Rugged
”iKey Membrane Keyboard Built For Dirty Work
For those of us who need to do computer work in dirty and harrowing situations, iKey has a new industrial keyboard that's "built to withstand the harshest of environments." The Membrane Keyboard has no crevices, to prevent gross gunky buildup, and a waterproof, washable surface. More »Problem: Waterproof Rugged Cameras Are Too Easy to Lose!
Rugged and waterproof cameras are great, but they've got a lot of improving to do in general design before they'll be good in the outdoors. I mean, someone just keep me from losing these things. More »Ricoh G600 Is Both Rugged and Fugged
Does a water-resistant and dust-proof camera really have to be as fugly as this? Ricoh's ten-megapixel, shock-resistant G600 sits alongside its Caplio 500G, and boasts, as well as a 5x zoom, flash with a ten-meter range, 52MB internal memory and hi-def 2.7-inch display. More »SkyMall Construction Radio/iPod Dock Is Almost Pointlessly Rugged
Not feeling enough like a real man with that Bose Portable SoundDock? Well roll up your sleeves past your biceps and grab hold of this Construction Radio and iPod dock. Not only does it snugly hold your iPod, but this 10-lb $130 hoss has a spotlight, two power outlets, an SD card slot and a USB jack for charging phones or connecting a music source. Since it's found in the SkyMall catalog, we don't have the full drop-test ratings, but anything with that much metal piping is at least bound to protect your iPod's LCD while you're off soldering or jigsawing or jackhammering—whatever it is you're always doing in that shed of yours. [SkyMall]Motion Computing F5 Tablet is Highly Evolved Speak N' Spell
The latest semi-rugged tablet to hit the market, Motion Computing's F5, keeps a good idea alive: a built-in handle lets the butterfingeriest Getac B300 Infrared Goggles-Compatible Laptop Is Perfect for Spec-Ops, Ninjas
The B300 is one hell of a rugged laptop, just check out these specs: 13.3-inch XGA display, Intel Core 2 Duo 1.6GHz processor, a maximum of 4GB RAM, Super-Multi DVD ROM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 12-hour maximum battery life, rugged magnesium alloy case, Biometric Fingerprint Reader, as well as options for 3G and GPS. The lappie with a thick skin incorporates Sunlight Readable Technology, which does exactly what is says on the tin; it ensures the screen is readable in extremely bright conditions. Additionally, the Night Vision mode will allow users to operate the B300 even whilst wearing night vision goggles. It is just as well Getac's offering is wind, dust and rain resistant, too, as we very much doubt you will be needing that night vision mode in your bedroom. (Unless you do, you complete, extreme perv.) [Techdigest]
digital cameras
Olympus Stylus 1030SW Is Drop-, Water- and Freeze-Proof
Here's the Jack Bauer of the new Olympus compacts: the Stylus 1030SW, drop-proof from 6 feet, waterproof to 33 feet and operates at temperatures as cold as 14 degrees Fahrenheit. With 10.1 megapixels, a 3.6 x optical zoom and a 2.7-inch LCD, and with built-in scene modes for underwater shooting as well as beach and snow modes, it looks like we need a vacation to try it out. Available in March for around $400. [New Launches]Panasonic Toughbook Y7, T7 and W7 Are Built to Take a Business-Class Beating
Panasonic's newest Toughbook Y7, T7 and W7 are designed to combat the Homer in you: that is, they're for people who work with sensitive data yet are prone to dropping laptops, spilling drinks and generally messing stuff up. Forget accelerometers, the hard drives in this can take a serious hit at 2.5 feet and on 26 different axes. The LCDs, typically shatter-prone glass, can survive a one-foot drop without cracking. As far as proofing against the inevitable beverage malfunction, the Toughbook can take over six ounces of liquid continuously, meaning if you spill half a can of soda on that sucker, you can pour an equal amount of water through there to flush out the bad stuff. Just pour slow: if the drain backs up, you can still cause damage. Here's how the three different systems fall into place:More »
rugged
Flytech K790 'I Will Cut You' PC
The K790 from Flytech is an ultra-rugged compact PC. The 12, 15, 17 or 19-inch touchscreen houses the entire Celeron PC—a la iMac—but that touchscreen is housed in 60mm of stainless steel. Clearly waterproof, the K790 is intended for public use in kiosks, but the high brightness display will make it suitable for your poolside. There's no word on the price, but durability tends to cost you. Then again, insurance companies must appreciate customers who own PCs that could stop a bullet* without missing a beat. More »Augmentix TXG630 Rugged Laptops Basically a Fast and Tough Dell Latitude
Augmentix's rugged notebook has the distinction of being one of the fastest in the market, say the writers at Electronista. This model has a 14-inch screen, Core 2 Duo processors up to 2.4GHz, EVDO/HSDPA and 802.11n. It is essentially a Dell Latititude D630 built up to mil spec [Augmentix via the excellent Electronista]
Getec V100 Tablet PC Laughs in the Face of Danger
Getec's V100 is a tough laptop, a really tough laptop. You won't have to rely on some pathetic drop-sensor to protect this machine. In fact, you probably have to throw it down the stairs just to boot it up. It's built as a military machine, but we lucky civilians can get now one, too.
More »
laptops
Motorola Releases Rugged Laptops, Includes Heating Mechanism?
The inclusion of a heating mechanism in Motorola's new laptops isn't that far-fetched after all. The MW810 and ML910 are rugged laptops that include the usual array of features such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and even GPS, but most interesting is the heating device integrated into the laptop. No, it isn't an instant lawsuit creator (see: laptop fires), but the device will slightly warm up the hard drive in extreme cold situations to ensure that it will spin up. More »
pdas
Teague Breathes New Life into PDAs with Rugged Concept for HP
PDAs are pretty much in a coma nowadays, but Seattle-based design firm Teague is giving them a dose of CPR with the above concept created for HP. It's a rugged PDA designed to "streamline day-to-day tasks. It synchronizes with the user's PC to track inventory, communicating through RFID and Bluetooth." It's meant for for the IT crowd, but should HP ever decide to enter the rugged PDA/smartphone market, this design would certainly be a nice start. Especially since it just won CeBIT's If Design Award. More »
gadgets
Asus Gives its UMPC a Rugged Makeover
They won't say exactly how rugged it is, but Asus' follow up to the R2H Ultra Mobile PC is being touted as a "semi-ruggedized" UMPC. It's one of the first we've seen with a swiveling 7-inch 800x480 display (so you can use it like a tablet PC) and it also comes with integrated GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. The built-in keyboard is a welcome addition and there's even an ExpressCard slot to get your WWAN on. It looks a little chunky to me (like a portly ultraportable), but if it can withstand a few falls, it'll be the UMPC of choice for anyone with clumsy hands. More »
laptops
Dell's First Rugged Notebook Reviewed: Toughbooks Better Watch Their Backs
With the exception of a few other manufacturers, Panasonic has had the rugged notebook market all to themselves. At least until now. Weighing in at 7lbs, Dell has unleashed its first rugged notebook, the $3,145 ATG (All Terrain Grade) D620. The folks at Laptop took the new system for a spin and were more than impressed with Dell's showing. The system comes with everything you'd expect from a ruggedized notebook, like a magnesium-alloy chassis, shock-mounted HDD, and spill-resistant keyboard. The 14.1-inch LCD (1,280 x 800) can also withstand 30% more force than a traditional LCD. Performance-wise, Laptop found the 2GHz Core 2 Duo was more than adequate and the 9-cell battery endured for 6 hours. Even more impressive is the fact that the D620 is 802.11n ready and comes with a built-in EV-DO modem. Overall, it seems like Dell hit the bull's eye with their first rugged system. More »
gadgets
Rugged Wheelchair Lets Disabled Go Off-road
It may look like some oversized BattleBot, but the Tank Chair is a rugged, off-road wheelchair that lets anybody with leg injuries "get back to nature." Each chair is custom built and can take on any type of terrain. There's no word on pricing, but any wheelchair that looks this cool has got to be worth the splurge. Hit the jump for some extra shots. More »
digital cameras








