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Information about Rugged Computer

A rugged (or ruggedized) 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.

Rugged laptops, tablet PCs and PDAs are used by construction workers, emergency services, and military personnel.

Standards

  • MIL-STD-810 (also know as MilSpec): a military standard, issued in 1962, which establishes a set of test 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

Noteworthy Brands

Uses

In addition to human-portable systems like handheld, wearable and laptop/notebook computers, Commercial Off The Shelf[1] Computers may be vehicle mounted, Advanced Vehicle Computers, which 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 [2] 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 [3] 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, local council etc[4]. They are also used in mining and petroleum drilling operations where vibration, heat, and dust would destroy ordinary computers.

References

External links

computer is a machine which manipulates data according to a list of instructions.

Computers take numerous physical forms. The first devices that resemble modern computers date to the mid-20th century (around 1940 - 1941), although the computer concept and various machines
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laptop computer, or simply laptop (also notebook computer or notebook), is a small mobile computer, which usually weighs 2-18 pounds (1-6 kilograms), depending on size, materials, and other factors.

A laptop computer is much smaller than a desktop.
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A Tablet PC is a notebook or slate-shaped mobile computer. Its touchscreen or digitizing tablet technology allows the user to operate the computer with a stylus or digital pen, or a fingertip, instead of a keyboard or mouse.
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Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are handheld computers, but have become much more versatile over the years. PDAs are also known as pocket computers or palmtop computers.
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The MIL-STD-810 series of standards are issued by the United States Army's Developmental Test Command, to specify various environmental tests to prove that equipment qualified to the standard will survive in the field.
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A United States Defense Standard, often called a military standard, "MIL-STD", or "MIL-SPEC", is used to help achieve standardization objectives by the U.S. Department of Defense.
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The IP Code defined in international standard IEC 60529 classifies the level of protection provided against the intrusion of solid objects (including body parts like hands and fingers), dust, accidental contact, and water.
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Intrinsic safety (IS) is a protection technique for safe operation of electronic equipment in explosive atmospheres. The concept was developed for safe operation of process control instrumentation in hazadous areas, particularly North Sea gas platforms.
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National Electrical Manufacturers Association or NEMA is a U.S.-based association, which was created on September 1, 1926, when the Associated Manufacturers of Electrical Supplies and the Electric Power Club merged. It is headquartered in Rosslyn, Virginia.
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Intermec, Inc.

Public (NYSE: IN )
Founded Mountlake Terrace, Washington, USA (1966)
Headquarters Everett, Washington, USA

Key people Patrick Byrne, Chairman and CEO
Lanny Michael, SVP and CFO

Industry AIDC
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General Dynamics - Itronix is a rugged computer manufacturer based in Spokane, Washington. They market products for Telecommunications, Aerospace, Military, Field Service and other commercial industries. Formerly part of the Itron company, they split in the mid 90s.
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Motorola Inc.

Public (NYSE: MOT )
Founded 1928
Headquarters Schaumburg, Illinois, USA

Key people Edward Zander, CEO & Chairman
Industry Telecommunications
Products Embedded systems
Microprocessors
Mobile phones
Two-Way radios
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Psion PLC is a consumer hardware company mostly known for developing the Psion Organiser as well as a whole range of more advanced, clamshell-design Personal Digital Assistants.
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Symbol Technologies Inc.

Subsidiary
Founded 1975
Headquarters Holtsville, New York

Key people Sal Iannuzzi, CEO
Timothy T. Yates, CFO
Dr. Boris Metlitsky, SVP and General Manager Global Products Group
Industry AIDC
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This article or section is written like an .
Please help [ rewrite this article] from a neutral point of view.
Mark blatant advertising for , using . Toughbook
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Logistics is the art and science of managing and controlling the flow of goods, energy, information and other resources like products, services and people from the source of production to the marketplace.
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Postal can refer to:
  • Mail, the postal service
  • The Postal Service, a band
  • the U.S. slang phrase "going postal", meaning a killing spree
  • Going Postal, a Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett
  • Postal

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A courier is a person or company employed to deliver messages, packages and mail. Couriers are distinguished from ordinary mail services by features such as speed, security, tracking, signature, specialization and individualization of services, and committed delivery times, which
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Local council may refer to:
  • Local Council, a form of local elected government within the districts of Uganda.
  • Boy Scouts of America Local Councils, part of the organizational structure of the Boy Scouts of America.

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Petroleum (Latin Petroleum derived from Greek πέτρα (Latin petra) - rock + έλαιον (Latin oleum) - oil) or crude oil
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