Stop your technology getting beaten up

Worried that your laptop or tablet is getting beat up on the move? Ruggedise it with a range of accessories which makes your technology tougher and ready to go further with you every day.

Rugged technology has evolved significantly in the last few years and with water, drop, and dust proofing accessories from the likes of Havis and Infocase. These are designed specifically to add a protective layer for personal computing devices, improving their odds against the elements.

“With technology becoming such an integral part of our lives, it is no longer uncommon for backpackers, campers and other outdoorsy people to take their computers with them on the road,” says Rugged mobility manager Darryn Smith.

These ‘road warriors’ join the many thousands of professionals who are required to take their computers into unusual settings to do their jobs effectively. “Whether for work or play, rugged accessories give your technology a better chance of surviving the inevitable knocks, drops, splashes and spills associated with travel,” he notes.

Targeted at the business user, Havis provides a range of mounting hardware for vehicles, allowing convenient positioning of Panasonic Toughbook devices in cars, boats or trucks. “These docking stations provide the safest, most reliable mounts to keep computers in place when on the move, and being pushed to the limits by Emergency services around the world. The marine docking stations are designed to withstand jets of water from every direction - forces similar to those of heavy seas,” Smith explains.

Meanwhile, Infocase provides a range of cases, harnesses, and other protective solutions for mobile devices, including iPads and other tablet computers. These solutions are ideal for any use: business or personal. “With the addition of an Infocase accessory, many ‘non-rugged’ devices gain a level of protection which elevates them to ‘semi-rugged’ status,” says Smith. “This allows the user to take their technology with them into environments which might ordinarily be ruled out.”

He says the high failure rates of notebooks used in demanding circumstances are compelling users to look for better options. “A Panasonic-sponsored IDC study has shown that standard notebooks fail at a rate of about one in five [22%], with the top reasons for failure being drops, spills and falling objects. These threats to notebooks can be found in any office, let alone in more demanding outdoors workplaces,” Smith notes.

By comparison, Panasonic Toughbook ruggedised computers have a failure rate of just 1.5%.
“Not everyone can afford or needs rugged devices every day. However, with the addition of the accessories available through Comworth’s nationwide network of resellers, mobile computing receives a reliability boost,” he concludes.

Rugged technology specialist Comworth imports and distributes Havis and Infocase products. These add a protective layer for personal computing devices, improving their odds against the elements. Comworth is also New Zealand’s exclusive distributor of Panasonic Toughbook ruggedised laptops and tablets.