How do I choose the best rugged tablet? This durable device was tested on our outdoor workstations and tested for durability. Protecting heavy mobile components from moisture and shock will ensure optimum performance in all conditions. We wished to learn which durable tablet was able to endure extreme conditions. So, they're gonna get tested. The best rugged smartphones and laptops were also benchmarked and analyzed by our experts.
What you will learn
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What to Look for in a Rugged Tablet
It’s not surprising that rugged tablets have become an indispensable assistant to professionals in every industry from construction, manufacturing, to public safety and field services.
Rugged tablets can work in harsh environments without missing a beat, making them suitable for everyday use. Features like bright displays, anti-reflective coatings, and loud speakers ensure they perform well in busy and noisy environments. This makes them an ideal portable and powerful solution for tasks ranging from data collection and inventory management to real-time communication and remote access.
But all rugged tablets are not made equal. The difference between a productive and efficient work process or a costly exercise in frustration starts with choosing the right tablet for the job. The processor should cater to most users, whether they are young kids, students, or Windows users, ensuring that the device meets the needs of various user groups.
Durability and Ruggedness
If you already know anything about mobile computing, you know that the whole point of a rugged tablet is to be able to use it in extreme environments and to endure rough handling.
So first, check whether the tablet you’re considering meets military standards (MIL-STD-810G) for ruggedness. It’s a grueling set of drop, shock, vibration and temperature tests, as well as protection against dust and moisture. Ingress Protection (IP) ratings measure moisture resistance – how able a unit is to keep water and other liquids (and dirt) from penetrating inside the device.
You’ll see ratings like IP65 or IP68 on rugged tablets, which means the device is completely dust tight and dust resistant, and can withstand immersion in water to a certain depth. More simply, a higher IP rating means better protection against the likes of rain and splashes of water.
Display Visibility
Many rugged tablets feature sunlight readable displays with high brightness LCDs and anti-reflective coatings to allow the user to view the screen in direct sunlight or in bright outdoor environments. Look for transfected or optically bonded displays with high readability in direct view or with accessories such as daylight readable screens.
Battery Life
Much of field work is done in extended time periods without the ability to plug in and recharge. Rugged tablets should feature long battery life, and some designs even offer hot-swappable or dual batteries to allow for continuous usage without interruption. Look for battery life of 8-10 hours or more in order to handle all day usage.
1. Panasonic Toughbook FZ-G2
One of the best rugged tablets in 2024 continue to provide users the versatility, durability and advanced performance needed in their daily professional environments. One of the most unique durable tablets currently available is Panasonic’s Toughbook G2. This 10.1-inch fully-rugged tablet was engineered with modularity in mind. It boasts three expansion areas which combine to offer a total of 36 different feature combinations. Additionally, it can charge other devices over USB-C, enhancing its usability in various situations.
Pros
- Customize the tablet for specific use cases with the addition of a keyboard or any of the various expansion modules
- It fits most Toughbook G1 and Toughbook 20 docks, so you can upgrade without new hardware
- Optional 5G functionality with mmWave and 4G LTE options for high performance network access
- 18.5 hour battery life with optional hot-swap feature
- Infrared webcam and support for Windows Hello for secure biometric authentication
Cons
- Cost increases significantly with optional modules and accessories
- 10.1-inch screen display may be small for some users
Use Cases
The Toughbook G2 fits especially well in many of these demanding environments where reliability and ruggedness are crucial. For first responders in the public safety arena, for example, Toughbook G2 rugged tablet can withstand drops and spills and extreme temperatures, all the while maintaining communication via its sophisticated network access.
For workers in industrial environments, the tablet’s modular nature permits workers to add the specialized tools the tablets might need for their tasks—bar code scanners or extra storage, for example.
For the military, of course, the Toughbook’s rugged nature, along with its long-lasting batteries, makes it an ideal piece of equipment for operations in all but the most benign of environments, delivering both reliability and access. And for warehouse workers, the rugged nature of the devices, along with their modular toolsets and the option for handles or attachable cases, makes them ideal for repetitive daily use while meeting the specific needs of any warehouse workflow
2. Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 MK3
The Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 is an ultra-durable and highly capable 2-in-1 convertible designed for professional users who operate in the most harsh environments. This 12-inch detachable tablet offers both rugged capabilities and flexibility in one convertible design – perfect for public safety, field military and service personnel. It can also work in 'No Battery Mode,' directly pulling from a power source without draining the battery's capacity.
Pros
- 2-in-1 Design (laptop and tablet function)
- 12-inch QHD (2160 x 1440) with 1,200 nits brightness
- 10 hours of battery life with optional 21 hours of long-life battery
- Sunlight readable makes it perfect for outside uses
- Refurbished models are much more affordable
Cons
- Touchpad may be small for some people
- Weight is about 6 lbs with keyboard
- New condition can be expensive
Use Cases
The Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 could easily be applied to numerous industries and scenarios where both toughness and portability are needed. Field service technicians could both rely on its rugged capabilities as well as its portable nature in order to maintain and update records while in the field.
Other public safety officials such as law enforcement and first responders would benefit from its rugged ability to handle the elements as well as its computing power to deliver a consistent and portable performance. Military operators could utilize the Toughbook CF-33’s ruggedness and versatility to perform mission critical tasks in harsh environments.
3. Dell Latitude 7230
The Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet is an ultra-rugged tablet designed for the professional user who operates in the most challenging of environments. This fully-rugged tablet is engineered and tested to endure the most extreme elements and strict military (MIL-STD-810H) standards for drop, shock, vibration, and temperature extremes.
Additionally, it is rated IP65 to protect against entering dust and water, allowing you to work in the most extreme environments whether on construction sites, emergency response situations, and outdoor field applications.
The display supports touch input with heavy gloves, making it suitable for professional field work in harsh conditions such as fire fighting, arctic expeditions, or search and rescue.
Pros
- Versatile functionality with tablet and 2-in-1 modes
- Extensive connectivity options, including Thunderbolt 4 and optional ports
- Long battery life with hot-swappable battery options
- Operates in extreme temperatures from -20°F to 145°F
Cons
- Relatively heavy weight (3.5 lbs)
Case Uses
The Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet has capabilities that fit well into several industries and use cases that require durability and mobility:
- Field service technicians and industrial workers can use and depend on its rugged and mobile features to allow updates to information via remote access while in the field.
- Public safety personnel such as law enforcement, firefighters and first responders can endure the extreme conditions that this tablet can be exposed to while depending on its reliable computing capabilities.
- Military personnel can use the Latitude 7230’s rugged and versatile features for mission-critical tasks in the most demanding environments.
4. Getac K120
The Getac K120 is a 12.5-inch Windows tablet for extreme environments like ambulances and factory floors. Starting at $2,799, our test unit was $3,419. It has IP66 water and dust protection, can survive 6 foot drops and has the latest 11th Gen Intel processors. It’s a tablet or laptop when attached to its rugged keyboard that also has rear cameras. Rugged tablets are also available that run Android, Windows, and ChromeOS, allowing users to choose the operating system that best suits their needs.
Battery life is a letdown but the K120 stands out for its durability, MIL-STD 810H and 3 year warranty with accidental damage coverage. It’s different than the Dell Latitude 7212 and Panasonic Toughbook G2.
Rugged Books sell certified refurbished Getac K120’s cheaper than new and the same quality. As an R2 company we are a reliable alternative to buying from 2nd hand markets like Amazon and eBay.
Pros
- Tough build with MIL-STD-810H and IP66
- Bright 12.5-inch Full HD display with multiple touch modes
- Many connectivity options: Wi-Fi 6, WWAN, Bluetooth 5.2, Thunderbolt 4
- Secure with TPM 2.0, fingerprint reader and Windows Hello
- Long battery life with dual hot-swappable batteries
Cons
- Expensive due to ruggedness and features
Use Cases
The Getac K120 is ideal for industries and applications where toughness, performance and mobility matter:
- Public safety: law enforcement, firefighters, emergency responders
- Field service technicians, industrial workers: on-site data collection, documentation, maintenance
- Military: ruggedness, versatility, security
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Utility workers, transportation professionals, natural resource exploration teams: fieldwork, data management
5. Durabook R11
The Durabook R11 is a full rugged 11.6-inch tablet for demanding field applications. At 20mm thin and 1.2kg it’s the world’s most compact tablet in its class. Built to withstand drops, shocks, vibrations and extreme temperatures the R11 holds MIL-STD-810H, MIL-STD-461F and IP66 certifications. It’s water-resistant but not waterproof. For easy transport, it also comes with a shoulder strap, making it convenient for users who need to work in harsh environments.
The Durabook R11 starts at $1,849 for a base model with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage. The model we tested had a Core i7-1255U CPU, 16GB RAM and cost $2,378. Adding the optional iKey Detachable Backlit Keyboard brings the total to $2,877 for that high-end config.
Rugged Books sells refurbished Durabook R11 models starting at $499 so refurbished units offer big savings over new.
The R11 is available with Intel Core i5 or i7 processors from the 12th Gen Alder Lake series. RAM can be configured up to 32GB and storage up to 2TB SSD. Battery life is up to 16 hours on the higher capacity models. The base models may get less, our test unit’s battery life was just okay.
Pros
- Thin and light tablet (about 2.8 lbs)
- Large display of 11.6-inch full HD (1920 x 1080)
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Refurbished model is affordable
Cons
- Some buttons were not marked or labeled clearly
- No stylus holder
- Not the best battery life compared with other tablets
Use Cases
The Durabook R11 is a tough and versatile tablet computer that can withstand the harshest environments and meet the needs of many industries. Its rugged build, powerful performance and customization options make it suitable for many use cases. Here are some of the key uses for the Durabook R11:
- Logistics and Transportation: Used by companies like Malongo to streamline delivery and logistics.
- Law Enforcement and Public Safety: Adopted by agencies like the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department for its ruggedness and performance.
- Field Service and Utility Work: For outdoor use by field service technicians, utility workers and other mobile professionals.
- Industrial and Automotive: Customizable with options like RFID readers, GPS and 4G LTE for specific industrial and automotive applications.
- General Mobile Computing: A capable mobile computing device for many enterprise and professional use cases that require ruggedness, performance and customization.
