handsome, compact ruggedized notebook
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

The GETAC W130, a technologically updated successor to the W120, is a handsome compact notebook with a tough die-cast magnesium case. It was designed to be used either with or without a nicely integrated dock to which the notebook part snaps on. The optional dock can be ordered in a variety of configurations. Each features a generous complement of standard ports (serial, parallel, video, audio, PS/2, USB, a floppy drive and either a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or CD-RW drive.

The W130's XGA transmissive color TFT has a touchscreen and a high-contrast (550 Nits) option. With a footprint of 10.8 x 9.4 inches, the W130 is small and handy, and despite its ruggedness it weighs less than six pounds. The W130 is also sold through ruggednotebooks.com and other GETAC resellers and is an attractive alternative to the hardened notebooks from General Dynamics/Itronix and Panasonic.