Ever since our project began, we wanted to be able to have the most up to date tools and technology. Thanks to Itronix, we’ve been able to realize a large part of that goal. In fact, we’ve been in contact with Itronix for a couple of years regarding their amazing computer notebook products. In that time, Itronix has grown and their products have just gotten better. That in itself is an amazing accomplishment considering how amazing these notebooks are to begin with. Back when we first contacted Itronix, we were interested in one of their GoBook computers. They had not been out very long when we first came across their website and we were shell shocked by how much punishment these notebooks could take in such demanding conditions and still keep on working. We knew without a doubt that this was the computer we wanted in Project Responder.
Fast forward a couple of years. The truck is finally complete and Itronix is just releasing the GoBook III. Because they can’t keep up with the orders, they did not have any of the new GoBook III laptops to give to us, but they did have a GoBook II available. Beggars can’t be choosers and we were ecstatic to have one of Itronix GoBooks on our truck. These things are nearly indestructible. Not to mention that it has 802.11b wireless networking built in as well as Bluetooth, and an internal GPS (optional) all included. It’s the swiss army knife of laptop computers. Itronix even provided a new in vehicle docking station so we can mount the unit in the cab.
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Now we’ll be able to have national street location information with a gps input to know exactly where we are and where we’re going at all times. In addition, we’ll be able to have a complete hazmat reference database in the truck now because of the GoBook II. Email is just a great side benefit.
Here are the specs on this model (our
configuration in red):
| Compact Size: |
Length: 12″ (30.5 cm) · Width: 9.8″ (24.9 cm) · Depth: 2.36″ (6 cm) |
| Weight: | 8.3 lbs. (3.8 kg) |
| Processor/Memory: | 1.7GHz Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor-M with 512K L2 Cache · 256 to 1024 MB DDR SDRAM |
| Storage: | Shock Mounted 6.35cm (2.5″) 40 or 80 GB Ruggedized removable hard disk drives · 80 GB Ruggedized removable hard disk drive with optional heater |
| Power: | Smart 6000 mAH (64.8W) Lithium-Ion main battery pack · 2880 mAH (31.1W) Lithium-Ion media bay battery pack |
| Display: | 12.1″ TFT XGA Outdoor transmissive ColorVue™ display with Touchscreen ·ATI Mobility Radeon with Support for 32 bit color rendering and 3D graphics and integrated 16 MB SGRAM · XGA through external VGA port |
| Keyboard: | Fully waterproof NiteVue™ glow-in-the-dark keyboard, constructed from phosphorescent plastic ·Backlit keyboard option · Localized versions available · User replaceable |
| Pointing Device: |
Touchscreen · TouchPad 3 button controls |
| Operating System: |
Microsoft® Windows XP, Windows 2000 · Localized versions available |
| Interfaces: | Swappable media bay accepts internal 24X CD-ROM, DVD-ROM 8X, combo DVD/CDRW, second battery or 3.5″ floppy disk drive · PC card slot for (1) Type I, II, or III card with 32 bit card bus · Built-in RJ-11 and RJ-45 jacks for integrated fax/modem and Ethernet · USB connector ·PS/2 connector for keyboard/mouse · 9 pin high speed serial port · 68 pin multi I/O docking connector, optional adapter for parallel port connector · 15 pin external video (CRT) port · External speaker and microphone jacks. |
| Audio: | Internal microphone and (2) speakers · PCI Audio with AC-97 compliance |
| Integrated Wireline Communications: |
56 Kbps V.92 fax/modem MDC module with optional 10/100M bit Ethernet LAN Optional Mini PCI performance/protected modem available for more demanding applications |
| Integrated Wireless Communications: |
GPRS, CDMA, Wireless LAN, CDPD, Bluetooth (various combinations available depending on specific requirements) · Up to 3 RF modems can be integrated at one time |
| CRMA™ Wireless Technology: |
Common Radio Module Architecture (CRMA™) with fully integrated, rugged and user replaceable radio modules · Supports PCMCIA and OEM radio modules · Engineered for minimum radio desense for maximum wireless coverage ·Superior wireless power management |
| Options: | Vehicle power supply · Vehicle dock with lock, power, (2) USB Interfaces, and RF contacts for external vehicle-mounted antennas · Carry cases for system and accessories · External battery charger · Cargo pouch · MobilityXE, seamless roaming connectivity |
| Environmental Specifications: |
Storage temperature -55° to 75° C (-67° to 167° F) · 26 repeated 3ft drops onto plywood over concrete meets MIL-SPEC 810F, 516.5 IV · Rain/water resistance at 4 in. per hour at approximately 40 psi for 10 minutes on all 6 axes per MIL STD 810F, 506.4 II · Ingress Protection Rating IP-54 for water and dust · Vibration per MIL STD 810F, 514.5 and ASTM 4169-99 truck assurance level II, schedule E |
Our notebook also came with Roxio’s CD/DVD creator software and a complete hard drive image, including all necessary drivers in case the GoBook ever has to be restored to it’s original state. This computer is just the most incredible notebook you’ll ever see.
In the next week or two, we’ll have the fabrication done for the mounting system and we’ll be able to post some images of the unit actually installed in the truck.
We want to thank Itronix for their support and for this amazing laptop.