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New Thinkpad - NOT!



Saw this announcement on the IBM gopher site.  Maybebe we'll see some of
these rugged features on a later thinkpad.
IBM 2489 Rugged Notebook Computer for Demanding Environments
 
Announced on September 17, 1996
HARDWARE Announcement 196-206
 
At a Glance
 
Designed for today's field-based professionals, the 2489 Model 600
Rugged Notebook computer is a powerful, multi-use, Windows-based
notebook, providing durability and flexibility.
 
Features include:
 
o  Full-size, transflective monochrome display with a 6.6-inch x
   4.9-inch viewable area
 
o  Weight -- 6.5 lb
 
o  A 486SXLC2-50 processor and internal 8KB associative high-speed
   memory cache
 
o  8MB standard internal RAM, expandable to 16MB
 
o  PCMCIA port that can house a Type I, II, or III card
 
o  Additional connectivity available through RJ-11 jack, parallel
   port, and serial port
 
o  Rugged 1.8-inch 340MB or 1GB hard drive options
 
o  Optional 2.4GHz wireless LAN spread spectrum radio for wireless
   attach to LAN
 
o  WAN radios to connect to CDPD/ARDIS/RAM networks, and internal
   28.8K modem
 
o  An integrated, full-duplex speaker phone
 
-----------------------------------------
For ordering, contact:
  Your IBM representative, an IBM Authorized
  Business Partner, or IBM DIRECT at
    800-IBM-CALL  Reference: SE005
 
 
 
Overview
 
If you are part of the fast-paced, mobile workforce running from one
job to another, you need a computer notebook tough enough to keep up
with your demanding schedule -- you need the new IBM 2489 Rugged
Notebook.
 
This durable Windows+-based computer has a 486SXLC-50 microprocessor
and internal 8KB associative high-speed memory cache to give you
superior computing power and performance -- in and out of the office.
It's built around 3.3 V low-power computer logic, so the system's
still running at the end of the day.
 
The notebook features short travel-keys with protective elastomer
buffering, making the circuit board and keyboard connection virtually
impervious to rain, beverage spills, and other environmental hazards.
Its full-size, transflective display makes it easy to view
information.  Main memory is 8MB standard and can be expanded to a
maximum of 16MB.  The internal hard disk drive of the IBM 2489 is
built to withstand the most demanding environments.
 
A full line of options is available, including integrated WAN
wireless modems and a LAN spread spectrum radio, making this mobile
computer flexible enough to grow as your computing needs increase.
With its proven toughness and flexibility, the 2489 Rugged Notebook
is truly a superior tool for all of your field information gathering
and processing needs.
 
Intended Customers
 
The IBM 2489 Rugged Notebook is designed for mobile professionals who
need a system for managing and communicating information in the
field.  Professionals in construction, distribution, and service
repair are just some of the mobile users that can benefit from this
rugged notebook.
 
Key Prerequisites
 
Industries with a mobile workforce that need a system to perform in
extremely demanding environmental conditions.
 
Planned Availability Date
 
Base machine and all other optional features:  October 21, 1996
 
Wireless modems:  December 13, 1996
 
Integrated 2.4GHz Spread Spectrum Radio:  January 31, 1997
 
DESCRIPTION
 
The new IBM 2489 Rugged Notebook Model 600 is tough enough to stand
up to the demanding schedules of field-based professionals.  The
Model 600 is designed around a 3.3 V low-power logic that allows the
system to run more efficiently so that it is still going strong at
the end of the day.
 
For superior computing performance, this Windows-based system is
powered by a 486SXLC-50 microprocessor and features an internal 8KB
associative high-speed memory cache that is capable of running at
zero wait states with the processor operating at its full 50MHz.
Main memory is provided via two stacking memory modules with a
maximum capacity of 16MB.
 
 
The full-size, transflective monochrome display with a 6.6-inch x
4.9-inch viewable area is easy to read and offers 64 gray tones,
backlight, and elastomer buffering to protect it from the elements.
 
A full line of rugged peripherals is supported to meet the constant
demands of change and growth, including an optional integrated 2.4GHz
wireless LAN spread spectrum radio or wireless WAN modems to allow
connectivity to ARDIS, Mobitex, and CDPD networks.
 
With its high-durability and flexibility, the 2489 Rugged Notebook
Model 600 is designed to be a true multi-use field workstation.
Consider it for all of your field information gathering and
processing needs.
 
PUBLICATIONS
 
The 2489 Rugged Notebook Computer User's Manual is shipped with the
IBM 2489 computer.
 
The following publications are available immediately.  To order,
contact your IBM representative.
 
                                                       Order
Title                                                  Number
 
AS/400(R) Wireless Local Area
  Network Installation and Planning Guide              G571-0303
 
AS/400 Wireless Site Survey Guide                      G571-0339
 
 
The AS/400 Wireless Portable Devices Hardware Maintenance Library
(G571-0334) is available immediately for the previously announced
AS/400 Wireless LAN Family of products.  To order, contact your IBM
representative.
 
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
 
Specified Operating Environment
 
Physical Specifications
 
o  Width:  19.1 cm (7.5 in)
o  Depth:  7.6 cm (3.0 in)
o  Length:  26.7 cm (10.5 in)
o  Weight:  2.9 kg (6.5 lb)
 
Operating Environment
 
o  Operating temperature:  -20(degs) to +60(degs)C (-4(degs) to
   +140(degs)F)
 
o  Storage temperature:  -40(degs) to +75(degs)C (-40(degs) to
   +167(degs)F)
 
o  Shock:  Repeated 3-feet, 3-inch (1.0 m) drops on all surfaces,
   edges, and corners
 
o  Vibration:  .04 g squared/Hz over 20 to 1,000Hz random
 
o  Rain/Wind:  4 in (10.2 cm/hour at 40 mph (64.4 km/hr))
 
o  Operating altitude:  15,000 ft (4.5 km with 4,000 ft (1.2 km)) per
   minute
 
o  ESD:  Contact discharge to 4 KV -- no effect
 
   -  Contact discharge to 8 KV -- no data loss, resets, or reboots
 
   -  Air discharge to 15 KV -- no computer failure
 
o  Radio characteristics:
 
   Wireless Modem for ARDIS
 
   -  Operating range:
 
      -- Transmit:  806MHz to 825MHz
      -- Receive:  851MHz to 870MHz
 
   -  Half duplex
 
   -  600mW transmit power
 
   -  Receiver sensitivity:  -116 dBm
 
   -  Antenna:  1/4 wave helical monopole, 1.5 dBi gain,
      omnidirectional
 
   -  Antenna connector:  mini SMB coax connector (180 degrees
      rotation)
 
   Wireless Modem for Cellular/CDPD
 
   -  Operating range:
 
      -- Transmit:  824MHz to 849MHz
      -- Receive:  860MHz to 894MHz
 
   -  Full duplex
 
   -  0.6W transmit power:  continuously variable from 1 mw to 0.6W
 
   -  Receiver sensitivity:  -116 dBm
 
   -  Antenna:  1/4 wave helical monopole, 1.5 dBi gain,
      omnidirectional
 
   -  Antenna connector:  mini SMB coax connector (180 degrees
      rotation)
 
   Wireless Modem for Mobitex
 
   -  Operating range:
 
      -- Transmit:  896MHz to 902MHz
      -- Receive:  935MHz to 941MHz
 
   -  Half duplex
 
   -  2W transmit power:  controlled in 5 steps (0, -3, -5.2, -9, -15
      dB)
 
   -  Receiver sensitivity:  -113 dBm
 
Hardware Requirements:  The 2489 Model 600 comes complete and ready
to operate -- no additional hardware is required.  However, there are
a few considerations:
 
o  The batteries that come with the unit should be charged for three
   hours at moderate temperatures (approximately 70(degs)F).  You can
   charge the 2489 with the external AC adapter connected and use it
   while the batteries are charging.
 
o  Wireless communication can be added to the 2489 by choosing the
   appropriate wireless adapters.  Both wireless LAN 2.4GHz direct
   sequence spread spectrum radios and WAN radios are available.  The
   WAN radios are available for CDPD, ARDIS, and Mobitex networks.
 
o  A floppy disk drive can be connected either via the PCMCIA port
   using feature number 6206 or via the parallel port using feature
   number 6207.  The parallel port floppy is a bootable drive.
 
Software Requirements:  Specify one of the following operating
systems with your machine order:
 
o  MS DOS 6.2 and Windows 3.11 (#5489)
o  Windows 95 (#5490)
o  Pen Win/MS-DOS 3.1x system software (#5491)
 
You must order the touch screen feature (#5482) to use the Pen-based
software.
 
Planning Information
 
Customer Responsibilities:  Before purchasing any of the radio
wireless products for LAN environments, it is highly recommended that
a professional site survey be conducted to determine appropriate
radio frequency coverage and assure an effective network
configuration.  The results of the site survey will determine the
recommended equipment that is ordered and placed in the customer
environment.  The customer is responsible for ensuring that an
appropriate site survey is conducted by an authorized network
designer and installer.  IBM Availability Services is an IBM
authorized site surveyor.  Many IBM field personnel are trained to
perform site surveys.
 
The AS/400 Wireless Network Installation Planning Guide (G571-0303)
is available to assist customers in preparing for a wireless LAN
installation.  The AS/400 Wireless Site Survey Guide (G571-0339) is
available to assist IBM personnel in preparing to perform a wireless
LAN site survey and future installation.
 
For more information about site surveys and installation, contact
your local IBM Availability Services representative or call the IBM
Availability Services Support Line at 800-999-0052.
 
Warranty Service Support
 
Customer Carry-In Repair (CCR):  Warranty service on the 2489 will be
mail-in to the designated repair location, under the provisions of
CCR.  Maintenance Agreement Service will be performed at the repair
center within 10 working days (not counting time in transit).
Supplies and return shipping charges via second day air are covered.
If post-warranty service is required, customers should call
800-IBM-SERV (426-7378).  Calls will be routed to the Network Support
Center for assistance with problem  determination.  If a hardware
failure is identified, customers will be instructed where to ship the
failing unit for repair.