Rugged Tablet vs. General Public Tablet: What is the difference between the two?

We've all seen, in a news report about a construction site, a field operator holding a surprisingly robust-looking tablet, as if it were encased in a shell. This is a rugged tablet, also known as an industrial tablet. It differs from consumer tablets designed for home use.

What is the purpose of a rugged tablet?

Conversely, a rugged tablet is specifically designed to withstand harsh, even extreme, environments . Therefore, it is manufactured using robust, industrial-grade components.

It caters to professional use in mobile environments, and allows for the integration of interfaces for business applications, production monitoring, data collection, etc.

Today, it supports many professionals from all sectors of activity (transport, energy, construction, health, chemicals, agri-food, etc.) and has become an essential tool.

The differences relate to several aspects which we will detail (robustness, screen brightness, water resistance, processor and operating system, connectivity, price).

Robustness

Robustness is the primary and most visible differentiating factor.

For a consumer tablet, manufacturers take into account the need for lightness and the appeal of the design .

In the professional world, the risk of equipment damage is more serious. It can impact production capacity. For these reasons, a good rugged tablet must have a reinforced chassis for intensive use in harsh conditions. They meet durability standards to withstand drops of 1.2 meters, or even 2 meters for some models.

Most are also resistant to strong vibrations, thanks to shock-absorbing technology . Another highly sought-after feature for industrial tablets is resistance to extreme temperatures . They remain operational at temperatures ranging from -20°C to +60°C, whereas a domestic tablet typically operates between 0°C and 35°C.

The American military standard MIL-STD-810 is generally taken into account in the design of rugged tablets, as its specifications meet criteria for the robustness of computer hardware. Examples of tests include:

• High temperature (method 501)
• Low temperature (method 502)
• Thermal shock (method 503)
• Humidity (method 504)
• Salt spray resistance (method 509)
• Vibration resistance (method 514)
• Impact resistance (method 516)
• Cannon firing (method 519)

Screen brightness

Given that industrial tablets can be used in outdoor environments, particular attention has been paid to screen brightness. The goal is to maintain screen visibility, even in high-light ( super high brightness ), for field operators who may be working in direct sunlight. The precise adjustment of brightness levels has also been designed for nighttime use , ensuring a degree of discretion despite the screen flickering at night.

Waterproofing

Waterproofing is another important criterion that distinguishes industrial tablets from consumer tablets, which often lack this feature. Ruggedized tablets, on the other hand, must withstand any risk of splashes or sprays of liquids of all kinds, particularly in environments where chemicals are handled. Waterproofing also protects industrial tablets, which are potentially subjected to harsh conditions from dust of all kinds.

Therefore, it is not uncommon for industrial tablets to comply with specific standards. Compliance with the IP68 standard, for example, guarantees resistance to dust and immersion for a maximum of 30 minutes at a depth of less than one meter.

Connectors

Connectivity is another distinguishing feature. Consumer tablets generally only need a USB or USB-C port, an audio port for connecting headphones and/or a microphone, and a microSD card reader. Also, with aesthetic considerations in mind, the charging port is increasingly being repurposed to serve a dual purpose, alongside the traditional audio port, which is being eliminated altogether.

The industrial tablet offers more sophisticated connectivity options to meet the diverse needs of professionals. In addition to the features mentioned above, depending on requirements, a serial port, an Ethernet port, a mini PCIe slot for expansion (GPS, 4G, etc.), an RFID reader, an NFC reader, a barcode reader, etc., can be added.

The goal is to simplify the interdependence of different tools (printers, external drives, keyboards, networks, etc.).

The processor and the operating system

Rugged tablets are largely equipped with Intel Core or Intel Atom processors to meet increased performance requirements. The choice of these processors is partly explained by the success of the Windows in professional environments, while home tablets tend to run on Android and iOS. However, this trend is beginning to change, with the resurgence of the Android operating system.

Good to know : If you are looking for a powerful rugged tablet, we recommend choosing one with an or i7 processor

The price

The price difference between a rugged tablet and a consumer tablet is naturally proportional to the performance differences. A consumer tablet will cost between €300 and €1000, while a rugged tablet will cost between €700 and €3000 , depending on your business needs.

This is indeed an investment, as an industrial tablet is designed to last. In fact, if we consider the total cost of ownership (TCO), which accounts for the cost over a product's lifecycle, choosing a rugged tablet is a wise purchase. It pays for itself over time , whereas over a five-year period, a consumer tablet would likely need to be replaced two or three times, even with intensive use in a professional environment.

A useful device for entertainment, the tablet's greatest strength is its portability. It has successfully conquered the professional world by adapting to the specific conditions of this environment.

The rugged tablet is therefore more robust, more efficient, more durable, and inevitably also more expensive.