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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. 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 UMPCs (ultra-mobile personal computers) are made of magnesium alloy materials made to be 20 times stronger than standard plastic found on commercial laptops. Hard Disc Drives are shock mounted with foam or reinforcing material to withstand vibrations of daily use.
Rugged laptops, tablet PCs and PDAs are used by construction workers, emergency services, and military personnel.
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Standards
- MIL-STD-810 (also know as Mil-Spec): a military standard, issued in 1962, which establishes a set of tests for determining an equipment suitability to military operations. Often used as a reference in the commercial laptop industry.
- IP (Ingress Protection): see IP Code
- IS (Intrinsic Safety): see Intrinsic safety
- ATEX (Potentially Explosive Atmospheres): see Equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres
- NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association): see National Electrical Manufacturers Association
- IK Code (Also known as EN50102) see EN 50102
Noteworthy providers
- Citadel Computer Corporation
- Intergraph
- Intermec
- General Dynamics Itronix
- Mobilis - Protectis Range
- Motorola ML and MW Series
- One Laptop per Child Association
- Psion Teklogix
- Symbol Technologies
- Panasonic Toughbook
- Toshiba Tecra Series
- Trimble Navigation Rugged mobile computers; Nomad, Ranger, Recon
- FieldWorks Now defunct, purchased and closed down by Kontron. Made the famous 5000 & 7000 series- mid to late 90s, early 2000s
Intel Classmate PC is also well-protected against accidental damage.
Uses
In addition to human-portable systems like handheld, wearable and laptop/notebook computers, commercial off the shelf computers may be vehicle mounted. Vehicle computers perform navigation, communications, or even control functions in various orbital and combat vehicles. These systems are also used in in unmanned vehicles, ranging from missiles to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Other rugged computer systems are stationary or industrial computers, designed to HAZLOC standards to withstand specific environmental challenges.
Many rugged computers are used by military and public safety users, and there are unique systems for specialized use. One, based on ruggedized computers and displays, developed and manufactured by OIT- Oceana Integrated technologies is a Diver navigation system based on a rugged PDA and Defender unit.
Rugged computers have been found to be more effective devices to be used by field workers for field service management in the field because of the varying conditions they must undergo. Rugged mobile computers are used in the field by varied industries including break and fix, security, logistics, postal, courier or local council. They are also used in mining and petroleum drilling operations where vibration, heat, and dust would destroy ordinary computers.
