Above the screen is a button that automatically cranks the screens brightness to the maximum, perfect for the glare of outdoors, but will practically blind you if you hit it in a darkened room. As with the E100, the B300 has a light sensor that can be used to automatically adjust the screen's brightness depending on the ambient lighting conditions.
Perhaps the most peculiar thing about the B300 is that buyers may configure it with an optional touch-sensitive screen. Touchscreens are normally reserved for tablet PCs. The only reason we can figure to use a touch screen on the B300 is to facilitate navigation while wearing gloves or when using the touchpad is difficult.
There's a retractable handle on the front, which can be folded back
Like everything else with the B300, the touchscreen is hardened against the elements. This means that although it's resistant to scratches, dust and water, the screen requires a pretty solid prod in order to register a touch.
All this means that the B300 is a niche product, and the hefty price tag pretty much precludes anyone just looking for a laptop that can take a few knocks. It's pretty much solely in the domain of those who need to use a computer in unpleasant or extreme environments, people probably not all that interested in speeds and feeds as long as the machine can get the job done.
Verdict
The B300 is about as tough as you can get and still be functional. Although expensive, the wide range of optional extras will ensure that customers can get all the functionality they need while out and about - in whatever harsh conditions they find themselves in.
Getac B300 rugged laptop
COMMENTS
@AC1 and AC2
"It sounds like it's got an ordinary hard disk. Wouldn't a SSD be more rugged?"
That might be the case, but a lot of this kit is designed to work with datalogging equipment etc. which probably works better with older H/W (hence the serial ports)
"for that sort of money you could buy three or four standard ones, and replace your lappy every year when it gets trashed."
Picture the scene, your in your tent in the arctic wastes, and your cheap laptop gives up the ghost. Who's going to courier you a replacement?
Another possible reason for using the case as a heatsink might be to keep the batteries warm and prolong battery life.
Very nice, but...
for that sort of money you could buy three or four standard ones, and replace your lappy every year when it gets trashed.
I bet it wouldn't survive the abuse I saw one laptop receive, it was an architect's Tosh Libretto (ancient Eee-pc alike) that had a trowel's worth of wet plaster, along with the trowel, dropped on it from about 20 ft overhead. I don't think it worked too well after that...
Hard disk
It sounds like it's got an ordinary hard disk. Wouldn't a SSD be more rugged?
Hrmm...
I've fooled around with a Panasonic Toughbook before, so I know where I'm coming from when I say that you'll want to not bother with the optionals except for the second battery. Laptops just *love* to suck the life out of your batteries.
Take it or leave it; it's just too expensive compared to a 900$ Toughbook.
What about the important tests?
Is it proofed against
* marmalade in the usb port (small child)
* coffee on the screen (reading el Reg)
* paperclip in the network port (slightly larger small child)
* the cat using it as a warm sleepy place
* beaten with a wooden spoon (very small child)
