Top 10 Rugged Windows Tablets 2024

November 2, 2020
Conal McGuirk

(Last updated: April 5, 2024)

Technology

Subscribe to our Monthly Newsletter

Rugged Windows tablets are fast becoming one of the most important tools for many businesses. In recent years, rugged tablets have gained immense popularity and have become an indispensable tool for various industries. These specialised tablets are designed to withstand harsh and challenging environments, making them ideal for businesses that operate in rugged conditions.

From construction sites and mining operations to military deployments and emergency services, rugged tablets have revolutionised the way businesses operate in challenging environments. These tablets are built with durability in mind, often featuring reinforced casings, scratch-resistant screens, and protective covers that can withstand shocks, drops, and exposure to extreme temperatures.

The rugged tablets are not just durable but also offer advanced features and functionalities that are tailored to specific industry needs. They can be used for everything from data collection and analysis to communication and collaboration, providing businesses with a reliable and efficient way to manage their operations.

Rugged tablets are changing the world of business by providing a durable and reliable solution for companies that operate in challenging environments. With their advanced features and functionalities, these tablets have become an essential tool for various industries, allowing them to improve productivity, reduce downtime, and increase efficiency.

Tablets are portable and versatile. As a result, it is a great substitute for laptops or desktop computers. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best rugged Windows devices.

Here is a breakdown of our quick rugged Windows Tablet comparison:

Conker NS6 – Practical and handy rugged Windows 10 phablet
Conker NS82 – Affordable and versatile rugged Windows Tablets in the United Kingdom for daily use
Conker NS101 – Powerful and fully protected UK rugged Windows tablet
Getac UX10 – Great rugged Windows tablet for daily use
Panasonic Toughbook FZ-M1 – reliable rugged Windows tablets
Getac F110 Rugged Tablet – An all-around shockproof Windows Tablet
Dell Latitude 7220EX Rugged Extreme Tablet – Great option for waterproof Windows 10 tablets to use
Conker NS82 – Fantastic and lightweight 2020 ruggedized Windows tablet
Lenovo 10e Chromebook Tablet – Best for Kids – Excellent ruggedized Windows 10 Tablet
Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 rugged tablet – A Versatile Rugged 2-in-1 Windows Tablet

Best Rugged Windows Tablets

Rugged Windows tablets are specifically made to endure the harshest environments. It can withstand dust, moisture, dirt, and extremely low or high temperatures. Furthermore, rugged Windows tablet manufacturers have put their devices through rigorous endurance testing to make sure that their devices can survive extreme uses.

Thanks to the unique feature of rugged Windows tablets, they are ideal for individuals that work outdoors, in busy environments, and in extreme locations. While the initial cost of the device may be a little higher the total cost of ownership will help companies save better.

We have listed down some of the best rugged Windows tablet .

Conker NS6

Smallest Rugged Windows Handheld Tablet

+ Extremely light and compact

+ Impressive NS6 Pay feature

– Maybe be small for some industries

Conker NS6 is the smallest rugged Windows tablet on the market today. In fact, it is the only handheld rugged Windows device on this list. It comes with a 6-inch screen and just 380 grams. It can easily fit in a pocket! If you are looking for a real compact device, this is a perfect choice. Even with this small size, Conker comes with a powerful 5000 mAh battery power, meaning it can last longer even when continuously connected.

With an IP67 rating, this rugged device can withstand up to a 1.5-meter drop or being submerged underwater for 30 minutes. Another excellent reason to consider this device is the availability of NS6 Pay. The NS6 Pay is a slightly different device that includes an excellent performance NFC solution. As a result, you can accept mobile payments directly using your rugged Windows device.

NS6 Pay is the perfect choice for several industries that requires payment from vendors like Apple or Google Play. Another reason to consider this device is its manufacturer. Conker is a British brand that has won many awards for its rugged technology. So if you want to save but require a powerful and reliable performance from a rugged device, this tool will do the work.

Conker NS82

Fantastic and lightweight rugged Windows tablet

+ The best midsize tablet

+ Affordable

If you are on the lookout for a more compact yet low-cost rugged Windows tablet, the Conker NS82 is a good choice. It comes with an 8-inch display allowing you to easily find apps and software that you need for your processes. This tablet is lighter than other rugged tablets in this list. However, the powerful 9,800 mAh battery power is what makes this device a true standout.

With an IP67 rating, you can trust that the device will work even when subjected to extreme environments. If your business is looking for a mid-size rugged tablet Conker NS82 promises to deliver all your needs.

Conker NS101

Powerful large screened rugged Windows tablet

+ Powerful Processor

+ Large memory

+ Includes a built-in fingerprint reader and optional NFC capabilities.

A rugged Windows tablet designed for professionals who demand the best in performance and durability. Ideal for industries such as construction, field service, manufacturing, and transportation, the NS101 combines high-end computing power with rugged resilience to withstand the toughest conditions.

With an IP65 rating, this device can stay safe even when used and abused in a range of outdoor environments.

Getac UX10

Rugged and fully protected rugged Windows 10 tablet

+ Very rugged and well protected

+ Impressive screen

– More on the heavier side

– Underwhelming battery life

On the top of our list is one of the latest rugged Windows tablets on the market today. The Getac UX10 is a portable and versatile rugged Windows 10 tablet. It promises to deliver the digital transformation that every business is looking for.

Based in Taiwan, Getac is known for creating quality well-protected devices. The Getac UX10 comes in a variety of options as you can choose from several Intel Core CPUs and accessories for the tablet that suits your needs. The downside with this device is that it can be on the heavy side, however, its performance certainly makes up for it. Additionally, it also has an underwhelming battery life versus other rugged Windows devices in this list.

Although Getac has not published a price for this device, you can request a quote from their official website.

Panasonic Toughbook FZ-M1

Reliable Windows Tablets

+ Powerful processor

+ Quiet Fanless Design

– Expensive price

– Underwhelming battery life

Panasonic’s Toughpad FZ-M1 is another quality device from the tech giant. Toughpad FZ-M1 features a solid build, quality, and performance. It comes with a Windows 10 CPU that will allow you to easily download and use a range of other software. This rugged Windows device is one of our top picks, however, it also comes with a business-class price tag

Getac F110 Rugged Tablet

An all-around rugged Windows tablet

+ Light and thin structure

+ Features an impressive dual battery

– Pricey

– Minimal input and output ports

If you are considering getting a rugged Windows tablet that can endure a great amount of abuse, the Getac F110 is the best choice for you. With its durable frame and body, it is sure to withstand drops, extreme temperatures, and moisture without sacrificing its size and weight. This rugged Windows tablet is MIL-STD-461F, 1P65 and MIL-STD 810G certified and the latest version of the Getac F110 features a 6th generation Intel Core Processor which equates to great processing power.

Its dual battery system will make sure that you would not run out of juice in the middle of your activity. As a result, you can conveniently swap out the batteries with ease.

Dell Latitude 7220EX Rugged Extreme Tablet

Polished improvement ruggedized Windows 10

+ Good Screen Size

+ Great CPU features

– Pricey

– Not the best design

Everybody knows Dell, they have been around in the tech industry for a very long time and have always delivered well-built devices. This practice has been emulated in their Latitude Rugged Extreme tablets as well.

The Dell Latitude 7220EX Rugged Extreme Tablet is one of their latest devices and deserves a spot on our list. It is a huge upgrade from their previous rugged Windows tablets which comes with an updated processor and added protection. This rugged Windows tablet from dell comes with an IP-810G, MIL-STD-810G, and IP65 certification which means it can withstand drops, splashes, and extreme conditions.

Although the Dell Latitude 7220EX Rugged Extreme Tablet is on the more expensive side and won’t win beauty pageants, this rugged Windows tablet will surely endure and deliver everything that you need in a rugged Windows tablet.

Lenovo 10e Chromebook Tablet

Best for kids – rugged Windows tablets

+ Light

+ Designed for Children

– Underwhelming Performance

– Low memory and storage

Unlike the other rugged Windows tablets mentioned above, the Lenovo 10e Chromebook Tablet may not be able to keep up with their performance outdoors but it will surely survive the playful nature of kids.

This rugged Windows tablet is quite a big device but it comes with very well-built protection which is much suited for kids. It is designed to run the kinds of applications that most children use and packs just enough processing power and storage space for children’s learning and schoolwork. The Lenovo 10e Chromebook Tablet can also be converted into a pseudo-laptop as you can use an optional keyboard to go with this rugged Windows tablet.

Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 rugged tablet

A Versatile rugged 2-in-1 tablet

+ Convertible 2 in 1 Tablet

+ Impressive Screen

– Battery Life is Short

– Pricey

The Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 comes in a 2-in-1 package with full rugged device protection. This rugged Windows tablet will let its owners use it as a tablet or a laptop as it comes with an attachable keyboard. The Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 is certified with MIL-STD-461F, MIL-STD-810G, and IP65 standards which means it can survive dust, water drops, and shocks.

Although this rugged Windows tablet has a short battery life, you can easily swap the battery out if you have extra time on your hands. At an additional cost, you can buy extended batteries that will double the operating time of this device.

Why Go Windows Rugged?

There are plenty of benefits when your business chooses to use a rugged device. For example, rugged devices have a low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) versus regular tablets. Therefore, companies who rely greatly on devices that support mobility should consider going rugged.

Thanks to its long list of business-friendly benefits, rugged devices have slowly but surely become an important part of the computing world.

Windows for your rugged tablet

When it comes to operating systems, nothing beats what a Windows device can bring to the game. Windows is one of the most highly used operating systems because of its versatility. Most of the time, your employees will also be familiar with a Windows device reducing the need for further training.

Using a Windows device means you can easily match software that your company’s specific needs.

Temperature

A device’s operational temperature range is important if you will constantly use it in an extreme environment. Rugged Windows tablets are built to work even in cold or hot temperatures. Some rugged products can operate with ease anywhere from -40 C to 60 C.

Resistance to the harsh environment

Rugged devices are not only resistant to heat and cold they can also withstand other environmental problems. For example, falls of up to 1.5 metres, dust, and most are also waterproof. Therefore, if your business operates in a sector where devices could get damaged due to the things mentioned above, a rugged device can help. The majority of commercial devices that are seen today are susceptible to water damage. Rugged devices are built to last even when the product is submerged underwater.

Longer Life Cycles

Most commercial phones have a short life cycle. Most of the time, your generic handheld will last anywhere from one to two years. This kind of lifecycle is not good for industrial companies because it can mean less productivity and more expenses. A rugged device is not only resistant to dust, shock, and water, but it is also having a proven long life cycle.

Total Cost of Ownership

Creating a cost-effective decision is a crucial part of any business operation. Rugged windows tablets are typically more expensive than commercial mobile devices. However, because of their unique features and functions, rugged devices can provide huge savings for businesses over time. For example, with rugged devices, you no longer have to worry about support and repair costs, recurring costs, and loss of business due to downtime. Check out our Total Cost of Ownership Calculator to know more!

Rugged Windows tablets are here to change the way we work forever. Over time, these devices will continue improving giving businesses the chance to truly achieve digital transformation.

Subscribe to our Monthly Newsletter