Taiwan-based Getac Technology will take the initiative to produce slim ruggedized notebooks for launch in the North America market in the third quarter of 2013, according to company chairman Huang Min-han.
Conventional ruggedized notebooks use aluminum-alloy chassis and have a thickness of 4-5cm and weight of 3-4kg, Huang said. By adopting fiberglass-reinforced plastics, thickness and weight can by cut by approximately half, while still meeting the same waterproof, dustproof and shockproof standards, Huang indicated.
Getac is currently the world's second-largest vendor of ruggedized notebooks with a global market share of 12%, next to Panasonic with 60%. Getac has prepared mid-term development plans, aiming to hike its global market share to 30% in 3-5 years.
Getac has about 50% of consolidated revenues coming from ruggedized notebooks mainly for military and industrial applications. The company expects revenues from ruggedized products in 2013 to grow by at least 20% on year.
Article translated by Adam Hwang
