Rugged laptops

[romegadave]

Has anybody here had the pleasure of using a Rugged Notebook? I guess Panasonic Toughbooks are the most popular ( I had no idea other brands existed) but I must say that the Rugged brand RNB 790 looks like one of our beloved landcruisers. Thanks for your thoughts-Dave

 

[psfpilot]

My only experience is with toughbooks. They lived up to their billing in harsh conditions of vibration and heat, sand and dust. The touchscreens were fairly reliable, and more useful than the mouse pad while operating the computer in a dynamic environment.

 

[NorCal Cruiser]

After reading a reveiw in National Geographic Adventure Magazine I ordered a couple Durabook D13RY laptops for work. They meet the MIL STD 810F tests for impact and vibration but they are only spill proof (you can dump water on the keyboard but it can't take being submerged). I've only had the Durabook for a couple of months but it seems nice so far even though it's heavier than my old laptop- it weighs about 5.5 lbs. One big benefit I found for the Durabook is that it was about half the price of a Toughbook- I paid under $1500 which included some upgrades. (I ordered mine from GOWIN Rugged DURABOOK Expert they had the lowest prices I could find)

 

[sprocket3]

You should check out ebay NOW. There is a huge lot of "Itronix IX260" laptops going through now. I picked up a itronix tablet a few months ago real cheap when someone did a huge lot of them like this.

All you need is 900+mghz and 256k ram to run NG Topo just fine. These have double what you need and will go for $100+ and change. They are military spec laptops.

They have info on them under the "legacy" section of on this site.

General Dynamics Itronix Docks/Compatible Peripherals- US

Not sure that's the correct link. Go back to the home page if you have trouble finding it. These are plenty if you don't need to do anything fancy.

 

[romegadave]

Thanks Sprocket, NorCal & PSF for your replies--not so much price as performance for me--needs to be durable (and hold up if there's a drizzle rain)since kids will be using it during an educational program. I have also looked at GEDEC (sic?) etc--Thanks, Dave

 

[Bogo]

Thanks Sprocket, NorCal & PSF for your replies--not so much price as performance for me--needs to be durable (and hold up if there's a drizzle rain)since kids will be using it during an educational program. I have also looked at GEDEC (sic?) etc--Thanks, Dave

If it wasn't for the drizzle and rain I'd have suggested going for one of the ones with a toughened frame. Dell had a version of the Latitude D610 with a heavier weight frame and LCD cover. When I backpack it goes in my backpack in a neoprene sleeve and dry sack. I sandwich it between the water bladders and the rest of the gear near the top. Due to the lesser durability of the rest of it's components and lack of weatherproofing I wouldn't suggest it for kids in the wild.

Someday I may get a toughbook or similar. I have need for it around the farm.

 

[Dynosoar]

Itronix Go Books are plentiful on ebay.

Dynosoar

 

[romegadave]

Heard from GETAC on the B300 so here's keeping my fingers crossed

 

[brownbear]

I like my Thinkpad T30 for tough applications. Not waterproof or such. But they are fairly rugged. They have lots of different ports on them. So you can like to VHF radios and such with ease.

The price is right on off rental, lease type refurb laptops direct from IBM.

 

[sprocket3]

I picked up an Itronix GoBook III off of ebay last week. One of the units listed by "dealtree". The condition of these varies from very nice to petty beat up. Though they should all work as it's just surface dirt/scratches.

These are very sold little laptops and come with the built in GPS and a car charger/mounting unit.

They are going for about $180 it seems.

You will spend $40+ for a slave GPS unit and another $40 or so for a car charger so they are a real bargin as they come with both of these.

 

[romegadave]

Will receive a phone call from Taiwan this week to discuss a possible donation for our small museum. I originally asked for a B300 but will mention the B790 which looks makes a toughbook look like something your daughter might play with. Retail 'bout 5K so I don't know if they'll help a brother out on that. I really need this to complete my educational package for programming at the museum. The notebook will be used in education for GIS and managing some collection data files. We don't have the $$ for it so I hope GETAC will help us out. Fingers crossed til then. Thanks for all replies as I learn something we each post. There are a lot of talented and smart folks on this site so to you.

 

[DBS311]

I swear by my CF-29 Toughbook. I've taken it all over the world in crappy conditions and it has never let me down. The touch screen is nice, the rubber keyboard takes a while to get used to, it's very heavy, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

[romegadave]

Thanks for your input DBS311. I submitted a proposal to GETAC Corp (out of Taiwan) for one of their military spec units for a donation and am awaiting an award or denial for educational uses at a museum. I wanted a Panasonic and was on a list but strangely they later said that no program to help was available . Inspctr had a lead on some auction priced Toughbooks which I should have gone ahead and paid out of pocket (but I'm tapped right now trying to get the 55 going). Hopefully the GETAC will come through but it seems they are not widely used by most. Toughbooks seem to be really popular with our Mud group!