Let’s face it – Ultra-mobile PC’s are cool but do they look sturdy enough for field use? They might be ok for regular Joe Schmoe consumers, but will a military officer want to use one? Chances are… probably not. What some people need is a rugged version of a ultra-mobile PC – and that’s where the folks at Black Diamond Advanced Technology come into play. They’ve announced the world’s first rugged ultra mobile PC in the form of the SwitchBack. Larger than a PDA, yet smaller than a Tablet PC, the SwitchBack was designed and manufactured according to military specifications withstanding extreme shock, moisture, vibration, dust, and extreme temperatures.

Highlights of the SwitchBack UMPC include:

• Hot swappable battery – refresh your power supply without shutting down
• Removable hard drive
• Condensed QWERTY keyboard, touchscreen, and integrated pointing device
• Sunlight viewable display
• Capable of running multiple OS’s independently or simulataneously

The specs for the SwitchBack include:

• Intel 1.06GHz Celeron M processor
• Up to 2GB of RAM
• 40GB removable HD (up to 100GB)
• 5.6 inch sunlight viewable LCD screen with 1024×600 resolution
• Intel GMA 900 graphics
• Bluetooth 2.0
• Wi-Fi support
• Sunlight viewable gloved-finger touchscreen with stylus
• Condensed QWERTY membrane keyboard
• Built in pointing device
• Measures 7.5 x 5.5 x 2 inches and weighs 3 lbs
• Magnesium Alloy with overmolded rubber housing

The first SwitchBack UMPCs are expected to be available sometime in late August or early September with the company expecting to deliver 3000 units for this year.

[Check it out]

The SwitchBack weighs just under three pounds and is small enough to fit inside a cargo pant pocket. It’s a fully functional handheld computer that also happens to be rugged enough to

Technorati Tags: SwitchBack, UMPC, Rugged UMPC, Black Diamond Advanced Technology