The Sonim XP1 is a rugged, IP54 rated, MIL-810F drop tested mobile phone that is pretty close to unbreakable… That is until this BBC reporter got hold of it (Click on the screenshot to watch the video):

As you can see, the weak point of this phone is its glass screen. We find that the glass screen is the weak point on many of the Tablet PCs on the market too – even the rugged ones. Even though standard screens are made from chemically hardened glass, they are still prone to break when a little force is applied.

Corning turned this problem on its head when they released Gorilla Glass last year – Gorilla Glass is strengthened with a process that achieves a much deeper level of strengthening. You can see a demonstration of Gorilla Glass by Andrew Moore-Crispin of butterscotch.com here at CES in Las Vegas last week.

Motion Computing were the first Tablet PC manufacturer with Corning Gorilla Glass on the rugged F5 and C5 tablets last year. Gorilla Glass is up to four times stronger than other glass used in Tablet PCs and as yet, Motion are still the only Tablet manufacturer using the technology.

Having used Tablet PCs for nearly 10 years (and broken at least 4 screens), I can attest to the value of this glass. It should be an essential component on all Tablet PCs along with a low power Hydis AFFS+ outdoor viewable display – another Motion Computing first.

Sonim should plan a visit to Corning to make their rugged phone even tougher (so that this doesn’t happen in future)!

The Xplore iX104C4 is a super tough IP65 rated rugged Tablet PC. Because the Xplore is ATEX certified we have been able to deploy it on gas inspection work for the coal seam gas projects in Western Queensland.

Whilst the Xplore is not intrinsically safe (no computer is), it is safe for use in certain dangerous environments (ATEX / UL1604 Class I / Div II.). You will need to check to be sure that the ATEX certification that this device carries will satisfy the requirements of your work environment. Give us a call to discuss it.

The Xplore is built with a triple layer magnesium housing and a unique patented bumper system that enables it to pass a direct drop test onto concrete from 4 feet. It also comes with a choice of Wacom active digitiser or a Wacom digitiser / touch screen combination.

Importantly Xplore also uses smart outdoor screen technology to ensure maximum viewing without needless power draining backlighting. And best of all, with Xplore you don’t have to sacrifice computing power for ruggedness. The iX104C4 uses an Intel Core 2 Duo processor giving it great computing performance.

Thanks to www.RuggedPCReview.com for the pictures in this video. You can read their review of the Xplore iX104C4 here.

I got caught out in one of Melbourne’s four seasons (the rainy one) with one of our Motion F5 tablet PCs recently. As you can see from the video below, the Motion F5 has an IP 54 rating, so it takes it all in stride…

The Motion F5 has an IP54 rating for water and dust resistance. IP is an industrial rating scale for Intrusion Protection. The first number, in this case a 5 relates to the dust rating, and the second number relates to the water rating.

To achieve these ratings, the Motion F5 – and for that matter the Motion C5 – must run through a series of physical endurance tests. The machines must operate through the testing without failure. To see the tests in action, watch below:

Motion F5 Water Test

Water is sprayed constantly onto the Motion F5 from all sides for 1 hour. It must continue to operate throughout the test.

Motion Dust Protection Test

Whilst this video shows the Motion J3400, the Motion F5 and C5 pass the same test. The Tablet PCs are subjected to a fine dust cloud for 8 hours and must continue to operate.

Motion F5 Drop Test

The Motion F5 unit is dropped from 3 feet onto all sides, corners and faces. It must continue to operate throughout this test to pass.

Motion F5 Gorilla Glass Test

This demonstration shows a 1kg ball bearing dropped onto the screen. As you can see, the screen flexes but does not break thanks to the Corning Gorilla Glass technology.

Tablet PCs like these go into places that regular computers don’t go. It is important that you choose a Tablet PC that is designed to go where you want it to go!

The Motion F5 and Motion C5 Tablet PCs are now officially tougher!

Motion Computing has officially launched the new C5 MCA and F5 Field Tablet PC with Corning Gorilla Glass – 4 times stronger than regular display glass.

Motion have also put together a great demonstration video for you, check this out:

To find out more about Corning Gorilla Glass, read this article where we leaked the news in August… Sorry Motion, but we have been delivering these to our customers for a while now…!

Of course this not only means better breakage protection, it will also limit scratching on the screen surface.

The Motion C5 and F5 were already certified to rugged US Military standards (MIL-810F) for drop and IP54 rated for dust and water protection.

Now when you couple this new tough display with the new Hydis AFFS+ outdoor display and Core 2 Duo processor and you have a very tough and cutting edge Tablet PC.

We have the Motion F5 and Motion C5 with Corning Gorilla Glass available for demonstrations now. Call us on 0400 687 887 or fill in the enquiry form on our website.

To make way for new models, we are having a clearance on Motion Computing F5 Rugged Tablet PCs until the end of next week.

If you are looking to trial a Tablet PC for an upcoming project, then why not take advantage of this offer before the end of financial year. You may also be able to take advantage to the Federal Government Investment Allowance.

The F5 features:

• Ultra Mobile design
  • Weighs only 1.5kg
  • Compact 10.4” screen
  • Convenient carry handle
• Rugged construction
  • Drop tested to Military Standards (MIL810F)
  • Water and dust resistant IP54 Rated
• Versatile connectivity
  • Bar code and RFID Scanner inbuilt (Optional)
  • Bluetooth, Wireless and 3G / Next G inbuilt
  • Docking station with spare battery charger

Check the demo section of our website for more information on the Motion F5 demo and stock clearance models available.

We recently took a look at the Panasonic Toughbook CF-19. What can we say? It’s tough!

Check out our video review here: 

For more information on the Toughbook CF-19 visit our website.