By Mark Clement
Screen Saver. On site I handled the machine as a lead carpenter will—like a really expensive brick. I dropped it on work tables and whipped open the screen.
When displaying images, I twisted the unit around—hard—by the monitor. A similar crank would snap my Brand X like a pencil. Not the Hummer, so I began handing it to people holding it by the screen. It didn't even flinch.
The screen itself is touch-sensitive. It even has a stylus slot on the left side. While I haven't upgraded to tablet PC-ing, others utilize the features devoutly.
The monitor has a small LED light designed to illuminate the keyboard in the dark. While mine turned on, I didn't need it and it didn't seem to shine enough light.
The monitor is also light sensitive, which, according to Hummer, makes it easier to see in bright sunlight and it worked well.
Keyboard. The Hummer's keyboard is sealed, and because Laborer Biff will spill a Big Gulp on it, this is handy. It's especially nice for sudden rain and humid environments, too.
The keyboard is also forgiving. While this might not be a big deal for you, I like it. I type hard (think small-arms fire or hail) and the keys give under my fingers, staving off incumbent carpel tunnel symptoms.
Finally, the hinge. You can hang a door from it. 'Nuff said.
More Features. The Hummer has a unique handle. It folds up for transport, protecting the USB and other ports on the back of the unit. It folds down for use on a flat surface. Folding it down opens egress to the ports, and it acts as a little stand, angling the keyboard up slightly. I love the handle—and use it to carry the computer--but I can't tell that the keyboard is angled. Whatever.
The handle also has metal D-rings on it, so you can clip a shoulder strap on and lash the unit over your shoulder like a bag. You can even use the handle to hang the unit on a nail. Try that with Brand X.
The Hummer is a lot heavier than consumer grade machines. If you have a long walk in the airport with it in your carry-on (I may be the only one not rolling their luggage through the terminal) you'll notice that extra weight, but on a dash from truck to plan table or site office, you won't.
The weight is a plus, too. The mass helps protect the guts if you tip it off your 2x10 desk; the mass also makes it harder to tip in the first place. You know what they say about prevention—the Hummer has it in spades.
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