Netbooks tend to be small, cheap, low power laptop computers. The Algiz XRW from Swedish PC maker Handheld is certainly small(ish) and low power. It has a 10.1 inch display and a 2GHz Intel Atom Z550 processor. But it also has a ruggedized case, a 64GB shock-proof solid state drive and it ships with Windows 7 Ultimate.
The laptop is resistant to dust and water (bear in mind, there’s a difference between water resistant and waterproof), and can handle temperatures as low as -5.8 degrees Fahrenheit or as hot as 158 degrees — and that’s just when it’s on. You can stuff the laptop in a freezer at -40 degrees if it’s turned off. The Algiz XRW is also designed to withstand drops from about 4 feet.
The laptop features a 1366 x 768 pixel display, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS and comes with 2GB of memory and a 2MP webcam.There’s a 57.6 Whr battery, USB and RS232 ports.
It’s due out in December, but there’s no word on pricing yet. Somehow I don’t think this 3.3 pound mini-laptop is going to be cheap though.
Only a fall from 4ft? I think they need more “Flubber” on it.
Cool post. I love rugged computing products and hope that some of the great features from the industry make it to consumer computing someday.
Like you mentioned, this doesn’t offer a netbook-like experience in the consumer sense. It’s not thin. It’s not light. It’s not cheap…except that it is. Thin and light is relative, and relative to rugged laptops and notebooks, this is pretty thin and light and probably cheap too. I’d assume that you also get to retain two main benefits of netbooks: great battery life and lower heat output. These are both VERY important in rugged devices because you tend to be out in the field with them for extended periods of time, and features like fans and vents tend to be big liabilities in these environments. Moreover, it does offer a netbook-like computing experience in environments that would quickly kill a traditional netbook.