Rugged tablets have existed for 20 years. They are hardened industrial designs meeting distinct needs historically in terms of protection and ruggedness against their environment.
Like each industrial product, components were chosen to stand the test of time. Some models have been in operation for over a decade. Let’s check some of the best in the business.
Getac F110
| Dimensions | 12.4 x 8.15 x 0.96-inches |
| Weight | 3.08-pounds |
| Display | 11.6-inch display |
| Connections | 1 x USB-C, 1 x headphone jack, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1 x HDMI, 1 x Docking connector |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 |
| Cameras | 8MP rear, FHD webcam |
| Storage | 256GB |
| Memory | 8GB |
| Battery | 2 x 2,160mAh |
A Getac F110 is a powerful Windows tablet that can take a harsh beating. It’s MIL-STD 810H & IP66 certified, so it’ll endure virtually whatever you toss at it. With Windows 10 Pro, you can receive it powered by 11th generation Intel processors, SSD storage ranging from 256GB, 512GB up to 1TB, and 8GB of memory.
There’s a Windows Hello camera system for face authentication, a 1080p 11.6-inch touchscreen display, and many ports and connection alternatives for scanners and accessories.
It operates on Windows 7 Professional and is bucked up by an Intel Core i5, with 4GB of memory. So if you’re on a tight budget and demand something that’s just robust enough to get the job done, it just might do the deal.
Dell Latitude 7220 Rugged Extreme tablet
| Processor | Intel Core i3-8145U |
| Connections | 1 x USB 3.1, 1 x USB-C, 1 x headphone jack, 1 x RS-232 port, 1 x Docking Pogo, 1 x Backpack Pogo |
| Cameras | 8MP rear, 5MP IR camera |
| Dimensions | 7.99 x 8.23 x 12.29-inches |
| Weight | 3.31 pounds |
| Display | 11.6-inch display |
| Battery | 34 Whr |
| Storage | 128GB or 256GB |
| Memory | 8GB or 16GB |
Denominated as a Rugged Extreme Tablet by Dell, the Latitude 7220 has the specifications to strengthen it up. It occurs with Windows 10 Pro pre-installed and has sufficient ports that try to make intelligent laptops skeptical. In addition, its design radiates a rugged exterior.
The 7220 has a display that marks 11.6 inches, 256GB of storage, up to 16GB of memory, and an Intel Core i3 processor. In addition to the touchscreen, there are many physical buttons along the housing base to navigate Windows 10.
Moderately every aspect of the tablet can be customized during the fabrication process of the investment. For example, you can go for an Intel Core i7 in it, should you require the extra power. You can also attach an optional keyboard, supplementary battery packs, or choose between Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T for portability.
Panasonic Toughbook A3
| Connections | Dock connector, headphone jack, USB-C, USB-A |
| Display | 10.1-inch display |
| Cameras | 8MP rear, 5MP front camera |
| Processor | Qualcomm SDM660 2.2GHz |
| Dimensions | 8.42 x 4.99 x 0.39 inches |
| Weight | 1.98-pounds |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Memory | 4GB |
| Color | Black |
| Battery | 2 x 3,200mAh |
The Toughbook A3 originated in early 2020 and still seems like a viable rugged tablet. In addition, it has a 10.1-inch display, furnishing you more scope to get the task done in the range compared to the Tab Active 3.
It claims 4GB of memory, 64GB of storage, a microSD card backing up to 64GB, and dedicated tones when it senses rain or the user is carrying gloves.
It’s IP65 accredited for water and dust resistance and possesses a battery life of 9 hours. However, you can hot-swap the battery pads, so you don’t have to anticipate that the tablet will power down and stiffen up when you require replacing batteries.
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3
| Dimensions | 8.42 x 4.99 x 0.39 inches |
| Cameras | 13MP rear, 4K video. 5MP front camera |
| Biometrics | Fingerprint |
| Black | |
| Battery | 5,050mAh |
| Weight | 427 grams |
| Display | 8-inch display |
| Processor | Exynos 9810 |
| Memory | 4GB or 6GB |
| Storage | 64GB or 128GB |
| Connections | 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C |
The Galaxy Tab Active 3 is a more petite version of the Tab Active Pro. It’s outfitted with an 8-inch display, IP68 rating for dust and water, and MIL-STD 810H certification. That implies you can drop it from up to 1.5m or drop it in water for up to 30 minutes, and it should endure without any problems.
There are two models. The 64GB storage and 128GB model arrive with 4GB of memory and a 5,050mAh battery. The battery can be exchanged out, giving it easy to change batteries if you begin to run low. You can even drive the Active 3 without a battery as long as it’s attached to a reliable power source.
Android 10 is established out of the box, and it arises with Samsung’s DeX platform that transforms the tablet interface into a laptop-like experience. In addition, because it’s running Android, you’ll be ready to get all of the apps and services you usually receive from the Play Store.
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active Pro
| Display | 10.1-inch display |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Memory | 4GB |
| Dimensions | 243.5 x 170.2 x 9.9 mm |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 |
| Cameras | 13MP rear, 8MP front camera |
| Battery | 7,600mAh |
| Connections | 1 x USB-C |
| Weight | 653 grams |
Samsung has the most powerful ruggedized tablet that runs Android 9, implementing a comparable experience to the company’s smartphones. The 10.1-inch display runs with the S Pen stylus, making it conceivable to jot and write down notes on display. You get 4GB of memory, 64GB of storage, and a 7,600mAh battery. In addition, you can attach up to 512GB of storage through a microSD card. There’s a 13-megapixel rear-facing and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera.
This rugged tablet is perfect for someone who requires the appended protection and prefers Samsung’s ecosystem of devices, apps, and services.
Features: Rugged Tablets
- Ingress rating IP composed of two digits and representing water and dust protection
- MIL-STD classification indicates that environmental resistance testing has been performed on the device (vibration, pressure, thermal shock, etc.). This part involves drop test resistance from different heights and on another type of ground.
- Physical Elements: Gorilla Glass on the LCD, double chassis, better quality materials, enhanced thermal dissipation… The more characteristics, the higher the range of the product.
- Certifications: ATEX/C1D2 for explosives atmospheres, IEC60601 respect electrical standards in the medical environment, etc.
Today, as consumer products have driven the market, rugged products inherited some of the advantages and disadvantages of being mainstream:
Advantages: Enhanced connectivity, more features, improved performance, acquisition cost reduction
Disadvantages: you can now find rugged products at any price, which means that the efforts realized on failure rates (choice of components) is not compulsory anymore. It influences end-user into thinking of a rugged tablet and a consumer tablet. It ends up in overspending and productivity losses.
Wrap Up
Phones and tablets have grown an invaluable part of our workday, enabling us to update spreadsheets remotely, check inventory, interact with each other, or maintain fleets. But phones and tablets aren’t built to endure rugged environments like emergency responders, construction sites, climate, or daily drops.
So the tablets mentioned above, a subset of ruggedized tablets that are built to confront most damage. They’re, more frequently than not, a pricey purchase, but acknowledgments to their tough exteriors will stop you from spending far too much money to get devices serviced or redeemed.