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Rugged tablets are built to withstand the heavy-duty wear and tear that comes with construction, frequent travel, first responder work, and harsh outdoor environments. All of our recommendations feature, at a minimum, IP68 water and dust resistance . This means they're fully protected from dust and debris, and when it comes to water, they can be submerged at up to a depth of one meter for a period of up to 30 minutes and come out working as intended.

Many rugged tablets also feature durable cases and reinforced corners to protect against scratches and drops. The 8849 Tank Pad Ultra, for instance, comes enclosed in a TPU gel case with a protective film layer pre-installed over the screen, on top of the tablet's own IP68 resistance rating.

Of course, a good rugged tablet is more than durable.…