May 2024

Avalue presents AIB-NVAO, an AI Box PC for autonomous machines intelligence
Avalue Technology Inc. (TAIEX: 3479-TW), a global leader in industrial computing solutions, has announced the launch of the AIB-NVAO, an embedded AI industrial computer specifically engineered for autonomous machine intelligence. This high-performance platform integrates state-of-the-art AI computing capabilities, extensive expansion interfaces, and industrial-grade durability, making it ideal for applications across various sectors, including automotive, smart logistics, agriculture, and smart manufacturing. [See Avalue media release -- Posted Thursday, May 30, 2024

FULL REVIEW: Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 55 Mk3
Panasonic's perennial bestseller, the 14-inch TOUGHBOOK 55, hardly needs an introduction. RuggedPCReview.com still performed a detailed review of the latest version, the Mk3. Performance is excellent with Intel 13th gen "Raptor Lake" processors, the 14-inch IPS display is vibrant, very bright, and offers great outdoor viewability. We also noted its long battery life, and liked the modular design with three separate expansion areas to allow customers to configure the device exactly to their needs. [See full review of the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 55 Mk3] -- Posted Thursday, May 30, 2024

Havis launches innovative docking stations for Getac's latest S510 rugged laptop
Havis, a leading provider of rugged mounting and docking solutions for various industries, unveils the DS-GTC-1400 Docking Stations Series, designed specifically for the new Getac S510 AI-Ready Rugged Laptop. Engineered for mobile workers, the DS-GTC-1400 combines a sturdy build with a sleek, rounded design, reducing the risk of injury. The cutting-edge design secures the Getac S510 Laptop, ensuring reliable performance even in the most challenging conditions. [See Havis media release] -- Posted Thursday, May 30, 2024

MilDef's lineup of rugged military computing gear
While we mostly report on tier 1 commercial purveyors of industrial and military-grade rugged laptops, tablets, and handhelds like Getac, Dell, Panasonic, DT Research or Durabook, let's not forget about MilDef, a company that has developed, manufactured and sold rugged IT and special electronics primarily to the defense sector for over two decades. [See MilDef's lineup of military hardware, software and services] -- Posted Thursday, May 30, 2024

DT Research blog: Maximizing military efficiency with rugged tablets
The DT Research Rugged Tech Talk blog is an excellent and frequently updated resource that explains the productive use of ruggedized technology in numerous fields and industries. This one highlights how in today's digital age, rugged tablets are emerging as valuable assets in getting military branches cyber-ready, offering plenty of ways to enhance military data management practices across various operational domains. [See Maximizing military efficiency: leveraging rugged tablets for data management excellence] -- Posted Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Case Study: Empowering Antarctic Research Expedition with Rugged Windows Tablet
Do rugged tablets have what it takes to handle the Antarctic? RuggedPCReview's Carol Cotton took along an ultra-rugged 8-inch Juniper Systems Mesa 4 Windows tablet as part of her gear on a two week Antarctic research expedition by an all-female science team. [See Case Study: Empowering Antarctic Research Expedition with Rugged Windows Tablet] -- Posted Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Getac announces world's first AI-ready rugged laptop
Getac today announced the launch of its brand-new Intel Core Ultra-powered AI-ready S510 rugged laptop, enabling organizations across industries such as utilities, public safety, manufacturing, automotive, and defense to utilize the power of edge AI on a daily basis. The new S510 enables workers to capitalize on the significant productivity benefits of AI-based applications. An Intel® CoreTM Ultra 5/7 processor with Intel® AI Boost and Intel® Graphics put powerful performance at users' fingertips, while a dedicated Microsoft Copilot key quickly awakens AI capabilities whenever needed. [See Getac media release] -- Posted Tuesday, May 28, 2024

PC shipments drop below 250 million in 2023
According to Statista, desktop PC and laptop shipments dropped below 250 million in 2023. After years of decline, the industry bounced back in 2020 and 2021, reaching 340 million PCs in 2021, the best since 2012, when the industry's decline began. Thanks to hundreds of millions of people working, teaching or studying from home in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, the global PC industry enjoyed a renaissance during that time. However, in 2023, only 242 million units shipped, and the market hit its lowest point of the last 15 years. [See PC shipments drop below 250 million in 2023] -- Posted Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Durabook -- Why ATEX certification is key for safely using tablets in explosive environments
What do oil/gas refineries, cement plants, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and flour mills have in common? They're all workplaces where something as simple as static electricity can ignite gases, vapors, dust, and other airborne substances into a deadly fireball. Durabook explains why ATEX certification is important, and how its is implemented in the company's R8-EX and U11-EX rugged Windows 11 tablets. [Read Why ATEX certification is key for safely using tablets in explosive environments] -- Posted Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Havis introduces rugged docking stations for Zebra ET80 and ET85 12-inch tablets
Havis, the foremost provider of rugged mounting and docking solutions, proudly unveils its latest innovation: Rugged Docking Stations for Zebra ET8X 12" Tablets (DS-ZEB-400 Series). Engineered to excel in the harshest environments, these cutting-edge docking solutions cater to the unique needs of industries such as energy and utilities, public safety, and warehousing. [See Havis media release] -- Posted Friday, May 17, 2024

Winmate launches innovative solutions for marine applications
Winmate a leading provider of rugged computing and marine solutions, is excited to showcase the release of its latest Marine Product Line. This extensive range comprises ECDIS Panel PCs and Displays, Marine Panel PCs and 4K Displays, Marine Computers, and Box PCs, also support the DNV certifications. Winmate's Marine Product Line represents a comprehensive solution for the maritime industry, combining cutting-edge technology with rugged durability to meet the evolving needs of naval seas worldwide. [See Winmate's media release] -- Posted Thursday, May 16, 2024

FULL REVIEW: Juniper Systems Mesa 4
With the Mesa 4, Juniper Systems offers a compact touch computer that has a larger screen than even the biggest smartphones, but still is smaller and lighter than most rugged tablets. It brings full Windows 11 power and functionality into the field, has plenty of battery power, and is virtually indestructible. In our detailed review, we found the Juniper Mesa 4 a true tool for the job, eminently practical, and designed and built to survive the daily grind and hazards. [See full review of the Juniper Mesa 4] -- Posted Wednesday, May 15, 2024

New FLIR Si2-Series acoustic imagers
In industrial settings the early detection of air and gas leaks as well as machinery faults is crucial for preventing costly breakdowns and ensuring the smooth operation of equipment. Revolutionizing predictive maintenance in manufacturing, the next-generation FLIR Si2 acoustic imager prevents critical failures, cuts energy costs, reduces maintenance expenses, and boosts productivity, ensuring a rapid ROI. [See FLIR Si2-Pro acoustic imagers] -- Posted Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Winmate introduces Robot Control Stations
Winmate, a global provider of rugged computing and industrial automation solutions, announced the release of its newest Robotics Control Station. With display sizes ranging from 8”, 10.1” and 15.6”, the remote controller offers high performance and reliability, as well as high-res displays, ruggedized construction, and seamless integration capabilities. [See Winmate's Robot Control Stations] -- Posted Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Intel announces Thunderbolt Share
Intel announced Thunderbolt Share, a software solution enabling PC-to-PC experiences that change the way users interact with two PCs. Thunderbolt Share is offered with select PCs and accessories with Thunderbolt 4 or 5 ports, enabling responsive screen-sharing and fast PC-to-PC file transfers for more flexible and productive workflows. Thunderbolt Share uses the high bandwidth and low latency of Thunderbolt to provide, a) smooth uncompressed screen-sharing with ultra-responsive mouse and keyboard control between PCs, b) fast file transfers between two PCs with simple drag and drop and easy file migration from an old PC to a new PC, c) collaboration between users sharing large files, d) support via a direct connection between PCs, and e) private and secure connection that doesn’t affect Wi-Fi, Ethernet or cloud network performance. [See Intel media release] -- Posted Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Introducing the Polywell i13P-4HDMI
Polywell introduced the Polywell i13P-4HDMI, a slim booksize powerhouse computer designed for a wide range of applications, from digital signage to industrial control. This versatile system is equipped with the latest 13th Gen Intel Core processors and a multitude of connectivity options, making it an ideal choice for professionals and businesses seeking a compact yet robust computing solution. The Polywell i13P-4HDMI features four HDMI 2.0 ports, dual 2.5GbE LAN jacks, USB-A and USB-C, dual COM ports, M.2 slots for WiFi and 5G/4G-LTE wireless modules and more, all in a 7.5" x 5.8" x 1.57" package that weighs just two pounds. [See Introducing the Polywell i13P-4HDMI] -- Posted Friday, May 10, 2024

FULL REVIEW: Teguar TS-5945-16 16-inch All-in-One Stainless Steel PC
The TS-5945-16 Stainless Steel All-in-One is part of Teguar's broad lineup of waterproof stainless steel computers designed specifically for industries where equipment may or will get exposed to moisture, chemicals, acidic or alkaline substances or other threat, necessitating not only the ability to stand up to those threats, but also quick and easy thorough cleaning. RuggedPCReview.com tested the TS-5945-16 and found that with its balance of waterproof construction, manageable size and weight, sealed connectivity, configurability and mounting options, it is an excellent solution for all sorts of challenging deployments that require computing power, durability and ease of cleaning. [See full review of the TS-5945-16 Stainless Steel All-in-One] -- Posted Monday, May 6, 2024

Zebra Technologies unveils new solutions at automate 2024, advancing the connected factory
Zebra Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: ZBRA), a leading digital solution provider enabling businesses to intelligently connect data, assets, and people, today announced new solutions to further enable manufacturers to boost visibility, optimize quality and augment the workforce to operate as a connected factory. Zebra will highlight its expanded portfolio of industrial automation solutions at Automate 2024, Booth 1407 at McCormick Place, May 6-9 in Chicago. [See Zebra media release] -- Posted Monday, May 6, 2024

Trimble reports Q1 2024 financial results
Trimble reported sales of US$953.3 million for Q1, 2024, up from US$915.4 million for Q1, 2023. GAAP operating income for Q1 2024 was US$109.2 million, down from US$137.0 million for Q1 2023. "We had a strong start to the year, delivering record annualized recurring revenue of $2.03 billion and record first quarter gross margin. And on April 1, we closed our agriculture joint venture with AGCO," said Rob Painter, Trimble's president and chief executive officer. " [See Trimble media release] -- Posted Monday, May 6, 2024

Winmate introduces cutting-edge solutions for the energy, oil & gas industries
Winmate, a global provider of rugged computing and energy solutions is pleased to announces the release of its Energy, Oil and Gas Product Line. This comprehensive lineup includes Rugged Tablets, Panel PCs, and Industrial Displays, all certified for ATEX Zone 2 and Class 1 Division 2 (C1D2) environments, and complying with industry regulations, ensuring operator peace of mind. Engineered with rugged construction, they withstand dust, water, and extreme temperatures, ideal for harsh industrial settings. For more information about Winmate’s Energy, Oil and Gas Product Line, please visit www.winmate.com. -- Posted Thursday, May 2, 2024

What happend in rugged computing 15 years ago: May 2009
In May 2009, we reported that the Motion J3400 tablet was available with the brand-new Intel Core 2 Duo SU9600. Juniper offered their Archer with a Hemisphere sub-meter GPS. VDC reported that rugged mobile device shipments were US$5.4 billion in 2008, and predicted a bleak 10% decrease for 2009. We reviewed the Getac PS535F and reported that Getac expected to be the #2 rugged PC vendor by 2012. RAM Mounts unveiled the Tough Tray II for the booming netbook market. Intermec gave their CN50 3.5G support. And we contemplated how the iPhone really did change everything. -- Posted Wednesday, May 1, 2024