AMREL announced the launch of ROCKY U12Ci, a lightweight convertible  laptop / tablet.

“The ROCKY U12Ci is the one of the lightest rugged convertible notebooks to ever pass MIL-STD 810G for Drop, Vibration, and Shock,” said Kalvin Chen, AMREL’s Director of Technology Marketing.  “That’s the toughest military standard for ruggedness.”

The ROCKY U12Ci has a pivot hinge that allows the user to turn the 12.1” display 180° and flip the LCD/touch panel. The U12Ci functions equally well as a laptop and a tablet.

“When we looked at other so-called convertible laptops on the market,” explains Mr. Chen, “We discovered that other ruggedized versions were too heavy to exploit the portability of tablets. The ROCKY U12Ci weighs only 5.5 pounds, making it ideal for applications that stress mobility as well as durability.”

Another problem of other rugged tablets/laptops was that their convertible form factor minimized choice of specifications and limited their ability to adapt to specific applications.  The ROCKY U12Ci employs a design that allows greater flexibility.

One example of this flexibility is the use of swappable I/O modules.  The end-user can modify their U12Ci by utilizing modules that incorporate:

  • RS232 port
  • GPS
  • Optional second 2M-pixel auto focus camera
  • Smart Card Reader
  • Other features

“Let’s be clear about this, the ROCKY U12Ci is not a gimmick. It’s a fully functional rugged computing platform that’s built to be used in mission critical situations,” states Mr. Chen. “It uses an Intel Core i5 processor for maximum speed (i7 upgrades are available). A fingerprint scanner is employed for biometric security. It even has a one-button stealth-mode that limits emitted light for covert missions.”

Applications include:

  • Public Safety
  • Military
  • Healthcare
  • Utility
  • Emergency
  • Transportation/Distribution
  • Government
  • Field Service
  • Logistic

Read more about this rugged convertible solution here.