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Rugged computers for field scientists
Download freeware and help sheets here
We are very proud of our committment to serving educational institutions of all sizes. Whether you are designing a complex field survey with dozens of computers or only need one GPS receiver, we are here to serve you around the clock. Our assistance does not end with the sale and we maintain a strong record of free technical support as long as you need it! Below is a sample list of institutions we have worked with over the past few years:
What does it mean to be "Rugged"?
In order for a product to be qualified as rugged for our purposes, it has to pass the stringent US military 'MIL-STD-810F' test as regards computer equipment. In summary this means that the computer has to be subjected to tests of drop resistance, vibration, moisture, dust, high and low temperature, thermal shock, and high altitude (15,000 feet). If you want to know more about it, go to the official US Army site. For a summary of the Panasonic test, go to their test results site.
What are the differences between the computer models?
This is a very important consideration when deciding how to invest in a computer. Simply put, there are three different types of rugged computers available: Handhelds, Notebooks (or laptops), and Tablets. Below is a brief summary of each type.
Handhelds
Handhelds, or 'PDAs", are small computers that are highly mobile but do not have a lot of memory or RAM. While they can run most simple programs, they cannot run large, memory-intensive programs. Still, they can be a valuable tool for day to day work that then gets transferred to a more powerful computer. Because they have a small screen, the boost incredible battery life--a consideration for remote field work.
Notebooks
Notebook or laptop computers are quickly replacing desktop computers as the standard. For most of us, today's notebooks are powerful enough to run all the programs we need. They typically vary in the amount of memory, RAM, types of disk drives and ports, and size of screen. Bigger isn't always better with screen as you reduce your mobility with larger sizes.
Tablets
Tablets are flat screens that you use a writing device to draw/write on. They are lighter than a notebook but still very powerful. They vary in size and available ports. A big difference is whether the screen is a 'touchscreen' or a 'digitizing screen.' Like most options, it is really a matter of personal preference.
While there are a variety of rugged tablets on the market, we have chosen to carry the Panasonic ToughBook 19 as it consistently gets the best reviews (and we use ours all the time!). Plus, the ToughBook 19 is the only rugged convertible that is both a notebook AND a tablet computer.
We are very proud of our committment to serving educational institutions of all sizes. Whether you are designing a complex field survey with dozens of computers or only need one GPS receiver, we are here to serve you around the clock. Our assistance does not end with the sale and we maintain a strong record of free technical support as long as you need it! Below is a sample list of institutions we have worked with over the past few years:
| Ball State University Bowling Green State University California State University, Chico California State University, Fresno California State University, Fullerton Dartmouth College Gustavus Adolphus College Harvard University John Hopkins University Lake George Association Los Alamos National Labs Macalester College Miami University North Carolina State University Northern Arizona University Oberlin College Rocky Mountain Research Station Sonoma State University Stanford University The Pennsylvania State University The University of Akron |
U.S. Air Force Academy |
What does it mean to be "Rugged"?
In order for a product to be qualified as rugged for our purposes, it has to pass the stringent US military 'MIL-STD-810F' test as regards computer equipment. In summary this means that the computer has to be subjected to tests of drop resistance, vibration, moisture, dust, high and low temperature, thermal shock, and high altitude (15,000 feet). If you want to know more about it, go to the official US Army site. For a summary of the Panasonic test, go to their test results site.
What are the differences between the computer models?
This is a very important consideration when deciding how to invest in a computer. Simply put, there are three different types of rugged computers available: Handhelds, Notebooks (or laptops), and Tablets. Below is a brief summary of each type.
Handhelds
Handhelds, or 'PDAs", are small computers that are highly mobile but do not have a lot of memory or RAM. While they can run most simple programs, they cannot run large, memory-intensive programs. Still, they can be a valuable tool for day to day work that then gets transferred to a more powerful computer. Because they have a small screen, the boost incredible battery life--a consideration for remote field work.
Notebooks
Notebook or laptop computers are quickly replacing desktop computers as the standard. For most of us, today's notebooks are powerful enough to run all the programs we need. They typically vary in the amount of memory, RAM, types of disk drives and ports, and size of screen. Bigger isn't always better with screen as you reduce your mobility with larger sizes.
Tablets
Tablets are flat screens that you use a writing device to draw/write on. They are lighter than a notebook but still very powerful. They vary in size and available ports. A big difference is whether the screen is a 'touchscreen' or a 'digitizing screen.' Like most options, it is really a matter of personal preference.
While there are a variety of rugged tablets on the market, we have chosen to carry the Panasonic ToughBook 19 as it consistently gets the best reviews (and we use ours all the time!). Plus, the ToughBook 19 is the only rugged convertible that is both a notebook AND a tablet computer.
Undergraduate students on an NSF-funded research project used an external GPS with a ToughBook in the field to map geological features at the meter scale.
