(Regarding the IP rating, Masson says that the "6" indicates the level of dust control, which ranges from 0 to 6, and that the "5" designates the degree of waterproofing, which runs from 0 to 8. DAP's other products carry a water rating of 7 and can handle immersion in liquid for up to an hour, he says.)

Data911 Mobile Computer Systems (a division of Hubb Systems LLC). Based in Alameda, California, this company has been designing mobile hardware and software systems for public safety agencies for more than 20 years, says Beisner.

Its Data911 M5 mobile computer system is a fifth-generation rugged PC manufactured by the company. Its features include a 12.1-inch, 100-percent, airbag-compatible, 1,200-nit, sunlight-visible, rugged touchscreen display (on the Ford Crown Victoria, this can be mounted to the dash) that measures 1.5 inches thick and 11 inches wide.

The CPU, display and power supply are constructed from a rugged aluminum chassis that not only protects the components but also encourages more efficient heat dissipation, says Beisner. They offer several models of keyboards that range from spillproof to spill-resistant.

"The computer is designed for the rugged environment of the public safety vehicle," says Beisner. "Most laptops are designed for home or office use. The display is sunlight-visible and dimmed for nighttime use. When mounted against the dash, the display can be viewed by both the driver and the passenger without moving it. The computer is resistant to extreme temperature ranges, from -13 F to 150 F. It also is resistant to humidity, shock and vibration. All of these environmental specifications have been tested by third-party labs according to MIL-STD-810F methods."

Itronix (a General Dynamics company). An Itronix company spokesperson describes the Spokane, Washington-based company's GoBook XR-1 as "the world's smallest and lightest fully rugged wireless notebook."

The notebook uses the Intel Core Duo 1.83-GHz processor, with an FSB of 667 MHz. It offers increased graphic capabilities, and comes with a 40-GB or 80-GB, 5,400-rpm SATA hard drive; a power management utility; and an integrated Ethernet 1-GB LAN and Microsoft's XP Professional operating system, says the spokesperson.

It weighs 6.8 pounds and "has a very small footprint." The touchscreen display uses a multi-layer, anti-reflective coating process for improved outdoor viewing. Keys are glow-in-the-dark, and a backlit keyboard, for better viewing in low-light conditions, can be purchased as an option.

The GoBook meets MIL-STD-810F for drop, shock and vibration, and carries an IP54 rating for water and dust.

"The entire notebook is watertight and features an innovatively designed keyboard that can withstand liquids and abrasive dust and dirt particles commonly found in outdoor and industrial environments," says the spokesperson. "For operations in sub-zero weather, the product incorporates standard heaters for the hard drive and display, assuring operation in the coldest environment while extending these components' lives."

Kontron America. The Kontron Envoy II System is a three-piece, mobile data system consisting of the Kontron CVX-Server, a rugged display and a rugged keyboard, explains Randy Wisebrod, sales technical support manager for the Poway, California-based company.

"The Kontron Envoy II was designed specifically for installation and use in professional service vehicles," says Wisebrod. "Its three-piece, modular design allows the monitor and keyboard to be mounted near the operator while the server is mounted in the trunk, under the seat, in the glove box or elsewhere away from the passenger area."

He ticks off the system features, which include a 1.8-GHz CPU; up to 1-GB RAM; a removable hard drive (also can be a heated hard drive); multiple I/Os; expansion slot capabilities; a 12.1-inch, 1,400-nit resistive LCD touchscreen; and keyboards with varying degrees of ruggedness. A variety of options that allow users to customize the system also are available. For example, with the addition of a card, the system can be used as a GPS.

The Kontron Envoy II meets MIL-STD-810F ratings for shock, vibration and temperature and the server's internal subsystems are protected via rugged, unitized aluminum construction.