Itronix GoBook MAX

The only sacrifices you have to make with the GoBook are money and usability. The keyboard lacks the look and feel of a modern professional notebook, and is small and fiddly to use with any degree of accuracy. It's far too easy to make typing errors, which could be incredibly annoying if you constantly have to correct your spelling under extreme conditions like rain storms. The lack of a touchpad doesn't make this any easier, although the touchscreen helps speed things up, with two styli in either side of the chassis. The screen itself isn't great though. The native 800 x 600 resolution is limiting, the brightness is uneven and the viewing angles are poor, especially vertically.

At £3,200, the GoBook MAX is only for those who really need the durability, but you can't put a price on this, and the GoBook MAX is £799 cheaper than its predecessor. Itronix has improved its performance to a level that's easily enough for most people and has utilised modern connectivity like Wireless LAN along the way. If you've got the money and need a notebook that can stand up to serious treatment, the GoBook MAX is well worth considering.

Author: Ben Hardwidge