Sept/Oct 2005

A 'cross-over' ruggedised laptop computer is the latest product to emerge from Itronix, a manufacturer which holds a major slice of the fully ruggedised laptop market. The GoBook VR-1 shares many of the rugged features of the company's existing GoBook range, but is not quite so robust. The attraction is a significant saving of around £600 per unit (the list price is under £2,000).

The company is confident that there is a significant market for this 'in-between' offering for users who currently either go down the fully-ruggedised route, or use normal business computers in applications where they often turn out to be damage-prone and expensive.

Meanwhile, underlining the move implied by this development towards the mainstream business and consumer laptop market, Itronix has announced a specially packaged and badged version of the VR-1 known as the Hummer (after the vehicle of the same name).

The VR-1 comes with an attractive high-end package of features, including a 1.8MHz Intel Pentium M processor, 512MB of RAM and a hard disk of up to 80GB. Intel Centrino Wi-Fi (to 802.11g standard) is included, as is an integral antenna in a discreet external housing on top of the lid. Among features is a quick-removal hard disk drive.

 

The company says vibration is the most troublesome problem for laptops working in challenging environments. Hence it has built the VVR-1 to MIL-STD 810F vibration resistance, and says it has also tested it with repeated 30in drops on all six sides. And resistance to extremes of temperature are said to be good.

Itronix has developed its own plug-in module for inserting add-on devices such as a GPRS unit (at £400), freeing the standard Type II PC Card slot for other uses. It says it would be more than happy to see the CMRA (Common Radio Module) adopted by other suppliers.

The special Hummer version has been conceived as a joint venture with General Motors, producer of the iconic HumVee-derived Hummer sports utility vehicle. It will be sold by Hummer dealers and through the dedicated Hummer Web site. Reportedly the initiative was inspired by the perceived success of the Ferrari-branded range of laptops offered by computer manufacturer Acer.

The Hummer laptop is initially available only in the US, and there are apparently no plans to offer it in the UK, but the company says it is investigating opportunities to develop products with other iconic branding - 'and not necessarily in the automotive field,' says UK general manager Sandy McCaskie. He adds that the initial announcement of the Hummer attracted interest from would-be buyers as far afield as Finland.

Itronix emphasises that it is not planning to move into pure business and consumer computing, where it would face tough competition from many established players. Rather it is interested in cultivating niche markets where buyers are prepared to pay a premium for a mix of performance and caché.

• The takeover of Itronix by US-based General Dynamics was completed in September. Itronix says the deal will enable it to extend its market, especially in the defence and public sectors where GD is strong, as well as giving it muscle to build up its presence in the semi-rugged market in which theVR-1 will compete.