A rugged (or ruggedized, but also ruggedised) computer is a computer specifically designed to reliably operate in harsh usage environments and conditions, such as strong vibrations, extreme temperatures and wet or dusty conditions. They are designed from inception for the type of rough use typified by these conditions; commercial units upgraded for this purpose make poor substitutes. In general, ruggedized and hardened computers share the same design robustness (e.g. Panasonic's Toughbook CF-30), and frequently these terms are interchangeable. The difference between the two terms is that hardened generally refers to computers that can withstand a bit more shock and/or more adverse environmental conditions.
Rugged computers can be of many forms including stand-alone bench or desktop units, rack-mount systems, laptops, PDAs, wearable systems, and designs specific to the intended installation. The common theme is that rugged computers incorporate design features to provide additional protection against harsh environmental conditions that would immediately or over time render a non-rugged office grade system non-functional.
Vehicle mounted environments (e.g. public safety vehicles or utility trucks) are well suited for rugged computers as the vibration and jolts inherent there would cause failures in typical portable computers. Ruggedized laptops, rugged notebooks, rugged tablets and rugged Ultra-Mobile PCsHard disk drives are shock mounted with foam or reinforcing material to withstand vibrations of daily use. are made of magnesium alloy materials made to be 20 times stronger than standard plastic found on commercial laptops.
Rugged laptops, tablet PCs and PDAs are used by construction workers, emergency services, and military personnel.
Rugged computers can be of many forms including stand-alone bench or desktop units, rack-mount systems, laptops, PDAs, wearable systems, and designs specific to the intended installation. The common theme is that rugged computers incorporate design features to provide additional protection against harsh environmental conditions that would immediately or over time render a non-rugged office grade system non-functional.
Vehicle mounted environments (e.g. public safety vehicles or utility trucks) are well suited for rugged computers as the vibration and jolts inherent there would cause failures in typical portable computers. Ruggedized laptops, rugged notebooks, rugged tablets and rugged Ultra-Mobile PCsHard disk drives are shock mounted with foam or reinforcing material to withstand vibrations of daily use. are made of magnesium alloy materials made to be 20 times stronger than standard plastic found on commercial laptops.
Rugged laptops, tablet PCs and PDAs are used by construction workers, emergency services, and military personnel.
