Laptop, Convertible or Tablet

It may be tempting to cut costs by purchasing consumer-grade devices, but these computers aren’t built to last in a rugged environment. Semi-rugged and rugged laptops and tablets, on the other hand, are built to withstand vibration, movement, and rough treatment that goes hand-in-hand with law enforcement and first responders. A resilient device will have a longer lifespan and favorable total cost of ownership.

The choice between a rugged tablet and laptop depends on user preference. It often comes down to whether you’d like to be able to remove your device from the patrol vehicle for other purposes. Some use tablets to snap quick photos with the built-in camera. Should you choose to go the tablet route, however, keep in mind that not everyone is comfortable using a touchscreen. A rugged keyboard installed in the patrol vehicle can bridge the gap between tablet and laptop, should the need arise, but is mounted separately from the tablet and would not be removed by the user when on the go.

Many Officers prefer a tablet with detachable keyboard.  See our blog post here

Consumer Grade, Semi-Rugged, Fully-Rugged or Ultra-Rugged

Consumer Grade might seem like a  more inexpensive solution, but repair times and frequency of replacements might make the end cost higher than a solution that was meant for a tough environment.

Intel Core 5, 7 or other possible options depending on model computer or tablet selected

There are times when you will not have a selection, in general the higher number indicates the newer version and in turn gives you the fastest processing speeds.   

The general guideline is to get the best you can get.  Faster, newer is better and will last longer.

Pricing typically increases around $300 per device when you upgrade to a newer version of processor.

There are vPro processors that provided a higher level of security.  It is unusual for a law enforcement or fire department to use any of the additional features this processor provides. Note there are some counties that require the vPro family of processors.  

Pricing typically increases around $200 per device when you require the vPro version of the processor.

Random Access Memory

This varies from model to model. The speed and performance of your system directly correlate to the amount of RAM you have installed. If your system has too little RAM, it can be slow and sluggish. But on the opposite end, you can install too much with little to no added benefit.

Pricing typically increases around $400 per device per step up.

Typical options are 8GB, 16GB, 32GB

Most people are picking between 8GB and 16GB.  If you will be running Windows 11 keep in mind that it needs twice the amount of RAM.

This is memory for your computer.  If you are mostly connecting to a server and using shared data, there won’t be a ton stored on the computer.  You have options on some models of 256, 512 or 1TB. All are SSD (solid state drives)

Pricing typically increases around $1000 or more per device per step up.  
Most law enforcement and first responders go with 256GB

When it comes to being connected it has become virtually standard for computers to have WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity.  Now there are options of LTE and a variety GPS options.  You can also select to get connections through a mobile router.

WiFi provides a connection to the internet when a cellular signal is available. Typically this is with FirstNet (AT&T), Verizon or T-Mobile (really all carriers).

OPTIONS FOR ENHANCING

The addition of an antenna will provide Wi-Fi signal and give a more consistent connection.  The antenna is outside of the “metal box” (the vehicle) and can be wired through the car and connect directly to a dock or to a router.  When it is connected to a router (see below) it will receive the cell signal from your carrier and also put out a Wi-Fi signal

Creating an vehicle gateway with the use of a Mobile Router provides a secure, reliable, and fast connection. It also allows for the connection of multiple devices (printers, body cameras, vehicle cameras, networks, phone-based apps – you can get a variety of connections).  Think of the vehicle as now being a charged mobile hotspot. You also do not need to have a passthrough dock for your computer. 

A mobile router provides simultaneous connections for a variety of devices.  It also enables the use of a less expensive cradle or dock (rather than a dock or dock with passthrough) for securing the device. Additionally when you have a router you do not need to get LTE on the computer.

In just one example we found the cradle for a particular setup was approx $700, the dock was $1200 and the dock with passthrough was $1700. By opting for the cradle it was a savings of $1100.  The Cradlepoint router added to the set up was $1500, but the Peplink model that provided all the necessary features was $500.    Please note, every set-up is different, these are specific example prices.

Consider the brands Cradlepoint and Peplink for your router needs. 

LTE (Long Term Evolution) While Wi-Fi comes from your cable and internet provider, LTE is a wireless broadband sent through the radio spectrum. LTE is encrypted making it more secure than Wi-Fi. LTE provides faster exchange of information.  Provides connection when WiFi is unavailable.

GPS  Consider if you want to be able to track the vehicle or if when the computer is removed from the vehicle you wish to track the computer. Typically if you have LTE on a device you have GPS.

Do you have optional items that you need

Barcode Reader: What software are you using? Scan barcode data into your applications with the device’s in-built rear camera.

FingerPrint Reader: For the ultimate in security.  What software are you using?

SmartCard Reader: A smart card reader is a device that is used to read a smart card. A smart card is a plastic badge that incorporates an installed coordinated circuit that can be either a safe micro-controller or a. memory chip. These cards have the capacity to store a lot of information, do encryption and validation as well.

Stylus or Hard Tip Stylus: Typically one will come standard with any tablet. They both provide excellent control and smooth comfortable interactions with the touch screen.

Digitizer: The digitizer pen provides a more accurate and easy way for data entry and handwritten signature. A shortcut button allows the right mouse button functionality when using the pen. This is typically wanted when drawing is involved.  It gives you very nuanced control.

Handle: Some of the models have the option to upgrade to a hard handle

Accessories are available such as stylus tethers, extra batteries, travel bags, battery chargers, power cords, vehicle power adapters,  adapters, screen protection, hand straps, shoulder straps, shoulder harness, detachable keyboards, office dock, storage.

Windows 10, Windows 11, Android  If you have a preference, know what you need.

Note: Windows 11 needs twice the amount of RAM 

Mounts, Poles, Arms, Cradles & Docks

Make, Model and Year of vehicles will be needed.  Just like windshield wiper blades, tires and keys – these are very specific to the make, model and year of the car.  If there is any existing mounting equipment, photos will likely need to be provided.

Mounts attach to the vehicle; Poles and arms go from the mount to the cradle or dock; Cradles & Docks go from mount or pole or arm to the computer; Cradles only hold the device; Docks are a simplified way to “plug” in the device.

Longer explanation excerpt from: https://sigmasafety.ca/news/computer-mounts/

Computer mounting systems consist of a couple major parts;

1. the hardware to mount the system to the vehicle and
2. the docking station (cradle, dock or dock with passthrough)

One of the trickiest parts of the mounting systems is physically attaching the system to the vehicle.   The system is generally made up of a base plate then an assortment of poles and brackets to raise the system to an appropriate level for the user.

Once the base plate and pole assemblies have been chosen, move up to the tilt/swivel/slide device, which we call a Motion Attachment, that the docking station bolts to.   Generally speaking you’ll want an attachment that provides at least some tilt and swivel that allows you to move the computer towards and away from you depending if you’re stopped and working on the computer or you’re driving.   

Once all the floor plate, poles, and motion attachments have been selected, now it’s time to think about the docking station.   There are a couple options;

CRADLE

A “Cradle” is a mount that simply holds the computer in place.  It’s crucial that you get a sturdy cradle that locks and also can hold the computer in the case of an airbag strike or other rugged incident. 

Advantages of cradle;

• Much lower cost than a docking station
• Provides reasonable security 
• Universal models and device specific versions are available
• Universal models can often be re-used on other computers, rather than being specific to one make/model

Drawbacks;

• No electronics such as charging or USB connections.  If you want to charge your computer in the cradle you’ll need to manually connect a power cable each time you put the computer in the cradle.  This isn’t a big hassle if you put the computer in the cradle once or twice during the day, but if you insert/remove it many times during the day this will quickly get frustrating.  It also adds a lot of wear and tear to your computer’s power and USB ports.
• No ability to connect to external antennas (see below)
• Must use an external power supply or an inverter/power supply combination.

DOCKING STATION

A docking station (or just “dock”) is always designed for a specific make/model of computer.   The dock not only holds and locks the computer but it also provides connections that mate with the computer’s docking connector.  These connections provide power, peripheral connection, and antenna connection (see below) all in one motion.  These docking stations are made only for fully- and semi-rugged computers.   

Advantages;

• Full connections such as power, peripheral, and antenna
• Easy to dock/undock without manually plugging in any cables
• Designed to work with rugged computers
• Reduces wear on ports vs. manual plug-in style connections
• Integrated (or attached) power supply that is tolerant to vehicle power systems 

Disadvantages;

• Significantly more expensive than a cradle (most docks will be more than $600 more than cradle version).
• Specific to one make/model of computer.  If you upgrade your computer to a different model in the future, you’ll need to buy a new docking station to mate with the new computer.

EXTERNAL ANTENNAS – Docks with RF Passthrough

This is one topic that almost no one considers when selecting a computing device, but it can make or break the success of your project. 

With many computers/tablets having GPS and cellular modems embedded into them, it’s really handy because you can walk around pretty much anywhere and have GPS and data connectivity. However, remember that when you have the computer mounted in a vehicle, it’s underneath the metal roof of your vehicle, so GPS reception will suffer. 

Also, your cell data reception level will drop dramatically because your computer (and its internal antenna) are now inside what’s essentially a metal box (your vehicle). The only way around this is to connect the internal GPS and cell data modems in the tablet/computer to antennas that are mounted on the roof of your vehicle.

With a full docking station and a rugged computer, the computer has connectors on it that mate up with the docking station’s connectors. Then, on the back of the docking station, there are antenna connectors that you can connect the roof-top antennas to. This effectively routes the computer’s internal GPS and cell antennas through the dock and to the roof. We call this “RF Passthrough” (RF = radio frequency).   

ERGONOMICS

We need to try to make the computer as comfortable to use as possible, but we have to work within the constraints of the other equipment (factory consoles, aftermarket parts, etc.) in the vehicle.  As a general rule we’d like to allow enough movement via the motion attachment to get the computer out of the driver’s area when the vehicle is in motion, but then allow the driver to move the computer closer to them when the vehicle is stopped.

One thing to consider is how much you’re actually going to be typing.  Police Departments tend to type a lot – long reports and copious amounts of details.  Fire users, on the other hand, generally just use “status” buttons on their screens:  En Route, At Scene, etc. .  If you are not typing on your computer much (or at all) then ergonomics isn’t very important. But, if you type a lot, paying attention to where the computer sits relative to the driver can make a world of difference.

The first thing to consider is Tilt.  Having a motion attachment that tilts will make typing a LOT easier. 

The ability for the computer to slide or swivel so it’s closer to the driver is important as well  Typing on a keyboard that is too far away from you will quickly lead to upper back strain and discomfort.

If you are using a tablet, will you need support for a keyboard, if it is a laptop will you need extra support for the screen.

Final thought, if you are thinking a cradle and plan to later move up to a dock, it is much more cost effective to start with the dock then to have a new installation and purchase take place.

Do you want the power hard wired into the vehicle or do you prefer to plug into a power supply – like a cigarette lighter.