| A rugged, also called ruggedized, computer | | | | most effective. A portable system is also used in |
| system is designed to be used in harsh conditions | | | | petroleum drilling and mining operations in which |
| and environments. These conditions include | | | | heat, vibration, and dust would destroy an |
| extreme temperatures, wet or dusty conditions, | | | | ordinary computer. |
| and strong vibrations. This type of system is | | | | Not only does a system like this come in the |
| designed from the beginning with these types of | | | | form of wearable, handheld, and laptop |
| conditions in mind, usually specified by the client. | | | | computers, it can also be mounted on a vehicle. |
| Although some commercial companies try, their | | | | Rugged computers are well suited for vehicle |
| upgraded units are unreliable and poor substitutes | | | | mounted environments since the inherent jolts |
| for the system's purpose. | | | | and vibrations would cause typical portable |
| So who would have the need for such a | | | | computers to fail. These computers are important |
| specialized product? Today, construction workers, | | | | in vehicle navigation, communications, or even in |
| military personnel, and emergency services all | | | | controlling some combat and orbital vehicles. They |
| make use of rugged tablet PCs, laptops, and | | | | can also be used in unmanned vehicles, from |
| PDAs. Also, the integrated technologies of diver | | | | missiles to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. When not |
| navigation systems are based on a PDA and | | | | mounted in a vehicle, other rugged computers are |
| Defender unit. | | | | stationary and industrial, designed to HAZLOC |
| Because of the different conditions they | | | | standards for use in specific environmental |
| encounter, field workers in field service | | | | conditions. |
| management have found rugged computers to be | | | | |