Ruggedized Pocket PCs are the Humvees of the Windows Mobile world. They are ready out-of-the box to stand up against water, dust, ugly weather, and rough handling. They can be many times more expensive than consumer-grade Pocket PCs, but when the going gets tough, these tough units keep going. For enterprise users who need rugged dependability for their mobile workforce, on the factory floor or outside in the wind and rain, these units are just the ticket.
Not all ruggedized devices run the latest versions of the Windows Mobile OS; a few run the Pocket PC 2002 or the earlier Windows CE software, and some run Windows CE.Net (a related OS used primarily in devices that don't include the Pocket PC software applications). For more detailed specification of these devices, see At-A-Glance in this issue.
Rugged Windows Mobile 5.0 devices
The following ruggedized devices run Windows Mobile 5.0, the latest version of Microsoft's mobile OS and application suite.
Juniper (http://www.junipersys.com)
The Juniper Archer Field PC is a rugged Pocket PC designed for outdoor excursions in any conditions. It has an Intel XScale 520MHz PXA270 processor, 64 MB of RAM and 128 MB of flash ROM. The Archer has both a CF and an SD card slot and a 3.5 diagonal-measure display. It comes with a Lithium-Ion battery pack estimated to yield 20 hours of continuous use (2+ days on the job) between charging. It is housed in a tough magnesium case.
The Juniper Archer Field PC
Symbol Technologies (http://www.symbol.com/products/)
The Symbol MC70 is an interesting combination. It runs Windows Mobile 5.0 Phone Edition software and is aimed at what Symbol considers to be a sweet spot between consumer Pocket PCs and outsized ruggedized devices. It sports an Intel XScale 624 MHz PXA270 processor, with 64 MB of RAM and 128 MB of flash ROM. It has a 3.5 diagonal-measure screen, and an SD card slot, plus an RS 232 port. It comes standard with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GSM/GPRS/EDGE capability. Its Lithium-Ion battery is estimated to give as much as 9 hours of use between charges.
The Symbol MC70
Tripod Data Systems (http://www.tdsway.com)
The TDS Ranger has been Tripod Data System's workhorse Pocket PC. They've updated their signature devices, the Ranger 300x and the Ranger 500x to Windows Mobile 5.0. The 300x sports a 3.5 diagonal-measure screen, a 312 MHz Intel XScale PXA processor with 64 MB of RAM and 256 MB of flash ROM. The 500x sports a larger 3.8 diagonal-measure screen, with a faster 520 MHz Intel XScale PXA 270 processor and a whopping 128 MB of RAM and 512 MB of flash ROM. A substantial Lithium-Ion battery gives both units an estimated 30 hours between charges
The Tripod Data Systems Ranger
Rugged Windows Mobile 2003 devices
The following devices run Windows Mobile 2003, or earlier versions of Microsoft OS and application suite.
Casio (http://www.casio.com)
The Casio IT-10M20 is a ruggedized unit with an Intel PXA270 416-MHz processor, 64 MB of RAM, and 64 MB of flash ROM. It runs Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition and has a 3.7 diagonal-measure screen. It includes 1 CF Type II slot and 1 SD/IO slot. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are available as options. It includes a Lithium-Ion battery that is estimated to last for 27 hours.
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