Versatile rugged 10.4-inch tablet computer uses Intel Atom N2600, runs both Windows 7 or Embedded Standard 7, carries IP65 sealing, offers 4G LTE
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

Taiwan-based RuggON Corporation was established in 2014 as a provider of ruggedized computing products. RuggON's stated mission is to raise the productivity of rugged computing solutions through creative, pioneering technology. Their lineup consists of RuggTAB tablets and RuggVMC vehicle mounts. On this page we're describing the PM-511 10.4-inch rugged tablet.

The RuggON PM-511 has a 10.4-inch 4:3 format display with standard 1024 x 768 XGA pixel resolution. In this model, RuggON foregoes the fashionable capacitive touch in favor of traditional 5-wire resistive touch, not a bad choice for the tablet's standard or embedded versions of Windows 7. The tablet can be ordered either with a rather bright 350-nits standard display, or a 700-nits sunlight-readable screen that benefits from anti-reflective coatings and circular polarizers.

In terms of size and weight, the PM-511—designed for a wide range of field mobility duties—measures 10.8 x 8 inches and is just over an inch thick. Weight is just a tad over three pounds. Looking at the unit, size and weight specs presumably are without the protective rubber bumpers.

As its intended purpose suggests, the PM-511 is a well-connected, well-equipped device. Wired onboard connectivity includes dual full-size USB 2.0 ports, RJ45 LAN, as well as a standard audio jack. There are, however, no card slots to augment the internal 32GB SATA solid-state disk (presumably, larger sizes are available). There are two cameras, a 2mp front-facing conferencing cam, and a rear-facing 5mp documentation camera. There's embedded GPS, dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth v4.0, as well as optional 3.5G or 4G LTE mobile broadband. Optionally available are snap-on modules that provide 1D/2D barcode scanner, scanner plus GNSS, NFC plus GNSS, smart card reader plus GNSS, and magnetic stripe card reader.

On the processor side, RuggON equips this rugged 10.4-inch tablet with the dual-core 1.6GHz Intel Atom N2600, a competent and still widely used processor well suited for this class of machine. Using a dual-battery arrangement with an internal and an external battery allows hot-swapping and combined battery life of up to 8 hours between charges. A service door in the back of the tablet provides easy access for upgrades or service.

The PM-511 is a pure tablet without integrated keyboard, but it does have five programmable function keys for easy one-click access to often used apps and utilities.

On the ruggedness side, the PM-511 claims IP65 sealing, which means it's totally dustproof, and can also handle low-pressure water jets from all directions (albeit with limited ingress permitted). It has a wide operating temperature range of -4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, can be dropped from six feet to concrete, and has been tested according to MIL-SDT-810G procedures for mechanical shock and several other criteria. Ubiqconn also stresses the advantages of its uHeater intelligent heater solution that—via controllers, sensors and heaters—determines which parts of the tablet need to be heated under different scenarios and conditions.

Overall, the elegantly designed PM-511 actually foregoes some of the technology included in the smaller PM-311 (serial port, higher res display, expansion card slot), but offers a significantly larger display and an RFID option. It's an attractive, lightweight, versatile general-purpose tablet tool for mobile data capture and logistics jobs in numerous areas and applications.