Rugged Tablet PC
28/03/2012
What You Need to Know About a Rugged Tablet PC
It sounds like a contradiction in terms: a rugged tablet PC. After all, these machines are comprised of tiny electronic circuits, microscopic memory packages and screens based on countless thousands of LED particles to display colour. Even flexing one of those screens slightly can permanently damage it. How, then can such a tablet PC be designed?
Actually, it’s not as hard as you might think. For example, this device will have a hard drive that “parks” whenever it’s jostled, and also when its accelerometer detects sudden motion. This protects against a hard disk crash. Special plastics are made into a case that survives dropping and other impacts. The most rugged tablet PC can even resist being run over by a car!
The hardiest class of rugged machines are those supplied to the military for field use. They must survive extremes of temperatures—far beyond what humans can comfortably endure. They also are designed to be able to function well in conditions of extreme dust and sand, particles that can ordinarily ruin a conventional machine.
How much should be paid for such a special machine? They can cost many times more than regular ones with the same storage, speed and memory. But if you’re working in conditions that need a machine that works well regardless of the environment, such a machine can be a wise choice. Like everything else in office equipment purchases, it all comes down to a trade-off between price and performance. Only you can judge if your needs for performance justify the higher price.