Your Starter Guide to Buying an Industrial Computer
If you need a computer that can last under extreme circumstances, this guide will help. It outlines the necessary steps to buying a rugged computer that is specific to your industry and needs.
Look for a Rugged Computer
First, only look at PCs that are considered “rugged” for both the display and internal components. The rugged designation is applied to the most durable computers . We build PCs for industrial settings, extreme environments and demanding applications, such as the military where mission-critical parts cannot fail or break.
If you operate in a harsh environment, always go rugged.
Identify Your Toughest Environments
The next step is to identify the nature of your toughest environments. We recommend basing it on the established Class, Division and Group ratings used commonly in the United States and Canada. Here’s a quick overview:
- Class I features flammable gasses and vapors in your environment.
- Class II includes exposure to combustible dust.
- Class III will be exposed to ignitable fibers.
- Division 1 environments have a high probability of experiencing dangerous reactions with explosives or ignitable mixtures, while Division 2 environments have a slightly lower probability.
- Groups designate that hazardous substances are present. A, B, C and D include Class I gasses while E, F and G signify that Class 2 and 3 dusts and fibers can be present.
Align Your Rugged PC with Your Common Inputs
You should make sure to align the rugged PCs with your existing equipment so it one design can work across teams, job sites and environments. Make sure to buy a model that is compatible with the inputs that are most common across your equipment.
Outdoor Use and Readability
If your workers are out in the field, make sure the model you buy meets all of the weather scenarios they face, such as extreme temperatures and/or the ability to handle significant shocks.
Your employees will also be happy to work with rugged PCs that have dimming capabilities and LED backlighting. They will have an easier time looking at the screen in both high and low light scenarios.
Unit Size
Unit size is important as well. You should strive to find a rugged PC with a large screen that is easily readable, yet a unit that is easy to hold or operate. In fact, many models can operate without keyboards and may be able to incorporate scanners and other equipment.
You may wonder why this is important. Remember that employees climbing ladders or balancing on beams are more at risk if they are required to transport a large PC that requires the use of both hands.
Next Steps
This is just a starting guide to buying a rugged computer. To learn more, see your rugged PC options here.