Measures 36.5 x 27.3 x 3.82cm and weighs 6.83 pounds (incl. 8-cell battery), the rugged Asus B51 notebook PC features an Intel Core 2 Duo processor (T8300/T8100/T5850/T5750), an integrated Intel GMA X3100 graphics engine, an Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG/4965ABGN, up to 4GB of main memory, SuperMulti DVD burner, a built-in 1.3MP webcam, spill-resistant keyboard, and up to 320GB of hard drive. Optionally, users can request for Bluetooth module if they want.

B51 laptop is perfect for those who travel abroad often, especially for people who works outdoor. The company claimed it as a machine that is “built to endure harsh treatment” since it offers an excellent protection against accidental shock, scratches, or bumps, thanks to the lightweight, strong magnesium alloy chassis. Moreover, the notebook has also passed military specifications.

Asus B51 rugged laptop runs on Windows Vista OS, but no release date and price info have been spilled by the company.

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Finally, a mini laptop that doesn’t feel breakable. Coming from Panasonic, this one is the rugged Toughbook CF-U1 UMPC, one of the smallest notebook PC on Panasonic’s Toughbook family. Fortunately, it carries an impressive specs as well: a 16GB SSD (removable), 1 GB of main memory, Windows XP or Windows Vista OS, a backlit QWERTY keyboard, and a a 5.6-inch WSVGA sunlight-viewable LCD touchscreen with anti-reflective screen treatment and white-LED backlighting.

On the inside, the ultra mobile handheld PC comes with a fan-less all weather design, along with a twin hot-swappable batteries that makes it possible to replace the battery without shutting down the machine. Moreover, its whole body is protected by magnesium-alloy chassis, thus keeping the data and hardware safe from accidental drops and bumps.

According to the company, Panasonic Toughbook CF-U1 UMPC will start shipping in August with a price tag of $2,499 (about €1,583).

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Not much detail about this huge and muscular tablet PC from TwinTek. But those who saw it on its booth during Computex 2008 event in Taipei must envy its rugged and durable body, along with a nice button layout on the front side. According to the company, this convertible laptop is designed for military use.

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Powered by a 1.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo U7500 processor, the NEC ShieldPRO FC-N22A tablet PC is a compact yet rugged machine for those who work mostly under extreme condition. It can stand the dust, accidental fall (up to 90cm), extreme temperature (between -20℃ to +50℃), and water (IP55). So there’s no need to worry that you’ll lose your precious data during your work.

On the specs department, this 12.1-inch laptop features a touchscreen display with XGA resolution and a brightness of 750 cd/m2, a 512MB of main memory (expandable up to 4GB), and a pre-installed Windows XP Pro SP2 operating system. Sounds good, huh? But good thing always comes with a price, and so does this notebook. You have to take out around €2800 (about $4300) if you want to take this monster home.

If you need a semi-rugged notebook PC that is able to survive the environment and heavy weather, here’s one: “Kontron NotePAC”. It comes with a shock-mounted display, along with a G-Sensor-equipped hard drive that prevent the disc from unwanted head crashed and data damage. Water drop? No fear, its keyboard is waterproof as well. Moreover, users can opt-in for a resistive touchscreen and a built-in GPS system which sounds like a great combo for a rugged laptop.

Regarding specs, Kontron NotePAC laptop features an Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 processor, an INtel 945GM/PM chipset, an Intel GMA 950 or a 256MB ATI Radeon X1450 graphics engine, up to 2GB of main memory, and a 14.1-inch WXGA display. No words on pricing and availability at the moment.

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Panasonic adds another two of its laptops onto the wagon of Santa Rosa, both under the famous Toughbook range. Those notebooks are Toughbook CF-74 (picture above) and CF-52 models. Features include an Intel 965 Express chipset, an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, an integrated 802.11n WiFI connectivity support, and an Intel Turbo Memory cache that speeds up the loading process. Well, not much about the detail, but you can expect all the goodies from Centrino Pro laptop to be available on these rugged machine.

Panasonic Toughbook CF-74 laptop is expected to hit the store in June, while the Toughbook CF-52 will follow short after in July.

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The Toughbook CF-08 is the new rugged tablet PC from Panasonic. Being a rugged machine means this thing won’t break even after you drop it (either accidentally or on pupose) from up to 1 meters of height. You can also expect it to survive extreme weather conditions, sich as rain, snow, dust, etc.

Along with the tough protection, you’ll get a 10.4-inch XGA touch-screen display, a 312MHz Intel XScale PXA270 processor, WiFI, Bluetooth, USB, Ethernet LAN, Windows CE OS, and up to 14 hours of usage, depend on the brightness level of the display.

No words on pricing and availability.

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Panasonic is going to add built-in EvDO support, presented by Sprint Mobile Broadband services, onto its rugged business laptops, the Toughbook W5 and T5. Users will be able to access Sprint Power Vision Network in more than 220 communities and 725 airports across the US, and enjoy the high-speed internet browsing. According to the press release, the laptops will support the latest EvDO Revision A enhancements, allowing 450 to 800kbps download speed and 300 to 400kbps upload speeds.

Regarding specs, Panasonic Toughbook W5 laptop features a 12.1-inch anti-glare LCD display, a DVD/CD-RW combo drive, and up to 8 hours of battery life. It weighs 3.1 pounds and comes with Wireless PCI Express Mini Card Embedded Module from Sierra Wireless. As for the Toughbook T5, this convertible notebook has a 12.1-inch touchscreen display, an ergonomic hand strap, and up to 10 hours of battery. This one weighs 3.5 pounds.

Panasonic Toughbook W5 and T5 laptops with embedded Sprint Mobile Broadband will be available next month at an estimated street price of $2,250.

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Incase you’re looking for an ultra-rugged laptop which (probably) will even survive the natural disaster and war, Kontron’s NotePAC is the answer. Apart from the “standard” shock-resistance capability, this notebook, weighs at an amazing 13 pounds, can stay operational in unconditional weather, minus 36 degrees Fahrenheit for example, or after being dropped from up to three feet heights onto solid concrete. And if you worry about chemical weapon’s war in the future, you can pay an extra bucks to have the machine upgraded with low electromagnetic radiation protection which will also protect you from atmospheric explosives “where the slightest spark could prove deadly”, as claimed by the manufacturer.

On the specs-department, NotePAC laptop features an Intel Core Duo T2300 (1.66GHz) processor, up to 2GB of main memory, either 80GB or 120GB of removable SATA hard drive, GPS, and either 12.1 or 14.1-inches touch screen LCD display. Connectivity options include a Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth, WiFI, Firewire, UMTS, and GSM/GPRS.

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Arbor, a Taiwan-based PC manufacturer, recently presented a rugged tablet PC called MIL-6600. Comply with the military standard — 810F tests for shock and vibration, as well as IP68 for dust and waterproof — the convertible notebook that weighs 3.5kg also offers the ability to work underwater (up to 1.5 metres deep) and in unconditional temperature (between -40°C to 60°C). Specs-wise, MIL-660 is equipped with an Intel LV Dothan CPU, a 10.4-inch touch screen LCD display, up to 8GB of Flash memory, and 12 user set keys. Detail features after the jump.

Arbor MIL-6600 Tablet PC Features

• Intel ULV Dothan processor
• Sunlight readable 10.4″ TFT LCD display with touchscreen capability
• Designed to meet anti-shock & vibration specifications
• 1.5M under water in operation status
• Mini PCI Socket
• Security Lock (Optional)
• Fiber optical Ethernet (Optional)
• Mil-Std connector (Optional)
• Universal mounting bracket
• Vehicle mounting Bracket
• Flash Disk Type 4GB/8GB

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