The landscape of personal computing is inundated with sleek laptops and shiny tablets, all of which look about as sturdy as a glass sculpture. The alternative is rugged notebooks and tablets. Many consumers have probably seen advertisements for these devices but probably only in passing, as they are mostly noted for their bulky frame. Indeed, rugged computers are best suited to specific industries – construction, law enforcement, military, etc. – but anyone who requires the utmost in durability from their mobile computer or tablet may want to consider going rugged.
Here are just a few of the reasons that rugged computers are ideal for those who want longevity from their mobile device.
Cost effectiveness
This may seem counterintuitive to those who have seen the price tags of most rugged notebooks and tablets. Indeed they are often more expensive than standard consumer models. That said, one needs to take into account the longevity of the product when determining its overall value.
The rugged computer or tablet offers many features that lower the overall cost of ownership and provide a greater return on investment. They often come with the latest technological features, from barcode scanners to high-res cameras, and the overall performance of these models is second to none. More than that, rugged computers are specifically designed to increase uptime and reduce repair costs. This will ultimately save the owner a great deal of money on downtime and repairs.
Tough design
It may seem obvious that one of a rugged notebook’s most attractive features is its durability. But most consumers don’t know just how far this sturdiness really goes, as all they see is the exterior chasses. But every single component in a rugged mobile device, down to the smallest screw, is geared towards making the unit as resilient as possible.
Rugged manufacturers often perform hundreds of tests, subjecting these devices to extreme temperatures, drops, pressure and even water damage. The result of all this is a device that is built to handle almost any situation the world can throw at it. The obvious benefit of this is that the failure rate for these devices is far less than any commercial laptop.
Productivity
Durability, a low failure rate, top-of-the-line features — these are all important factors to consider when deciding whether or not to go rugged. However, they are not the only factors. It’s important to consider just how productive these devices can be. Rugged devices offer portability, increased connectivity, extended battery life, and display screens that are viewable in outdoor conditions. All of these factors can combine to increase business and worker productivity. Also, most consumer notebooks and tablets are not built to handle such conditions, and will often fail after being subjected to them.
These are just a few things those with demanding mobile needs may want to consider when thinking about going rugged. Because whether it is for business or recreation those who spend a good portion of their day outdoors in the world are going to need a mobile device as tough as they are.
Janes Scott writes about rugged and mobile computing for www.rugged-systems.com
