RUGGED News Room & Blog

It’s the latest dilemma – do you need a rugged device, or would a consumer equivalent be the right choice? There are plenty of assumptions feeding into this decision. People think rugged is heavier and more expensive but are consumer devices tough enough for working on the move? Which has the more advanced technology? It’s time to cut through the supposition and get to the facts.

If you’re looking for the ideal keyboards for industrial applications, the iKey 5K series should be right at the top of your list. These are the No1 rugged keyboards for use in hazardous and harsh environments and they come with a range of specifications and functions to suit every requirement.

Ever since people started to use technology onsite or on the move, there has been a need for rugged versions – but in the early days these were clunky and heavy, and didn’t keep up with state-of-the-art consumer technology. Now that’s all changed and you can find fully rugged pieces of equipment that are every bit as stylish and futuristic as their consumer equivalents.

When you’re looking at rugged technology and trying to decide which device will be right for the job, you’ve probably come across IP ratings – the letters IP, followed by a number, for example IP65 or IP67. So what exactly do they mean and how much notice should you take of them?

Tough environments demand tough components – not least your motherboard. Whether you’re working in the field, in a hostile environment or in using it in an embedded industrial application, you need a motherboard that can withstand all you’re going to throw at it.

Rugged technology is a term you’re no doubt familiar with, but do you know exactly what it describes – and do you need it? In this introduction to rugged hardware, we take a look at what qualifies as ‘rugged’ and why you might benefit from investing in it.

Data input specialist “PrehKeyTec” combines rugged simplicity with German engineering for medical applications – new to the PrehKeyTec range is the SIK2500 silicon medical keyboard, offering users a cleanable silicon surface with backlit keys, these illuminated keys offering much improved data entry in controlled and reduced lighting conditions.

Many Airline operators are now benefiting from the rugged performance of PrehKeyTec’s MCI 111A keyboard.

When it comes to choosing a new keyboard, of course there's nothing wrong with selecting a bargain bucket consumer grade keyboard. That is, if you only intend to use it in the clean, warm and dry environment of your office. But if you need to use your keyboard on site, in the field, for military, medical, police or industrial applications, you'll quickly find that your cheap keyboard wasn't so cheap after all. Constant replacements of equipment that simply isn't up to the job can become extremely expensive.