Tough choices: ruggedized notebooks

GPS World, April, 2004 by Jim Engelhardt, Karen Torres

Size/Weight/Battery Life: 1.9 X 10.7 X 8.5 inches/4.5 pounds/4-6 hours

Display: 10.4-inch, 1,024 X 768-resolution touchscreen XGA TFT LCD

CPU: 900-MHz Intel Pentium M

RAM/Hard Drive: 256 MB (expandable to 768 MB)/40 GB

Connectivity: external video, headphones/speaker, microphone/line in, modem, network interface card, serial, 2 USB 2.0, RJ-45, RJ-11

Notes: Additional integrated options include Bluetooth wireless, CDMA, GSM/GPRS with external SIM slot, or GPS receiver.

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GPS Functionality: GPS modules are available as accessories, including Matsushita Communications Industry Co.'s (Japan) CN-GX0290A CF-18 / CF-29 modules feature 12 channels and 1575.42 Mz L1 frequency. The CF-28 / CF-M34 modules feature 8 channels and 1575.42 Mz L1 frequency.

Toughbook 29 Ruggedized to MIL-STD-810F for drop, shock, vibration, humidity, and dust.

Size/Weight/Battery Life: 2.3 X 11.8 X 9.5 inches/7.94 pounds/4 hours

Display: 13.3-inch, 1,024 X 768-resolution transmissive, anti-reflective, XGA TFT LCD, with or without touchscreen (12.1-inch, 800 X 600-resolution transflective, sunlight readable, touchscreen optional)

CPU: 1.2GHz Intel Pentium M

RAM/Hard Drive: 256MB (standard), expandable to 768MB/40 GB; 512MB (expandable to 1GB)/60 GB

Connectivity: 56K modem, 10/100 Ethernet, serial, parallel, port replicator, USB 2.0, Type I or II PC card slots.

Notes: Integrated options include CDPD (availability may vary), GSM/GPRS with external SIM slot (availability may vary) Bluetooth (availability may vary) GPS receiver, and sealed rubber LED backlit keyboard.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

GPS Functionality: GPS modules are available as accessories, including Matsushita Communications Industry Co.'s (Japan) CN-GX0290A CF-18 / CF-29 modules feature 12 channels and 1575.42 Mz L1 frequency. The CF-28 / CF-M34 modules feature 8 channels and 1575.42 Mz L1 frequency).

Toughbook 34 Ruggedized to MIL-STD-810F for drop, shock, vibration, humidity, and dust.

Size/Weight/Battery Life: 1.7 X 9.0 X 7.4 inches/3.8 pounds/4 hours

Display: 8.4-inch, 800 X 600-resolution, sunlight-readable touchscreen SVGA TFT LCD

CPU: 933-MHz Mobile Intel Pentium III

RAM/Hard drive: 256 MB (expandable to 512 MB)/30 GB

Connectivity: 56K modem, 10/100 Ethernet, serial, USB, Type II PC card slot, and audio

Notes: The product can be customized with an integrated CDPD, CDMA, GPRS, or Mobitex wireless modem, GPS receiver, or 802.11b wireless.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

GPS Functionality: GPS modules are available as accessories, including Matsushita Communications Industry Co.'s (Japan) CN-GX0290A CF-18 / CF-29 modules feature 12 channels and 1575.42 Mz L1 frequency. The CF-28 / CF-M34 modules feature 8 channels and 1575.42 Mz L1 frequency).

Toughbook 48 Semi-ruggedized with shock-mounted hard drive and flexible connectors.

Size/Weight/Battery Life: 1.8 X 12.1 X 10.2 inches/7.48 pounds/3.5 to 5.5 hours

Display: 14.1-inch, 1,024 X 768-resolution XGA TFT LCD

CPU: 1.4GHz or 1.5GHz Intel Pentium M

RAM/Hard Drive: 256 MB (expandable to 768 MB)/20 or 40 GB