More and more businesses are turning to rugged computers as they search for a laptop, notebook or tablet that can handle the rigors of their trade, as well as everything the modern world can throw at them. Already standard fair in the military, the police and fire services, rugged laptops are becoming increasingly popular with fieldworkers across a range of industries, from agriculture to construction.
If your business takes you or your workers out of the office for considerable lengths of time, you’ve probably already considered buying a rugged device. The more your regular laptop is on the move, the more chance it has of being dropped or broken. Throw in dirt and dust, mud and water, freezing temperatures and bright sunlight and you can see that your faithful device is walking a veritable tightrope over a canyon of potential hazards, all of which could prove fatal to your tech.
In simple terms, rugged laptops, tablets and notebooks can offer greater peace of mind. But is the additional cost of purchasing new equipment worth it? Here are a few reasons why going rugged could be a good idea for you and your business.
The high cost of failure
The continued growth in the rugged computer market shows no sign of slowing down. In the U.S the business is already worth an estimated $2 billion. Much of this growth is based on the costs attributed to failing devices out in the field. A display screen shatters and the cost isn’t just one of replacing the laptop-screen.net. Information is lost, work is delayed, the job can’t be completed – the list goes on. So in fact a rugged laptop could actually prove to be a major cost-saving device. This assumption isn’t just conjecture either, it’s backed up by research that shows the total cost of ownership is approximately 35% lower for rugged laptops compared to non-rugged versions.
Who doesn’t appreciate reliability?
Research shows that the average annual failure rate of a non-rugged laptop is about 30%, while the failure rate of a rugged laptop is much lower, at about 9%. Research also shows that failure rates of a non-rugged laptop increase with time, while a rugged laptop’s rates of failure stay around the same, regardless of its age. So what does this mean beyond the obvious of having to replace or repair your computer less frequently? In a nutshell – increased productivity.
Staying connected
If you’re using your laptop in the field then it’s a pretty safe bet that its wireless transmission performance is vital to its functionality. Dropped connections are annoying, disruptive and costly. When it comes to connectivity, a rugged laptop, notebook or tablet is less likely to fail compared to a non-rugged device – up to three times less likely in many cases.
Made for the job
Rugged laptops, notebooks and tablets are robust. They are designed to take a greater degree of punishment in a myriad of extreme conditions. In essence, they are built for the job. Well, to be more precise, your job. The advantages of having a rugged laptop that is built to your specifications go beyond the visible, external protection, including:
- Custom built protection of internal hardware tools including ports and hard drives
- rigorously tested to meet a number of standards, including military standards
- A range of connectivity possibilities
- Integrated peripherals, including bar scanners and digital cameras
- Display screen viewable for a number of environments, from bright sunlight to dark warehouses
When you add up all the advantages, and even if you’re not heading out to a hostile environment, rugged laptops are actually quite an attractive proposition. And for business users, they could prove to be a better investment too.