General Dynamics Itronix Ultramobile PC Designed for EMTs, Military

General Dynamics Itronix has unveiled a pocket-size ultramobile laptop for extreme work environments such as health care, military and construction.

General Dynamics Itronix, a maker of mobile products for harsh working conditions, has announced its latest rugged notebook, the GD2000 UMPC (ultramobile PC).

UMPCs are the size of PDAs and can be carried in one hand but have the features of full-size laptops. The GD2000 is equipped with a 1.2GHz Intel Celeron ULV722 Core Solo CPU on ultralow voltage, which saves battery life for field workers.

With a 5.6-inch sunlight-viewable DynaVue touch screen in a 1.8-by-6.6-by-4.8-inch frame similar in size to two paperback books, the GD2000 will work well in harsh, space-constrained work locations, according to Itronix.

The unit's enhanced graphics and 3D rendering performance provide the situational awareness and data visibility that first responders such as firefighters and police officers require, according to Itronix. Rugged mobile products are also used by intelligence officers, construction workers and warehouse personnel.

"The GD2000 is designed for the most extreme work environments," Mark Johnston, director of strategic computing solutions for General Dynamics Itronix, said in a statement. "For example, after jumping from a plane with the GD2000 strapped to their chests, military paratroopers can pinpoint or change their landing location as well as receive updated mission information while in flight and after they land."

The laptop's keyboard button for zoom-in/zoom-out allows law enforcement officers and first responders to pinpoint an emergency location quickly, Itronix reports.

Announced on June 21, the GD2000 satisfies military standards on rugged durability and the IP (Ingress Protection) 54 rating for resistance to water and dust. The GD2000 can also withstand accidental drops, extreme temperatures, heavy vibrations and sand.

For wireless connectivity, the GD2000 incorporates WiFi, Bluetooth and SIRFstar III GPS, a type of high-sensitivity GPS technology from wireless provider CSR. CSR also offers several wireless chips for fitness, such as low-power heart rate monitors.

In addition, workers in rugged environments can swap out the unit's hard drive without tools. The GD8200 can hold either a 64GB or 128GB SSD (solid-state drive). Users can also swap out the lithium-ion, hot-swappable battery pack.

Pricing for the GD2000 starts at $4,900.

On June 7 Itronix introduced the GD8200 rugged laptop, also designed for enterprise users in rugged environments. In January, the company introduced an Android-based wearable PC for warfighters, called the GD300.

Products like the GD2000 UMPC and the wearable GD300 unit provide tactical communications and situational awareness for military personnel and first responders.

"We expect the GD300 will become the most important 8 ounces of tactical communications and situational awareness equipment that a warfighter can carry," Mike DiBiase, vice president of computing technologies for General Dynamics C4 Systems, said in a statement.

Other manufacturers in the rugged mobile computing space include Motion Computing, Motorola, Panasonic and Xplore Technologies. In addition, Honeywell International looks to gain a foothold in the rugged mobile space with its plans to buy EMS Technologies, a mobile computing and satellite communications vendor.

The GD8200 rivals Panasonic's line of Toughbook mobile products. On June 10 Panasonic revamped its rugged Toughbook 19 tablet to include an upgraded Intel Core i5-2520M standard voltage CPU and an internal reflective layer for workers to view outdoors.