it. This soldier of a USB drive not only performed great when tested against more fragile alternatives, it somehow escaped sans injury after being submerged in a pool, cooked in boiling water for ten solid minutes, and being creamed with a hammer numerous times. The torturers expected the CNC-milled anodized aircraft-grade aluminum housing to hold up fairly well under duress, but even they were utterly amazed at how invincible this thing really seemed. The $130 drive earned a much deserved 10 out of 10 rating from the flabbergasted review crew, and while we're not quite sure if it could withstand a nuclear attack like one of its competitors, it can apparently live through just about anything that you yourself could.[Thanks, Rodger]
Psion Teklogix's WORKABOUT PRO gets rugged with WinMo
We've seen handheld workhorses before, but Psion Teklogix is taking Windows Mobile 6 to the tough side in its new line of WORKABOUT devices. Offering users the choice of Windows CE 5.0 or WinMo 6 Classic / Professional, the WORKABOUT PRO C sports a full alphanumeric keypad, while the PRO S trims down by nixing the alphabet. Both units are powered by a 520MHz PXA270 CPU, and boast 128MB of Flash ROM, 128MB of SDRAM, optional 802.11b/g via a CF adapter, GSM / GPRS / EDGE WWAN connectivity, Bluetooth, a 3.6-inch VGA touchscreen, built-in speaker / microphone, and the obligatory dust, rain, and shock proof qualities that you'd expect on such a rugged machine. Additionally, a bevy of scanning expansion modules are included, and while pricing details aren't readily available, anyone that's likely to be interested in this one can just charge it to the corporate card and fuhgetaboutit.[Via PocketPCThoughts]
BT and Siemens unveil rugged landline telephones
If you thought that covering your entire Mac mini computing system in aircraft grade aluminum was overkill, both BT and Siemens have somehow reckoned that equipping their latest landline phones with dust, splash, and shock proof enclosures will actually convince folks to pick one up. Granted, Philips has also tried its own hand at sprucing up the PSTN handset of late, but both of these new devices forgo sexy in exchange for sheer toughness. Siemens' Gigaset E455 SIM is a DECT phone which boasts of handsfree operations, SMS capability, an integrated answering machine, room monitoring, a backlit display, caller ID, and an oh-so-limited five choices of polyphonic ringing melodies. The BT Elements (shown after the break) also shares the SMS abilities and illuminated display, but goes above the call of duty by tossing in a reported range of one-kilometer and doubling the amount of ringtones. Of course, both of these handsets would fit right into households that resemble a UFC extravaganza, but we're still not sure that the £59.99 ($120) to £74.99 ($150) that BT and Siemens are respectively charging is worth the upgrade.Read - Siemens Gigaset E455 SIM, via TechDigestRead - BT Elements, via CNET
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]
Lenovo's ThinkPad R61 / 3000 N200 laptops make debut
While Lenovo's ThinkPad T61 already showed off most of the the firm's newest laptop features, the R61 and 3000 N200 bring a little flavor of their own to the ever-expanding Santa Rosa funfest. These two tag along as some of Lenovo's "coolest, quietest, and longest running" lappies ever, and each sport the Top Cover Roll Cage (pictured after the break) that reportedly provides LCD support that's 20-percent stronger than previous models. The 14.1-inch R61 will sport an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, support for 802.11n and Bluetooth, Ultra Connect II, your choice of Intel or NVIDIA integrated graphics, a four-in-one media card reader, and an optional integrated webcam to boot. The budget-minded 3000 N200 opts for a 15.4-inch widescreen display, 802.11n, Ethernet, Bluetooth, an integrated fingerprint reader, five-in-one multicard reader, built-in camera / microphone, and Intel or NVIDIA chipsets running the graphical show. As with the T61, the R61 will land in mid-May for $1,249, while the N200 should hit shelves a few weeks later for around $1,099.
GETAC's ultra-rugged V100 convertible tablet PC
GETAC's latest rugged laptop does something that most other units simply can't, as it conveniently converts into a tablet while maintaining that beefy stature and war-tested agility. The V100 is fresh out of FCC boot camp, and judging by the documentation, it looks like it's been cleared for civilian handling. Inside the 11.2- x 8.7- x 1.9-inch enclosure sits a 1.2GHz ULV Intel Yonah U2500 Core Duo processor, up to 2GB of RAM, Intel's 945GMS integrated graphics set, a shock-mounted SATA hard drive, gigabit Ethernet, a 56k modem, WiFi, and of course, optional 3G, Bluetooth, and GPS connectivity. You also get your choice of a 10.4-inch XGA or 12.1-inch WXGA screen, a smorgasbord of ports, Windows XP, a 1.3-megapixel webcam, and a magnesium alloy case that shouldn't have any issues with vibrations, drops, shocks, or extreme temperatures. Unfortunately, there's no details concerning price or a planned release date, but we can't imagine a battlefield-ready convertible landing without some sort of premium.[Via MobileWhack]
Rugged xTablet T8600 tablet PC handles barcode, magnetic stripe reading
Joining the curious workhorse UMPC / tablet PC arena is the xTablet T8600, which boasts about its ruggedness, barcode scanning, and magnetic stripe reading abilities that it handles when not checking your email and making dinner reservations on the go. Furthermore, the unique design allows for a backlit numeric keypad and directional arrows to be installed beside the 8.4-inch SVGA display, and internally, you'll find a 1.1GHz Intel Centrino processor, up to 1.28GB of DDR2 RAM, a "dual digitizer / touchscreen standard," integrated 802.11a/b/g, shock-mounted 40GB hard drive, optional EV-DO / EDGE / GPRS / GSM, Bluetooth, a nine-pin serial port, and a Li-ion battery that can reportedly keep things running for "up to seven hours." To account for all the beatings it'll presumably endure, it sports military-grade water-, dust-, and shock-proof characteristics, and can also operate at extreme temperatures. Hope you aren't too excited, though, as there's no word just yet regarding pricing or future availability.[Via PCLaunches]
Fujitsu's 2.5-inch MHW2040AC HDD doesn't sweat extreme temperatures
Continuing on the path of kicking out a large variety of hard drives over the course of a couple months, Fujitsu is at it once again, and this time its the MHW2040AC getting the spotlight. The RoHS-compliant HDD looks like your everyday hard disc drive upon initial inspection, but underneath its sly facade lies an ability to function in temperatures ranging from 30 below to 85-degrees (read: near face-melting heat) Celsius. As expected, the drive is being marketed as a rugged alternative for automotive / marine uses, where the internal storage is likely to face extreme temperatures from time to time. Additionally, it can reportedly withstand "operational shock of up to 300G" while requiring just 1.8-watts of power to read and write data. No word just yet on how much this temperature resisting beast will run you, nor if it'll ever arrive in sizes other than 40GB, but if you're planning a relocation to Moscow or Death Valley Phoenix, the pricetag isn't likely to matter.[Via AkihabaraNews]
Rayservers Cerberus laptop touts rugged frame, thick security
While there's already a fair amount of competition in the rugged laptop realm, Rayservers is taking its uber-secure approach and blending it with military-grade toughness for its Cerberus MIL-STD-810F Crypto Toughbook. Aside from borrowing the "100-percent encrypted hard drives and privacy protected internet access" from its other models, this "Secure-Out-of-the-Box" machine also touts a sealed plastic keyboard, 80GB shock-mounted removable hard drive, magnesium alloy case (with handle), and moisture / dust resistance to boot. If these amenities sound familiar, it's because the actual hardware is a Panasonic Toughbook CF-30, but the AES 256 Encrypted Linux is all Rayservers, and you'll also find Intel's 1.66GHz L2400 processor, GMA 950 graphics set, up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM, a 13.3-inch XGA touchscreen, DVD burner, gigabit Ethernet, PCMCIA, 802.11a/b/g, FireWire, 56k modem, and a trio of USB 2.0 ports on the machine. Of course, the 8.2-pound beast demands a hefty premium for all this literal and theoretical security, as it'll reportedly cost you about $10,000 (saywha?) to weather a data-jacking invasion and mountainside fall simultaneously.
