Netbooks are gone, but Handheld's updated (and much faster) ultra-rugged Algiz XRW lives on, and clearly fills the need for a handy ultra-portable notebook
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

On January 14, 2013, the Handheld Group announced a technology update to their Algiz XRW ultra-rugged notebook computer. In essence, Handheld replaced the single-core Intel Atom Z550 with the much newer dual-core Atom N2600, changed the integrated GPS for better field performance, enhanced data security, doubled the size of both RAM and onboard storage, and made Gobi 3000 available. That all makes sense and we'll discuss what the upgrades mean to customers.

Why do we dedicate a full product page for just a tech update? Because the Algiz XRW, in all likelihood quite unintentionally we imagine, finds itself in a rather unique and quite desirable market position: it's one of the few surviving netbook-class notebooks, and pretty much the only rugged one. While Handheld called the XRW an ultra-mobile notebook, we always viewed it as a fully ruggedized version of those handy little notebooks that fit anywhere and that at one point not so long ago were selling in the tens of millions.

Why am I stressing this netbook reference? Because while netbooks have all but vanished from the market as a result of the tremendous popularity of media tablets, they disappeared for all the wrong reasons. The netbook form factor actually made perfect sense. What's not to like about a small, compact notebook computer that doesn't cost and lot, doesn't weigh a lot, and fits anywhere? The real reason why netbooks disappeared is not so much the tablets (though they certainly contributed to the netbook's demise), but the fact that customers expected notebook performance and features at a netbook price. Microsoft and Intel, of course, couldn't allow that as powerful inexpensive netbooks would have cannibalized higher end notebooks. So netbooks grew in size and power until they really weren't netbooks anymore in either size or cost. And then the tablets finished them off.

The result of all this is that as of early 2013, it became almost impossible to find a good netbook. Most notebooks now have screens between 14 and 17 inches. That's too large and bulky for many applications. Well, anyone who wants a true netbook-size rugged clamshell computer needs to look no farther then the Handheld XRW. Its footprint is just 10.2 x 7 inches, about the same as the once so popular 10-inch netbooks. The XRW is a bit thicker than those old consumer netbooks (1.6 versus 1.3 inches) and weighs a bit more (3.3 pounds versus 2.6 pounds). Considering that the tough little Handheld XRW is almost infinitely more durable than a consumer device, that is a remarkable accomplishment.

There is, of course, one area where the XRW deviates from the consumer netbook formula: whereas consumer netbooks were small and handy and cost very little, the XRW, as an ultra-rugged professional device, is small and handy but costs a lot. Truly rugged machinery always does.

It's worth mentioning that the Handheld Group was aware of the netbook performance predicament even when the XRW was first conceived in 2010. They knew that customers loved the small netbook form factor, but not so much their marginal performance and — particularly — not the neither-fish-nor-fowl 1024 x 600 resolution that always seemed to cut off part of standard 1024 x 768 XGA software layouts. So they gave the initial XRW not the Atom N270 ubiquitous to all those millions of consumer netbooks, nor the Atom Z530 that powered numerous early Atom-based industrial devices. Instead, they picked the seldom-used and more powerful 2.0GHz Atom Z550. And the XRW had acceptable 1366 x 768 pixel WXGA resolution that allowed viewing full XGA layouts and then some, and it was of a sunlight-readable variety that Handheld calls "MaxView."

So what's new?

After initially guesstimating the performance of the upgraded XRW, we had a chance to benchmark a production XRW in May 2013. The tablet below shows the benchmark performance of the new version of the Handheld Algiz XRW compared to the original.

Handheld Algiz XRW Benchmarks New vs. Old (PassMark 6.1, 32-bit version)

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON	Algiz XRW 2013	Algiz XRW original
Processor Type:	Intel Atom	Intel Atom
Processor Model	N2600 dual-core	Z550 single-core
CPU Speed	1.60GHz	2.00GHz
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	3.5 watts	2.4 watts
Disk	128GB SATA SSD	64GB PATA SSD
BatteryMon min draw	unavailable	5.8 watts
CPU Mark	469.6	280.4
2D Graphics Mark	NA	80.9
Memory Mark	221.8	252.7
Disk Mark	1,631.4	175.9
3D Graphics Mark	55.5	23.5
Overall PassMark	499.7	170.8
ALU	9,941	6,622
FPU	7,939	5,120
MEM	7,407	5,846
HDD	26,656	7,299
GDI	1,366	23.5
D2D	507	2,068
OGL	6,192	356
Overall CrystalMark	60,008	28,127

As excepted, the new Handheld Algiz XRW provides a very significant power boost compared to the original model. Note the massively higher Disk Mark and HDD performance. We had expected much faster disk performance in the new unit due to the switch from PATA (Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment) to the much faster SATA serial version. While SATA SSD performance greatly varies with the particular type and brand of SSD, Handheld certainly found a very speedy one.

Overall, we saw a 2.92X benchmark improvement in the PassMark suite, and a 2.13X improvement in the CrystalMark suite.

Since we already reviewed the Algiz XRW in detail, those interested in learning more about all aspects of this remarkable little rugged notebook computer may want to read our July 2011 full review of the Handheld Algiz XRW. In addition, we also featured the Algiz XRW in Case Study: Computers in Diving and Marine Exploration where we took an XRW along on a marine expedition to the Socorro islands (also known as the Archipelago Revillagigedo).

The case for the XRW

How does the XRW compare with a leading full-size rugged notebook such as the Panasonic CF31? For size and weight, the XRW's footprint is 43% smaller, it weighs 63% less (3.3 vs. 8.9 pounds), and it's just over half as thick. The XRW's display is smaller (10.1 vs. 13.1 inches), but the XRW's resolution is actually higher (1366 x 768 vs. 1024 x 768 pixel). The Intel Core-based Panasonic is more powerful and offers excellent battery life, but the XRW can make it through a full shift as well. Both devices carry IP65 ingress protection rating, and both can handle rough handling out there in the field. Both have excellent outdoor-vieable displays. A case can definitely be made for each, but there are clearly times and applications where the smaller size and much lower weight of the XRW make it perfect for the job.

Summary