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Getac

Modern laptops are getting weaker and weaker, they've also given up a lot of ports and removable batteries...
I've always wanted to have one of those rugged laptops for this reason.
I was also curious how Linux and other open source operating systems are supported on these kinds of computers.
So I searched some and found a complete and cheap Getac V110 G2 on eBay, an old model but almost new (only 300 hours of use).
There are plenty of used Getac rugged laptops on eBay in many different conditions, models, and generations.
This should help to find parts to make repairs or upgrades. 😉

The specs are modest, but it run Linux perfectly.

Of course, same as on my other laptops, I added some stickers. 🤪

I recently replaced the strap handle with an hard handle.

This will help using the Getac in vertical position when used in tablet mode on a desk with an external keyboard.

Hardware

Here are the Specs of my Getac V110 G2 :

• CPU : i5-5200U (2 cores / 4 threads) @ 2.2GHz / 2.7GHz
• Memory : 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3L 1600MHz, SO-DIMM slot
• GPU : Intel HD Graphics 5500
• Screen : 1366x768 11.6" Touch Screen TFT LCD / 800 Nits
• Storage : 2x 500GB M2 SSD
• ExpressCard/54
• Smart Card
• USB Ports : 2x USB 3.0, USB 2.0
• Serial : RS232
• Video : HDMI
• Lan : RJ45 (Intel Clarkville-ULT (i218V) Gigabit 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet
• WiFi/Bluetooth : Intel 7265 2x2 802.11 AC
• Bluetooth : BT combo (Stone Peak2), BT 4.0 class 1 + EDR
• WWAN : Sierra EM7355 / EM7305, 3G/4G LTE
• Audio : 4-pole TRRS 3.5mm type / Azalia, High Definition audio
• Camera : Front: HD / Rear: 8M pixel, autofocus, LED, video capture
• RFID Reader : Contactless, UART, supporting ISO14443A/B and 15693
• Security : Kensington lock / TPM 1.2 / Fingerprint scanner
• Power / AC adapter : Universal 65 W; input: 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz; output:19V
• Dual swappable Battery : Lithium-ion Prismatic type, 3-cell
• Weight : 1.98 kg (4.36 lb)
• Dimension (LxWxD) : 299 x 223 x 34mm (11.77 × 8.78 × 1.34 inch)

The laptop come with only 8GB of RAM integrated on the Mother board. But you have an empty slot, so I added 8GB to reach a total of 16GB. The SIM slot and the Wireless board are accessible from here too.

The SSD is inside a removable canister.

If you open the canister, you see it allow to use two M2 SSD board. So I added a second 512Go M2 SSD board (Warning: NVMe SSD are not supported on this old model).

This is really usefull to swap between several OS :

• My main canister have one SSD for Linux, the second SSD is used to store all the VM I need.
• My second canister is used for testing OS. It actually have Windows 10 on its first SSD, and OpenBSD on the second SSD.

This laptop also have a ExpressCard 34 & 54 slot.
I always have this old multiformat card adapter inside.

Software

Linux

I have some preferences for Arch Linux for Laptop and Desktop usage. I actually appreciate EndeavourOS : This is a Arch based Linux distribution, easy to install and pretty minimal, so great to start a configuration.

Almost all work at the end of the installation :

• X & the GUI.
• The keyboard and multimedia shortcut.
• The Pad and the touchscreen.
• WiFi & Ethernet.
• Blutooth
• Sound.
• PowerManagement.
• The 3G/4G Modem.

What I wasn't sucessful to make work for now :

• The fingerprint sensor
• The RFID reader

What I didn't tested yet :

• The GPS

I added screenrotator to setup automaticaly the screen orientation from the orientation sensor. It help when using this Getac in tablet mode.

I still have to find how to use the programmable special buttons. 😉

openBSD

I had no problem installing openBSD on this laptop, but they are still some problem I have to fix :

• APM only work partially : it fail to monitor percentage of batteries use.
• Drag Click didn't work (no cursor move the TouchPad button is pressed).

Windows 10

I had weird problem with haunted pointer (both random move and click) after upgrading the OS. It look like default drivers from Microsoft capture fake events (from maybe anoter sensor). All was fixed after installing the drivers from Getac. But it was a big challange installing with pointer randomly moving and clicking.

Window Manager

Like on all my other system, I installed ratpoison, this is actually my favorit window manager.

Edit: I'm now using stumpwm as my main Window Manager.