When a device is described as “rugged,” it typically means that the device is designed to withstand harsh conditions and environments that would damage or destroy ordinary consumer-grade devices.
A rugged windows tablet is built to be tougher and more durable than standard devices, often featuring reinforced casings, shock-absorbing materials, and water and dust resistance. These devices are also subjected to extensive testing to ensure they can withstand extreme temperatures, drops, vibrations, and other forms of physical stress.
In the case of rugged Windows tablets, the devices are designed to function reliably in challenging environments such as construction sites, outdoor locations, and industrial settings. They are tested to meet specific standards for durability, such as the MIL-STD-810G military standard for ruggedness, which covers a wide range of environmental conditions.
Overall, the term “rugged” describes a device that is built to withstand the rigors of demanding work environments and provide reliable performance in challenging conditions.
Drop Testing
Protection against drops is a major concern for businesses that purchase and own tablets. In fact, 21% of tablet failures are due to drops, and there are likely even more cases where tablets suffer minor damage from drops that are not reported as failures. Therefore, a rugged extreme tablet is tested to ensure it can withstand a minimum 1.2-meter drop, which is considered the benchmark for ruggedization. This means that the device can withstand a drop from an average person’s holding height, which is the height at which they typically use the ruggedized tablets. However, smaller and lighter devices such as rugged handhelds can often withstand even higher drops.
To test a rugged Windows tablet, an elaborate machine is used that is dedicated to dropping things. The device is dropped multiple times on all sides, usually over 50 drops, to ensure that it still works and does not show any signs of damage such as cracks (although scuffs may be permitted). The drop test rig includes a shelf where the tablet is placed, and a remote button is pressed to release the tablet from the shelf at a set height. While the drop test rig may not be particularly fascinating in pictures, it is an important part of the testing process to ensure that rugged tablets can withstand the demands of challenging work environments.
Here is a picture of the CONKER rugged Windows Tablet enjoying a good hosing (this test makes a Karcher pressure washer seem very reasonable).
Temperature and Humidity Testing
In addition to drop protection, another crucial aspect of ruggedization is the ability to withstand extreme environmental conditions, including high and low temperatures and humidity levels. While it may come as a surprise to some, 40% of tablet failures can be attributed to these factors. It is therefore essential that a rugged extreme tablet undergoes thorough testing to ensure that it can operate reliably in challenging work environments.
One significant advantage of a rugged Windows tablet over a consumer-grade devices with after-market cases is that rugged tablets are designed to withstand extreme environmental conditions from the outset. They are built with reinforced casings and other rugged features that can protect against exposure to high and low temperatures, as well as humidity levels that can damage non-rugged devices.
To test the resilience of the best rugged tablets to environmental extremes, special testing chambers are used. These chambers are designed to simulate the conditions that rugged tablets may encounter in the field, such as extreme heat or cold, high humidity, and even exposure to water or dust. The testing process is rigorous and involves exposing the tablet to these conditions for extended periods while monitoring its performance to ensure that it continues to operate reliably.
In conclusion, while being able to withstand drops is an important aspect of ruggedization, it is not the only factor to consider. Resilience to extreme environmental conditions is also a critical consideration when choosing a rugged tablet. By undergoing rigorous testing and being built with rugged features, rugged tablets can provide reliable performance in challenging work environments, helping businesses to increase productivity and reduce costly device failures.
IP65 Testing
At Tablet Technologies, we pride ourselves on the ruggedness of our devices. All of our tablets carry a minimum IP65 rating, while our latest Windows tablets and most Android tablets and handhelds offer an IP67 rating. However, we understand that these ratings may not always be easily understood by customers who are not familiar with mobile device ruggedisation.
To provide some clarity, IP65 testing involves a powder chamber test and a high-pressure water test. The powder test simulates exposure to dust and fine particles, while the water test involves using a water cannon to subject the device to high-pressure jets of water from all angles. These tests ensure that the device is completely sealed against dust and water ingress. After the powder test, the device may appear to be covered in a thick layer of snow, but it must still pass the water test with no evidence of water or powder inside the device.
In fact, to pass the IP65 or IP67 rating, the device must undergo a thorough inspection after testing. The device is opened up, and photos are taken to confirm that there is no evidence of water or dust ingress. This level of testing ensures that our rugged tablets can withstand even the toughest conditions and continue to operate reliably in challenging environments.
IP67 Testing++
To achieve an IP67 rating, a device must be able to withstand being submerged in water for a minimum of 30 minutes at a depth of at least 15cm. This test is typically conducted in a water tank with a depth of 1 metre, allowing objects as large as 85cm to be tested below the 15cm depth mark. This means that
our rugged tablets, which are generally only a few centimetres thick or less, are being tested at a depth of 1 metre. That’s the equivalent of being submerged in a deep puddle!
Meeting the IP67 rating demonstrates that the best rugged tablets are completely sealed against water and dust ingress, making them ideal for use in a wide range of extreme environments, including construction sites, manufacturing facilities, and outdoor settings. In addition to drop protection and resilience to extreme temperatures and humidity, our rugged tablets can also withstand being exposed to water, whether it’s a rain shower or accidental submersion. This level of durability ensures that our tablets can continue to operate reliably in the face of the toughest conditions.
Conker Windows Rugged Tablets
Apart from having a high IP rating, Conker’s rugged tablets are built to withstand various environmental factors such as extreme temperatures, humidity, vibration, and shock. These devices are engineered to operate in the toughest of conditions, making them ideal for use in a various industries.
Conker’s rugged tablets are drop-tested to ensure that they can withstand accidental drops from different heights. The devices are also tested to withstand exposure to extreme temperatures, both high and low. This means that they can function optimally even in the harshest of weather conditions.
In addition, Conker’s Android and rugged Windows tablets are built to be resistant to vibration and shock, which is particularly important for devices used in industrial settings. The devices can withstand high levels of vibration, which could damage regular tablets or cause them to malfunction.
Conker’s tablets are also known for their high processing power and ample storage space. The devices are equipped with powerful processors and a sufficient amount of RAM to handle demanding applications and multitasking.
Conker’s Windows tablets are powered by Intel processors, which offer exceptional performance and energy efficiency. The devices can run demanding software and applications, making them ideal for use in industries such as construction, logistics, and manufacturing.
Conker’s Android tablets, on the other hand, are powered by Qualcomm processors, which are known for their speed and efficiency. These devices can handle demanding applications, run multiple apps simultaneously, and deliver a seamless user experience.
In terms of storage, Conker’s tablets come with ample storage space, allowing users to store large amounts of data, files, and applications. The devices also have expandable storage options, which means users can add more storage space if needed.
Conker also offers a range of accessories to enhance the ruggedness of their tablets, including rugged cases and screen protectors. These accessories provide an additional layer of protection to the devices, making them more durable and resistant to damage.
Overall, Conker’s rugged tablets are designed to be tough, durable, and reliable in even the harshest of environments. They are built to withstand water, dust, extreme temperatures, vibration, and shock, making them ideal for use in a variety of industries where ruggedness is crucial.
Looking for the best Windows Rugged tablet for your business? Get in touch with Conker today
