Toshiba is in the business of manufacturing flash-based solid state drives (SSDs), and it’s also in the business of manufacturing computers. Therefore, it’s not too surprising that the company would put one together with the other and pack its highest-capacity SSD into one of it’s lightest notebook computers to produce am appealing—though pricey—offering for the road warriors among us. Toshiba’s Portégé R500 now offers an option for a 128 GB solid state drive, and Toshiba is claiming it is the lightest notebook computer available with a DVD drive.
Tag Archive: PC Card
ToughBook 19 Tablet Gets Core 2 Duo
Sure, there’s always a tradeoff between sheer rugged durability and processing power, but folks who need solid computing power in extreme conditions will be happy to know Panasonic has just upgraded its Toughbook 19 convertible tablet PC with Core 2 Duo processors and expanded memory capability, along with an optional integrated 2 megapixel camera. And, yes, the Toughbook 19 is still tested using the MIL-STD-810F methodology for extreme conditions and resistance to dust, moisture, vibration, humidity, shocks and drops, altitude, and temperature extremes.
Dell Intros First Fully Ruggedized Notebook
Computer maker Dell has decided to enter the ruggedized notebook business with its new Latitude XFR D630 notebook, a new system intended for government, enterprise, and other commercial customers who need tough systems for use in harsh environments and field work. The XFR D630 meets MIL-STD 810F (PDF) for operation in extreme conditions, and shares components with Dell’s existing Latitude line for easier integration into existing IT infrastructures. And, of course, it wouldn’t be Dell if they didn’t tout the machine as faster than the competition: the company claims the XFR D630 is 23 percent faster than the Panasonic CF-30 ToughBook, with up to four times better graphic performance.
Fujitsu LifeBook A6110 Comes in Under $800
Fujitsu has introduced its new LifeBook A6110 notebook computer, aiming to offer a sleek, high-performance, media-friendly notebook computer withouth the budget-breaking price. Base configurations of the A6110 start just under $800, and all A6110s feature a 15.4-inch Crystal View WXGA display, an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, five USB 2.0 ports, an IEEE 1394 port, an Express Card slot, Wi-Fi wireless networking, gigabit Ethernet, PC Card slot, memory card reader, and a spill-resistant keyboard.
SanDisk Launches High-Speed Express Cards
SanDisk revealed its latest offering for professional videographers on Thursday, a line of ExpressCard-format flash memory designed specifically for the rigors of handling HD video. The new SanDisk Express cards will come out in both 8GB and 16GB variants and support the SxS flash standard that SanDisk jointly developed with Sony.
For the time being, select Sony cameras will be the only ones to support the cards, but SanDisk envisions other manufacturers adopting the standard in the future. Most modern laptops already come with an ExpressCard slots, meaning the cards can be swapped out of a camera and immediately into a laptop for editing.
NEC Crystalizes Hello Kitty Notebook
Aiming to appeal to professional women, Japan’s NEC has started selling a pink, Swarovski crystal-encrusted, Hello Kitty-themed La Vie G notebook computer in Japan. Developed in partnership with Sanrio, Co.—the controllers of the well-known Hello Kitty franchise—the notebook features 299 Swarovski crystals defining four hearts and, of course, the iconic Hello Kitty feline head, complete with bow and crown.
NEC doesn’t expect the model to be a tremendous seller, but is nonetheless hoping to move several hundred of the units in the next few months, as many Japanese professionals receive one of their twice-a-year salary bonuses. The notebook was introduced Wednesday, and an NEC spokesperson in Tokyo told the AP sales were off to a good start, though declined to give numbers.
SanDisk and Sony Announce SxS Flash Cards
SanDisk and Sony announced on Monday that they will develop a new media card standard together, known as SxS. It will be designed for use in digital camcorders, such as Sony’s upcoming XDCAM EX series, and is expected to provide superior data transfer rates and smaller size than the previous generation of mass-storage cards.
SxS cards will take advantage of the ExpressCard slot on laptops to offer wide support for the new format right out of the gate. ExpressCard was introduced in 2004 to replace the aging PC Card form factor, sometimes known as the PCMCIA form factor. The slot now appears on most new laptops, including popular video-editing platforms such as Apple’s MacBook Pro.
Dell’s Latitude Notebook Gets Tough
Computer maker Dell has decided to enter the world of ruggedized notebook computers with its new Latitude ATG (All-Terrain Grade) D620, touted as the company’s first “semi-rugged” notebook intended for customers who work outdoors or in rough environments. The ATG D620 meets military specs for vibration, humidity, and altitude, and designed to hold up to the bumps, moisture, dust, sand, and other elements which are part and parcel of taking a computer into the field or the great outdoors.
Notebooks Leap to Core 2 Duo
The stars have aligned, the PR firms have stretched and flexed and assumed their stances at the starting line, and bang!—today the announcements of new Core 2 Duo-powered notebook and portable systems leave the gates in a mad dash for your wallets. These Core 2 Duo systems are, for the most part, Core Duo systems retrofitted with Intel’s newer Core 2 Duo technology—and in many cases virtually no other specs have changed from their earlier incarnations. And many are, for the moment, available only in Japan. But still—Core 2 Duo, right? Whoohoo!
Need a Really Rugged Laptop?
We’re sure you’re familiar with laptops and notebook computers aimed at general consumers: they tend to focus on slim designs, designer colors, sleek profiles, flavor-of-the-month features like Webcams and VoIP communications, and maybe being able to read your memory cards without booting into Windows. But, you know, if you drop them, they’re pretty much history. Move them from hot-and-humid to cool-and-dry, the condensation might kill them. Cases come apart, hinges have short lifespans, latches break…well, let’s just say they often don’t last long in the real world.
