Itronix Launches HUMMER Laptop

Sept. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Itronix Corp. 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 the newly introduced Itronix GoBook VR-1 notebook (see separate announcement made today). 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.

"For those of us who use computers and want to lead a more exciting life, Itronix and GM/HUMMER have developed the ideal laptop," said Rob Enderle principal analyst for the Enderle Group. "HUMMER represents the most desired of true off-road SUVs, and the logical counterpart to the HUMMER in the notebook space is the Itronix GoBook line. It makes perfect sense for the two companies to team up and create the most desirable durable computer currently in the consumer market, and brand it the HUMMER Laptop. If you are the kind of person who drives a HUMMER and lives for adventure, or simply dreams of adventure, then the new Itronix HUMMER Laptop is the notebook for you."

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.

"It's exciting to see such a fresh new product in the marketplace," said Gerry Purdy, principal analyst, MobileTrax. "Itronix has had years of experience mastering both the wireless and the rugged aspects of mobile computing. By extending their expertise through the HUMMER brand, consumers will have access to the kind of mobile computing that has typically been available only to the industrial market, as well as a durable computer that is built to last. Both consumer and business users can enjoy a laptop that stands apart from anything like it on the market."

"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 standard 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 upgradable 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 with catalog and on-line purchase options (linked directly from the official site).

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, and include 4 other configurations with variable options including a variety of wireless cards. 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 sales@itronix.com. The HUMMER Laptop is accessible exclusively through the official product site at www.hummerlaptops.com.

GoBook VR-1 Notebook -- the basis for the HUMMER Laptop
Itronix also announced today the GoBook VR-1 notebook, the company's first semi-rugged notebook offering for users in the government and business/industrial environment. A uniquely tough, feature rich, powerful wireless notebook, the GoBook VR-1 raises the bar for true semi-rugged quality, exceptional performance, and integrated wireless capabilities, with virtually limitless configuration options. For more details on the GoBook VR-1 notebook, see separate announcement and visit www.itronix.com/products/notebooks/vr1.asp.

SOURCE Itronix Corporation

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