Government Computer News
Rugged notebooks don’t leave speed behind
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Itronix GoBook III
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As prices of notebook systems have come down, performance has gone up and wireless communications enabled better mobile computing, buyers have grown comfortable with the idea of a notebook as their primary platform. Of course, notebooks continue to present unique security challenges, such as how to protect WiFi networks from hackers and prevent mobile systems from introducing viruses to agency infrastructures. And if you’re lugging critical information around, you need to make sure you can get it, even if you bang the system against your desk or the airline check-in counter.
It’s not surprising to us, therefore, that more innovation is happening in portable computing than anywhere else, particularly in the area of rugged notebooks.
Itronix GoBook III
In the past, rugged notebook users had to settle for something less than the cutting edge when buying their portables. Apparently there was a perception that rugged notebook users didn’t need a lot of speed because their primary concern was surviving harsh environments. But Itronix Corp. figures the quicker the job gets done, the faster users can come in from the cold tundra or the scorching desert.
The result is the GoBook III, a notebook that’s rugged and fast. The system and its 1.8GHz Intel Pentium M processor performed well in the GCN Lab, scoring 6,651 on the GCN/Alterion benchmark tests. That number is in line with some of the fastest nonrugged notebooks we’ve tested.
Our unit also came with a full gigabyte of RAM and a 64M ATI Mobility Radeon graphics engine. Its screen, although just 12.1 inches in diagonal—on the low end of today’s power notebooks—is exceptional. It uses Itronix’s ColorVue technology so you can read it better outdoors or under bright conditions. We also like the glow-in-the-dark keyboard for working at night.
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Getac MobileForce M220
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