At GRiD we are constantly exploring new ways to meet customer requirements. With an in-house team of British engineers that are specialists in developing best-in-class rugged solutions for military applications, we are well placed to develop bespoke capabilities that truly respond to what a customer needs. Building on the success of our GRiDCASE laptop family, we are pleased to introduce the new GRiDCASE 1517 17” full HD, 1,000 Nits rugged laptop.
GRiD’s family of rugged computers are built to customer requirements, and we can tailor each device to the particular needs of a user. This customer-led approach means that we do not fit the solution around the customer, but rather the computer to the customer.
This is achievable because we are the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), meaning that we design and manufacture all of our computers in house at our UK facility, and our team of engineers have a solution-focused approach to developing our rugged devices.
The GRiDCASE laptop range currently has a number of solutions that customers can choose from, including bestsellers such as the 15” GRiDCASE 1590, as well as the 19” GRiDCASE 1595. We are now pleased to introduce a new laptop to this range: the 17” GRiDCASE 1517, featuring a brand new full HD widescreen, high bright 1,000 Nits display, and customisable interfaces.
It is a streamlined model, but still maintains the military-grade rugged capabilities that GRiD’s devices are known for.
The GRiDCASE 1517 development story
Each product in our family of laptops meets particular requirements for the display size – the biggest driver in terms of design of a laptop is the display footprint – and each one is optimised for its screen size.
When a customer enquired if we could incorporate a 19” screen into the 1590, we were more than happy to accommodate, and the GRiDCASE 1595 was born. This itself has been very well received by customers requiring the same best-in-class performance but with a larger screen.
GRiD has once again listened to customers in the case of the GRiDCASE 1517, as demand for HD screens has increased. The new GRiDCASE 1517 features a new 17” 1920×1080 screen, which gives greater resolution to users and is suited to requirements where lots of data needs to be presented. This is particularly useful for system testing and diagnostics.
Read more about how to select the correct screen size for your requirements here: https://www.griduk.com/best-screen-size-for-your-rugged-computer/
The GRiDCASE 1517 also leverages advanced features from across the GRiDCASE range that customers have come to expect from GRiD’s highly rugged devices.
GRiD is currently shipping the first removable laptop battery in the GRiDCASE 1590, which allows the user of this bestselling laptop to change the battery, maintaining the laptop’s sealing, without having to return it to GRiD. While the battery life of our power units is incredibly reliable, this option provides more control over device management should a battery have to be changed out. This feature will be included as standard in the new GRiDCASE 1517.
All laptops have many connector and interface options, but the GRiDCASE 1517 will be able to deliver this in a more streamlined chassis that also includes expansion options. It is wider than the GRiDCASE 1590 so as to fit the widescreen display, but front to back is the same depth. That way, the expansion, removable battery, any extra hard drives that are needed, as well as many connectors, can be incorporated. It also has a removable hard drive if required.
DARC Drive
Importantly, the GRiDCASE 1517 will have the option to integrate GRiD’s newly released ruggedised and removable configuration of Viasat’s new Data At Rest Cryptography (DARC) drive as standard.
The Viasat Eclypt data at rest encryption drive has, until now, been the industry standard for users wanting to protect data and information at the most stringent security levels in the UK, including Secret and Top Secret level. The UK’s NCSC has now approved the new-generation DARC drive to secure sensitive data at rest at various security levels.
Unlike the Eclypt, which uses 2.5” SATA, DARC leverages the smaller and more efficient M.2 form factor, which has several benefits including its smaller size. As well as M.2, DARC also uses the NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) protocol, which is specifically designed for SSDs and enables higher data transfer speeds.
A potential challenge, however, for the M.2 DARC is that it plugs directly into a motherboard using an M.2 slot which uses the PCIe bus, and separating the sensitive data on the drive from the computer itself – in case of repairs or transporting the computer from secure facilities – requires dismantling by an expert technician.
GRiD has developed an innovative solution to help customers overcome this challenge, which will provide GRiDCASE users a quick and easy way to remove the DARC drive when required, without the need to open up the computer.
This was announced early in the year, and is already being incorporated into new designs like the GRiDCASE 1517 that can benefit from GRiD’s internal R&D investment in other areas.
Read more about the new removable DARC drive here: https://www.griduk.com/grids-rugged-removeable-darc-drive-sees-the-light/
Hitting the market
We’re excited to bring the GRiDCASE 1517 to market, following a successful initial launch in Spring 2025. The early feedback has been extremely positive, and we’re pleased to have already received several customer orders.
If you think that a 17” full HD laptop could meet your requirements – or you aren’t sure what you need and want to talk to experts about the features you seek in a military rugged laptop – then get in touch with the team and we will be more than happy to talk through your options.
Contact us for more information: sales@griduk.com.
