Save 10-15% on Customer Favorite Rugged Notebooks from Getac!

Save big on customer favorites from Getac! The Getac B300, S400, and X500 rugged notebooks deliver outstanding performance in a durable design! Getac B300   Fully rugged with outstanding performance! Save 15%!  The Getac B300 is a fully rugged notebook computer with an i5 2.6GHz processor and an ultra-bright, 700 nit, 13.3 inch, sunlight-readable display. The rugged Getac B300 is both MIL-STD-810G and IP65 compliant, boasting a Magnesium Alloy design, shock-mounted hard disk drive, vibration and shock resistance, and sealed I/O caps and doors to prevent damage from solid particles and moisture. This rugged laptop also includes many impressive features such as 4GB RAM for amazing speed and efficiency, a 500GB hard disk drive to store plenty of data, Bluetooth® and 802.11 Wi-Fi for connectivity, a backlit keyboard for working in dark environments, and a 5-year bumper-to-bumper warranty! With an extensive list of security, power and connectivity options, as well as a 30-hour battery life (with dual battery option), the Getac B300 rugged notebook is designed for a productive, worry-free mobile computing experience. Learn more about the Getac B300 fully rugged notebook computer...  Getac S400   Upgraded with Gobi! Save 10%!  Special - IN STOCK! The Getac S400 is one of the most durable semi-rugged notebook computers on the market. This Getac S400 rugged computer is loaded with upgrades, including an i5 2.6GHz processor, 800 NIT multi-touch display, backlit keyboard, Windows 7, 3G Gobi™ Mobile Broadband, and a low-temperature (-20 °C) battery. The rugged Getac S400 also comes with 4GB RAM and a 500GB shock mounted hard disk drive standard. The Getac S400 computer has advanced security features including a built-in TPM 1.2 module, fingerprint scanner, and a SmartCard reader to provide three additional layers of security and protection for your valuable data. With its rugged design and powerful tools, the S400 semi-rugged notebook is built to handle any task that comes your way! Learn more about the Getac S400 semi-rugged notebook computer...

Getac X500 Ultimate computing solution for military and field operations! Save 12%! The Getac X500 ultra rugged notebook joins extreme durability, ultra fast speed, and expandability to create the ultimate mobile computing solution for military and field operations. The rugged Getac X500 has an i5 2.6GHz proccsor and is military-certified for operation in the most extreme conditions. It is MIL-STD-810G certified for ruggedness and shock protection, and its IP65 rating protects the unit from water and dust. The Getac X500 notebook features  a 500GB shock-mounted hard drive, 8GB RAM, and a 15.6-inch (1920 x 1080) QuadraClear sunlight-readable LED display. The Getac X500 rugged notebook's design and it's 5-year bumper-to-bumper warranty make it an ideal mobile computing solution to meet virtually every communications and environmental challenge that military and field operations personnel face today. Learn more about the Getac X500 ultra rugged notebook computer. Learn more about the Getac X500 ultra rugged notebook computer...

Closeout Pricing on 4th Generation Getac B300 Models!

HUGE Savings - $1,000 off MSRP! 

In stock and ready to ship! 

 

Group Mobile is currently offering closeout pricing on 4th Generation B300 models! This computer is loaded with upgrades, including an Intel Core i7-3520M processor, 1400NITs QuadraClear™ sunlight readable LED display with touchscreen, SuperMulti DVD drive, and integrated GPS!

 

The Getac B300 fully rugged notebook computer is truly a road warrior. It is both MIL-STD-810G and IP65 compliant, boasting a Magnesium Alloy design, shock-mounted hard disk drive, vibration and shock resistance, and sealed I/O caps and doors to prevent damage from solid particles and moisture.

In addition to all the upgrades in this configuration, this laptop also includes many impressive features such as and 4GB RAM for amazing speed and efficiency, a 500GB hard disk drive to store plenty of data, Bluetooth® and 802.11 Wi-Fi for connectivity, a backlit keyboard for working in dark environments, and a 5-year bumper-to-bumper warranty! 

The Getac B300 also has advanced security features to safeguard important data, such as a fingerprint scanner, TPM V1.2, and a cable lock slot. With an extensive list of security, power and connectivity options, as well as 15-hour battery life, the Getac B300 rugged notebook is designed for a productive, worry-free mobile computing experience. Learn more and order your B300 rugged laptop today...

Rugged Computer Product User Reviews

We believe that Product User Reviews are extremely valuable to those looking to acquire technology products. For this reason Group Mobile collects and shares user product reviews on our website for all to see. If you use a rugged portable computer, of any make or model, please take a few minutes to complete our four-question Rugged Computer Survey. To read other user reviews, visit www.groupmobile.com/productreviews.asp. To learn more about Group Mobile or to purchase a Rugged Computer, visit www.groupmobile.com or call 866-RUGGED8.


                                                       

Transform the way you Work with Speech Recognition Software

Speech recognition software, also known as voice recognition software, is a rapidly growing and changing technology field. Voice recognition software will permit you to to work as fast as you can speak. The biggest advantage is the ability to work hands-free allowing you to multi-task. Just say words and watch them appear on your computer screen. You can even use voice commands to edit and format your text, search the web or send email. Some of the industrys that would greatly benefit from speech recognition software are construction, public safety, insurance, government, healthcare, energy / utilities, and education.  

Group Mobile is now partnered with Nuance Communications. Nuance Communications, Inc. is the leading provider of voice and language understanding solutions for businesses and consumers around the world. Countless professionals rely on Dragon NaturallySpeaking 12 Professional to automate their PC computing processes to work faster and smarter. 

Learn More about the Nuance Dragon NaturallySpeaking software...

Special sale on Panasonic Toughbooks for the month of September!

Group Mobile is offering an exclusive sale on two popular Panasonic Toughbooks; the Panasonic Toughbook 31 and the Panasonic Toughbook 19. Both of these fully rugged machines feature 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth for seamless wireless connectivity, and a 3-year warranty. Hurry, offer ends September 30, 2012!

The Panasonic Toughbook 31 is a fully rugged model, and meets the demands of the most extreme environments. The Toughbook 31 is equipped with a powerful Intel® Core i3 2.10GHz processor 320GB shock-mounted hard drive, and 2GB SDRAM for impressive speed and performance. This ultra-rugged laptop offers the highest performance rating in its class and is MIL-STD-810G and IP65 Certified to handle a six foot drop. Battery life on the Toughbook 31 is rated at an impressive 8 hours with a recharge time of 3 hours. The sunlight-viewable LCD touch screen display allows for easy view in any lighting conditions. The Toughbook 31 comes equipped with Windows® 7 Professional. Order today through Group Mobile and save $780 off MSRP. For more information on the Panasonic Toughbook 31 visit Group Mobile.

The Panasonic Toughbook 19 offers a unique swivel screen that can be quickly configured to be laptop, or by the touch of a button the screen can be folded flat to become a tablet PC. The Panasonic Toughbook 19 comes standard with a touchscreen and runs on Windows® 7. The Panasonic Toughbook 19 is surrounded by a magnesium alloy case, and all the ports on this rugged computer are fully sealed to protect it against outside elements such as rain, dust, and moisture. The performance specs on this rugged laptop is impressive, it comes with an Intel® Core™ i5-2520UM vPro™ rated at 2.5GHz with Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz, 4GB SDRAM (DDR3-1066MHz), and a fast 7200rpm 320GB hard drive to handle high intensive computing programs. The Panasonic Toughbook 19 comes with a 10.1" sunlight-viewable LED touchscreen with anti-reflective, Anti-glare and circular polarizer display to ensure superior visibility under any circumstance. Order today through Group Mobile and save $730 off MSRP. For more information on the Panasonic Toughbook 19 visit Group Mobile.

Do Rugged Computers Cost More or Less?

On a fairly frequent basis, Group Mobile provides a price quotation to a prospective customer on a ruggedized computer…and when we follow-up the prospect says something like, "Well, the decision was made to buy commercial computers since the ruggedized computers were higher in price. We felt like we could save quite a bit of money and if the plastic computers break, we can just buy new ones and we would still save money over buying ruggedized equipment."

Then invariably, a few weeks or months later, the same person calls back and says something like, "I guess we are ready for those ruggedized computers now. We tried the commercial plastic computers and they were failing every couple of weeks. Our guys were 'down' and without their computers for days at a time. It was costing us a fortune in lost productivity, not to mention the hassle of losing data and having to constantly re-load our software on the repaired computers."

So why does this scenario repeat itself over and over again? We can only blame ourselves…the people who are involved in manufacturing and selling rugged, mobile computers. We have not done a great job of educating people about the necessity of ruggedization when using a computer in a vehicle, in a factory, in a warehouse, in a service bay, or out in the field. Construction companies, utility departments, service, repair, inspection, delivery companies, police departments, etc, think nothing about spending thousands of dollars for the equipment specialized for their job or their business, but balk when it comes to buying specialized computers. They are just not fully aware that commercial grade computers are not designed for vehicle, warehouse or field use.

We all know that there is a difference in price and cost. The price is what you pay up front for an item. The cost is what you spend over the course of the life of the item. Rugged computers are priced higher but cost less. The primary reasons for this are less down time, less lost data, fewer repair costs and increased worker productivity. Obviously, this is only true when said computers are to be used in or on a vehicle, in a dusty dirty environment, in a hot or cold environment, outdoors, or on-site. In every job there is a right and a wrong tool for the job. Commercial portable computers are perfect for indoor, white-collar, taking home at night, or flying on a business trip. Rugged mobile computers are the right tools for those with jobs in demanding environments. Rugged computers actually cost less! Read More...

New Mobile Construction Project Management Solution

Last week we announced an alliance that will provide a complete construction project management solution for the AEC industry. This relationship will combine FACS Project Controller™ project management software with rugged laptops and tablet computers to provide a turnkey solution to streamline construction project management.

FACS Project Controller is a powerful, yet easy-to-use system that provides fully integrated project control, document control, and contract administration to the entire construction project team whenever and wherever they need. FACS Project Controller was developed for construction professionals, by construction professionals and provides advanced tools proven to deliver improved project control, reduced manpower requirements, and savings of countless hours of travel and document searching.

Read More...

For more information regarding rugged mobile computing visit www.groupmobile.com or call us at 1-866-RUGGED-8.

Introducing the Dell Latitude E6400 XFR Fully Rugged Laptop

Built for tough environments, the Dell Latitude E6400 XFR fully-rugged laptop rises to the challenges mobile professionals face every day. The XFR is built to withstand pounding rain, blowing dust and dirt, extreme temperatures, accidental drops, and more. Read More...

Features:

• Exclusive Ballistic Armor Protection System meets or exceeds real-world and military standards (MIL-STD-810F)
• Solid-state drive delivers increased durability and improved system performance
• Large 14.1" wide-aspect LCD display featuring DirectVue Technology for enhanced viewability in all lighting conditions including direct sunlight
• Optional vehicle dock allows flexibility for police and field technicians to mount systems directly in their vehicles where they work
• Optional touchscreen display and camera
• Shares the image and peripherals with the corporate-class Latitude E6400, helping you achieve a system commonality and a lower total cost of ownership

For more information regarding rugged mobile computing visit www.groupmobile.com or call us at 1-866-RUGGED-8.

Group Mobile Closeouts

Occasionally, Group Mobile has overstocks or returns. These rugged mobile computers and accessories are discounted so you can find good deals in this section. Please feel free to call us at 866-784-4338 if you have any questions concerning the condition of these items. These items are in stock and can ship the same day if needed.

Motion Computer F5 Rugged Tablet PC - an innovative slate tablet pc designed specifically for in-field service and mobile professionals.

Panasonic Toughbook 19 Convertible Rugged Laptop - can be used as either a ruggedized laptop or rugged tablet PC. The Panasonic Toughbook 19 is the perfect solution for someone that needs the functionality of both.

Trimble Yuma Rugged Tablet Computer - safeguard your software and data in the face of dust, sand, mud, humidity and temperature extremes with this rugged tablet pc.

Xplore iX104C4 Rugged Mobile Tablet PC - utilizes the latest technology enclosed in the toughest casing in the rugged mobile computer industry.

For more information regarding rugged mobile computing visit www.groupmobile.com or call us at 1-866-RUGGED-8.

Introducing the Panasonic Toughbook 31

The Panasonic Toughbook® 31, also referred to as the CF-31, is a reliable ultra-rugged laptop offering the highest performance in its class along with the world's most durable design. With unrivaled ruggedness, drop shock protection (can sustain a drop from up to six feet) and certification exceeding MIL-STD-810G, the Toughbook 31 is the undeniable leader in the fully-rugged laptop computer category. Its Intel® Core™ i5 and i3 processors combined with available discrete graphics deliver desktop-class performance and greatly enhanced video and 3D graphics.

For working outdoors, Panasonic has also integrated a 1,100nit sunlight-viewable touchscreen display (available with Panasonic CircuLumin® technology) into this rugged laptop. The 13.1" XGA LCD touchscreen has a brightness range from 2 to 1,100nits accommodating both covert work in the dark, or working outside on a bright, sunny day. The screen rotates for full-circle viewability, so it can be shared easily with others.

An integrated webcam option and larger storage capacity further set it apart from the other rugged laptops. Add to this a strong legacy of six generations of rugged performance and 11 years of dependable in-vehicle docking compatibility, and you have an ultra-rugged laptop computer that will go the distance with you anytime, anywhere.

Click here to read more about the Panasonic Toughbook 31 Laptop. For more information regarding rugged mobile computing visit www.groupmobile.com or call us at 1-866-RUGGED-8.

Have you checked out the 2009 Group Mobile Best Sellers Guide?

On our "Best Of" page we make recommendations based on our opinions and feedback from our customers. Click here to view the full page or keep reading for a sampling...

Best Multi Media Semi Rugged Laptop - This would be the Toughbook 52 (with bundle upgrade) from Panasonic. It has a large 15.4” display with WUXGA resolution. It comes with 512MB of Video RAM, a Firewire connection for fast uploads/download of photos and other digital files, as well as main memory (RAM) expandable to 4.0GB.

Read more about the Toughbook 52

Best Bargain in a Vehicle-Rated Ruggedized Laptop - Check out the General Dynamics-Itronix GD6000. This mobile computer is classified as semi-rugged, since it cannot handle use in a pouring rain, but it has all the features required for use in an in-vehicle computing setup. Police departments love this unit, for example, for use in their cruisers. And the GD6000 is priced less than the comparable fully-rugged laptops.

Read more about the GD-Itronix GD6000

Most Versatile Fully Rugged Laptop - The Getac A790 has incredible versatility. The customer can choose from a 12”, or 14” display screen. The customer can pick either the touchscreen or non-touchscreen; and between a regular or daylight-readable display. The customer can select additional RS232, RS422, RS485, or SCSI-II ports. One can even add 2 more ISA slots or 2 more PCI slots. And there are other options for this rugged mobile computer, as well. This is, without question, the most “configurable” rugged laptop in the world.

Read more about the Getac A790

For more information regarding rugged mobile computing visit http://www.groupmobile.com/ or call us at 1-866-RUGGED-8.

Rugged Computer Features - Power and Batteries

Choosing the correct power accessories is an important aspect of ensuring you have the right solution for your rugged mobile computing requirements. Below we have listed the various choices and considerations:

AC Adapter - All mobile computers come standard with an ac adapter for plugging into a wall outlet. Some users buy an additional ac adapter in order to have one at work and one at home. Please note, desktop docks often do not come with an ac adapter as the manufacturer assumes you will use the ac adapter that came with your computer. Make sure you order an extra ac adapter with your desktop dock if you need more than one.

Vehicle Power Adapter - All rugged mobile and in-vehicle computers can operate from the power provided by a vehicle's battery. Usually this is accomplished by a 12V vehicle power adapter, also known as a cigarette lighter adapter. Your rugged mobile PC can also be connected directly to the vehicle's battery via a hot wire. But it is highly recommended that a power protection device is used in between any in-vehicle computer and battery to avoid hard-shut downs and other issues.

Battery - All portable computers come with a battery. The battery is normally a Lithium-Ion type and can be recharged 200+ times before it can no longer hold a charge. Therefore the batteries inside any rugged mobile pc need to be replaced every 1-3 years, depending on usage. The length of time that a charge will last varies greatly. The range is 2 hours to 10 hours depending on the battery, the computer and the usage.

Click here to read more about power and battery options for your rugged mobile computer. For more information regarding rugged mobile computing visit www.groupmobile.com or call us at 1-866-RUGGED-8.

Have you Considered a Docking Station for your Rugged Computer?

A docking station is a hardware frame with a set of electrical connection interfaces that enable your rugged notebook computer to effectively serve as a desktop computer. The interfaces typically allow your rugged laptop, tablet pc, or handheld to communicate with a local printer, larger storage or backup drives, and possibly other devices that are not usually taken along with an in-field computer. A docking station can also include a network interface card that attaches your ruggedized computer to a local area network. Variations include the port replicator, which is an attachment on a computer that expands the number of ports it can use, and the expansion base, which might hold a media drive, a floppy disk drive, and a battery charging station.

To find out a docking station for your rugged tablet pc, rugged laptop, or handheld, click here and choose the applicable product line. You can also search for other accessories while you’re at it – like great ruggedized carry cases, extra memory, or additional stylus pens.

For more information regarding rugged mobile computing visit www.groupmobile.com or call us at 1-866-RUGGED-8.

Understanding Touch Screens

Touchscreens are often a feature or upgrade option on rugged, mobile computers that are not offered on commercial, plastic computers. Basically, a touchscreen is another way to move around in an application other than the keyboard/mouse. In the rugged computer world, touch screens come in two flavors - the more traditional finger-touch style of touch screen also called passive or resistive, and the newer style digitizer or active touch screen which requires the use of a stylus pen and allows for handwriting or signature capture directly on the screen of the ruggedized laptop, handheld, or tablet. Some manufacturers offer rugged computer models with one or the other type while others offer a dual-mode which provides both types in the same computer.

Touchscreens are often a desirable feature for in-vehicle computers or for any ruggedized in-field computer used in an environment where typing is difficult. Some organizations develop or purchase software that is specifically designed with a touchscreen in mind that will have big touch buttons on the screen (think about an ATM machine or restaurant cash register for example).

Click here to read more about displays or for more information regarding all rugged mobile computing subjects visit www.groupmobile.com or call us at 1-866-RUGGED-8.

Refurbished Rugged Computers

Factory Refurbished Rugged Mobile Computers are rugged computers that were previously used as demo units or returns that have been processed by an authorized technician. They are an excellent choice for anyone working within the constraints of a smaller budget. Product is 100% functional and has passed OEM diagnostic testing. Each rugged computer should be complete with all plugables, accessories and OS, unless otherwise noted. They are cosmetically in excellent condition with normal wear and tear based on age and use of product, but may have minor case scratches.

Group Mobile often has refurbished rugged Panasonic Toughbooks and refurbished rugged General Dynamics-Itronix GoBooks among their available units. Visit our Refurbished List online to see what other rugged laptops, rugged tablets, and rugged UMPC’s are currently available.

For more information regarding rugged mobile computing visit www.groupmobile.com or call us at 1-866-RUGGED-8.

Rugged Computer Testing

Rugged computers go through a number of tests to ensure that they meet certain qualifications. These tests can be done in the laboratory, in a natural environment (field testing), or a combination of the two. Rugged computers are typically tested for drops, humidity, low and high temperatures, vibration, dust-resistance, thermal shock, water-resistance, and altitude.

For the drop test the laptops are dropped onto each face, edge, and corner in non-operating mode. Following this test, the computers are checked to make sure they boot up properly. The vibration test is conducted in both operating and non-operating mode. The rugged computers are clamped onto an aluminum plate and endure different frequencies of shaking for a total of one hour. For the water test, the computers are turned on and left open with the port covers closed. The rugged laptops endure streams of water for a total of 15 minutes.

For the humidity test, the rugged computers go through 10 days of temperatures being cycled from 86 to 140 degrees Farenheight, with a relative humidity of 95%. They are checked to make sure they are still operating near the end of the 5^th and 10^th day. For the dust testing the laptops are blasted with dust/sand coming from different directions.

In the high temperature test the computes are subjected to 140 degree farenheight temperatures in operating mode and 160 degree Farenheight temperatures in non-operating mode. In the low temperature test the computers are subjected to -20 degree farenheight temperatures in operating mode and -60 degree farenheight temperatures in non-operating mode. In the thermal shock test, the rugged laptops go through three cycles of extremely high (205 degrees farenheight) to extremely low temperatures (-60 degrees farenheight). This test is performed with the computers in both operating and non-operating mode. The last and final test is the altitude test. The rugged computers are tested at an altitude level of 15,000 feet.

Click here to view a list of fully rugged laptops.

Panasonic Toughbook 19 & Toughbook 30 Rugged Laptop Price Drop!

The new technology refresh of the Toughbook 19 and Toughbook 30 is now shipping and for a limited time has a new low introductory price! The new Toughbook 19 convertible and Toughbook 30 laptop has a faster Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, comes standard with 1GB of memory and comes with Windows XP as well as a Windows Vista Certificate of Authenticity (COA), which means that when you are ready for Vista you can upgrade for free! This low promotional price runs out March 31st, so place your order today!

More On These Toughbooks...

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

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...