Evaluation of Two Fully Rugged Laptop Computers for the Forest Service, Page01

Evaluation of Two Fully Rugged Laptop Computers for the Forest Service

Introduction

The Missoula Technology and Development Center (MTDC) evaluated two fully rugged laptop computers at the request of the Forest Service Chief Information Office (CIO) Mobile Computing Program. General Dynamics’ GoBook XR-1 and Panasonic’s Toughbook CF-30 laptops (figure 1) were evaluated. Both manufacturers are industry leaders in developing rugged computers for field use.

Photo of two laptop computers opened and side by side.
Figure 1—The General Dynamics' GoBook XR-1 (left) and Panasonic's
Toughbook CF-30 laptops. Both manufacturers are industry leaders in
developing fully rugged laptops.

Users of the fully rugged mobile computers could include Forest Service law enforcement officers (LEOs), firefighting personnel, researchers, and others. A Forest Service-sponsored review by JPR Wood Consulting concluded that Forest Service law enforcement officers and special agents need fully rugged mobile computers. Other Forest Service personnel, such as firefighters and researchers, may need fully rugged mobile computers, although the business case for such users has not yet been reviewed. Semirugged mobile computers may suit their needs better.

The specific tests used in MTDC's evaluation were selected by technical representatives from the Forest Service's Mobile Computing, Law Enforcement and Investigation, Fire and Aviation, and Research and Development Programs, and from MTDC. These tests examined the essential attributes of a fully rugged mobile computer. The individual test results are included in the appendixes. Some tests, such as the environmental tests (drop tests, moisture resistance, etc.), verify manufacturers' claims for the two laptops.

The specifications and features of both laptops are similar. Both use the Windows XP operating system. Both have Intel Core Duo processors, although the XR-1 laptop has a 1.83 GHz processor rather than the 1.66 GHz processor of the CF-30 laptop. They each have a magnesium alloy chassis and are designed to meet MIL-STD-810F (Department of Defense Test Method for Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests). Both have a touchscreen. The CF-30 laptop has a slightly larger (13.2 in) and brighter (1,000 nits) screen than the XR-1 laptop (12.1 in, 500 nits). The brightness of LCD screens is measured in nits (candelas per meter squared). Both laptops have a CD/DVD drive, integrated GPS, and include wireless local area network (WLAN) and wireless wide area network (WWAN) capabilities. Both have a touchpad, standard interface ports (USB, network, etc.), biometric (fingerprint) scanner, and backlit keyboard. The CF-30 laptop has a larger capacity battery (8.55 Ah) than the XR-1 (7.2 Ah). The CF-30 laptop weighs more (8.4 lb) than the XR-1 (6.8 lb).