Suppose you are looking for computing technology that lasts longer than the common on-counter computer. You then encounter terms like semi-rugged, fully rugged, and ultra-rugged. Some of these terms are meaningful, and some are marketing. In that case, the vetting process can be confusing. What do these categories even mean, and why is it important to know the difference? Here is everything you need to know about rugged meaning.
Before starting, it is important to note that no organizational body standardizes these categories. A device that one rugged computer hardware manufacturer says is fully rugged may be considered semi-rugged or even ultra-rugged by another. Therefore, the definitions mentioned are based on how the industry commonly uses these terms.
What is Semi-rugged?
A semi-rugged device is primarily a commercial-off-the-shelf computer with limited rugged features supporting retail, health care, and business-related applications. Semi-rugged computers typically have a few parts that offer additional protection and are better than standard customer computers. For instance, a hard drive resistant to mechanical shock, a rubber bumper around the laptop, an outer covering that can withstand rain, etc.
What is Fully Rugged?
Fully rugged devices are more durable than semi-rugged computing devices commonly used for military, public safety, and industrial applications in riskier environments. But this category is less ruggedized than the specialized ultra-rugged device. Depending on the certifications, fully rugged computers can be dropped, impacted, endure heavy rain, be exposed to extremely high or low temperatures, and have direct sunlight exposure for prolonged periods.
For nearly three decades, Winmate has offered various fully rugged tablets that deliver performance excellence in extreme environments. Logistics, manufacturing, public safety, automotive, and many industrial applications. Winmate’s fully rugged tablet and laptop are built to fit mission-critical applications requiring continuous operation.
What is Ultra-rugged?
Like its name, ultra-rugged computers are designed to be more durable and endure the harshest conditions. Hence this category tends to be pricier than a fully rugged tablet. These devices are stress-tested beyond the requirements of semi-rugged and fully rugged apparatus. If you are looking for an operating device in icy conditions, left out in the desert sun, or dropped onto a cement floor, the ultra-rugged device is the right choice. The industry often refers to them as indestructible due to their enhanced durability.
What Defines Ruggedness?
Rugged is often overused in laptop and tablet advertisements. But the real deal of ruggedness is more than a merely added bumper over knocks. It should handle various brutal work by the industrial floor, emergency responders, and against harsh weather. Several features are common to define ruggedness level:
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Ingress rating IP
composed of two digits to represent water and dust protection. The higher the number signifies increased protections it offers, but it does not always mean better. Always take the type of work and its environment into consideration.
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MIL-STD classification
indicates that environmental resistance testing (vibration, pressure, thermal shock, etc.) has been performed on the device. The MIL-STD-810G/H is the most used standard. But “…compliance to MIL-STD-810…” can be misleading. Because no commercial organization or agency certifies compliance, vendors can create approaches to fit their products. Hence, checking that the testing methodology was applied and that the tests were made correctly is necessary.
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Other physical elements
include the hot-swappable battery to support continuous work, hardware housing materials, sunlight-readable panel, glove-touch mode, Gorilla Glass, optical bonding for added toughness in the panel, and many more.
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Other certifications to adapt to specific environments
ATEX/C1D2 for explosives atmospheres, IEC60601 regarding electrical standards in the health and care environment, etc.
What is a Rugged Tablet?
Rugged tablets have come a long way since their inception in the early 2000s. Initially designed to meet the needs of workers in the defence, first responders, and field service industries, rugged tablets are now widely used across a variety of sectors, including healthcare, retail, logistics, and transportation.
Early rugged tablets were typically bulky, heavy, and had limited battery life. They were designed to withstand harsh environments and extreme temperatures but were not very user-friendly. However, as technology advances, rugged tablets have become more compact, lightweight, and feature-rich while maintaining their durability and ruggedness. For example, the Winmate best-selling S101 lightweight rugged tablet series and the M140 wide panel rugged tablets.
The rugged tablet market has also seen experiencing an increase in demand for devices with long battery life, hot-swappable battery, universal type-C charging ports, and fast charging capabilities. This has led Winmate to develop a variety of rugged tablets with innovative battery technology, allowing users to work for more extended periods without recharging their devices.
What is a Rugged Laptop Meaning?
On the other hand, the rugged laptop has been around since the early 1990s and was initially developed to withstand various harsh environments and situations that a standard laptop would not survive in. Since then, various innovations have been added to improve its performance and durability. For example, rugged laptops designed for use in the military may include night vision capabilities, or those designed for use in the construction industry may include reinforced frames and waterproof keyboards.
One of the most significant innovations in the rugged laptop market has been the development of convertible and detachable devices. Several manufacturers vary their laptop products with detachable features, which can be separated from their keyboards and used as standalone tablets. Winmate created its signature convertible rugged laptops as easily flappable. Hence the device can be used as a laptop or tablet. This feature has made Winmate’s rugged laptops more versatile and adaptable to most work environments.
Although choosing the familiar commercial off-the-shelf devices seems effortless, rugged computers offer more than them, from improved user experience, enterprise-grade security, communication, versatility, and proven reliability for various works.
Winmate Inc., one of the largest rugged tech manufacturers, has been providing various rugged technologies for around 30 years. Our product portfolio includes Android and Windows rugged tablets, MIL-STD laptops, vehicle mount computers, industrial computers and HMI, embedded PCs, and many more. Winmate does not speak for or comment upon competitors or other third parties. However, Winmate does not sell regular laptops, or any other ordinary portables, upgraded or not. The company is, and always has been, a dedicated specialist in rugged computers. Every laptop or tablet Winmate sells is a rugged portable computer explicitly built for hazardous duty in the harsh temperatures and stresses of the everyday world, not just the office.
Need help to determine what rugged tablet or laptop suits your business? Or do you want to request a demo sample? Talk to our team and get your questions answered.
