Bright idea

One problem with using a computer in a truck cab or car is the lighting conditions: sunlight can make even the most brilliant active-matrix screens dull and tough to read. Glacier Computer says it’s solved the problem, offering a 12.1-inch display from Data 911 as an option for its rugged M5 PC. The screen is readable even in bright sunshine, making it ideal for marine, construction, utility, warehouse, and crane environments. At the opposite end of the spectrum, you can dim it down at night or in low light so it’s not so blinding.
The M5 is a modular computer in that the CPU, display, power supply and keyboard are separate components. It has a Pentium III 700 MHz -1.0 GHz processor, 256 to 512 MB DRAM, 20-gig minimum hard drive, and multiple I/O capabilities. It also comes with a touchscreen option as well as a backlit keyboard and 12-volt power supply. Glacier Computer (www.glacier
computer.com; 603/882-1560) is based in Amherst, N.H.