Tiny Rugged UMPC WIth Vista

Written by Adam Gosling

Wednesday, 10 October 2007

Avantec, the Australian distributor for General Dynamics, has announced the availability of the GoBook MR-1 proclaiming it the first fully rugged handheld Windows Vista compatible UMPC offering sunlight readable LCD screen technology. Mobilised has covered the General Dynamics rugged notebook range before and can attest to its ability to withstand some pretty rough treatment. - which includes dropping the military grade device from chest height and standing on the laptop screen while closed. The small size of the GoBook MR-1 may acutally work in its favour because the small screen size should make it even more able to withstand the rough and tumble. The device is powered by an Intel Core Solo ULV processor and weighs a nifty 0.9kg. It's dimensions are impressive to say the least: just 0.4cm (H) x 15.2cm (W) x 11cm (D). Naturally, the size of this device is going to make it a thumb stabber despite its QWERTY keyboard. The screen is also a 5.6-inch touch screen display though offering the option. The display features General Dynamic's DynaVue screen technology which does a good job of making it possible to view the colour LCD screen in direct sunlight. Dave Cawsey, General Manager for Avantec commented, "Many small laptops are too delicate, and far too easy to accidentaly drop or damage to be truly useful for everyday business use. The GoBook MR-1 is not going to win any fashion awards, but is small enough to fit in your jacket pocket and will survive coffee spills, dust, rain and the occasional drop that happens when you are out and about. Best of all, it works with all your current Windows software." This is no casual purchase though and will find a home only in situations where rugged military grade equipment is worth the $7,150 price tag. The device is rated to survive a 90cm drop on onto a hard surface and a cup of coffee poured directly onto the computer, though we are not sure if you can do both at once. It is also rated for temperature extremes dust and other maladies that might befall it. This makes the MR-1 suitable for business, government agencies, law enforcement agencies, and the military first and foremost. However, an optional office docking station or (theft resistant) vehicle docking solution could see this device suitable for a wide range of businesses involved in transportation, building and construction, field services, mining, and agriculture. Equipped with a modular architecture, the GoBook MR-1 is highly customisable and is designed to be built to order and in order to incorporate any options selected by the customer within the tiny rugged chassis, ensuring the best possible levels of performance and reliability. A comprehensive range of optional inbuilt wireless technologies are available, including global positioning system (GPS), 802.11 a/g/n, 3G/EVDO data comms, and Bluetooth. The antennas are fully integrated into the rugged case, ensuring reliability. All four wireless communications technologies can be selected for simultaneous use. Multiple levels of both physical and software security are also available as options, including a TPM 1.2 secure micro-controller with cryptographic functionality, and an optional biometric fingerprint reader to simplify access to secure information. Related news items Consumers Want FMC: Companies Don't See The Benefit -02/10/2007 Nokia Buys Map Company For US$8 Billion -02/10/2007 Seven In Unwired Takeover Bid -26/09/2007 Ultra-Mobile Sales Ready To Rocket -16/09/2007 Palm Goes Consumer With Treo 500v -12/09/2007 Newer news items HP Mini-Note To Reach Aus In May -08/04/2008 New Lifebook Balances Power And Portability -12/03/2008 Myer Honeymoon Over: EEE For All -13/01/2008 Samsung's New UMPC -06/01/2008 Eee Available Now Comes In Black -01/01/2008 Older news items Palm Deletes Foleo Folly -05/09/2007 With Half A Billion Cell Phones China Readies High Speed -24/08/2007 Not nano, pico -23/04/2007 Tag This Now: