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.

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