
ZDNET's cardinal takeaways
- The DT Research tablet is built arsenic rugged arsenic it gets, pinch IP65, MIL-STD-810H, and MIL-STD-461G certifications.
- The prime of Intel Core i5 and i7 processors offers elasticity erstwhile buying nan system.
- The tablet is large and alternatively chunky, acold larger than a accepted iPad.
Let's look it: Your mean laptop aliases tablet is simply a beautiful vulnerable portion of technology. One accidental drop, and much often than not, thing captious -- usually nan show -- decides it's had enough. This leaves you pinch hefty repair bills, a batch of frustration, and perchance immoderate downtime you didn't scheme for.
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This is precisely wherever ruggedized systems measurement successful to prevention nan day. These devices are purpose-built to withstand nan harshest environments and nan toughest conditions. And erstwhile it comes to ruggedized tablets, they don't get overmuch tougher than nan DT Research DT312RP 2-in-1 rugged tablet.
I've besides utilized it successful ways that mimic really ruggedized tablets are typically handled by professionals who trust connected them successful nan field. That intends dropping it, placing it connected crisp rocks and rubble, covering it successful mud, and rinsing it disconnected astatine nan extremity of nan day. Spoiler alert: it handled everything I threw astatine it for illustration a champ.
Cleaning nan tablet aft a agelong day!
But earlier we dive into really it performed, let's return a person look astatine what's nether nan hood of nan DT Research DT312RP.
The specs and build quality
Depending connected your capacity needs, nan DT312RP offers 2 processor options: a 4.6GHz, 10-core Intel Core i5-1335U aliases a 5GHz, 10-core Intel Core i7-1355U. These are backed by 8GB of RAM and retention options ranging from 512GB to 2TB, giving you plentifulness of room for data-intensive tasks.
The strategy runs Microsoft Windows 11 IoT Enterprise operating system.
Durability testing nan DT312RP!
One standout characteristic is that nan strategy is passively cooled, meaning location are nary fans. This not only reduces nan consequence of mechanical nonaccomplishment but besides ensures nan instrumentality remains quiet, moreover nether dense workloads.
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On nan front, you'll find an 11.6-inch, 1920 x 1200 LED-backlit touchscreen show that's sunlight-readable pinch an awesome 1000 nits of brightness. This makes it cleanable for outdoor use, moreover successful agleam conditions. The beforehand sheet besides includes a microphone, speaker, and an array of buttons: a powerfulness button, 2 brightness controls, and 5 programmable buttons for added customization.
Lots of ports down rubberized covers!
The broadside of nan tablet houses various ports, including USB-A, USB-C, gigabit Ethernet, and a DC input. The artillery is simply a hot-swappable 11.4V, 3800mAh unit, pinch larger artillery options disposable if you request extended runtime.
On nan backmost of nan unit, there's a kickstand and entree panels to switch retired nan artillery and storage. While nan apical has a robust transportation handle, which is cleanable for handling nan tablet while wearing gloves.
The useful transportation grip connected nan DT312RP is, well, handy!
The full strategy is encased successful a durable chassis made from a operation of ABS and polycarbonate polymer and magnesium-aluminum alloy. It measures 8.3 x 12.4 x 0.78 inches (212 x 316 x 20 mm) and weighs 3.43 lbs (1.55 kg). This robust building allows nan tablet to meet IP65, MIL-STD-810H, and MIL-STD-461G certifications, ensuring it tin grip dust, water, shocks, and utmost temperatures. Here's a clip of maine dropping nan tablet from chest-high.
This is simply a reliable tablet.
The strategy tin beryllium expanded pinch an optional keyboard, integer pen, batteries, and retention description s. Camera options see a 5-megapixel beforehand camera, 8-megapixel backmost camera, 4G LTE/AWS, GPS, and barcode scanner.
Performance successful nan field
This is wherever nan DT312RP genuinely shines. This strategy is built to strengthen conditions that wouldn't conscionable break but wholly destruct astir different devices. The tablet tin past drops, scrapes, and bumps, and it operates flawlessly successful temperatures arsenic debased arsenic 14°F (-10°C) and arsenic precocious arsenic 149°F (65°C).
Here is nan DT312RP aft being stiff coagulated for respective hours successful a freezer!
During my testing, I near it retired successful nan rainfall and fog, knocked it astir connected crisp rocks, dropped it many times onto mud and rubble, and moreover froze it solidly successful a freezer. Each time, it powered connected without hesitation and performed arsenic if thing had happened.
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This level of durability is precisely what you'd expect -- and request -- from a ruggedized tablet designed for demanding environments that extremity up successful nan hands of rule enforcement, EMS, aliases those moving successful professions specified arsenic forestry, car mechanics, and section and national government.
ZDNET's buying advice
The DT Research DT312RP is simply a ruggedized tablet that doesn't conscionable talk nan talk; it wholly walks nan walk. No matter what your profession, if that demands a instrumentality tin of withstanding nan elements, this tablet is up to nan task. It's tough, reliable, and packed pinch capable powerfulness to grip a wide scope of applications.
But arsenic you mightiness expect, these tablets are not cheap. The strategy I tested pinch nan Intel Core i7 and 512GB SSD retails for astir $2,100, pinch nan Core i5 type a small cheaper astatine $1,804.
So, if you're weary of vulnerable devices that can't support up pinch you and your activity environment, nan DT312RP mightiness conscionable beryllium nan PC package you've been looking for. This isn't conscionable a tool; it's a partner you tin trust on, nary matter what you request to do aliases wherever your occupation takes you.