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Getac X600 and X600 Pro

The workstation field solution for when standard rugged laptops just aren't spacious, configurable and powerful enough.
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

On June 13 22, 2022, Getac announced the new X600 and X600 Pro fully rugged mobile workstations with big 15.6-inch screens, massive connectivity, and superior processing power. Getac did that because sometimes even the performance of today's premium rugged mobile laptops isn't quite enough. While most such rugged laptops use power-efficient mobile-optimized processors, Getac's X600 models are built around Intel "H" level high performance laptop chips. The picture below shows the X600 Pro which is largely identical with the X600 but has a taller, extended-functionality keyboard case.

Why aren't those H-Series high performance chips used in all rugged laptops? Because they draw significantly more power. While Intel's 11th generation mobile processors used in most current rugged laptops use between 12 and 28 watts, H level mobile chips use between 35 and 45 watts. This means higher performance but also higher battery draw, and thus less battery life on a charge. Target applications for these X600 machines therefore are deployments that mandate a big display, maximum performance and maximum connectivity, either on A/C power or on battery (extended battery capacity is available).

Getac actually has extensive experience with this class of machine, experience that goes back well over a decade when the company launched the original X500 as a multi-purpose workhorse computer that combined the expandability and customization potential of one of the machines in their lineup, the screen size and graphics emphasis of another, and the overall performance and flexibility of a third.

So what does it all mean to potential customers, and what do you get with the new Getac X600? In essence a modern, full-size, full-function multi-purpose rugged notebook computer with a large display. The X600 Pro adds substantial room for expansion such as additional ExpressCard or PCMCIA slots, a multimedia bay for extra batteries and even an optical drive, and more. The picture below shows the X600 on the left and the X600 Pro on the right.

Between full ruggedness, the big 15.6-inch screen and all that expansion, the X600 is a substantial piece of equipment. We're talking 16.2 x 12.7 x 2.1 inches and a starting weight just under ten pounds. The taller X600 Pro has the same footprint, but adds another inch of height, and starting weight goes up to over 13 pounds. Weight, of course is relative: the first portable Mac weighed 18 pounds! When the original X500 was launched in 2011, it had no direct competition. Today there are other rugged large screen laptops, but none as powerful, technologically up-to-date and expandable as the X600 and X600 Pro.

Now let's look at some of the tech involved here. There are, of course, the powerful H-Series Intel Core processors, with three options available. The H-Series uses 11th gen Intel UHD Graphics, so no Iris Xe here, but Getac offers an NVIDIA RTX3000 discrete GPU option. The table below shows the major specs of the three available processors.

Getac X600/X600 Pro available CPUs (see full specs)
CPU Core i9-11950H Core i7-11850H Core i5-11500H
Cores/Threads 8/16 8/16 6/12
CPU base frequencies 2.1/2.6GHz 2.1/2.5GHz 2.4/2.9GHz
CPU max turbo 5.0GHz 4.8GHz 4.6GHz
CPU TDP-Up 45 watts 45 watts 45 watts
CPU TDP-Down 35 watts 35 watts 35 watts
Graphics HD 630 HD 630 HD P630
Graphics speed 350MHz/1.45GHz 350MHz/1.45GHz 350MHz/1.45GHz
Cache 24MB 24MB 12MB

The hard disks that were the default in the predecessor X500 and X500 Server are long gone; the X600 comes with super-fast PCIe solid state disk. And not just one; there are three PCIe slots in the X600, for up to 6TB internal storage.

For battery, the X600 can accommodate one or two 74.5 watt-hour packs. The X600 Pro has that, and can have one or two additional 46.6 watt-hour packs. That adds up to a possible total of 242 watt-hours for the X600 Pro, plenty good enough even for these heavy-duty workstation-class systems.

The X600 and X600 Pro's 15.6-inch LCD displays have 1000 nits maximum luminance and optional capacitive multi-touch. Resolution stays at 1920 x 1080 pixel, making for 141 pixels per inch. With such powerful machines that are perfect for advanced positioning and graphical analysis we would expect a higher resolution display or at least a higher resolution option. As is, users with precision graphics workloads must rely on external high-res displays via HDMI, DisplayPort or Thunderbolt 4.

Connectivity is state-of-the-art. The X600 has four USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type A ports, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort, DB9 Serial, fast 2.5GBASE-T Ethernet, 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 and optional 4G LTE with integrated GPS.

Note that for the extended version, Getac switched from X500 "Server" to X600 "Pro" nomenclature. That follows Getac's approach with the smaller, lighter fully rugged B360 and the extended B360 Pro. Having two versions of this platform addresses both the needs of those who require maximum mobility as well as those who need extensive customizing and additional features.

As far as ruggedness goes, the X600 models carry IP66 sealing, and 4-foot drop resistance, the latter impressive for such a large and heavy machine. The machine also passed a list of other MIL-STD-810H tests. Salt fog resistance is optional, as is C1D2 combustible environment certification.

For X500/X500 Server users, here's what has changed between the old and the new X600/X600 Pro platform:

Getac rugged workstation — new vs old
Model X600/X600 Pro X500/X500 Server
Introduced 2022 2011, last updated 2018
OS Windows 11 Pro Windows 10 Pro
Processor Intel 11th generation H-Series Core processors Intel 7th generation Core and Xeon processors
Cores/Threads up to 8 cores and 16 threads up to 4 cores and 8 threads
TDP-up/down 35/45 watts 35/45 watts
Graphics Intel UHD Graphics Intel HD Graphics 630
Opt. Graphics nVidia RTX3000 nVidia GTX1050 or P2000
RAM 16 to 64GB DDR4 8 to 64GB DDR4
Storage 512GB-1TB PCIe SSD 500GB SATA HD or SSD
Opt. Storage 2nd + 3rd 512GB-1TB PCIe SSD 1TB SATA HD or SSD
Slots Opt. SD Card, Express Card or PCMCIA SD Card, Express Card, PCMCIA
SIM slots Opt. Mini-SIM NA
Expansion 2 x PCIe X500 Server: 2 x PCI Express or 2 x full-size PCI
Display type Lumibond TFT LCD, 1000 nits Lumibond TFT LCD, 1000 nits
Display 15.6"/1920 x 1080 pixel (157 dpi) 15.6"/1920 x 1080 pixel (157 dpi)
Digitizer Opt. capacitive Opt. resistive
Battery 2 x 74.5 watt-hour 1 x 99.8 watt-hour
2nd Battery Opt. 2 x 46.6 watt-hour (Pro) Opt. 99.8 watt-hour (Server)
Size (inches) 16.2 x 12.7 x 2.1/3.1 16.1 x 12.6 x 2.5/4.6
Weight (lbs.) 9.7/13.3 (Pro) 11.4/18.9 (Server)
Sealing IP66 IP65
Temp. range -20 to 145F -4 to 131F
Drops 4-feet 810H 3-feet 810G
Webcam FHD with Windows Hello support FHD (X500 only)
C1D2 optional unknown
USB-A 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB-C 1 x Thunderbolt 4 NA
LAN 2.5GBASE-T GIGABIT
Bluetooth 5.2 4.2
WiFi Wi-Fi 6 AX210 802.11ac
WWAN Optional 4G LTE NA

To Getac's credit, the company kept the original X500 platform nicely updated for over a decade. But much has happened in that last decade, and so it was time for a new workstation platform that takes advantage of all that progress, both in technology and also with the much smaller size of many components, interface ports, expansion slots and more.

Solid state disks, for example, take much less space than rotating hard disks and they also don't need the caddies and cushioning hard disks needed. The volumetric energy density of Lithium Ion batteries has quintupled since the old X500 launch in 2011 (see here). Combined with other space and weight savings due to newer tech, the X600's volume and weight are down 15% compared to the old X500.

The difference is even greater when comparing volume and weight of the X600 Pro to the old X500 Server. The new model has 32% less volume and weighs 30% less. Yes, these are still big machines, but they are significantly more compact and weigh significantly less than their predecessors.

We'll report on the X600/X600 Pro in full detail once we have review units, but for now we agree with Getac of North America president Mike McMahon's assessment. "Getac has had a long reputation for being the benchmark standard amongst users around the world and now the X600 takes this a step further, delivering even greater performance, connectivity and reliability in a single, complete package." -- C. H. Blickenstorfer, June 2022

Specs Getac X600/X600 Pro
Status Added 06/2022
Form-factor Fully rugged mobile workstations
CPU Core i9-11950H (max 4.9GHz)
Core i7-11850H (max 4.8GHz)
Core i5-11500H (max 4.6GHz)
CPU Cores/Threads Core i9-11950H: 8/16
Core i7-11850H: 8/16
Core i5-11500H: 6/12
Thermal Design Power Core i9-11950H: 35/45 watts
Core i7-11850H: 35/45 watts
Core i5-11500H: 35/45 watts
Graphics Integrated Intel UHD Graphics; optional NVIDIA RTX3000
OS Windows 11 Pro<
RAM 16 to 64GB DDR4
Storage 512GB-1TB PCIe SSD; opt. 2nd + 3rd 512GB-1TB PCIe SSD
Media Bay (X600 Pro) 46.6 watt-hour battery, DVD super-multi drive; optional: Blu-Ray uper-multi drive OR 2nd 46.6 watt-hour battery
Card slots 1 x PC Card Type II, 1 x ExpressCard/54mm, 1 x Smart Card; opt. SD Card, 2nd PC Card Type II or 2nd ExpressCard/54mm
Display type TFT LCD with LED backlight and LumiBond sunlight readable display technology
Display size/res 15.6-inch/1920 x 1080 pixel, 1,000 nits
Digitizer/pens Optional capacitive multi-touch
Keyboard/keys Full-scale LED backlit membrane keyboard
Navigation Directional controls, touch pad, fingers (with optional multi-touch)
Housing Magnesium alloy case
Operating Temp -20° to 145°F (-29° to 63°C)
Sealing IP66
Shock 4-feet
Vibration MIL-STD-810H
Size (WxHxD) X600: 16.2 x 12.7 x 2.1
X600 Pro: 16.2 x 12.7 x 3.1
Weight X600: from 9.7 lbs.
X600 from 13.3 lbs.
Power X600: 2 x 74.5 watt-hour Li-Ion battery
X600 Pro: 2 x 74.5 watt-hour Li-Ion battery; optional 2 x 46.6 watt-hour
Camera 2mp webcam (X600 only)
Interface 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C, 1 or 2 x RS232, 2.5GBASE-T RJ45 LAN, 1 x VGA, 1 x HDMI, 1 x audio, 1 x microphone, 1 x 80-pin docking; optional: RF antenna pass-through for GPS/WLAN/WWAN
Wireless Wi-Fi 6 AX210, Bluetooth 5.2, optional 4G LTE with integrated GPS
List price X600: Inquire
X600 Pro: Inquire
Warranty 5 year "bumper-to-bumper"
Webpage X600 and X600 Pro on us.getac.com
Brochure Getac X600 and X600 Pro
Contact www.getac.com
949.681.2900
Getac USA
15495 Sand Canyon Ave., Suite 350
Irvine, CA 92618