ITRONIX TO LAUNCH HUMMER® LAPTOP ON SEPT. 6
Leading Developer of Rugged Computing Solutions for Military and Industrial Markets to Offer Consumers High-End HUMMER®; Laptop With Standard Wi-Fi and Optional Wireless Broadband
Published Sep 2, 2005
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SPOKANE, Wash.—Sept. 6, 2005—Itronix Corp., the market-leading, world-class developer of wireless, rugged mobile computing solutions for military, government and business applications, today introduced the HUMMER Laptop computer, targeted at both HUMMER owners and enthusiasts looking for a uniquely tough and stylish notebook computer. The high-powered consumer laptop is a special version of an industrial targeted GoBook® VR-1 notebook also by Itronix (separate announcement will post on Sept. 6). Part of an exclusive licensing agreement between Itronix and General Motors, the HUMMER Laptop marks a dramatic entry into the consumer market for Itronix, which has traditionally sold its rugged computing products to military, government, business and industrial users. Priced at $2,988, the HUMMER Laptop will be available for shipment starting November 1, 2005.
“We selected Itronix to license the HUMMER brand for its rugged laptops because its mobile computers’ attributes are synonymous with those associated with HUMMER vehicles: durability, high-end quality, and innovation,” said Marc Hernandez, HUMMER global product director, General Motors. “Now those who have an affinity for HUMMER — whether they own the vehicle or not — can enjoy a laptop that embodies the very characteristics that have put HUMMER in a class by itself. Without a doubt, Itronix and HUMMER are an ideal match.”
Uniting Itronix and HUMMER
HUMMER qualities of ruggedness, power and freedom fit with what consumers would also expect to find in a ruggedized laptop. This exclusive licensing agreement will enable Itronix to strengthen its market share by addressing the needs of those consumers who aspire to own a HUMMER vehicle or a HUMMER licensed product.
“The licensing agreement between Itronix and General Motors is a very logical sharing of brand attributes that allows each company to extend its presence into markets that might otherwise be a challenge to penetrate,” said Rob Enderle, principal analyst, The Enderle Group. “While product personalization has been around for years, the tech world is now catching up – with custom cell phone faces and colorful iPods tempting shoppers and driving tens of millions in additional revenue for technology product providers. It stands to reason that more companies will follow suit, and I can’t think of a more natural pairing than Itronix and HUMMER. Both companies should benefit significantly as a result.”
Bringing New Features to the Consumer Market
Unlike commercial laptops, the Itronix HUMMER Laptop is built to withstand vibration, high and low temperatures, bumps, knocks, and spills. This ruggedized laptop was developed to appeal to consumers who want a tough computer that can reliably endure the harsh environments that come with using a laptop on the go. With state-of-the-art integrated wireless capabilities and support for up to three separate radios — including GPS — HUMMER Laptop users can remain “connected” wherever they may be, whether in an airport, on a college campus, in a commuter train, in a car, a tent, or in their own backyard.
“Itronix has had years of experience mastering both the wireless and the rugged aspects of mobile computing,” said Gerry Purdy, principal analyst, Mobile Trax. “By extending their powerful integrated wireless capabilities through the HUMMER brand, consumers will now have access to the kind of mobile computing that has typically been available only to the industrial market. It’s exciting to see Itronix branch out into new consumer territory.”
“We are excited about extending to consumers those rugged mobile computing features that have made Itronix a leader in the wireless, rugged computing market, through a highly regarded brand such as HUMMER,” said Matthew Gerber, senior vice president, product line management, Itronix. “While our products have typically been sold in the government and business-to business environment, we are pleased to now offer consumers a laptop that provides the durability, performance, and superior wireless capabilities that are built into other Itronix products. With the rising trend of technology product personalization, we believe the timing couldn’t be better for a HUMMER branded Itronix laptop.”
A HUMMER of a Laptop – Tough, Stylish and Extremely Connected
Offering durability that is second to none in its class, the Itronix HUMMER Laptop is ideal for people on the go, whether they’re racing to catch the next flight, running across campus or enjoying an adventure trip in the great outdoors. The HUMMER Laptop meets tough Military Specification (MIL-STD 810F) standards for vibration and temperature extremes, and provides excellent resistance to accidental drops and spills. Its rugged features include:
Magnesium alloy casing with stainless steel hinges
Shock-mounted hard drive and display
Spill-resistant keyboard and palm rest area
In addition, the HUMMER Laptop’s ergonomic design makes it attractive and easy to use.
Thinnest and lightest laptop in the semi-rugged category
Enhanced outdoor-viewable display and touch-screen options
Stylish design with a hard carry handle or flexible shoulder strap
Front-loading battery
Available in three HUMMER colors — Yellow, Victory Red, and Pewter Metallic — the HUMMER Laptop is in five different configurations defined by variable wireless options.
Pre-loaded with Microsoft Windows XP, and Streets and Trips software, it also comes with trial versions of Microsoft Office, and AOL. The HUMMER Laptop is designed to deliver exceptional performance. Highlights include:
1.86 GHz Intel Centrino Pentium M processor + 533 MHz FSB
Up to 1.5 GB DDRII DRAM (512MB Standard
80 GB removable hard-disk drive
Auto-adjusting LCD screen brightness
Full cooling fan
Like other Itronix products, the HUMMER Laptop features integrated Wi-Fi (wireless LAN) as well as wide area network capabilities that provide powerful connectivity generally not available in commercial laptops:
Three concurrent radios: standard Wi-Fi, optional GPS, and wireless broadband service (Cingular, Sprint or Verizon)
Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g Intel Centrino wireless technology
Wireless Broadband: Options for either CDMA or GPRS/EDGE or 1x/EV-DO using the Itronix CRMA-Express® upgradeable wireless data module
Integrated GPS: Quadra-Helix High-Gain GPS Antenna and Integrated Receiver Module
CRMA-Express®, available exclusively by Itronix in the HUMMER Laptop, will also allow owners to quickly and easily upgrade their laptops to future wireless technology through use of a user-installable radio cassette. This results in a “future-proof” wireless option upgrade path that protects an owner’s investment in the HUMMER Laptop.
Award-Winning Service and Warranty Program
To ensure user satisfaction and provide customers with a single source for service and support, the HUMMER Laptop is backed by Itronix’s award-winning iCare and comes with a one-year limited warranty, extendable to up to three years.
Distribution, Availability and Price
Itronix has a full-featured website dedicated to the HUMMER Laptop at www.hummerlaptops.com and will be distributing the product exclusively through Burston Marketing, the official third party license merchandise distributor through an online engine that is linked via www.hummerlaptops.com .(starting on September 6th).
Itronix is accepting orders for the HUMMER Laptop, which will be available for delivery in November 2005. The unit has a limited one-year warranty and will have an MSRP of $2,988 for the base unit. The HUMMER Laptop will be initially available within the United States only, with plans to extend into Canada and Mexico after initial launch. All other Itronix products are available worldwide through strategic Itronix partners and directly through Itronix by calling 800-441-1309 or by emailing hummerlaptops@itronix.com. The HUMMER Laptop is accessible exclusively through the official product site at www.hummerlaptops.com.
About Itronix Corporation
A world-class developer of wireless, rugged computing solutions for mobile workers, Itronix has distinguished itself in the market through its rugged mobile computer and superior wireless integration for business field users and military users. Itronix has a full range of wireless rugged computers from handhelds to notebooks to tablet PCs, and serves mobile business workers in markets such as commercial field services, telecommunications, utilities, government, and public safety. Itronix is a privately held company with worldwide headquarters located in Spokane, Washington. The corporation’s European operations, Itronix Ltd., are headquartered in Coventry, U.K., with direct sales, service and subsidiary operations in France, Germany, Canada, and Latin America. Additional information is available on Itronix’s corporate web site at www.itronix.com.
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