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

On May 20, 2014, 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 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 upgrades:

• Haswell processors — The new X500 and X500 servers benefit from a massive processor upgrade, going from first generation Intel Core processors all the way to 4th generation "Haswell" CPUs. X500 customers get the choice of a Core i5-4600M or a Core i7-4600M, both powerful standard-voltage dual-core processors with integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600. The X500 Server gets a quad-core i7-4800QM. Getac estimates CPU performance improvements of 55%.

• Graphics — Graphics capabilities integrated into Intel's Haswell processors are vastly more powerful than what was available in the chips used in the original X500. And the X500 is one of the few rugged machines available with optional discrete graphics. The latter have also been upgraded to 2GB nVidia GeForce 745M status, resulting, according to Getac, in an almost 3X improvement in graphics performance.

• Storage — Maximum RAM is up to 16GB in the X500 and 32GB in the server version. Optional SSDs available for the X500 are now 128GB or 256GB. 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 7260 802.11ac. Bluetooth has also been upgraded to version 4.0, Class 1.

• Wired communication — The X500 and X500 Server now offer USB 3.0, offering potentially up to ten times the speed.

• Related improvements — Jumping from first-gen to fourth-gen Intel Core processors adds a gamut of processor-integrated features and capabilities adding to performances, management and security of the X500 and X500 Server.

Getac X500 available CPUs

Model	X500	X500	X500 Server
CPU	Core i5-4300M	Core i7-4600M	Core i7-4800MQ
Cores/Threads	2/4	2/4	4/8
CPU speed	2.6/3.3GHz	2.9/3.6GHz	2.7/3.7GHz
CPU TDP	37 watts	37 watts	47 watts
Graphics	HD 4600	HD 4600	HD 4600
Graphics speed	400MHz/1.25GHz	400MHz/1.30GHz	400MHz/1.30GHz
Cache	3MB	4MB	6MB
Intel FDI	No	Yes	Yes
Intel Clear Video HD	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 4th generation Core processors, Getac's very bright QuadraClear display technology, optional nVidia graphics, etc. It has an attractive modern design, and for those who need it, there's the expansion unit that provides access to conventional full-size 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 4th generation Core processors