Rugged” Tablet, Laptop Or Handheld Is a Knock-Off
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WAYS TO TELL IF YOUR “RUGGED” TABLET, LAPTOP OR HANDHELD IS A KNOCK-OFF ebra has been in the rugged mobility business Gorilla Glass® screen, a “ruggedized body” or external for more than 20 years. In fact, we’re the only rubber casing. Yet, there are dozens of companies Zmanufacturer that has exclusively designed offering what they call “rugged”, and hope that those 6 and delivered rugged tablet-based mobility solutions letters will win the sale. for global industry for more than two decades. So, we know rugged. It isn’t something we “also” do like many A trailer hitch can be installed on a VW Passat, but no other device manufacturers that also build and sell an Field Service or Utility company would think “Now we extensive lineup of non-rugged or desktop computers, can save $30,000 by replacing our trucks with compact or even vacuum cleaners or air conditioners. Rugged cars.” mobility is in our DNA. We also know that rugged devices tend to get a bad rap for being expensive That’s why it’s worth considering those qualities that devices when compared to off-the-shelf options make a rugged mobile device really rugged – and what marketed for enterprise use. Here’s the problem: doesn’t – and explain why many tablets, laptops and You can’t compare the price of a mobile device that’s smartphones that now claim to be “rugged” are creating engineered to be rugged to the core to a device that a false perception of true rugged pricing, performance claims to offer equal protection via the addition of a and perseverance levels. www.zebra.com 1 HOW TO SPOT A KNOCK-OFF RUGGED DEVICE: HOW MANY RUGGED HOW SPECIFIC DOES THE 1 SPECS ARE DISCLOSED? 2 MANUFACTURER SET THEIR On the surface, an IP65, IP67 or IP68-rated device RUGGED SPECS, AND HOW ARE may seem to provide sufficient protection against THESE CAPABILITIES CERTIFIED? your commonly-encountered hazards: dust and water. However, deeming a tablet, laptop or handheld PC that It’s not enough to say that a tablet can handle extreme will be used in professional environments as “rugged” temperatures or that it’s safe to use in Hazardous using a single spec is not just risky, but irresponsible. It Locations. A good rugged computer manufacturer will would be like putting a UL label on an electric chainsaw certify HazLoc safety with a third-party and detail the – yes, it is safe electrically, but the chainsaw itself isn’t exact operating range for every other rugged spec that a safe tool for the uninitiated user. Water and dust are applies to their device’s claimed rating. For example, not the only hazards threatening device reliability, Zebra lists a high- and low-temperature threshold, the data security or even worker safety. In other words, highest level of vibration and shock tolerated, as well as simply making an otherwise fragile device waterproof the precise height of its drop tests and type of material or dustproof certainly is not sufficient to make it a the device was dropped onto (i.e. concrete, plywood, etc.) viable option for heavy field use, as marketers for the on every single one of its spec sheets as you can see in previously-mentioned “consumer rugged” brands would this example. We were the FIRST to do this, others have like for you to believe. A truly rugged device will be since followed our lead. We’ll show you in slow motion MIL-STD-810G tested for drops, vibration, shock and what happens to Zebra tablets when they are dropped or extreme temperature tolerance at a minimum. The best shaken, and we’re known to throw a tablet down a marble rugged manufacturers, those that produce high-quality staircase and light it on fire to prove the quality and devices, will test device behavior when exposed to high performance we claim on paper. Will other manufacturers humidity levels, salt fog, fluid contaminants, and frequent do the same? You should ask them. altitude variations. All while the device is operating, not powered off. (MilSpec allows drop testing while the WHAT LEVEL OF ENGI- tablet is turned off. We don’t do that, because you’ll drop 3 it when it is operating.) NEERING HAS GONE INTO ACHIEVING A RUGGED RATING? You may need to do a little bit of digging on this one, as the devil is in the details here. For example, many devices claim to be sunlight readable or outdoor viewable. But, you need to understand the exact technology used to make them that way. Using only anti-glare coatings is www.zebra.com 2 insufficient, just as brightening the backlight alone is scalability depend? And how long does the manufacturer insufficient. You can’t out-bright the sun, yet many man- design its rugged computers to last – a minimum of 3, ufacturers try to do just that – and only try to do that. On 5 or 7 years? For example, Zebra’s rugged tablets and the flip side, true rugged manufacturers such as Zebra 2-in-1 laptops are built to last 3-5 years on average, will use a complex display assembly so that reflections even though many customers are still using their mobile are minimized and users enjoy optimal viewing condi- computers seven, eight, even nine years later from when tions both day and night. (Dimmable displays are just they were first deployed. as important to the safety of military and public safety missions at night as bright graphics are to those inspect- ing and repairing pipelines and utility poles during the WHAT IS THE STICKER PRICE day.) Other engineering-related questions to ask: 5 AND WHAT IS THE TOTAL • Is the tablet or laptop still waterproof when the I/O COST OF OWNERSHIP? ports are open? (Zebra offers some tablet models that are still IP-rated when cables are connected to the I/O Truly rugged tablets are designed to survive and thrive ports.) for many years. Lots of extra engineering, materials and manufacturing processes are employed. As a result, • Does the device have an internal magnesium chassis some of the costs will be front-loaded. A well-made frame, and does it come with spring-loaded pogo- rugged tablet will dependably do the job you need it to style pins? do, reducing and oftentimes preventing organizational • Every wireless device today uses MIMO antenna costs incurred by other less expensive device options. technology. But just like the UL listing example above, In fact, when it comes to mobile devices, price is often having MIMO isn’t the same as optimizing MIMO. a tell-tale sign of rugged purity. A “rugged” tablet that is How were the internal antennas designed, where are far less expensive that its competition is most likely far they located and, most important, will the tablet stay less rugged – so you’re going to immediately sacrifice on connected in dodgy reception areas? quality and performance while incurring ongoing costs over the (short) life of the product. These ongoing costs • Did the manufacturer build in heat pipes and thermal make up the bulk of the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). fans that enable processors to run at full speed at high As you price a truly rugged platform that you can rely on ambient temperatures? Or did they opt to bypass that long-term (i.e. 3-5 years), realize that the purchase price extra engineering step, instead choosing to either alone of any mobile computing device can be deceiving. integrate a slower processor that doesn’t generate as Even if you’re doing an apples-to-apples comparison of much heat or simply shut down the device to “protect two fully rugged-to-the-core tablet, laptop or handheld it” when it gets too hot? The list could go on and on, PCs that are comparable both inside and outside on but you get the point. paper, the true and total cost of that device – and your entire mobile solution – is actually determined by many factors. HOW LONG IS THE DEVICE As industry experts have explained in many published 4 discussions: While it is fair to assume that “cost” is EXPECTED TO LAST? indicative of device quality, it is also impossible to make a fair assumption about the device’s actual value based on This isn’t about length of warranty. This is about length upfront cost (i.e. the sticker price). One rugged device’s of time that the device will be supported by the manu- superiority over another can only be determined once facturer and supported by the same interface to docks, you understand the ancillary costs that will be required scanners and other accessories. How long does the to implement the right workflow software for that device, manufacturer plan to offer the same chassis, upon which deploy compatible accessories, and ultimately secure your entire installed mobility solution and workflow www.zebra.com 3 YOU ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. and maintain the entire mobility/IT solution (based on that LIKE ANYTHING ELSE YOU computing platform) for the next 3-5 years. And, those BUY, IF THE PRICE SEEMS TOO are just the top-line “costs” that have to be factored in GOOD TO BE TRUE, THERE’S AN addition to the sticker price. EXCELLENT CHANCE THAT YOUR You also have to calculate the resources that it will INSTINCT IS RIGHT. YOU ALWAYS require to replace knock-off rugged devices when they GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. fail (and they will) along with the downtime losses that will occur while that worker is offline.