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GETAC S410
Getac keeps their semi-rugged laptop state-of-the-art in performance, security and configurability, and then some.
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)
On January 26, 2021, Getac introduced the next generation of its semi-rugged S410 notebook computer with faster processors, improved graphics, much faster storage, faster communication, much more battery power, and additional options. This latest Getac S410 looks the same, but it is a significantly improved and much more powerful machine now. And, in areas where it matters, a tougher one as well.
The Getac S410 is specifically designed for use in a wide variety of field applications that require more toughness and durability than consumer products can provide — such as field service, public safety, manufacturing, shop floors, as well as military applications, professional services, and vehicle use — but not the higher weight and cost of fully rugged laptops.
Overall, this latest Getac S410 remains a modern 14-inch laptop that's remarkably light and handy for this class of notebook computers, starting at just over five pounds. It is an attractive design using Getac's trademark matte black and gun-metal gray color scheme that signals toughness and professionalism.
Since they use their laptop for a wide variety of applications, Getac customers can order the S410 with their choice of processor and numerous configuration options. Of special interest here is the Getac Select program where customers can easily get turn-key hardware software, accessories and solutions optimized for real-world challenges.
To provide an overview of just how much Getac improved and enhanced their S410 semi-rugged laptop platform, see the table below. This goes well beyond your standard hardware refresh.
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Getac S410 generations
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Model
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S410 G4 (2021)
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S410 G3 (2019)
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S410 G2 (2017)
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S410 G1 (2016)
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CPUs
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Intel 11th gen
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Intel 8th gen
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Intel 8th gen
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Intel 6th gen
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Max RAM
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64GB DDR4
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64GB DDR4
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32GB DDR4
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16GB DDR3L
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Primary storage
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PCIe NVMe SSD
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SATA SSD
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Hard disk/SATA
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Hard disk/SATA
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2nd storage
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SATA SSD
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SATA SSD
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SATA SSD
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SATA SSD
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Default LCD
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1366 x 768, 1000 nits
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1366 x 768, 1000 nits
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1366 x 768, 1000 nits
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1366 x 768, 1000 nits
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Opt. LCD
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1920 x 1080, 1000 nits
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1920 x 1080, 800 nits
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1920 x 1080, 800 nits
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1920 x 1080, 800 nits
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Max battery
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2 x 74.5whr + 46.6whr
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2 x 46.6whr
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2 x 46.6whr
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2 x 46.6whr
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Temp range
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-20° to 145°F
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-20° to 145°F
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-6° to 140°F
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-6° to 140°F
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IP rating
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IP53
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IP53
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IP52
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IP51
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Weight
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From 5.25 lbs
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From 4.90 lbs
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From 4.90 lbs
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5.90 lbs as tested
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Wi-Fi/BT
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802.11ax/BT 5.1
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802.11ax/BT 5.1
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802.11ac/BT 4.2
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802.11ac/BT 4.2
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USB Type-A
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2 x USB 3.2, USB 2.0
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2 x USB 3.2, USB 2.0
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3 x USB 3.0, USB 2.0
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3 x USB 3.0, USB 2.0
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USB Type-C
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1 x Thunderbolt 4
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NA
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NA
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NA
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State-of-the-art performance
Not so long ago, it was rare to find up-to-date technology inside of semi-rugged and rugged computers due to the longer life cycles in vertical markets. That was not the end of the world, but certainly not what informed customers wanted for their increasingly complex and power-hungry applications.
Well, Getac certainly goes out of its way to provide their customers with state-of-the-art technology. Just a few months after Intel announced their "Tiger Lake" 11th generation of Core processors, they are already in the new Getac S410, leaving some of the competition three or even four generations behind. Intel considers these 11th gen mobile chips with their new Iris Xe graphics "a major leap forward in real-world processor performance and the best laptop processors we have built," while Getac's launch day press release speaks of "blisteringly fast performance." We haven't had a chance to benchmark the new S410 yet, but should get the opportunity soon.
"Tiger Lake" is using Intel's new "SuperFin" 10nm process technology with integrated Iris Xe graphics, and that's on top to all the other goodies Getac baked into this new generation of the S410.
So while being "current" in the use of Intel processors is fleeting, for now the new S410 is absolutely state-of-the-art under the hood, giving users the latest and greatest that's available. Here's what customers can choose from in terms of processors:
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2021 Getac S410: Available processor options
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Available S410 CPUs
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Intel Core i7
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Intel Core i7
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Intel Core i5
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Intel Core i5
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Intel Core i3
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Model
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1185G7
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1165G7
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1145G7
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1135G7
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1115G4
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Cores/Threads
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4/8
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4/8
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4/8
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4/8
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2/4
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Base Clock Speed
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1.20 GHz
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1.20 GHz
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1.10 GHz
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0.90 GHz
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1.70 GHz
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Turbo Speed
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4.80 GHz
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4.70 GHz
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4.40 GHz
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4.20 GHz
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4.1 GHz
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Thermal Design Power (TDP)
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12 watts
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12 watts
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12 watts
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12 watts
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12 watts
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Smart Cache
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12MB
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12MB
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8MB
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8MB
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6MB
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Integrated graphics
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Iris Xe
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Iris Xe
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Iris Xe
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Iris Xe
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UHD Graphics
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Graphics max speed
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1.35 GHz
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1.30 GHz
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1.30 GHz
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1.30 GHz
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1.25 GHz
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Relative CPU cost
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1.53
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1.53
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1.10
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1.10
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1.00
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Intel Stable Image Platform Program
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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No
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No
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Intel TSX-NI
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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No
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No
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Intel Trusted Execution
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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No
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No
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Intel vPro
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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No
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No
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Note that up to the 11th generation of Core processors, Intel always listed the default clock speed and TDP (thermal design power) of each chip. For the kind of high-end mobile processors used in machines like the S410, that has been 15 watts for several generations. With the 11th gen, Intel, for inexplicable reasons, no longer lists those default values and only states that the default clock speed (and thus TDP) can be adjusted up or down. For the chips offered in the S410, that range is from 12 watts all the way up to 28 watts. This setting will have an impact on battery life, and so we assume it's 12 watts. The S410, which has a small fan, is built to handle the maximum heat any of those processors will generate.
Starting at the low end, the Core i3-1115G4 is the sole dual-core chip in this lineup, all others are quad-core. However, with the 11th generation, even i3 processors now have the "turbo" speed feature, and so we're not discouraging going with a low-end chip as much as we did in the past. What's the G4 and G7 at the end of those processor designations? That indicates a chip's graphics level.
In the middle are the i5-1135G7 (the new S410's default processor) and i5-1145G7, which differ a bit in speed and certain baked-in Intel technologies that may be irrelevant to most customers, but vitally important to some.
On the high end, the top-of-the-line is the i7-1185G7, which is the fastest of the lot, with the also available i7-1165G7 just a bit slower, but missing some possibly needed Intel technologies. To view the full spec table for these five CPUs, see here.
Note that the difference between base clock speed and maximum turbo speed has been very large in all recent Intel Core processor generations, and especially so with quad-core versions. That's likely because Intel didn't want the quad-core processors to draw more power than dual-core versions with the same TDP. As a result, the quad-core chips can just idle along, sipping power, but then really lean into it when heavy workloads come along.
For a brief explanation of those Intel technologies that some of the chips available for the latest S410 have or don't have:
- The extra security and manageability capabilities of vPro, especially, are required in many enterprise deployments (see Wiki Intel vPro).
- TSX-NI Transactional Synchronization Extensions New Instructions) helps make parallel operations more efficient via improved control of locks in software (see Wiki TSX),
- SIPP (Stable Image Platform Program) allows deployment of standardized, stable image PC platforms for at least 15 months (see Intel SIPP),
- and Trusted Execution technology provides security capabilities such as measured launch and protected execution, and may thus also be an enterprise requirement (see Wiki Trusted Execution Technology).
Note that the quad-core chips available for the new S410 have Iris Xe graphics whereas the low-end dual-core i3 version uses the older Intel UHD graphics. Early reviews of Iris Xe-equipped computers suggest significantly better graphics performance, albeit still not at discrete graphics levels. Past generations of the S410, by the way, had an discrete graphics option, but none is listed for the new S410.
More substantial improvements
Note that it is not just those fast new processors that make the new S410 a powerhouse. There is also super-fast PCIe NVMe solid state storage that replaces the default hard disk in earlier generations. Secondary storage stays with the older SATA type of solid state storage, but having PCIe NVMe technology for primary storage makes a BIG difference.
Ditching hard disks also makes a difference in another area. Without a standard hard disk taking up a lot of space, Getac was able to go to bigger batteries. Whereas the S410 we tested in 2017 maxed out at two smallish 46.6 watt-hour batteries, the new S410 can pack two much more powerful 74.5 watt-hour batteries AND an optional 46.6 watt-hour battery in the multimedia bay. HUGE improvement. Battery life shouldn't be much of an issue with these news Getac S410s.
Display options
The Getac S410's 14-inch display is more than large enough to allow working without squinting. The standard display remains at 1366 x 768 pixel resolution, which is legacy by now and we'd have liked to see the optional 1920 x 1080 pixel display become standard. As is, the default 1366 x 768 screen is very bright (1,000 nits) but doesn't have touch. Touch isn't really needed on a laptop, but with Windows 10 it's increasingly useful and a good thing to have.
If you want touch, there are two options. One is a multi-touch version of the default screen. The other is the 1920 x 1080 pixel capacitive multi-touch display whose luminance has been boosted from 800 nits to 1,000 nits in the new S410.
The media bay
Semi-ruggeds such as the Getac S410 will see duty in a wide variety of deployments, and many of those have their special requirements. While the competition at Panasonic (the Toughbook 55) handles that with a big roster of expansion modules that plug into and bolt onto three different expansion areas, Getac stayed with a more traditional "multimedia bay."
That bay can be customized with no fewer than seven different options. There are different kinds of optical multi drives, different kinds of legacy expansion cards, additional storage, an additional battery, and now even a 1D/2D barcode reader. Some are factory options and not swappable, and most are mutually exclusive, but we're still talking remarkable flexibility.
In addition to available multimedia bay options, the new S410 also offers no fewer than four different I/O block configurations that can include DB9 serial, RJ45 LAN, DisplayPort, VGA and additional USB. Speaking of the latter, the S410 also comes with a Thunderbolt 4 port that uses the USB Type-C reversible connector format.
Security: ever more important
Security is more important than ever. Getac offers this fourth generation of their S410 with an optional Full-HD infrared camera that enables facial recognition with Windows Hello for quick, convenient logins and increased security. Combined with TPM 2.0, and optional fingerprint, smart card and HF RFID readers, S410 users can customize their access options for their intended applications.
There's also a slot for the simple but effective Kensington lock, and there is, of course, full support of Windows 10 security features to help protect against known and emerging threats. All of this can get pretty involved. Some users may never implement TPM, fingerprint scanning or even passwords, whereas others may be set up in accordance with their company's IT security procedures, or they may configure an individual system for maximum security. The important thing is that the S410 does offer all these precautions.
A tougher degree of semi-rugged
We don't really like the term "semi-rugged" very much because it implies less than really and truly rugged. While the S410 is not as tough and well-protected as Getac's B360 or X500 laptops, the point really is that the S410 is far more rugged than all those 100+ million consumer and business laptops sold every year.
Anyway, Getac says the new S410 can operate between -20° and 145° Fahrenheit (-29° to 63°C). That's wider than before (likely due to dropping the hard disk entirely) and makes the new S410 suitable for use in almost any environment. The wide range comes in handy in several targeted deployments, such as closed vehicles or around freezers. The drop spec remains at three feet, though with no more hard disk to worry about, it could likely be four feet with just a bit of extra corner protection.
As far as sealing goes, there's been steady progress. The original S400's IP5x rating meant there was no ingress protection against liquids at all. The first S410 carried an IP51 rating, the 2nd gen S410 was IP52, and the latest generation has been upgraded to IP53 where the "5" means that the unit is protected against dust and the "3" that it's also protected against water spray from above within a 15 degree angle.
Add to that protected I/O ports, the splash-proof keyboard, protective rubber corners, and the ergonomically designed rubber handle, and the S410 is a laptop that can go almost anywhere.
A very attractive proposition
With the the latest generation of the S410, Getac keeps their semi-rugged laptop platform state-of-the-art and beyond, providing the very latest in scalable performance and economical operation. With the tech-update and refresh, Getac also made sure their S410 took its turn leapfrogging the Panasonic Toughbook 55, which saw its last big upgrade a year ago.
Prior generations of the Getac S410 were very reasonably priced (higher-end and specially equipped models go for considerably more, of course), balanced excellent performance, long battery life, customizable connectivity, and sufficient ruggedness for many tasks into a very attractive package that matched up very well with the competition. If anything, this latest generation aims higher yet, and so we expect it to be quite popular.
The latest version of the Getac S410 starts at US$1,699 (Intel Core i5-1135G7, 8GB RAM, 256GB PCIe NVME). -- C. H. Blickenstorfer, February 2021
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 Specifications Getac S410
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Status
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Added 01/2021
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Form-factor
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Rugged convertible notebook
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OS
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Windows 10 Professional
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Processor
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Intel Core i7-1185G7
Intel Core i7-1165G7
Intel Core i5-1145G7
Intel Core i5-1135G7
Intel Core i3-1115G4
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Max CPU Speed
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i7-1185G7: 4.80 GHz
i7-1165G7: 4.70 GHz
i5-1145G7: 4.40 GHz
i5-1135G7: 4,20 GHz
i3-1115G4: 4.10 GHz
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Smart Cache
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i7-1185G7: 12MB
i7-1165G7: 12MB
i5-1145G7: 8MB
i5-1135G7: 8MB
i3-1115G4: 6MB
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Graphics
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Intel Iris Xe (except Core i3-1115G4 which has 11th gen Intel UHD Graphics
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Standard/Max RAM
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8GB DDR4, expandable to 64GB DDR4
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Disk/drive
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256GB PCIe NVMe; optional 512GB/1TB PCIe NVMe, optional 256GB/512GB/1TB SATA SSD 2nd storage
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Media Bay
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Optional PCMCIA Type II, ExpressCard 34/54, DVD or Blu-Ray super multi drive, 2nd battery, 1D/2D imager barcode reader
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Expansion
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1 x MicroSD Card, optional Smart Card reader
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Display type
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14-inch 1366 x 768 HD wide-screen, optional 1,000 nit LumiBond sunlight readable LCD with multi-touch; optional 1920 x 1080 IPS 1000 nit LumiBond sunlight readable LCD with multi-touch
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Digitizer/pens
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Optional capacitive multi-touch
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Keyboard/scale
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86-key full-scale splash-resistant membrane keyboard
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Sealing
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IP53
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Drop
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MIL-STD-810H: 3-foot drop
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Temperature
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-20°F to 145°F (-29°C to 63°C)
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EMI
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NA
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Humidity
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95% relative humidity
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Housing
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Getac "KryptoShell" ABS+PC material
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Size (WxHxD)
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13.8 x 11.5 x 1.5 inches (350 x 293 x 39 mm)
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Weight
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From 5.25 lbs (2.38kg)
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Power
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Battery 1: Li-Ion (10.8V, 6.900mAh, 74.5 watt-hours), optional Battery 2: Li-Ion (10.8V, 6.900mAh, 74.5 watt-hours), optional multimedia bay battery (11.1V, 4,200mAH, 46.6 watt-hours)
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Security
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TPM 2.0, cable lock slot; optional: Windows Hello face-authentication IR camera, fingerprint reader, smart card reader
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Cameras
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Optional IR webcam
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Multimedia Bay
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Optional: 1D/2D imager barcode reader, PCMCIA Type II, ExpressCard 34/54, DVD or Blu-Ray super multi drive, battery, 2nd Storage
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Interface
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2 x USB 3.2, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x Thunderbolt 4, 1 x HDMI, 1 x RJ45 gigabit LAN, 1 x docking, audio in/out, power; optional: RF antenna pass-through for GPS/WWAN/WLAN, COM + VGA + 2nd RJ45 OR COM + VGA + 2nd RJ45 + PowerShare USB 3.2 OR COM + Display Port + 2nd RJ45 OR COM + Display Port + PowerShare USB 3.2
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Communications
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Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201, 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.1; optional dedicated GPS,
optional 4G LTE multi-carrier mobile broadband with GPS
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List price
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Starting at US$1,699
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Contact
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us.getac.com
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Web page
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Getac S410 page
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Brochure
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 Getac S410
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Warranty
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3 Year limited warranty standard
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Getac US Contact:
Getac USA
Tel: +1-949-681-2900
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