General Dynamics builds new portables around DynaVue technology
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General Dynamics Itronix has introduced a new, patent-pending touchscreen display technology along with two new laptops.
General Dynamics Itronix has introduced a new, patent-pending touchscreen display technology along with two new laptops. The display technology is called DynaVue and it improves visibility in all lighting conditions, including direct sunlight, which is important for Itronix's line of ruggedized laptops designed for use outdoors. DynaVue is noteworthy because it doesn't simply crank up the brightness. Instead, it uses light-filtering technology to balance brightness with the contrast ratio, which helps eliminate internal reflections that can interfere with clarity. Another benefit of improving display visibility without simply increasing brightness is that brighter displays require more battery power and they also slow down processor speed. What's more, according to the company, a display using DynaVue performs just as well undocked as docked, so users shouldn't see the noticeable screen darkening that usually occurs when a laptop switches from A/C power to battery power. DynaVue technology will be the standard display technology on General Dynamics Itronix's entire line of laptops and tablet PCs from now on. The first new laptop the company is announcing is the semirugged GoBook VR-2, which features a 2 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, external antenna connections and a built-in Global Positioning System.The VR-2 weighs 6.2 pounds and features a dedicated office dock, external keyboard and an optional dedicated vehicle dock. According to the company, the VR-2 features the highest level of drop protection of any semirugged laptop on the market. Security features include the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 and a 'super password' feature that allows users to individually disable hardware, slots and ports. And in August, a stealth-mode feature will be available that will let users turn off the screen, audio, LEDs, task light, fan, WWAN, WLAN and Bluetooth.The second new laptop is the GoBook MR-1, an ultramobile rugged laptop weighing just two pounds. The unit is small enough to fit into the side pockets on cargo pants, yet it runs the full Microsoft Windows XP Pro operating system and applications rather than mobile versions. What's more, when you're in an office environment you can attach a port replicator that lets you use the MR-1 with a full-sized monitor and keyboard as well as other peripherals such as a mouse. The MR-1 features a 1.2 GHz Intel Core Solo processor and can hold up to 1 G of memory. It has both a touchpad and track point for navigation and it can run up to four wireless radios simultaneously. Security features include a user-removable hard drive, fingerprint reader, TPM 1.2 and stealth-mode keyboard and display settings. What's more, users can configure access to all input/output devices.The GoBook VR-2 starts at $3,500 and is available now. The GoBook MR-1 starts at $4,500 and will be generally available in September.
The GoBook MR-1, an ultramobile rugged laptop weighing just two pounds, is small enough to fit into the side pockets on cargo pants, yet it runs the full Microsoft Windows XP Pro operating system and applications rather than mobile versions.
General Dynamics Itronix
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