What good is a notebook you can use everywhere if you can't see the screen everywhere?

The General Dynamics Itronix GoBook VR-2 Semi Rugged laptop just won two awards for its new DynaVue technology. Military and Aerospace Electronics gave the GoBook VR-2 the Editors Choice 5 star award stating that "The DynaVue touchscreen display technology does not rely on adding light to improve visibility but focuses rather on a light-filtering technology that improves contrast ratio, color, sharpness and detail." LAPTOP also gave the GoBook VR-2 the best laptop of the year award stating "General Dynamics Itronix answers that challenge with the GoBook VR-2, which incorporates groundbreaking DynaVue display technology for the best outdoor readability we've seen on any laptop. By cleverly bumping up the contrast ratio and balancing it with the right amount of brightness, workers can use the VR-2's 13.3-inch touchscreen even in direct sunlight."

Click to learn more...

New Panasonic Toughbook 7-Series Business Rugged Laptops

Panasonic Toughbook just announced three new business rugged laptops designed to meet the demands of mobile executives, walking workers and road warriors: the ultraportable W7, the tablet alternative T7, and the thin-and-light Y7. All three of these computers come standard with all of the latest and greatest technology such as Intel Core 2 Duo processors, Bluetooth and integrated wireless. What’s even more amazing is that these units weigh less than 4lbs and have up to 9 hours of battery life. All the while having rugged capabilities such as shock mounted hard drives, magnesium alloy casing, spill proof keyboards and can withstand a drop of up to 2.5 feet!

Click for more details...

Xplore iX104 Wildcat Rugged Tablet PC – Only $1,599

The Wildcat was the original version of the iX104. It is now available at a special price (half the price of other Tablet PC’s by Xplore). The rugged iX104 by Xplore Technologies is a fully rugged tablet PC that offers the durability of an IP 67 (vacuum-sealed) rating and performance of an Intel Centrino processor. This Rully Rugged Tablet PC comes standard with a 10.4" indoor screen. It features 512MB of Memory, a 40GB Hard Disk Drive and is covered by a 3 Year Warranty. This unit is also certified as Class 1, Division 2 Intrinsically Safe (HazLoc).

The iX104 Wildcat is available at this extraordinary price while supplies last. Please Note: the Wildcat does not have wireless capability.

Click for More Info.

Introducing the OQO Semi Rugged Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC)

...And it only weighs 1 Pound!
Group Mobile just added the new OQO Semi Rugged UMPC to its line card. This new product is a full blown computer that runs on Windows XP or Vista in a compact 6"x3" UMPC form factor, weighing only one pound! The OQO comes standard with a 5" wide screen display, shock mounted hard drive, 802.11 WiFi and Bluetooth. The OQO is also encased in a magnesium alloy chassis making it stronger than the commercial UMPC's on the market.

Starting at $1,290

Click Here for More Info.

Total Cost of Ownership - Rugged Mobile Computers

In the Long Run, Do Rugged Computers Cost Less Than Regular Laptops?

A recent study published by Venture Development Corporation (VDC), an independent market research and strategy-consulting firm stated that “mobile device end users lost an average of 75 minutes of productivity each time the device failed. With the average device failing as many as 20 times per year, that can translate into as much as $4,000 in lost revenues per employee per year”. This study also found that the average annual failure rate for non-rugged notebooks was estimated at approximately 30% while annual failure rates for rugged notebooks were less than one-third the non-rugged rate, or approximately 9%. For more on this study, contact Group Mobile at gm-marketing@groupmobile.com and request that the TCO Study be sent to you.

Toughbook Test

This is a great video that shows the tough testing that goes on at the Panasonic factory before Toughbooks are released. Click here for a full list of Panasonic Toughbooks and current pricing.

LEDCO - Airbag Safety

Check out this video on airbag safety and vehicle computer mounts. Click here for a list of vehicle mount and find the right one for you.

Does your laptop travel with you in your vehicle?

If so, there are several benefits to mounting your laptop in your vehicle. The most important reason for doing so is for safety reasons. By safely securing your laptop in a mount you prevent your laptop from flying across your vehicle and possibly hitting you should you break suddenly. Some vehicle mounting companies are airbag compliant which means that the mount will not interfere with the airbag. One example is Gamber Johnson. Another great benefit to mounting your laptop in your vehicle is that you get a stronger GPS signal when integrating a GPS antenna. Check out some vehicle specific mounting options for your laptop by clicking here.

Panasonic Toughbook Y5 Business Rugged Laptop

The new Panasonic Toughbook Y5 Business Rugged Laptop now comes with 1GB memory vs. only 512MB and at a lower price! The Toughbook Y5 also comes with a 14.1" LCD screen, Integrated Combo Drive and only weighs 3.7 lbs. The Toughbook Y5 is also wireless ready for Sprint and Verizon wireless networks. Did I mention it had a 6 hour battery life? Perfect for the business traveler or anyone that wants a slick, light dependable laptop with great battery life.

Click for Price

Interested in a Rugged Computer? Figure out what you need:

Group Mobile has a great tool for those of you that want a rugged mobile computer but aren’t sure what you want in it. Learn about the different degrees of ruggedness, display characteristics, keyboard features, integrated options, vehicle mounts, office docks and much more. Fill out this questionnaire and learn about the options available to you.

Click for the Questionnaire

A Full Blown PC Under 3lbs & ULTRA Rugged!

The new Rugged SwitchBack Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) from Black Diamond Advanced Technology (BDAT) is a revolutionary new product designed with the military, public safety, field service, utility, logistics and transportation in mind. Weighing only 3 pounds, the SwitchBack has some great features such as a hot swappable battery, removable hard drive, condensed QWERTY keyboard, touchscreen and pointing device. The SwitchBack also comes with a sunlight viewable display and can run multiple operating systems.

Click for More

Group Mobile Ranked # 32 in the 2007 CRN Fast Growth 100 List!

The CRN Fast Growth 100 List is an annual list of the 100 top solution providers that have achieved rapid growth in revenue over the past two years. “This year's Fast Growth 100 companies come in all shapes and sizes. But what they share is a passion for growing their businesses at warp speed. And it's the benefits that come with being a big company that spur these solution providers to get big fast.” – Jeanette Boyne, CRN Magazine

Read More

Group Mobile Makes The Inc. 5000 List

Group Mobile is proud to announce that we made the 2007 Inc. 5000 List. The Inc. 5000 is a list of the nation's fastest growing private companies. Group Mobile ranked # 595 overall as well as # 15 in the Computers and Electronics category and # 20 out of all companies located in Arizona.

View Profile

The World's Best Outdoor Viewable Display

General Dynamics Itronix has found a new way to increase screen brightness on rugged mobile computers, without sacrificing battery life or processing performance. The new DynaVue display balances display brightness and contrast ratio and virtually eliminates the internal reflections that wash out display clarity.

Click to Learn More

Can’t Decide Between a Tablet PC and a Laptop?

Why not have both?

The Getac V100 convertible rugged computer converts from a tablet PC to a laptop with a quick swivel motion. This new rugged computer comes standard with a 10.4” touchscreen display that can be upgraded to a 12.1” screen. Weighing less than 5 pounds you can carry this computer around everywhere you go. Did I mention this computer is also water-proof to protect the computer from unexpected spills and sprays?

Click for Details

Who needs a desktop PC anymore when they have this?

The new Panasonic Toughbook 52 semi rugged laptop has everything your desktop pc has and more. With a nice sized 15.4” wide screen display, Intel Core Duo processor, 80GB hard drive and DVD Multi drive and did I mention it is semi rugged? You can easily carry this machine around like a small suitcase with its ergonomic handle. Some of the great options available on this machine are a fingerprint scanner so you can prevent anyone else from using your computer. You can also get integrated wireless on this computer so you can travel and have the internet wherever you go.

Click for Details

More Than A Semi-Rugged ...

You Can Mount This Computer in Your Car!

The General Dynamics Itronix GoBook VR-2 Semi Rugged Laptop is a newer version of the GoBook VR-1, but has a larger hard drive and faster processor. The GoBook VR-2 also has a larger 13.3” outdoor viewable touchscreen display featuring their patent-pending DynaVue™ technology. You can view this screen even under the sunniest conditions.

Click for Full Details

The Computer That Fits In Your Pocket!

The General Dynamics Itronix GoBook MR-1 Rugged UMPC

The brand new GoBook MR-1 Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) from General Dynamics Itronix is a cool new ultra rugged computer designed with the military in mind. This computer is so small it fits in your cargo pockets, weighing less than 2 pounds. The GoBook MR-1 runs on the latest Intel processor which means it is fast and its 5.6” wide screen display has an amazing new technology that allows for great visibility outdoors in the blaring sunlight.

Click to View the MR-1...

Great Article on Integrated Wireless in Laptops

An article was just published in Integrated Solutions magazine about the switch to integrated wireless vs. PC cards. The title of the article is: Rugged laptop and tablet vendors are improving integrated WWAN (wireless WAN) antennas for optimum uptime. Learn about the benefits of integrated wireless vs. external wirless PC cards.

Full Article