Grunt II Ready for Civilian Duty

Those who believe that corporate success is like warfare will now be able to have a machine that suits not only their temperament but also their lifestyle. Earlier last year, the U.S. Army contracted Texas Microsystems to build a rugged pen computer suitable for use by the infantry. The company recently took that prototype device, affectionately dubbed the Grunt, and redesigned it to make it appropriate for the much larger commercial market. The new device, temporarily being called the Grunt II, is a three-pound two-ounce handheld computer that runs Microsoft Windows 95 with pen extensions.

The Grunt II features a speedy 75 MHz Intel 486DX2 processor and can accommodate up to 32 MB of memory. The 640 x 480 monochrome transflective VGA screen measures six-inches diagonally, and employs MicroTouch Systems’ capacitive touch-screen technology to implement the pen functions. The basic unit comes standard with a 260 MB hard drive, and includes one Type II and one Type III PCMCIA slot for wireless and GPS expansion capabilities.

Developed for soldiers operating under battlefield conditions, the Grunt II is designed to withstand multiple three-foot drops to concrete. The system is powered by a rechargeable NiMH battery and includes a tethered pen, eliminating one worry when working out in the field. The device is expected to be priced starting at $3,975 when it becomes available during the first quarter.