Many roles in the industrial sector require a dedicated industrial computer to support them, whether that involves inventory management, data collection, or long-distance networking. Many of these roles also demand a degree of mobility, which eliminates standard desktop or panel PCs as options.
This leaves rugged industrial tablets and laptop computers as the two primary options for workers who need a lightweight and flexible solution. As an experienced manufacturer of industrial computers, both stationary and mobile, we at Cybernet Manufacturing can offer deeper insights that can help you determine which option is right for you.
Durability: Are Ruggedized Tablets Tougher than Laptops?
One of the most important factors for any piece of equipment used in the industrial sector, whether computer-based or otherwise, is its durability. To be truly rugged, an industrial computer tablet or laptop needs to have features like:
- Ingress protection to block out dirt and liquids from entering the casing
- Reinforced components that can withstand shock and vibrations
- The ability to operate in both extreme heat and extreme cold
- A chemically-hardened display that resists cracks and scratches
- Protected against electrical interference
These design measures will be present in both tablets and laptops, provided they’re truly designed and engineered for the industrial sector. However, when it comes to durability, tablets will always have an advantage for one simple reason: they have fewer moving parts than laptops.
Laptops have three major components that tablets do not, and are liable to break: their keyboards, hinges, and cooling fans. All of these components are necessary to the laptop’s functioning, all of them face additional mechanical stresses as moving parts in a harsh work environment, and all of them will cause the laptop to fail completely if they break. These are weaknesses that an industrial-grade rugged tablet will never have to deal with, making tablets more reliable over a longer period of time. This reliability is just one of many advantages that industrial tablets enjoy compared to other mobile computing solutions.
The Cybernet Advantage: All of our rugged industrial tablets are built to exacting standards, such as MIL-STD-810, with features like IP65-sealed casings, shock-resistant mountings, and chemically-hardened touchscreen displays to ensure their reliability even when mishandled.
Performance, Processing Power, and Operating Systems
Between rugged laptops and rugged tablets, laptops typically offer stronger CPUs and more data storage than tablets. This is undeniably useful for certain tasks that require more processing power, such as 3D image rendering or complex statistical analysis.
However, taking this information and claiming that laptops are strictly superior to industrial tablets ignores the broader context in which these devices are used. In industrial settings, mobile computer devices are primarily used for field data collection and recording, inventory management, and similar tasks.
These are roles that don’t require an extreme amount of power, meaning that a laptop can be overkill and lead to you overspending on a CPU you don’t truly need. A fully rugged tablet is often a much better balance between your budget and your performance requirements.
Another concern that some users and chief technology officers have is that a tablet will not be compatible with their current suite of software tools due to its operating system. For example, a consumer-grade tablet that uses iOS or Android cannot run a program that requires Windows. However, industrial-grade tablets are designed to use operating systems that support enterprise software, such as Windows and Linux, ensuring compatibility.
The Cybernet Advantage: As an original equipment manufacturer, we exercise full control over our production process and can customize your tablet with a wide selection of CPUs and RAM options. This lets you get exactly the performance specs that you require, rather than overspending on something you don’t need or getting stuck with an underpowered model.
Portability and Ergonomic Features for Fully Rugged Tablets and Laptops
Obviously, any device used in a mobile role needs to be lightweight and easy to use. If it’s heavy, cumbersome, or difficult to handle, there’s a very good chance employees will simply refuse to adopt it and revert to other, simpler methods.
This is where rugged tablets have a notable advantage compared to laptops. Not only are tablets much lighter and smaller than laptops, making them less of a chore to carry, but they are also easier to work with. A tablet can easily be held in one hand while the user inputs commands with the other; laptops, however, are often too cumbersome to do so. Instead, the user has to find a flat surface, set it down, and begin working. In industrial work environments like factory floors or construction sites, there probably won’t be a convenient desk or table available.
Both laptops and tablets can be enhanced with ergonomic features, such as carrying straps and handles, making them easier to take with you during a shift. However, a rugged tablet’s handstrap can be used during both transportation and while using the tablet itself, providing a more comfortable way to grip the device than just holding it by the edge.
The Cybernet Advantage: We offer hand straps and carrying handles designed specifically for our ruggedized tablets. This gives your employees a range of options for carrying and using their tablets, letting them find a solution that’s comfortable and fits their workflows.
Peripheral Options and Customizations for Laptops and Ruggedized Tablets
Another key consideration for using a mobile computer device in industrial settings is how easily it can integrate peripheral devices and customizations. For example, many warehouses use tablets with built-in barcode or RFID scanners in their workflows. By scanning a package or shipment’s label, they can automatically add or remove that item from the warehouse’s inventory, making it easier to track said inventory and monitor shipments as they progress from the factory to the end-user.
With enough information gathered, businesses can also perform data analysis to track which products are selling and which are not, identify weaknesses or delays in their supply chain, and reap numerous other benefits.
Tablets, being lighter and smaller than laptops, are much easier to use as barcode scanners and RFID readers. With a built-in scanner, a worker can read a label, immediately pull up its information on their tablet, and update the package or shipment’s status with a few taps on their touchscreen, condensing minutes of paperwork into seconds. Laptops do not include this feature, forcing field workers to rely on separate handheld devices to perform the same tasks.
The Cybernet Advantage: Our rugged industrial computer tablets can be customized with built-in barcode scanners and RFID readers, giving you an all-inclusive solution for inventory management and logistics.
Make the Right Choice With A Rugged Tablet from Cybernet Manufacturing
As the industrial sector embraces computer technology and digital workflows, supporting employees with the right tools will become increasingly essential. For many roles, the choice will come down to a rugged tablet vs. a rugged laptop. Businesses cannot rely on consumer-grade electronics or let employees use their own personal devices due to reliability and security concerns; only rugged industrial tablets provide the balance of performance and durability that the sector requires.
If your business needs a mobile computing solution that provides this balance, contact Cybernet Manufacturing for further information or to request a demo unit. Our industrial, rugged tablets are designed specifically for harsh work environments and boast a 0.5% failure rate, demonstrating our commitment to quality.