Getac introduces a thinner, lighter rugged convertible with Intel 4th generation Core processor performance and features, a large display, multi-touch, dual input, 802.11ac and 4G LTE.
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

Getac was among the first to offer a truly rugged convertible notebook computer, one that could be used both as a standard notebook but also—via a special rotating hinge—as a Tablet PC. The new V110 carries on that tradition, but with state-of-the-art technology, a much thinner profile, and a lot less weight.

So let's just start with the important stuff: in our testing, the old 10.4-inch Getac V100 weighed 5.95 pounds and the old 12.1-inch Getac V200 6.8 pounds. The new V110 weighed in at 4.6 pounds. That's a BIG difference out there in the field. How big? Put nine new iPhones on top of a V110. That's how much the previous-gen V200 weighed. As far as profile goes, the V110 measures a svelte inch and a quarter; the older machine just about two inches. Again, big difference. The picture below shows the rear view of the V110 on top and the V200 on the bottom.

On the processor front, just like the recently enhanced Getac B300, the new V110 convertible laptop, will benefit from Intel 4th generation ("Haswell") i5 and i7 processors, boosting graphics performance and efficiency over earlier machines. With the V110, however, Getac went with ultra low power versions in the interest of maximum efficiency. Available are the 2.1GHz Core i7-4600U that runs at up to 3.3GHz in turbo mode, and the 1.9GHz i5-4300U, which goes up to 2.9GHz. These are chips with a thermal design power of just 15 watts, compared to 35 watts for the CPUs used in the older V100 and V200. Why did Getac choose those processors? Because it allowed them to use considerably smaller batteries needed for a thinner and much lighter design without giving up battery life or a meaningful degree of performance.

The table below shows where this next generation convertible notebook from Getac stands in comparison with its predecessors:

Getac V110 vs. V100 and V200

Generation	V110	V100	V200
CPU	Core i7-4600U	Core i7-3520M	Core i7-3520M
CPU speed	2.1/3.3GHz	2.9/3.6GHz	2.9/3.6GHz
CPU TDP	15 watts	35 watts	35 watts
Graphics	HD 4400	HD 4000	HD 4000
RAM	4GB/8GB DDR3	4GB/8GB DDR3	4GB/8GB DDR3
Std. storage	128GB SSD	500GB HD	500GB HD
Opt. storage	256GB SSD	128GB/256GB SSD	128GB/256GB SSD
LCD nits	800	1200	1200
Keyboard	100%-scale	94%-scale	100%-scale
Battery	46 watt-hours	96 watt-hours	96 watt-hours
Battery life	up to 13 hrs	??	??
USB	2 x 3.0, 1 x 2.0	2 x 3.0	2 x 3.0, 1 x 2.0
Cameras	HD webcam + 5mp rear	Reversible 2.0mp	Reversible 2.0mp
Weight (as tested)	4.6 lbs.	6.2 lbs.	6.8 lbs.
Size	11.8 x 8.8 x 1.34	11.4 x 8.75 x 1.93	12.4 x 8.75 x 1.93
Display	11.6-inch.	10.4-inch	12.1-inch
Resolution	1366 x 768 (16:9)	1024 x 768 (4:3)	1280 x 800 (16:10)

While the basic construction of the V110 hasn't changed, the display has. It's a 16:9 aspect ratio wide-format panel measuring 11.6 inches diagonally, so it's closer to the V200 than the 10.4-inch V100. The 1366 x 768 pixel resolution is well suited for this size display. The screen offers Getac's unique pressure-sensitive multi-touch technology that works with gloves on, and there's also an active digitizer with a small, very precise pen that does not need a battery. Maximum brightness is 800 nits, less than the two older models, likely in the interest of extending battery life. 800 nits is still a lot; standard consumer laptops rarely have over 200.

Unlike the V100's, the QWERTY part of the V110's keyboard is 100%-scale, making typing easy and comfortable. The keys are black with white labeling. Shifted functions are imprinted next to the primary function in smaller inverted color, making the keyboard look a bit busy. On the plus side, there seems almost no backlight leakage around the keys in low-light conditions, something that was an issue with the older machines.

Despite its light weight, the V100 feels sturdy and substantial. It's almost all cast magnesium alloy, with a polymer bottom plate and rubberized polymer edge bumpers. The exploded view in the righthand column shows how it all fits together.

Unlike the V100 and V200 that used both hinged doors with latches, and simpler hinged rubber plugs, the V110 uses nicely sealed snap-click protective doors. They consist of an inner seal with a rubber lip around it, and an outer hard plastic door that is then pushed down for a very secure, tight seal and fit. You have to get used to them a bit, but it's a good, reliable solution.

For connectivity, there are two ultra-fast USB 3.0 ports, a single USB 2.0 port, a RS232 serial port for legacy purposes, audio in/out, and a gigabit LAN jack. No FireWire or VGA ports, and the legacy RJ11 modem port is gone as well; their functionality has been replaced by newer technology.

For wireless communication, the machine comes with an Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 802.11ac, Class 1 Bluetooth V4.0, and optional GOBI 5000 for multi-carrier 4G LTE, and SiRFstarIV GPS with accuracy down to 8 feet. And according to the V110's Sensor Diagnostic Tool utility, there are plenty of integrated sensors as well: accelerometer, gyrometer, compass, inclinometer, ambient light, and device orientation sensor constantly report data that can be used in advanced applications.

Security is addressed via the Smart Card reader, Intel vPro technology, a TPM 1.2 module, various security software modules, and a slot for the simple but effective Kensington lock.

On the ruggedness side, the V110 machine can operate between -6° and 140° Fahrenheit (-21° to 60°C). Sealing is at the IP65 standards, and the machine fills MIL-STD-810G testing requirements for humidity, altitude, shock, drop, vibration and others, and there is optional compliance with MIL-STD-461F (electromagnetic interference).

With the V110, Getac gives a vote of confidence to the concept of the convertible notebook that can also be used as a tablet. While that concept has been around for a long time, it never really lived up to its potential, primarily because the machines were too heavy to be useful as tablets. The V110, however, is thinner, lighter, and its 4th gen Intel Core processors can do more with less. The multi-touch screen is easy to operate, there's an active pen for precision operations, and the full-scale keyboard is much appreciated.