Fieldwork demands technology that can keep up with the challenges of rugged outdoor environments. In this guide, we've curated a list of the 5 best tablets for field work. These tablets offer durability, performance, and features tailored to the needs of professionals who work in demanding conditions. Whether you're in construction, agriculture, field service, or any industry that requires a rugged and reliable device, you'll find the perfect solution in our top picks.
Benefits of Choosing a Rugged Tablet for Field Work
Durability: When you hear the word “tablet,” you probably think of how fragile they are. In your line of work, it’s hard to justify using such delicate equipment on a regular basis.
Let’s face it, field work is messy, destructive and can be downright dangerous. Having a brand-new iPad Pro on a dingy job site is enough to give some tech lovers an anxiety attack. But the best rugged Android tablet for business isn’t necessarily the best tablet for your business. So, what's the alternative?
Rugged tablets are built to withstand harsh conditions, such as extreme temperatures, moisture, dust, and shock. They can endure drops and impacts without damage, ensuring they remain operational in tough environments.
Reliability: The typical enterprise tablet has an 18 percent failure rate, but ruggedized tablets have a failure rate of 4 percent. If a typical tablet is a Kia, let’s just call a rugged tablet a military-ready Humvee. And a Humvee might be exactly what you need.These tablets are designed for consistent performance, making them dependable tools for fieldwork. They have longer lifespans and fewer technical issues, reducing downtime.
Outdoor Visibility: Rugged tablets often feature high-brightness displays with anti-glare technology, making them easy to use in direct sunlight or other challenging lighting conditions.
Versatility: They come with a variety of features, such as GPS, barcode scanners, and hot-swappable batteries, enhancing their usability for various field tasks.
Connectivity: Rugged tablets typically offer multiple connectivity options, ensuring you can stay connected to networks and access real-time data in the field.
Security: Many rugged tablets include enhanced security features to protect sensitive data, making them suitable for industries with strict data privacy requirements.
Longevity: Rugged tablets are designed for long-term use, reducing the need for frequent replacements, which can be costly.
Cost-Efficiency: While rugged tablets may have a higher upfront cost, their durability and reliability can lead to cost savings over time by reducing repair and replacement expenses.
Customization: Some rugged tablet models can be customized to meet specific industry needs, ensuring they are tailored to your fieldwork requirements.
There are many rugged tablets suitable for field service on the market today.So many, in fact, it can be difficult to determine which have the features you need and want, and which simply aren’t worth the investment. Here are a few of our top picks for the best rugged tablets for field service.
Here are the 5 best rugged tablets for field work:
Oukitel Rt2
Priced at approximately $320, the RT2 stands out as the best tablet for field work on a budget. It offers a compelling option for outfitting your crews with a rugged tablet, providing adequate memory (8 GB RAM) and substantial storage (128 GB), making it a competitive alternative to more prominent brands. Its durable casing ensures it can withstand rugged conditions and remain weather-resistant, making it a prime choice for outdoor technicians.
The RT2 encompasses all the essential features your crews require to carry out their tasks effectively. It operates on the Android operating system and offers Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity options.
Key Specifications:
Price: $320
Battery life: 3 hours
Weight: 2.27 pounds
CPDEVICE Apollo 12 Pro
With dual 26-pin connectors, the CPDEVICE Apollo 12 Pro is the best tablet for field work and offers rich and versatile connectivity features, ensuring seamless integration into your operation. It supports up to 4 SocketCAN buses, including J1939, CANopen and ISO15765, enabling comprehensive vehicle communication.
In addition, this top-tier tablet supports 4G/5G connectivity, ensuring reliable communication quality even in remote areas. It also facilitates software development with CP-Comm support and seamlessly integrates CP ISOBUS VT to enhance functionality in agricultural applications.
Additionally, the tablet can accommodate up to 8 cameras and supports CP AVM, providing 360° surround-view images. It runs on Android/Linux operating system, further extending its capabilities and versatility for field work.
Key Specifications:
Storage:256GB
Screen Size:12.1"
Operating System:Android 11.0 Linux 5.10, Qt 5.15.7
Memory:2G RAM LPDDR4, Up to 8G
Getac F110
Priced at $2,579, the F110 stands as the best tablet for field work, offering a robust blend of durability and usability. Running on the Android operating system, the F110 is engineered to withstand a wide array of abuses. It goes beyond minimizing scratches and screen abrasions, as it is also highly resistant to shock, spills, vibrations, and can endure drops of up to five feet without incurring damage or disruption.
Key Specifications:
Battery life: 14 hours
Weight: 3 pounds
Memory: 8GB for the base model
Storage: 256GB
Dell Latitude 7220 Rugged Extreme
The Rugged Extreme, designed to withstand 4-foot drops and military-tested, is a dependable choice for in-field work, making it the best tablet for field work. Priced at $1,299, this rugged laptop offers a more budget-friendly option without compromising on quality.
Key Specifications:
Price: $1,299
Battery life: 3 hours
Weight: 3 pounds
Memory: 16GB RAM
Storage: 256GB
The Rugged Extreme boasts a generous amount of RAM (16GB), ensuring speed and efficiency. Its substantial storage space (256GB) is highly beneficial for businesses with busy schedules. However, the relatively short battery life (3 hours) may require your crews to search for charging opportunities between tasks.
Zebra ET40 Rugged Tablet
The ET40, priced between $700 and $800, is an excellent entry-level tablet and one of the best tablets for field work. It is designed with a consumer-friendly approach. Operating on Android 11, it provides Bluetooth and WiFi 6 connectivity, while the ET45 variant uses a SIM slot for 5G LTE connectivity.
Key Specifications:
Price: $700-$800
Battery life: Varies
Weight: 1.52 pounds
Memory: 4GB for the base model
Storage: 128GB
The ET40 is a cost-effective choice for initiating your teams with in-field tablets. Despite its entry-level status, it remains durable and can withstand drops of up to 4 feet onto concrete, making it a reliable option for fieldwork.
Conclusion:
Investing in the best tablet for field work is an investment in efficiency, reliability, and productivity. These rugged devices are purpose-built to withstand the harshest conditions while providing the tools you need to get the job done. If your company is in need of sturdy and reliable tablet computers, CPDEVICE can provide it for you, please feel free to contact us!
