The Rugged Notebooks Blog™

Saw this one while surfing the web and could not pass up posting about the Motorola M900 Bag Phone. This is really ‘retro”, and truly reminiscent of the very first cellular concept telephones that were introduced in the 1980s. Yes kids, this is what the first cellular phones really looked like.

The new bag phone is certainly more robust with more features, and now designed for remote users, and therefore it’s a fit in the rugged portable computing niche.

This “Bag Phone” is a full feature GSM (hands-free) phone capable of transmission at 3 times the distance of normal cell phones. The fully-integrated 2-WATT bag phone will keep the communication lines open in the most remote locations. Advertised as ideal for isolated work-sites, it also meets the mobility needs of the usual rugged suspects like agriculture, forestry, oil and gas, inclusive of the public safety sector.

Source: www.car-kit.com

Rugged Notebooks: Extreme Computers for Extreme Conditions™

I was a big fan of Nextel gadgetry before Sprint got their hands on the network, and I must admit that I do not know much about Clearwire, but do know that it was founded by cellular pioneer Craig McCaw. I do think it’s fortunate for the rugged portable niche, that the two have hooked up to forge ahead on WiMAX. It looks like the new company will be named Clearwire.

“The new company is looking for a U.S. network deployment reaching 120 million to 140 million people by the end of 2010. Company officials said their eventual goal is to reach up to 200 million people, though they’ll need up to $2.3 billion more in funding.

Both companies have separately pursued rolling out WiMax networks. They characterized their joint venture as a way to speed along development and adoption of the technology, which could eventually compete with fixed-line broadband.”

Anything that spells competition for AT&T and Verizon is a good thing in my book (no fanboy of Comcast either). It is good to see Intel getting some support in the North American market for WiMAX. If you follow technology news and this blog, you know it was looking like everyone else in the world would be first to benefit from this 3G (sometimes 4G) broadband wireless technology. Sprint was kind of out there waving the WiMAX flag all by themselves.

This Intel video posted on YouTube 2 years ago, demonstrates the greater distances that WiMAX can cover over other wireless technology (take note that this video is actually almost 5 years old).

Source: Associated Press via komotv.com

Rugged Notebooks: Extreme Computers for Extreme Conditions™

If you are a respected tech nerd at university or running an expedition for National Geographic, perhaps a worn, stained, and somewhat crippled laptop is your signature for having made it. It could also be that you just are attached to a portable computer that has outlived its usefulness. Those nomads and road warriors that are in the know…know that the new technology of rugged portable computing is not only on the way, but here to stay.

For many years now, rugged systems have been adopted by the military, police, and other professionals for an edge in a rough and tumble world. Truth told, there is real value in a ruggedized, semi-rugged, or fully rugged wireless and portable computing device.

High tech manufacturing has designed and replaced almost every major system with tougher, beefed upped versions of popular brands. And its not just reinforced cases with cushioned rubber bumpers. We are talking new magnesium and aluminum alloys for these hard body beauties on the outside, and SSDs, heat pipes, and other good stuff on the inside.

Every week we are seeing smaller, cheaper and sturdier computer work gear enter this niche space. Having sealed keyboards and ports, and extra protection against moisture, dirt, and the occasional ding and drop is becoming standard fare.

As we move away from the desktop and PC in our work and play, it’s time to start thinking about the choices for a rugged laptop as an investment. One drop, or other careless action has a chance of putting your present notebook out of commission for good.

So the truth about things “rugged”, is that you can be an early adopter with a wink and a nod, or wait and follow the crowd somewhere down the road.

Rugged Notebooks: Extreme Computers for Extreme Conditions™

One of my pet peeves is reading blog posts and forum comments comparing ruggedized, semi-rugged, and fully rugged laptops and notebooks to popular consumer models and then concluding that the value ratio is out of whack somehow, or that the pricing is way out of line. This post is a paraphrase to a comment I left on just such a blog post from a supposed tech blog. I just ask that people do their homework before they write comparative product reviews. We all know what opinions resemble.

This post is not intended to offend your sensibilities, nor disregard personal opinions. Those involved in the ruggedized, semi-rugged, and fully rugged niche, understand that a rugged laptop involves more than a ”hard plastic case and a spill proof keyboard membrane”. This is to note and to share some relevant information. It also is true that marketing departments can seemingly be awol when they name new rugged laptop products.

Mil-Std 810F is a Department of Defense Test Method Standard that establishes uniform environmental test methods for determining the resistance of materials to the effects of natural and induced environments peculiar to military operations. This is the default standard the industry is currently using as the measure for rugged laptops.

”It focuses on the process of tailoring materiel design and test criteria to the specific environmental conditions a materiel item is likely to encounter during its service life.”
http://www.dtc.army.mil/navigator/

The Environments are 1. Altitude 2. Temperature 3. Rain and Dust 4. Humidity. 5. Cold Storage 6. Vibration 7. Shock. 8. Drop

Mil-Std 810F test methods do not require the use of specific materials, hardware, nor specific manufacturing processes. An 810F certified device is not the result of surrounding consumer electronics inside a heavy-duty enclosure such as ballistic plastic, although that could very well be a selected design material for testing and manufacture.

For this reason, the price points usually demonstrated in the side-by-side comparisons between popular consumer brand models that appear to be similarly equipped do not tend to be examples of particularly good, nor reliable analysis. You have to look under the hood, so to speak This should help answer the question of why rugged laptops seem to cost so much.

Businesses, public services, industry, the military, utilities, and other organizations that rely on the rugged portable category to perform in extreme conditions on a daily basis would have a hard time giving up this “rugged gear”.

Rugged Notebooks: Extreme Computers for Extreme Conditions™

“I Heart New Work” Yes, that’s New Work…Not New York. The New Work Blog may be a little too hip or too artsy for some, but it brings a fresh look to the blogosphere and gives us a glimpse of the near future. It is where I found the original mention on the Jan Chipchase story, plus Digital Nomads is a subject near and dear.

It is easy to scan for the way it is designed, and the reporting is easy to read for the way it is written. Not too out of place for a weekend post at The Rugged Notebooks Blog, plus they have an interesting section on updates for “new tech”. Rugged Portable Computing will figure into it all somehow.

Rugged Notebooks: Extreme Computers for Extreme Conditions™

Many can only wish for this to happen…and it would not be too soon. Below you see a rugged convertible tablet with Mac OS X installed and aptly being demonstrated. Not available in stores any time soon, here a field scientist (and engineer) has taken the matter in his own hands with the help of the OSx86project.org and made his own.

The video was just too good to pass up posting. Well produced, fun to watch, and the neo-jazz music of Polygroovers somehow works with the visuals. Now the question begs…does building a “Rugged Hackintosh” void your warranty? Nah…

Rugged Notebooks: Extreme Computers for Extreme Conditions™

According to the Rajant Corporation and online news reports, military personnel, and mobile workers in the “first responder” category will be using these portable and wireless access systems around the globe.

BreadCrumb® LX is a long-range mesh network that is capable of 11Mbps & 54 Mbps communications at distances of 4.5+ miles and possibly more, depending on terrain and other conditions. Supporting Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 a/b/g, the network is designed for mobile/portable infrastructure, and WANs that require a large number of moving nodes with high bandwidth.

The Rajant BreadCrumb® XL combines ruggedized wireless transmitter-receivers to create the basis for an InstaMesh® mesh network when used with other BreadCrumb® devices. The portable network nodes support open-standard IEEE 802.11 protocols to enable data, voice and video applications. The portable unit includes two radios that require only a single switch to operate.

This long-range rugged mobile & wireless system with a bizarre name is designed for military, industrial, and public safety applications and communications on the move.

Source: cbronline.com and www.rajant.com

Rugged Notebooks: Extreme Computers for Extreme Conditions™

WIN A FREE HANDHELD COMPUTER!

Power up your rugged laptops and pound out a few forum posts for a chance to win a Rugged PDA. These are the same handhelds promoted by Rugged Notebooks and other websites like Rugged Portable Computing and RuffPC.

Here are the simple contest rules from the forum announcement:

Complete Rules:
Posts made between April 1 – June 30, 2008 on OutdoorRugged.com will be considered. No TDS/Trimble employees, contractors or channel partners are eligible. The best post decision is solely the choice of the Outdoor Rugged staff.

Sign up to become a member of the forum at www.OutdoorRugged.com.

Rugged Notebooks: Extreme Computers for Extreme Conditions™

Some Call It The Trinity of the Digital Nomad Surveys suggest these are the three things most people universally consider essential to carry. In many cases keys are the symbol of shelter and mobility, money necessary to provide food and clothing, and a mobile phone representing the security blanket of being connected. Perhaps a rugged portable computer in some form factor will soon be considered the 4th addition to the mix.

Anthropologist Jan Chipchase investigates the many ways different societies interact with technology. The researcher has made many unexpected discoveries while investigating and globe trotting the world. His findings include that even illiterate people develop the means to interface with technology. One example given is the role cellphones can play in commerce and banking. Watch this information video for a predictable view of increased mobility and wireless connectivity.

Source: TED Talks / TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. The TED Annual Conference now brings together the world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes).

Rugged Notebooks: Extreme Computers for Extreme Conditions™

Mobile VPNs and How They Work

Written a couple years ago by Charles Harold, “How to Build a Basic Information Network” is still good advice. The security expert describes in detail the three important components. A rugged laptop is integral to the network as described below.

“Your organization should have at least one disaster resistant laptop. Panasonic and Rugged (Notebooks) both make laptops that can survive high impacts, extreme heat and cold, water, dirt, etc. Use this laptop to back-up your critical operational files so when the desktop network is down, you have the ability to continue operations and start recovery. Equally important, laptops can provide you with a reliable portal to the outside world but to do so they must be configured with simultaneous access to wireless WAN, wireless LAN, Bluetooth and GPS. Add a satellite wireless card and you could be connected almost anywhere in the world. One more thing, take your laptop home with you every night, that’s why they call it portable.“

The author goes on to describe various aspects of VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), encryption technology, telephony, data mining software, and risk-management implementation.

Source: www.chuckharold.com Graphic Credit: www.gta.com

Rugged Notebooks: Extreme Computers for Extreme Conditions™