Ultra-rugged tablets and PDAs are all-in-one outdoor measurement devices, communication tools, data collectors, etc. Due to prolonged battery life, they make data collection comfortable without interruptions even in humid areas.

There’s a lot of brands out there marketing their products as most rugged and toughest handhelds. However, to ensure that the handheld you’re investing in will last for 3-5 years of its life expectancy rather than a single use, you'll need to consider your working environment.

The requirements of the handheld will possibly differ quite a bit when using in a bloodshed battlefield compared to on an equatorial sailing boat. Therefore, be clear about which environment your device will operate in.