Laptop computers with expansion slots
Portexa NotePAC-III-PRO-V
Triple screen portable server with expansion
Getac X500
Single screen portable server with expansion
“If you need a portable laptop-style computer with an expansion slot or two, there are not many optionsā¦.
Common Features
- Large laptop portables
- Two PCIe expansion slots
- Fast processing
- Lots of connectivity
Two alternatives – X500 and NotePAC-III
If you need a portable laptop-style computer with an expansion slot or two, there are not many optionsā¦. Thereās the Portexa NotePAC-PRO and the Getac X500 Server. In this article, we will look at the similarities, differences, and suggested applications. Disclaimer – we cannot sell Getac X500ās – but this will attempt to be fair and unbiased. Members of our staff have extensive experience using and modifying the Getac X500 and have a healthy respect for it.
Physical
Both systems are large portable laptops.
The X500 (Launched June 2011) is 16.1″ x 12.6″ x 4.6″ (933.2 cubic inches) and the NotePAC-III-PRO-V (Launched February 2019) is 16.75ā³ x 12ā³ x 4.5ā³ (904.5 cubic inches).
The NotePAC of course does feature a triple display monitor, so itās not quite apples to apples.
The NotePAC-PRO has two PCIe expansion slots as standard, whereas the X500 is expandable using a āsliceā that replaces the bottom cover (the dimensions listed include the slice). The X500 slice can be PCI or PCIe, so if you need to support a legacy PCI card then the X500 is the one to choose.
Typical configurations of the NotePAC are considerably more powerful than the X500 and include an Nvidia Quadro RTX4000 graphics card in one of the PCIe slots.
Size
X500 – 16.1″ x 12.6″ x 4.6″ (933.2 cubic inches)
NotePAC-III – 16.75ā³ x 12ā³ x 4.5ā³ (904.5 cubic inches)
CPU
X500 – IntelĀ® XeonĀ® Processor E3-1505M v6 3.0GHz – Max. 4.0GHz
– 8MB IntelĀ® Smart Cache
NotePAC – IntelĀ® XeonĀ® Processor D-2183IT, 16
Cores, 32 Threads, 22MB Cache, 3GHz max, 2.2GHz base.
Ethernet
X500 – Dual Gigabit
NotePAC –
Dual LAN with 10G SFP+ LAN (Fiber)
Dual LAN with 10Gbase-T (RJ45)
Quad LAN with IntelĀ® Ethernet Controller I350-AM4 (RJ45)
Removable drives
X500 – 2 Drives (six if no PCIe expansion needed)
NotePAC – 4 Drives
Displays
X500 – 15.6ā (1920 x 1080)
NotePAC – 3 x 17.1ā for (5760 x 1080)
Graphics
X500 – Intel HD 630 or NVIDIA Quadro P2000
NotePAC – Aspeed AST2500 or NVIDIA Quadro RTX4000
“A major advantage of the NotePAC is the 144Hz refresh rate on all displays as standard which allows the use of 3D imaging for various uses including targeting”
Displays
The Getac X500 has a 15.6ā FHD (1920 x 1080) display with āQuadraclearā filters to give it some usability in sunlight. The NotePAC-III-PRO-V has more than three times the screen real-estate, with 3 x 17.1ā FHD displays for a total screen area of 5760 x 1080.
What a reasonable comparison of the two units solely on specifications. I’d like to go with the NotePAC-III-Pro-V but appreciate your honestly pointing to the Getac X500 as the unit that supports PCI.
The triple displays on the NotePAC is really compelling.