Fully-Rugged & Semi-Rugged Laptops: 11 Differences

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Differences Between Fully-Rugged and Semi-Rugged Laptops

A laptop may also be needed to be used outdoors and in harsh conditions as well, depending on the user and the needs.

Therefore, the manufacturers also design rugged and semi-rugged laptops apart from those normal ones that you usually see in a store.

There are some significant differences between these two types of laptops, which you should know in order to make the right choice between the two.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Just as the rugged laptops come with high-end components and specifications, the price tag of them are also quite high.
  • The rugged laptops may offer higher levels of performance but there are issues reported for frequent failures and freezing of screens.
  • Higher productivity, protection and résistance is guaranteed by the rugged laptops which are however heavier than a semi-rugged laptop.
  • The design of the rugged laptops may not be as appealing as that of the semi-rugged laptops but the anti glare screen and Ingress Protection features make them more useful.

11 Differences Between Fully-Rugged and Semi-Rugged Laptops

Differences Between Fully-Rugged and Semi-Rugged Laptops

1. The Price

Starting with the price, a rugged laptop will come with a high price tag. This is due to its built, the material used and the hardware components that come with a high spec and cost.

On the other hand, the semi-rugged laptops will come with a much lower price because it is not meant to deal with extreme working conditions and therefore comes with lower specs and features as compared to the rugged laptops.

2. Failure Rates

When it comes to performance, rugged laptops will offer you reliable performance but if you consider the failure rates only, it is prone to freezing of screens and failures.

The semi rugged laptops will come with a much lower failure rate as it is not used in extreme conditions which is a specific reason for its lower cost compared to the rugged computers.

3. Productivity

If you want to use a rugged computer for intensive computer jobs, the productivity rate will be much lower compared to a semi-rugged laptop.

The semi rugged laptops will have a much lower impact in its performance due to its components and other factors making it more productive than a rugged laptop.

4. Ingress Protection

The features of the rugged laptops provide a more robust and effective IP or Ingress Protection to the internal electrical equipment against liquids as well as solids. Ideally, it is zero to six for solids and zero to eight for liquids.

On the other hand, the semi rugged laptops usually come with an IP rating that is lower than the rugged laptops in comparison, However, these laptops are completely dustproof and water resistant.

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5. Working Conditions

You can use a rugged laptop for even the harshest of working conditions, lowest or highest of temperature and humidity and expect the best performance.

On the contrary, the semi rugged laptops are designed to be used specifically in conditions that are less harsh or else you will experience hang ups, system crashing and frequent freezing of the screen.

6. Design

If you want style and a sleek design then a semi-rugged laptop is the one you should choose.

However, if you want to use a rugged laptop do not expect to be ‘wowed’ by others when you use it because its look will be highly unimpressive.

7. Portability

When it comes to portability of the laptops, it is the semi rugged ones that will meet your needs to carry it and work on it anywhere. Once again, the sleek design and built of the semi rugged laptops make it lighter and easy to carry.

The rugged laptops are much heavier than the semi rugged variants due to the heavy-duty internal components, sturdy casing and other factors which makes it much less portable.

8. Performance

The rugged laptops will take on anything that you throw at it. It will perform at its highest level when you check your emails or bank account, and even the stock market from the desert or Arctic.

The semi rugged laptop will not be able to endure such extreme weather conditions and will not perform the way you want to work on it in snowy or rainy conditions. This is because the semi rugged laptops do not come with completely sealed and waterproofed components to keep out the moisture, dirt and sand.

9. Screen Glare

The screens of the rugged laptops are specially designed to enable you to see and read the text clearly even under direct sunlight.

However, the screens of the semi rugged laptops do not come with such a high anti-glare property making it unsuitable for working outdoors in the extreme places of the world with high temperature and a scorching sun, such as a desert.

10. Used by

The fully rugged laptops are usually used by laborers and those in the military working on a battleground.

The semi rugged laptops cannot be used by them and are typically used by people who are of higher ranks but still work on the fields but in controlled working conditions.

11. Resistance

The rugged laptops are much more resistant to dust, moisture and heat. This is what makes these laptops tough and durable. It is also resistant to shocks, drops, vibration and spills.

The semi rugged laptops do have these features but not as high in standard as the rugged laptops.

Which is Better – Fully-Rugged or Semi-Rugged Laptop?

The choice of laptop primarily depends on few specific factors such as:

  • Your needs
  • Your budget
  • The features that will support your computing needs and more.
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Therefore, there is no way to say that a semi rugged or a fully rugged computer will be best for you.

If your workplace is not very comfortable, you will need a rugged laptop for your computing needs.

On the other hand, if you work in a climate-controlled office outdoors, a semi rugged laptop will provide the best performance.

However, if you are the first responder or a member of the military, you will have to use your laptop in conditions that are far less than hospitable.

It will not be safe for the laptop or any electronic gadgets for that matter. In such situations it is only a tough or rugged notebook that will fulfill your computing needs.

However, when you want to choose the best computer according to your needs, you should consider the features of the computer and determine whether or not it will support the given working conditions.

You should choose one according to your need and working conditions but make sure that no matter whichever you select, it comes with a warranty.

To make the final choice, knowing the similarities and other facts are also important.

The term ‘rugged’ is relative and simply because the manufacturer advertises it as ‘rugged’ does not mean it really is.

Ideally, a rugged laptop is one which will meet all your particular needs with its extra protection, hardy components and built.

A rugged laptop is designed and built specifically to be used in harsh settings, especially outdoors.

It can be dusty, rainy and windy outside, but the laptop should perform well under any given conditions.

It is therefore built with a stronger and much thicker housing in comparison to a standard laptop.

Ideally, these rugged laptops are designed to be used for different purposes such as:

  • Construction
  • Industrial and
  • Military purposes.

The design of these laptops ensures that it can endure harsh usage conditions and environments.

The components inside and the housing outside both are designed to endure all of the following namely:

  • Rough handling
  • Strong vibrations
  • Drops and spills
  • Extreme temperatures and
  • High humidity level.

The cooling system in these computers is much better than any ordinary computer.

This keeps the internal components working reliably.

The typical usage of the rugged laptops includes, and is not limited to:

  • Field sales and service
  • Public safety
  • Manufacturing industries
  • Retail businesses
  • Healthcare
  • Transportation
  • Distribution and logistics
  • Agricultural industries and even for
  • Outdoor recreational activities by an individual or a group.

Apart from the assurance of high and reliable performance, the manufacturers ensure that these rugged laptops come with governmental grade security.

Apart from that, the manufacturers make sure that these laptops come with both legacy and current I/O ports that include:

  • Serial
  • PCMCIA
  • Express Card
  • VGA and more.

All these cards are typically used in an outdoor setting.

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Though there is no standardized method or formula to determine the ruggedness of a laptop, these are still measured by specific organizations and accordingly these devices are certified.

Some of the most common certifications for determining the level ruggedness of a computer are:

  • MIL STD 810 issued by The United States Army’s Developmental Test Command
  • IP or Ingress Protection and
  • ATEX.

All rugged computers usually are made from the same design philosophy that makes it able to meet and overcome multiple challenges such as:

  • Corrosion
  • Abrasion
  • Swap or minimum Size, Weight, and Power
  • Acoustic noise drop
  • Low pressure
  • Operating temperature
  • EMI interference and
  • Ingress.

In order to ensure that the laptop performs at the highest level, the design considerations also include:

  • Minimum cabling
  • Use of rugged ingredients
  • Heat sinks
  • Addition of liquid cooling system
  • Fully sealed and spill resistant keyboards and
  • Scratch resistant screens with minimum brightness to make it readable under direct sunlight

If you consider it from the users’ perspective, a rugged computer may be defined in many different ways.

It will be different if you want a laptop to be well protected from the bumps on the road and occasional rain.

In the same way, it will be different if you want to use it under extremely harsh and exposed conditions.

In all conditions, it should typically last for at least three, if not five, years.

Now, the semi-rugged laptops, on the other hand, are all those standard laptops and notebooks.

However, the difference between these semi-rugged laptops from the normal ones that you use at home is that the features and design of these laptops allows them to withstand some amount of harsh conditions.

Semi-rugged laptops come with common design features such as:

  • A spill proof keyboard
  • A gel mounted or shock proof hard drive to minimize impact and
  • A strong magnesium housing.

Though these computers can handle and work perfectly in high and low temperature settings, they will not be able to survive extreme cold or hot weather conditions.

This will result in slowing down its performance, freezing the screen and producing unclear and unreadable content.

These laptops can be best used for outdoor work in construction and utilities where the conditions are rough but not extremely rough.

This is because these laptops are nowhere near those fully rugged laptops that can handle intense working conditions.

Irrespective of whether a laptop is fully rugged or semi rugged, both are designed according to the military specifications.

Conclusion

The rugged laptops are the ones that are designed to be used in extremely harsh working conditions.

The semi rugged computers, on the other hand, are designed to work perfectly in outdoor settings but not in extreme conditions.

About Taylor

AvatarTaylor S. Irwin is a freelance technology writer with in-depth knowledge about computers. She has an understanding of hardware and technology gained through over 10 years of experience.

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