Filed under: Editorial Opinion, Industry News, Portable Computing | Tags: Netebook, 2go PC, Vostro 1000, ECS G10IL, MSI Wind, Everex Cloudbook, XO-1
It used to be said that fads turned into trends, trends became styles, and that some styles became genres. That mostly applied to music, art, and fashion cultures, but it also seems to identity what is taking place with the blending of technology and popular culture. The days of the PC are numbered. Mobility is winning out.
Not all of smaller and cheaper laptops can be considered truly “rugged”, but the special niche that started with the MIT OLPC project will probably go down in history for quickly pushing forward innovations like Flash Memory, SSDs, mesh networks, and certain aspects of durability. You can also include a general disregard for replacement parts due the unbelievable economies of scale that can be achieved with mega mass production.
These mini portables will eventually likely be on the path as other notable “disposable” electronic consumables like single-use cameras and one-time-use video camcorders. No need for repairs, just pick up an extra as a spare or a replacement.
The new lappies probably won’t work for professional road warriors any time in the near future, but they will be great for younger kids to college students alike…the future digital nomads in training. Here are five looks at some of the new competition to the XO-1, ClassMate, and Eee.
Netbook 2go PC / Source: engadget.com
Dell Vostro 1000 / Source: dell.com
ECS G10IL / Source: ecsua.com
MSI Wind / Source: crave.uk
Everex Cloudbook / gizmodo.com
Rugged Notebooks: Extreme Computers for Extreme Conditions™
Filed under: Product Description, Rugged Resources | Tags: MIL-STD 810F, Rugged Laptops, Ruggedized, Semi-rugged, Fully Rugged
It looks like mainstream consumer electronic brands continue to discover the rugged niche, as they test the waters with product entries claiming newfangled rugged innovations. Time to revisit just exactly what defines the rugged category.
Ruggedized, semi-rugged, and fully-rugged computers have been around for decades in military circles. The de facto standard often cited is almost always the US Department of Defense military standard commonly known and labeled “Mil-Std 810F”.
Often misinterpreted or misunderstood, and seldom referenced with adequate documentation, the popular standard has nothing to do with hardware specifications and manufacturing processes, but everything to do with “testing”. In fact, it is a series of very specific testing methods.
Mil-Std 810F is a Department of Defense Test Method Standard that establishes uniform environmental testing methods to determine the resistance of materials to the effects of natural and induced environments peculiar to military operations.
“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.” - Department of Defense Test Method Standard
The Environments include 1. Altitude 2. Temperature 3. Rain and Dust 4. Humidity 5. Cold Storage 6. Vibration 7. Shock 8. Drop
Note that the standards are collectively referred to as 810F, in reference to the most current revision. Also, collectively, there are many test methods that are employed to test for many different things.
By Example - source: wikipedia.org
MIL-STD 810E Method 500.3 Low Pressure (aka Altitude testing)
MIL-STD 810E Method 501.3 High Temperature (Both storage and operating)
MIL-STD 810E Method 502.3 Low Temperature (Both storage and operating)
MIL-STD 810E Method 503.3 Temperature Shock (How well does the device handle going from high to low temps, and back)
MIL-STD 810E Method 506.3 Rain (How does the device do in wind blown rain)
MIL-STD 810E Method 507.3 Humidity (Can the device handle high Humidity)
MIL-STD 810E Method 508.4 Fungus (device is exposed to warm moist air in the presence of Fungus to see if it grows on the device)
MIL-STD 810E Method 509.3 Salt Fog (does the device rust/fail when exposed to salt fog)
MIL-STD 810E Method 510.3 Sand and Dust (how well does the device work when exposed to sand and dust)
MIL-STD 810E Method 511.3 Explosive Atmosphere (does the device create enough sparks/etc to cause an explosive atmosphere to blow up)
MIL-STD 810E Method 512.3 Leakage
MIL-STD 810E Method 513.4 Acceleration (constant acceleration)
MIL-STD 810E Method 516.4 Shock (either Shock Response Spectrums, or Triangle/sine/square wave shocks) - also transport shock
MIL-STD 810E Method 519.4 Gunfire Vibration
MIL-STD 810E Method 520.1 Temp, Humidity, Vibration (Traditionally sine wave (pre D) - later random vibration - combined with Temp testing)
MIL-STD 810E Method 521.1 Icing, Freezing Rain (what the device sounds like)
Mil-Std 810F test methods do not necessarily require specific materials, hardware, nor manufacturing processes. 810F certified devices are not merely the result of surrounding consumer electronics within a heavy-duty case.
Itronix GoBook-Photo Credit: ruggedportablecomputing.com
Rugged Notebooks: Extreme Computers for Extreme Conditions™
Filed under: Announcements, Editorial Opinion | Tags: AT&T, Duoploy, FCC Auction, Verizon
Nothing New for US Airwaves
Stop holding your breath and start holding your nose. There no longer is any need to dream about new competition in the wireless sector. No need to belabor the issue, nor moan and groan about what could have been. Do a search on “FCC Auction”, and you find that we will be getting more of the same.
“On Mar. 20, the Federal Communications Commission revealed the top bidders in a just-ended auction of the nation’s most desirable remaining airwaves. The winners? By a wide margin, it was the nation’s two biggest cellular operators, AT&T (T) and Verizon Wireless, the mobile venture owned by Verizon (VZ) and Vodafone (VOD). Those two companies bid a combined $16.3 billion, accounting for more than four-fifths of the auction’s record proceeds of $19.6 billion. AT&T paid $6.64 billion for 227 licenses, while Verizon Wireless spent $9.63 billion for a handful of large regional licenses.” -BusinessWeek
The supposed play by Google for open access has turned out to be a bit of a masquerade. Now that it looks like Verizon and AT&T will be the gatekeepers of the 700 MHz spectrum, it just means that consumers will continue to be held hostage by large corporate interests. Expect slow innovation, and continued high pricing coupled with poor service.
The duopoly of the cable and telephone companies remains alive and well in America. It also is probably a blow for the Net Neutrality movement in the long run.
Rugged Notebooks: Extreme Computers for Extreme Conditions™
Filed under: Editorial Opinion, Tips and Tricks | Tags: Google, Jott, Linx, Orange, Unified Messaging, Wildfire
A recent post comment referred to Wildfire, the follow-me telephony service that was way ahead of its time. Back in the 90s Wildfire was demonstrated as the future for a telephone user interface. Over the years other such services have come and gone. Not all good things make it off the drawing board. Sometimes they are doomed for being too far in front of the curve.
Wildfire is a shadow of its former self, once the darling of major telcos around the globe like Orange, the technology is now the property of CR Technologies. It was difficult to bring up some online search results for this once prodigious digital assistant. It would be nice to see a resurrection of sorts. This type of voice activated UI is a handy tool for rugged laptop users, or those just on the go. Take a look at Jott or Linx for a current potential replacement.
Maybe Google, or another innovator, will pick up on this idea and make it a success, once the dust has settled on the 700 MHz Auction (Google GrandCentral has been a disappointment for some beta testers lately).
Rugged Notebooks: Extreme Computers for Extreme Conditions™
Filed under: Product Description, Rugged Resources, Usability | Tags: Rugged Laptop, Rugged Notebook, Otterbox, Pelican, Seahorse
Otterbox cases always show up on the SERPs on a search for rugged laptops and rugged notebooks. There are a couple ways to look at these protective cases. If you have a run-of-the-mill consumer lappy then this may be a good investment, and a somewhat economical way to protect your portable computer. There also are other computer case brands like Pelican and Seahorse.
The second way to use an OtteBox is to double up on protection, while transporting a more expensive rugged notebook. One of the obvious drawbacks is that you can’t use your mobile computer when it’s tucked away for protection. If you happen to be lucky enough to own or use a rugged laptop, then this video will make the extra case appear to involve a lot of additional work.
Photo Credit: www.otterbox.com
Rugged Notebooks: Extreme Computers for Extreme Conditions™
Filed under: Portable Computing, Product Description, Rugged Resources | Tags: Rugged Laptop, Flash Memory, USB Drives, IronKey
Several posts were written in 2007 on the innovations of Flash Memory and USB Drives. Flash is still big news in 2008, even more so with portability and security coupled with online applications. The IronKey might be the best suited yet to fit the needs of the rugged niche. This one looks like a good match-up for your rugged laptop.
The IronKey is promoted as the most secure USB flash drive in the world, and it probably is. Check out these bullets points from www.ironkey.com and then watch the video.
- Cryptochip AES Hardware Encryption
- Password Protected Internet Authentication
- Secure Session Web Communications
- Threat Mitigation Against Brute-force/Malware/Viruses/Trojans
- Third-party Hosting and Security
- Rugged Hardware, Software, and Network Design
- Epoxy-based Waterproof and Tamperproof Interior Potting Compound
Rugged Notebooks: Extreme Computers for Extreme Conditions™
Filed under: Product Description, Product Reviews, Rugged Resources | Tags: Rough Rider Max Duo, Rugged Laptops, RNB 230, Rugged Touchscreen
Rugged Notebook RNB 230
There is something sexy about 8.6 pounds of ruggus maximus mobility encased in black magnesium alloy. You don’t have to be black ops to appreciate the design and look of the RNB 230, formerly known as the Rough Rider Max.
This photo is resurrected from a Laptop Magazine review by Brian Heater. The RNB 230 is Mil-Std 810F and IP54 compliant for all special operations inside or out. There is something covert about changing names. No matter what they call it, this rugged laptop still performs tough. Read the Laptop Mag review, or review it yourself on the RNB 230 web page.
Source: Laptopmag.com
Rugged Notebooks: Extreme Computers for Extreme Conditions™
Filed under: Editorial Opinion, Portable Computing, Usability | Tags: Linux, Open Source, IMB, Big Blue
How Open Source Affects Rugged Portable Computing
You can’t help but think that the trend will continue towards thin clients (dumb wireless terminals), open source software, and online storage. This will probably bear out for the future of rugged gear as more reliable wireless networks are developed via the 700 MHz spectrum auction and ramp up for service.
Future growth for computing products lies in emerging markets. It came across the news today that Big Blue is allied with companies in Austria and Poland to offer PCs that will probably come in about half the cost of those sporting Microsoft software.
IBM still widely influences business around the globe, and finally may be settling an old score along with a few other old Microsoft rivals. “Have you ever seen a world without Microsoft?” We probably will, and we will probably be amazed at the company predicted by some to bring the change about.
Any computing device is obviously going to be cheaper to manufacture without expensive resident software and large storage drives. Security becomes less of an issue when the processing and memory is centralized somewhere on the grid and not on indivudual machines.
Look for more processing and storage to be offered online in exchange for scalable monthly fees…and more adoption of open source as markets expand.
Source: Reuters and CNet
Rugged Notebooks: Extreme Computers for Extreme Conditions™
Filed under: Editorial Opinion, Mobile and Wireless, Portable Computing | Tags: Wi-Fi, Rugged Laptop, 802.11n, MIMO, IEEE
Updates on IEEE ratification of 802.11n was mentioned a couple of posts ago, and this entry addresses some of those findings pertinent to the rugged laptop sector.
Wi-Fi 802.11n is the proposed amendment which improves upon the previous 802.11 standards commonly known as a, b and g, and sometimes grouped and referenced as 802.11 a/b/g.
802.11n also incorporates MIMO, an acronym for the addition of “multiple-input & multiple-output” features. Another curiosity is that many products have already been marketed and sold based on the Pre-N and Draft N specifications of this proposal. The reality is that the TGn (Task Group) is not expected to finalize the amendment for approval until November 2008 at the earliest, and it will not be ratified until 2009.
Many tech reviewers will tell you to buy the latest and greatest. Others will caution that 802.11 “n” is not yet approved by the IEEE, so why count on a standard that is not a sure thing. The truth is that the Wi-Fi standards are backwards compatible, meaning that “n” is expected to work with older equipment certified for 802.11 b/g.
“While there are undoubtedly benefits (in speed and range) to using this new gear, you are also putting yourself in line for potential problems. You really need to weigh your actual needs before jumping on the bandwagon of a “not ready for prime-time” technology. - see Tech Republic
A common misconception is that this standard will increase your Internet speeds. This is not quite yet the case, as you always will be limited to the upload/download speeds provided by your ISP, which in most cases is only going to be at the “g” (but probably older “b”) standards for now. The net effect is a larger wireless network (greater range) and faster speeds between networked devices. Additionally, not all MIMO equipment is slated to be part of the “n” ratification.
“Work on the 802.11n standard dates back to 2004. The draft is expected to be finalized in November 2008 with publication in July 2009, but major manufacturers are now releasing ‘pre-N’, ‘draft n’ or ‘MIMO-based’ products based on early specs. These vendors anticipate the final version will not be significantly different from the draft, and in a bid to get the early mover advantage, are pushing ahead with the technology. Depending on the manufacturer, a firmware update may eventually be able to make current “Draft-N” hardware compatible with the final version.” - see Wikipedia
For a good synopsis of the issues read this Tech Republic article, or watch this video from Nick Danforth, a teen techie with a realistic grasp of the current 802.11n situation.
Rugged Notebooks: Extreme Computers for Extreme Conditions™
Filed under: Announcements, Rugged Resources, Usability | Tags: Google, GrandCentral, Rugged Laptop, Unified Communicatios, VoIP
Is Google GrandCentral getting ready to come out of beta? Many rugged portable users, road warriors, and digital nomads have found the free (up until now) service to be a boon for long distance communications via a rugged laptop and a wireless broadband connection.
The online user groups have been reporting strange things, like some UI functions disappearing, the GC blog missing in action, service issues, and change-ups on invites the last week or so. Wired reported invites are now easier to get, and Blogger Buzz is touting free signups along with the GC WebCall button.
The GrandCentral service is noted for its many aspects of unified messaging, and a “one number for life” promotion. Note: The “GrandCentral Signup Page” referenced in this post appears to only be available through an existing Blogger account, but check this quote from Venture Beat Dot Com.
“Google today announced on its Blogger Buzz blog that it is opening up its mobile calling/web integration service GrandCentral for new signups. While Google claims the offer is only open to “bloggers” and that the site is still in private beta, anyone can sign up by simply following this link - no official blogger card required.”
Here are some of the potential good things about GrandCentral:
- Have one permanent, central number for unified communications.
- Create an extra number for a business, or for any other reason.
- Avoid long distance charges and get a new number in a new area code.
- Combine GC with T-Mobile MyFaves or AllTel Circle for more free calling.
- Display the WebCall button to allow people to call you via your website.
Graphic Credit: grandcentral.com
Rugged Notebooks: Extreme Computers for Extreme Conditions™
