Rugged notebook and convertible Tablet PC
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

The name Kontron isn't as familiar to US customers of rugged mobile computers as Panasonic or Itronix, but Kontron, headquartered in Germany, is one of the world's largest suppliers of embedded computer technology in various industrial markets. Kontron both sells OEM products and under its own brand. And in February of 2005, the company bought out Dolch which had its own line of rugged notebooks, most of which remain in Kontron's product lineup.

The Kontron ReVolution XT and XTS models are heavily ruggedized notebooks computers with magnesium chassis that can also function as Tablet PC slates via a swivel hinge. The ReVolution is technologically up-to-date with a 1.7GHz Intel Pentium 735, up to a gigabyte of DDR RAM and an unusually wide arrangement of onboard ports, both legacy and current standards such as USB 2.0 and Firewire. There are integrated WiFi and Bluetooth (plus various radio options), a backlit and sealed keyboard. XGA displays are available with touch screen and High-Bright sunlight readable technology. Uncommon among ruggedized machines is a second bay that can accommodate a second hard drive or a variety of optical drives. All of this makes the Kontron ReVolution not only a very flexible, configurable solution, but also one that strikes a good balance between ruggedness and a rich feature set.

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

Note 03/10/2008: Talk about products moving around! For a brief while Kontron US had been selling rugged products taken over after the purchase of Dolch, but those were quickly passed on to Asonix. While Kontron Germany and many other international Kontron subsidiaries continue to offer rebadged rugged GETAC notebooks, the Revolution seems to have disappeared.