Sydney, Australia – 5th October 2007 – Avantec (www.avantec.com.au), the Australian distributor of military grade mobile computing solutions from General Dynamics (www.gd-itronix.com), has today announced the Australian availability of the first fully rugged handheld Windows Vista compatible ultra mobile personal computer (UMPC) offering sunlight readable LCD screen technology.

The General Dynamics GoBook MR-1 is a fully-rugged ultra mobile PC featuring the Intel® Core Solo ULV processor. Weighing 0.9kg and measuring just 0.4cm (H) x 15.2cm (W) x 11cm (D), the GoBook MR-1 is a fully functional ultra portable laptop capable of running either Windows Vista or Windows XP.

Small and light enough to be operated as a handheld computer, the GoBook MR-1 offers a unique 5.6-inch touch screen display featuring DynaVue™. DynaVue is a patent pending display technology that makes it possible to readily view a colour LCD screen in direct sunlight.

Dave Cawsey, General Manager for Avantec commented, “Many small laptops are too delicate, and far too easy to accidently drop or damage to be truly useful for everyday business use. The GoBook MR-1 is not going to win any fashion awards, but is small enough to fit in your jacket pocket and will survive coffee spills, dust, rain and the occasional drop that happens when you are out and about. Best of all, it works with all your current Windows software.”

Incorporating technology originally designed for use by the US military, this fully rugged military grade handheld computer is designed specifically to be useable outdoors, as either a handheld device, or a small laptop style computer.

This fully rugged military grade handheld computer is capable of surviving the rough and tumble of a typical work day, including a 90+cm drop on onto a hard surface, or spilling a cup of coffee directly onto the computer. The combination of GPS, wireless Internet access, and a tiny handheld size allows employees to easily work anywhere.

The GoBook MR-1 is suitable for business, government agencies, law enforcement agencies, and the military. An optional office docking station and optional theft resistant vehicle docking solution are available. Vehicle mounted computer solutions are widely used by businesses involved in transportation, building and construction, field services, mining, and agriculture.

GoBook MR-1 Product Features

The GoBook MR-1 is equipped with the Intel® 1.2 GHz Core™ Solo ULV processor, a 533 MHz FSB, 2MB L2 cache, up to 1GB memory and 3D Intel Extreme Graphics with up to 128MB of graphics memory. The unit weighs 0.9 kg.

Using a modular architecture, the GoBook MR-1 is highly customisable. Units are built to order and incorporate any options selected by the customer within the tiny rugged chassis, ensuring the best possible levels of performance and reliability.

A comprehensive range of optional inbuilt wireless technologies are available, including global positioning system (GPS), 802.11 a/g/n, 3G/EVDO data comms, and Bluetooth. The antennas are fully integrated into the rugged case, ensuring reliability. All four wireless communications technologies can be selected for simultaneous use.

Multiple levels of both physical and software security are also available as options, including a TPM 1.2 secure micro-controller with cryptographic functionality, and an optional biometric fingerprint reader to simplify access to secure information.

The fully rugged handheld computer delivers outstanding outdoor performance. The GoBook MR-1 both meets and exceeds the relevant standards for military use – including operating in extreme temperatures, dusty and humid conditions, surviving vibrations, and being dropped. In addition, the colour LCD touch screen is readable in direct sunlight.

Availability

The GoBook MR-1 is available immediately for a suggested retail price of
$7,150 inc GST.

GoBook solutions are distributed in Australia by Avantec (www.avantec.com.au).