Getac upgrades its most popular rugged notebook with Intel 3rd generation core processors and a range of ancillary technology improvements.
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

On December 4, 2012, Getac announced a major performance upgrade to its B300 rugged notebook computer. The newly enhanced B300, which is Getac's most popular hardened laptop, will benefit from Intel 3rd generation i5 and i7 processors, boosting CPU performance, Getac says, by up to 67% and nearly doubling graphics performance over the previous generation of the platform. Additional upgrades and improvements in storage and components translate into a system designed to facilitate maximum productivity even under the most extreme working conditions.

With these technology upgrades, the field-proven, 4th generation Getac B300 remains technologically a state-of-the-art rugged notebook geared towards demanding applications in security, law enforcement, government and military. Despite its attractive industrial design and excellent ergonomics, this is a very serious machine that combines impressive performance with flexibility and long battery life.

Weighing under eight pounds in basic configuration, the magnesium alloy-bodied B300 comes standard with a sunlight-viewable 13.3-inch XGA display that has a strong 700 nit backlight (commercial notebooks generally have backlights of less than 200 nits). An optional display delivers a stunning 1400 nits, setting the industry bar in screen brightness. In addition, there is a "blackout mode" that instantly turns off all tell-tale lights in potentially dangerous situations. Further, customers may order an optional night-vision mode with software/sensor driven brightness adjustment in order to meet MIL-STD-3009.

But won't a 1400 nit backlight quickly deplete the battery? Not if the machine has a massive 96 watt-hour powerpack and onboard software that continually adjust the backlight depending on settings and ligthing conditions. Combine that with the advanced internal power management of the Intel third generation Core processors, and GETAC's claim of up to 15 hour possible battery life seems achievable. And that's despite the higher 35 watt thermal design power of the new processors. Add a second battery pack of equal size into the unit's media bay and chances are the user will run out of juice before the B300 does (Getac says up to 30 hours).

The table below shows how consistently Getac has been updating the B300 since its initial introduction. The design stays the same to guarantee complete compatibility with all peripherals and accessories, but the technology is continually updated.

Getac B300 Generations

Generation	1st	2nd	3rd	4th
Year	2008	2010	2011	2012
CPU	Core 2 Duo	Core i7 1st gen	Core i7 2nd gen	Core i7 3rd gen
CPU speed	1.6GHz	2.0/2.8GHz	2.3/3.2GHz	2.9/3.6GHz
CPU TDP	17w	25w	25w	35w
RAM	0.5/4GB DDR2	2/8GB DDR3	2/8GB DDR3	2/8GB DDR3
Std. HD	80GB	250GB	250GB	500GB
Opt. SSD	NA	80/160GB	80/160GB	128/256GB
Opt. SSD	NA	80/160GB	80/160GB	128/256GB
LCD nits	500/1200	700/1400	700/1400	700/1400
Battery	7,650mAH	7,800mAh	8,700mAH	8,700mAH
Battery life	up to 12 hrs	up to 11 hrs	up to 13 hrs	up to 15 hrs
Op. temp	32 to 131F	-4 to 140F	-4 to 140F	-20 to 140F

Despite it very rugged construction, the B300 offers flexibility and configurability thanks to a media bay that can accommodate either an optical drive, a second hard disk, or an additional battery for extended operation, or probably even customized I/O ports. For expansion there is a PC Card Type II slots and a 34/54mm Express Card (the latter can be exchanged for an optional Smart Card slot).

For connectivity, there are ultra-fast USB 3.0 and USB 3.0/eSata combo ports, IEEE1394a FireWire, two legacy RS232 serial ports, both VGA and HDMI video, audio, Gigabit LAN, and a docking port. And, yes, the legacy RJ11 modem port is also still available.

For wireless communication, the machine comes with an Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235 module, Class 1 Bluetooth V2.1 + EDR, and optional GOBI 3000, Verizon 4G LTE, and SiRFstarIV GPS with accuracy down to 8 feet.

Security is addressed via the Smart Card reader, a fingerprint scanner, 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 4th machine can operate between -20 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit (the lower limit used to be -4F). Sealing is at the IP65 standards, and the machine fills MIL-STD-810G testing requirements for humidity, altitude, shock, drop, vibration and others. A variety of other regulations, including compliance with MIL-STD-461E (electromagnetic interference) are also met, or can be optionally met.

The B300 is a unique machine insofar as it offers a combination of carefully balanced and optimized features that are usually not available in one unit. Innovative engineering and thermal design, combined with the advanced propertis of the Intel 3rd gen Core processors, allows performance, long battery life, excellent integrated graphics, and exceptional outdoor viewability all to co-exist. On top of that, the B300 offers connectivity and configuration options usually not found in such a rugged, yet quite compact machine that remains completely compatible with all existing accessories and peripherals.