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Getac X500-G3 and X500 Server-G3

Full-size, full-featured rugged notebook computer and server now offer state-of-the-art Kaby Lake technology, more storage, and faster connectivity
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

On February 22, 2018, Getac announced significant upgrades to its flagship Getac X500 ultra rugged notebook and X500 rugged mobile server. The X500 platform is a large, top-of-the-line, full-featured rugged mobile computer that combines the expandability and customization potential of a full-size laptop, the large 15.6-inch screen size and emphasis on high-performance graphics needed for high-end GIS and mapping applications, and the overall performance, handling and flexibility of Getac's B300 mainstay notebook computer.

Right upfront, here are the 2018 upgrades:

  • Kaby Lake processors — The new X500-G3 and X500 Server-G3 benefit from a massive processor upgrade, going from fourth generation Intel Core processors all the way to quad-core 7th generation "Kaby Lake" CPUs. X500 customers get the choice of a Core i5-7440HQ or a Core i7-7820HQ, both powerful standard-voltage dual-core processors with integrated Intel HD Graphics 630. The X500 Server gets a quad-core Intel Xeon E3-1505M v6. Getac estimates CPU performance improvements for the X500-G3 of 56%.

  • Graphics — Graphics capabilities integrated into Intel's Kaby Lake processors are vastly more powerful than what was available in the chips used in the original X500 or even the second gen X500. And the X500 is one of the few rugged machines available with optional discrete graphics. The latter have also been upgraded to 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX950M status, resulting, according to Getac, in an almost 3X improvement in 3D graphics performance.

  • Storage — Maximum RAM is up to 64GB both in the X500 and in the server version. And it's faster and more efficient DDR4 RAM. Optional SSDs available for the X500 are now 512GB or 1TB. The server version can be equipped with up to three 1TB drives, configurable as RAID 0 (striping for superior performance), RAID 1 (mirroring for redundancy), or RAID 5 (block-level striping with redundancy).

  • Wireless communication — WiFi is much faster due to a switch to Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265 802.11ac. Bluetooth has also been upgraded to version 4.2.

  • Wired communication — All four of the X500 and X500 Server's USB ports are now USB 3.0, offering potentially up to ten times the speed compared to older USB 2.0. This eliminated the need for the IEEE 1394 (FireWire) port.

  • Related improvements — PCI Express 3.0 for expansion (x1 and x8 lanes) means higher bandwidth and more speed. An optional higher capacity 112 watt-hour battery boost battery life. The screen is even brighter now, with up to 1,000 nits luminance. The Xeon chip in the new Server model is the reliable diesel equivalent to the speedy Core chips in the laptop version.

For those not familiar with the X500, it's a traditional, full-size, full-function multi-purpose rugged notebook computer with a large display and substantial expansion potential via an optional PCI or PCIe expansion unit that fits under the computer (see above).

"Full-size" here means a 16.1 x 11.4 inch footprint—about as large as that of today's 17-inch consumer notebooks—and a weight of almost 12 pounds for the base machine and about 19 pounds for the server version. The X500 has a very bright 15.6-inch LCD display with Getac's unique resistive multi-touch and wide-format 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution. The upgrade to 7th generation "Kaby Lake" processors significantly improves the earlier version's already good performance. Here's a summary of the available processors:

Getac X500 available CPUs (see full specs)
Model X500-G3 X500-G3 X500 Server-G3
CPU Core i5-7440HQ Core i7-7820HQ Xeon E3-1505M v6
Cores/Threads 4/4 4/8 4/8
CPU speed 2.8/3.8GHz 2.9/3.9GHz 3.0/4.0GHz
CPU TDP 45 watts 45 watts 45 watts
Graphics HD 630 HD 630 HD P630
Graphics speed 350MHz/1.10GHz 350MHz/1.00GHz 350MHz/1.10GHz
Cache 6MB 8MB 8MB
Intel vPro Yes Yes Yes
Intel Hyper Threading No Yes Yes

Bottom line here: the X500 is larger and offers a larger display than any other machine in Getac's lineup (or in rival Panasonic's, for that matter). It benefits from significant technology advances with fast 7th generation Core processors, Getac's very bright QuadraClear display technology, optional nVidia graphics, etc.

It has a design that's both attractive and practical, and for those who need it, there's the expansion unit that provides access to conventional full-length PCI expansion cards. Its availability means that special purpose functionality that is simply not available in standard notebooks can easily be integrated into the Getac X500.

But let's take a closer look at the X500's components and features:

Powerful Intel 7th generation Core processors

All available CPUs are part of Intel's 7th generation Kaby Lake processor lineup. These are ultra-modern 14nm quad core standard voltage designs. Compared to the first-gen processors in the initial X500 version and the 4th gen chips in the second, the new chips in these updated machines offer greater performance, much better graphics performance, and much better power conservation features.

Large, bright, sunlight-viewable display

The X500's 15.6-inch display is the largest in Getac's lineup and it also benefits from a variety of Getac's advanced display technologies. "QuadraClear" is a combination of linear and circular polarizers, anti-reflective coatings and a very bright 1,000 nits backlight (a standard notebook has only about 200 nits). This means the X500's display is exceptionally readable and usable outdoors and even in sunlight. A touch screen appears to be standard, and it uses Getac's unique resistive multi-touch technology that can be used with gloves.

Discrete graphics option

As for graphics, while Kaby Lake's integrated graphics are very powerful already, discrete graphics can significantly boost graphics performance for a variety of specialized tasks. What does "discrete graphics" mean? It means having a powerful separate graphics subsystem instead of just the graphics integrated into the the CPU. Such separate, or "discrete," graphics, here a 4GB NVIDIA GTX 950M, can greatly boost video performance, especially when it comes to 3D and OpenGL graphics.

Storage

The X500 can support up to 64GB of fast DDR4 RAM and comes with a speedy 500GB SATA hard disk (customers may select the optional 512GB or 1TB solid state disk instead). The multimedia bay of the X500 can accommodate a Super-Multi DVD reader/writer, an optional second battery, or an optional second hard or solid state disk (which can be configured for RAID).

Connectivity

For connectivity, the X500 offers four USB 3.0 ports,two RS232 serial ports, two gigabit LAN jacks, VGA and HDMI video, audio in and out, dock, and optional antenna pass-throughs for WWAN, WLAN and GPS.

Lots of expansion

For expansion, in addition to the optional PCI/PCIe expansion unit, there is a PC Card Type II slot, an ExpressCard 54 mm slot, and Smart Card and SD Card readers.

Wireless

On the wireless side you get 802.11ac via Intel's Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265 WiFi module with Bluetooth 4.2.

Battery power

Since the X500 packs a significant punch with its standard voltage Core processors, big display, and numerous hardware features, it needs a battery large enough to offer acceptable battery life whenever the big unit is away from an outlet. To facilitate that, the X500 comes standard with a powerful 8,700mAH Li-Ion smart battery as well as an optional secondary battery of the same capacity that goes in the media bay. Both batteries are also available in optional 10,350mAh versions.

Ruggedness

As far as ruggedness goes, the X500 falls into the "ultra rugged" category. The X500 is MIL-STD-810G certified for ruggedness and shock protection, there's IP65 sealing (full protection against dust, protection against low pressure water jets from all directions), and a very wide operating temperature range of -4 to 131 degrees Fahrenheit.

The predecessor X500 also addressed MIL-STD-2169B for High Altitude Magnetic Pulse (HEMP), UL1604 certification (safeguarding against causing ignition of specified flammable gas- or vapor-air mixtures), and other certified military standards such as MIL-STD-464A and MIL-STD-461G (electromagnetic interference). The original Getac X500 was also NightVision-ready for use in battlefield environments and it is EPEAT Gold certified for environmental/green features. All these certifications probably apply to the new X500 as well.

Security

Security is addressed via a combination of hardware and software measures, including a finger print reader, a Smart Card reader, TPM 2.0, a cable lock slot, Intel security technologies available through Intel's 7th gen Core/Xeon processors, as well as BIOs, password and software utility settings.

X500 vs. X500 Server

What are the differences between the X500 and the X500 Server? They start with the same general rugged notebook platform, but whereas the standard X500 is configured and optimized as a high-performance mobile computer, the X500 Server comes configured as a mobile server with emphasis on maximum server performance, expandability, flexibility, and data storage integrity.

The Getac 2018 X500-G3/X500 Server-G3 — a significant upgrade to a solid, rugged platform, now with state-of-the-art performance and communications features

With the 2018 upgrades, Getac brings state-of-the-art performance and technology to its unique, rugged X500/X500 Server platform. It's modern and fully up-to-date technologywise, its display is large enough for any application and bright enough to be used anywhere, it has plenty of onboard wired and wireless connectivity, it's rugged enough to hold up well in the field (and there's a 5-year bumper-to-bumper warranty!), and it has unparalleled expansion potential thanks to the optional PCI/PCIe expansion chassis. -- C. H. Blickenstorfer, February 2018
Specs Getac X500 G3/X500 Server G3
Status Added 06/2011, updated 05/2013, updated 05/2014, updated 02/2018
Form-factor Rugged notebook computer/mobile server
CPU X500: Intel Core i5-7440HQ or i7-7820HQ
X500 Server: Intel Xeon E3-1505M v6
CPU Speed X500: 2.8/2.9GHz (3.8/3.9GHz turbo)
X500 Server: 2.7 (3.7GHz turbo)
Thermal Design Power X500: 45 watts
X500 Server: 45 watts
Graphics Integrated Intel HD Graphics 630 (P630 server); optional NVIDIA GTX 950M 4GB
OS X500: Windows 10 Professional
X500 Server: Windows Server 2016
RAM/ROM X500: up to 64GB DDR4
X500 Server: up to 64GB EEC DDR4
Storage X500: 500GB or 1TB SATA hard disk; optional 512GB or 1TB SSD
X500 Server: Three SATA 1TB Hard Drives (RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5)
Media Bay Super-multi DVD drive OR 2nd battery OR 2nd storage
Card slots 1 x PC Card Type II, 1 x ExpressCard/54mm, 1 x Smart Card, 1 x SD Card
Optional expansion unit with either two PCI Express cards or two full-sized PCI cards
Display type TFT LCD with LED backlight and QuadraClear sunlight readable display technology
Display size/res 15.6-inch/1920 x 1080 pixel, 1,000 nits QuadraClear
Digitizer/pens Optional resistive multi-touch
Keyboard/keys Full-scale LED backlit membrane keyboard; optional LED backlit rubber keyboard
Navigation Directional controls, touch pad, fingers (with optional multi-touch)
Housing Magnesium alloy case
Operating Temp -4° to 131°F (-20° to 55°C)
Sealing IP65
Shock Unknown
Vibration "MIL-STD-810G compliant"
HEMP MIL-STD-2169B
Certifications UL1604, MIL-STD-464A, MIL-STD-461F, EPEAT gold
Size (WxHxD) X500: 16.1 x 11.4 x 2.5 inches
X500 Server: 16.1 x 11.4 x 4.6 inches
Weight X500: 11.4 lbs.
X500 Server: 18.9 lbs.
Power 10.8V 8,700mAH 94 watt-hour Li-Ion smart battery; optional 10.8V 10,350mAh 112 watt-hour Li-Ion smart battery, optional media bay 2nd Li-Ion battery (8700mAh and 10,350mAh)
Camera Optional 2mp webcam (X500 only)
Interface 4 x 9-pin USB 3.0, 2 x RS232, 2 x RJ45 gigabit LAN, 1 x VGA, 1 x HDMI, 1 x audio, 1 x microphone, 1 x 80-pin docking; optional: RF antenna pass-through for GPS/WLAN/WWAN
Expansion unit Adds either 2 x PCI Express or 2 x full-size PCI
Wireless Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2, optional dedicated GPS with internal antenna
List price X500: Inquire
X500 Server: Inquire
Warranty 5 year "bumper-to-bumper"
Webpage X500 and X500 Server on us.getac.com
Brochure Getac X500 and X500 Server
Contact www.getac.com
949.681.2900
Getac, Inc.
15395 Sand Canyon Ave., Suite 350
Irvine, CA 92618