Lenovo announces eight ThinkPads meet semi-rugged military specs
ThinkPads have a reputation for toughness but ever wonder how tough they really are? How about tough enough to meet military standards for semi-rugged computing? That’s right – Lenovo announces that eight ThinkPad systems have been designated for use in “field and vehicle semi-ruggedized computing environments”. The systems that meet these stringent guidelines are the ThinkPad X200, X301, X200s, X200 Tablet, T400, T500, R400, and SL300. In addition, Lenovo announces a new optional 680-nit high brightness panel is now available on the ThinkPad T400 notebook – making the T400 especially ideal for in-field use.
To meet military specs, Lenovo put the eight systems through a battery of tests including:
- Low Pressure – Tests operation at 15,000 feet
- Humidity – Cycles 95 percent humidity through the environment
- Vibration (operational and non-operational) – Jostles and jolts the laptops to make sure they can withstand shocks
- High Temperature – Simulates high heat conditions by baking the laptop up to 140 degrees
- Low Temperature – Tests operation at minus 4 degrees
- Temperature Shock – Fluctuates between minus 4 and up to 140 degrees to test operation
- Dust – Blows dust for an extended amount of time
Ah but that’s not all. The eight systems have been enhanced with specially designed durability features such as:
- Active Protection System – Temporarily parks the hard drive when the laptop detects a fall or sudden movement via an air-bag like system
- Roll Cage – Serves as a protective frame around the internal components where the data resides and processing takes place with an extra top cover roll cage on the ThinkPad X301 laptop
- Shock Mounted Hard Drive – Offers extra protection around the hard drive to protect data
- Spill Resistant Keyboard – Withstands spills of up to two fluid ounces on select laptops allowing liquid to drain beneath the keyboard
Now as far as the new panel for the T400 – the systems are now available with starting prices of $1350.
Yes, the ThinkPad is indeed tough. As I’ve always told my friends, if you really want to hurt someone, hurl a ThinkPad at them.
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