Pen Computing Magazine 2005 Editor's Choice Awards: 

Durable and Rugged Notebooks

Itronix GoBook III     List price: from US$4,495 www.itronix.com	BEST HIGH PERFORMANCE RUGGED NOTEBOOK - The GoBook III is a technologically updated version of the GoBook II, which was a technologically updated version of the original GoBook. Itronix deliberately did not change the looks of the product nor did the company tamper with the overall design of this no-nonsense rugged notebook made almost entirely of magnesium alloy. The Go-Book III uses Intel’s 1.8GHz M745 processor which is significantly faster than the GoBook II’s 1.7 GHz Pentium 4. It also makes the GoBook run cooler and gives it noticeably better battery life (over five hours). Memory, disk, graphics and wireless options have all been modernized as well, resulting in a tried-and-true design that also represents the current technological state-of-the-art. Magnesium alloy construction and extensive shock absorption and sealing provide excellent environmental protection.	Processor CPU Speed Standard/Max RAM Disk/drive Card slots Display type Display size/res Color depth Digitizer/pens Keyboard/scale Housing Operating temp. Sealing Shock Dimensions Weight Power Interface Interface Options Options	Pentium M Processor 745 1.8 GHz 256MB/2048MB 40 or 80 GB 2 PC Card Type II Transmissive “ColorVue” TFT 12.1-inch/1024x768 16.7 million Touchscreen    Integrated 87 keys, 100% Magnesium alloy -10 to 140F (w/ HDD heater) IP54 NA 12.0 x 9.8 x 2.36 8.2 lbs. 6,600 mAH Li-Ion (“5.25 hrs.”) USB 2.0, VGA, RJ11, RJ45    PS/2, serial, 802.11b, audio, dock    Docks, 2nd battery, cases Various wireless, Bluetooth, GPS
Panasonic Toughbook W2      List price: from US$2,284 www.panasonic.com/toughbook	BEST SEMI-RUGGED ULTRA-PORTABLE - Panasonic designed the Toughbook W2 for those who like the T2’s size and weight, but also want an optical drive and even longer battery life. Normally, you’d expect the resulting machine to be larger and heavier. Amazingly, the W2 has a footprint identical to that of the T1, and despite the built-in DVD-CDRW drive it’s barely thicker and weighs about the same. That’s even more amazing considering the W2’s significantly larger battery (49 versus 33 Watt-Hours) that allow battery life in the six hour range. The W2 is part of Panasonic’s “semi-rugged” lineup; what this really means is that it’s largely made of magnesium and benefits from the company’s expertise in building longer-lasting computers that can take more abuse. However, don’t drop it off a cliff or leave it in the rain. The W2 ranks as one of the very best compact notebook solutions anywhere.	Processor CPU Speed Standard/Max RAM Disk/drive Card slots Display type Display size/res Color depth Digitizer/pens Keyboard/scale Housing Operating temp. Sealing Shock Dimensions Weight Power Interface Interface Options Options	Intel Pentium M ULV 713 1.1 GHz 256MB/768MB 40GB HD + DVD-CDRW 1 PC Card Type II + 1 SD Transmissive anti-glare TFT 12.1" XGA 16.7 million none integrated 85-key, 100%-scale magnesium semi-rugged semi-rugged semi-rugged 10.6 x 8.3 x 1.2-1.6 2.8 lbs. 49 Watt-Hour Li-Ion (“6 hrs.”) 2 USB 2.0, RJ11, RJ45    Audio, VGA, 802/11b/g    USB floppy, portfolio case Chargers, battery pack
Panasonic Toughbook 29       List price: from US$3,750 www.panasonic.com/toughbook	BEST RUGGED NOTEBOOK - The almost legendary Toughbook 29 is Panasonic’s most popular machine for field computing in harsh environments. With an all-magnesium housing, the rugged 29 sports excellent industrial design and—after the latest electronics update—most of the computing power of a state-of-the-art consumer notebook without the durability headaches that come with standard consumer products. The 29 is a very capable and flexible performer with a range of expansion options to suit any need. 802.11a/b/g WiFi is already built-in, and a larger power pack provides excellent battery life. It can be ordered pre-configured for several wireless data networks including the CDPD, GSM, GPRS and WiFi standards. The multi-purpose media bay, port panel, and PC Card bay are all protected under sealed doors; this notebook does not need a case, it is one.	Processor CPU Speed Standard/Max RAM Disk/drive Card slots Display type Display size/res Color depth Digitizer/pens Keyboard/scale Housing Operating temp. Sealing Shock Dimensions Weight Power Interface Interface Options Options	Intel Pentium M LV 738 1.4 GHz 256-1536MB 60 or 80GB HD + FD/optical       2 Type II PC Card Transmissive anti-glare TFT 13.3"/1024 x 768 XGA 16.7 million touchscreen optional integrated 87-key, 100%-scale Magnesium alloy -20 to 140 degree F IP54 26 x 3 feet drop to concrete 11.9 x 10.8 x 2.3 9.3 pounds (incl. battery + handle) 72 Watt-Hour Li-Ion (“7 hours”) S/P, USB, RJ11, RJ45    802.11a/b/g, audio, replicator Wireless, Bluetooth, GPS, SmartCard Dock, replicator, 2nd battery, drives
Twinhead Durabook N15 Series     List price: US$1,500 to 1,700 www.twinhead.com	BEST ECONOMY-PRICED SEMI-RUGGED NOTEBOOK - The Durabook N15 Series is aimed at those who want an economically priced semi-rugged notebook without giving up the vast screen real estate of a standard commercial notebook. All N15 Series models come with a 15.1-inch display. The top-of-the-line N15RB model has a 1400x1050 pixel LCD whereas the lesser N15RI and N15RN models have standard XGA (1024x768) resolution. The different models also come with a variety of processors, optical disk drives, and memory configurations. All share a magnesium case and excellent onboard connectivity. Despite their large display and considerable power, the N15s weigh less than seven pounds. And while they are not fully rugged, they pass limited drop, vibration, and sealing tests. The bottomline is a line of very durable, very well equipped notebooks that cost significantly less	Processor CPU Speed Standard/Max RAM Disk/drive Card slots Display type Display size/res Color depth Digitizer/pens Keyboard/scale Housing Operating temp. Sealing Shock Dimensions Weight Power Interface Interface Options Options	Intel Centrino/Dothan/Pentium M various 128-2048MB 20 to 80 HD + optical drive        1 PC Card Type II Transmissive TFT 15.1"/1400 x 1050 SXGA+ 16.7 million none spill-proof 85 key, full-scale Magnesium alloy 41 to 95 degree F “spill-proof” (IP31) 2.5 foot drop 13.1 x 10.8 x 1.4 6.8 pounds 71 WHr Li-Ion (“3.5 hrs.”) IrDA, 802.11b/g, 3 USB 2.0, S-Video    Audio, RJ11, RJ45, VGA, IEEE1394 CPUs, optical drives, battery Various RF