Rugged and very expandable portable workstation
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

The Azonix FW8600, which used to be the Kontron FW8600, is really a portable workstation rather than a notebook computer. It doesn't run on batteries, and it is large, but it's still light enough to be taken along and set up in strategic locations. Kontron calls it the only truly rugged, expandable, all-in-one portable computer system anywhere today. The basis for that claim is that the FW8600 can accommodate either three full-length or six half-length PCI cards, providing desktop-style expandability. One look at the machine shows that the FW8600 is designed from the ground up for intense use in tough environments. It is built to military standards for shock, vibration, water and temperature, and provides the reliability and dependability demanded by field professionals.

Kontron built active cooling technology into the FW8600. This allows for operation in a very wide temperature range (5 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit), and its unique design provides protection against dust, rain, and humidity. A bit like the old Microslate boxes but with built-in keyboard, this all-in-one design has an integrated handle and fully integrated components and power supply. As a result, you can close and carry the FW8600 like a briefcase. The lightweight all-magnesium chassis and relatively compact footprint form factor make the FW8600 ideal for a variety of field-deployed professionals.

Note 08/31/2007: The Kontron rugged mobile computer products have a new owner in Azonix Corporation of Billerica, MA, a Division of Crane Corporation.