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.
