Rugged Computers, Tangent’s Five Favorites

August 21, 2019August 21, 2019 Michelle

At Tangent, we strive to make all of our computers as durable and dependable as possible. This vision is most accomplished in our line of rugged computers, each one custom designed to work in the harshest work environments possible. Every rugged computer from Tangent has a unique design and set of features that makes it stand out; this ensures that whatever the task, a Tangent rugged computer will be up to it. While every rugged computer from Tangent is worth a look, we’ve picked five of our favorites for their own spotlight.

Rugged Mini Tank

The Rugged Mini Tank from Tangent is named aptly, being one of Tangent’s most durable rugged computers. The Rugged Mini Tank meet military standard specifications for dust, shock, vibration, rain, humidity, solar radiation, and more. The fanless design coupled with a solid state drive means that this rugged computer has no moving parts whatsoever, and can withstand shocks and drops commercial PCs couldn’t fathom. In addition, the Rugged Mini Tank can operate in extreme temperatures from -4° to 158°F without any damage to the rugged computer. These features combine to make the Rugged Mini Tank the perfect in-vehicle computer for any vehicle. Whether it’s equipped to a tractor going through a bumpy construction site or a forklift in a warehouse on a hot summer’s day, the Rugged Mini tank will be able to perform as if it was sitting in an air conditioned office.

Rugged Mini E3

The Rugged Mini E3 is the latest in the E line of rugged computers from Tangent. The Rugged Mini E3 is one of the most powerful rugged computers out there, sporting one of the latest Intel Core I7 processors and a built in graphics controller. This small rugged computer packs a massive punch, and with Windows 7 and 10 available it can put this power to good use on any computer program. The Rugged Mini E3 also comes equipped with extra drive bays, meaning that you can expand its memory capacity whenever needed—by terabytes. The Rugged Mini E3 is perfect for situations where human error can lead to a rugged computer being needlessly left on, as it features an auto-shutoff timer. This makes the Rugged Mini E3 ideal for vehicle mounting, ensuring that a left-on computer will not drain the battery.

Rugged Mini S

The Rugged Mini S from Tangent is a sleeker rugged computer, being 33% lighter than the Rugged Mini Tank. No compromises were made to achieve this smaller size however, the Rugged Mini S also sports one of the latest Intel Core I7 processors and can be equipped with a massive 32 gigabytes of DDR4 RAM. RAM stands for random access memory, and serves as a temporary storage area for programs that are in use. Having more RAM built into a computer means that the computer can multitask on numerous programs without lag. The large capacity of RAM on the Rugged Mini S makes it perfect for situations where numerous programs must be run at the same time, such as on a medical cart. When equipped to a medical cart, the Rugged Mini S can operate all the various sensors and programs required of it simultaneously, without delay. The Rugged Mini S also features a TPM security module that protects the rugged computer from any unauthorized requests for sensitive information, saving your hospital from costly data breaches.

Rugged Mini I

The Rugged Mini I from Tangent ups the ante when it comes to rugged computers, being able to support not one, not two, but three monitors simultaneously. When you need to work on a complex job that requires multiple programs or web pages operating at the same time, the Rugged Mini I is your solution. Triple monitor support also makes this rugged computer perfect for digital signage, as its wide operating temperature range and solid chassis allows it to display advertisements or information consistently. Clocking in a mere 2.42 pounds, this rugged computer can be placed in any situation while providing the power needed to display extremely large images.

Rugged Mini Q1

We’ve explored four of our top rugged computers on this list, with features ranging from triple monitor support to extreme temperature operation. But by far my favorite rugged computer in the Tangent line up is the Rugged Mini Q1 for one simple reason: it’s the smallest one yet. To call the Rugged Mini Q1 a “mini PC” is an understatement, the Q1 weighs 1.29 pounds, that’s almost half the weight of the already incredibly small Rugged Mini I. The extreme lightweightedness of this rugged computer is matched by its tiny dimensions, coming in at 4.33 inches by 4.56 inches by 1.93inces—less than 2 inches tall! This insanely small size allows for the Rugged Mini Q1 to fit between a monitor and it’s mount, making this rugged computer ideal for situations where room is scarce. The Rugged Mini Q1 comes with Windows 7 or 10 preinstalled, and has the CPU and RAM power needed to run medical, industrial, or advertisement software.

Rugged PCs Made for the Military

August 8, 2019August 8, 2019 Michelle

Whether it’s a months long deployment, or a routine test, having the right rugged PC for your military operation is critical to the success of the mission. Rugged PCs work in situations that commercial PCs simply can not operate in, being designed to endure harsh, ever changing environments. Here are some critical features of Rugged PCs that make them perfect for military use:

Built Tough

When there’s no telling what the next environment you’ll be in is, having personnel worry if their PC can survive is the last thing you want them to be doing. Rugged PCs like the Rugged Mini E3 from Tangent are built with this in mind, meeting military standards for dust, shock, vibration, rain, humidity, solar radiation, altitude, and temperature extremes. Tangent’s custom fanless designs on their rugged PCs ensures that no matter how dusty or dirty a situation gets, there is no chance that anything will get inside your rugged PC. Military grade shock resistance means that rugged PCs from Tangent can take a beating and keep operating as though they were in a civilian office.

Built Smart

Just because you’re in a remote location doesn’t mean you don’t need top of the line computing power. Tangent knows that having durable equipment is important, but ultimately the power of the equipment is what makes the difference in operations. Rugged PCs like the Rugged Mini Tank from Tangent are not just built tough, they’re built smart. With powerful i7 quadcore processors built in, rugged PCs from Tangent can run any programs required of them. Even better, having the latest i7 chips ensures that these rugged PCs will be able to run any new software that is developed without needing upgrades.

Built Versatile

What good is having top of the line durability and power if you can’t use it? Rugged PCs from Tangent are built to be extremely versatile, and fit for every situation required of them. Rugged PCs like the Rugged Mini E2 from Tangent are ready to perform in any environment they are needed in. With a wide-ranging power input going form 9 VDC to 48 VDC, this Rugged PC can be fitted into a jeep, tank, or troop transport all the same. WIth VESA/DIN-Rail mounting, Rugged PCs from Tangent can be securely mounted in any location. With Windows 10 preloaded onto the system, military personnel will be able to use these military grade computers in intense situations as easily as they use their own personal laptops.

Rugged PCs aren’t just built with the military in mind, they’re built for the military. Rugged PCs from Tangent meet and exceed the standards set forth by the military, all while providing the power and comfort of civilian computers.

Rugged Mini PC Created for Factory Floors

August 1, 2019August 1, 2019 Michelle

Calling a device “rugged” has lost most of its meaning in an age where supposedly rugged phones shatter from a small fall. But at Tangent, rugged isn’t just a simple marketing term, it’s a limit being constantly pushed against. Rugged mini PCs from Tangent are built from military grade components and tested in the harshest environments factories have to offer to produce computers capable of a long and productive life.

No Moving Parts

Rugged mini PCs from Tangent have no moving parts whatsoever, meaning that a fatal drop for a commercial PC is nothing more than a small jolt for a rugged mini PC. Rugged mini PCs like the Rugged Mini E3 are equipped with solid state drives(SSD) that unlike normal hard drives, do not contain any fragile spinning disks. In addition, an advanced fanless cooling apparatus ensures that rugged pcs from Tangent remain at optimal temperatures without drawing in dust or other fatal contaminants from the factory floor.

Customizability

Don’t let their small size fool you, rugged mini PCs are just as capable as their macro counterparts, and far more versatile. Rugged mini pcs from Tangent are small enough to be placed on a forklift or other vehicle, and their wide range of power input options means that they can be powered by the vehicle they are attached to. Lightning fast intel processors combined with watchdog timers work to make your factory floor as efficient as possible, without errors commonly found in commercial computers. But like commercial computers, rugged pcs from Tangent run Windows operating system, meaning that they are just as easy to use and customizable as your own desktop computer.

Connectivity

Rugged mini pcs are the epitome of portability, and can be placed nearly anywhere on the factory floor. But some rugged pc companies subtract from their products’ capabilities by not building wi-fi capabilities into them.

Not at Tangent.

Every Rugged mini PC sold by Tangent, such as the Rugged Mini O, can utilize WLAN technology to connect to your existing Wi-fi network. Other rugged pc companies put 3G/4G/LTE chips into their rugged mini pcs, which require separate internet plans and cause you to in effect pay twice for the same thing. Rugged mini pcs from tangent save you this hassle, and ensure that all of your factory’s data can sit on one safe network.

Rugged mini PCs from Tangent are at the forefront of factory floor innovation, being able to work under the harshest conditions the floor has to offer without sacrificing in any department.

Medical PCs for Cloud Applications

June 30, 2019July 4, 2019 Michelle

The biggest trend in patient care and work efficiency has certainly been the introduction of mobile devices for health care providers. According to reports published in 2017, nearly 80 percent of physicians use mobile devices for tasks like transferring patient records. It’s long been a challenge for the healthcare industry to adopt mobile devices because of compliance, audit, and IT security requirements, but more and more organizations are now able to securely offer them to their workforce. However handy mobile devices may be, a medical professional can still only do so much work on them. At some point, they arrive at their office and need to see the same applications and data on a larger screen. Companies like Tangent have made great strides in providing cross-platform solutions that can allow users to move from one work device to another and maintain the same access to their applications in a virtualized environment.

Medical LCD Touchscreen Monitor

Whether a healthcare organization decides to achieve virtualization with thin clients, web clients, or virtual machines, Tangent supplements those efforts by providing medical grade touchscreen monitors and touchscreen all-in-one panel PC solutions to best complete a health professional’s setup. Offered in 15″, 21″, or 24″ sizes, Tangent’s medical LCD touchscreen monitor features a 16:9 aspect ratio widescreen display and optional DICOM support for reading radiologists. It is IEC 60601-1-2 certified to be compliant with CDC guidelines for environmental infection control, has an antimicrobial treated casing, and is at an IP65 level of protection against ingress of water or contaminants. It’s perfect for use around patients and with thin clients connected to a farm or industrial mini PCs that are running virtual desktops. The medical touchscreen monitor also has optional anti-glare film for privacy which is important for protecting a patient’s personal health information from passers-by.

Medical companies looking to connect to their cloud applications via the web will need a powerful PC solution that also protects patients and staff against infection. Tangent’s C24 24” medical panel PC may look strikingly like the aforementioned touchscreen monitor, but it is truly an all-in-one solution. The C24 still has the PCAP multi-touch screen, an IP65 front panel, and an antimicrobial surface, but the touchscreen panel PC also features an Intel 6th Gen Core i5 or i7 processor, a multitude of I/O ports, and an optional UPS battery for continued work capability in case of power outages. With up to 32GB of memory, this machine will allow medical staff to multitask on several internet windows and run resource-heavy applications without a worry of slowness or crashing. Tangent’s medical touchscreen monitors and PCs are an ideal pairing with virtualized, remote, or cloud applications in order to support a growing mobile workforce.

Tangent Covers All Bases in PC Needs

June 30, 2019July 17, 2019 Michelle

The average company doesn’t typically replace their computers all at once in a mass hardware refresh. Over years of use, certain models are phased out for newer ones or replaced because of age. And as business processes change and newer software suites require specific system configurations, a wide assortment of computer systems tend to be introduced to the organization. A single type of PC or laptop doesn’t usually suit the needs for all workflows and users, especially in larger enterprises. With such a variety of hardware needs, the lives of the folks in an IT purchasing department are made incredibly easier when they have a single trusted supplier of computer solutions and services.

Tangent offers dozens of types of computers in a variety of sizes ranging from large 24” medical grade all-in-one PCs to powerful tablets to the most minuscule of rugged industrial mini PCs. They are designed to excel in durability, longevity, and performance in most any working environment. Because business doesn’t just happen in corporate offices, Tangent pours its attention into all types of potential work settings and use cases, whether it be a video editing system in a news van or a data entry computer in a clean room. Tangent’s medical all-in-one PCs are largely designed for use in the healthcare industry but are excellent for any organization that needs protection from environmental infection control and isolation precautions. Their line of business all-in-one PCs are perfect as clean, efficient workstations in places like call centers, home offices, internet cafes, libraries, and more. And if space is a concern, a mini PC is a good consideration.

A mini PC is perfect for small spaces like in vehicles, tractors, and airplanes, or for use as a timeclock or as an outdoor computer. All of the computers in Tangent’s product line are easy to sanitize and boast a long useful life due largely to a fanless operation and IP rated protection against contamination and water ingress into the system. The mini PCs have the added benefits of being shock and vibration proof and being able to withstand operating temperatures of up to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. They are excellent for video monitoring systems, factory automation systems, or as network controllers. As different as the purposes for Tangent’s all-in-one and mini computer systems can be, they are both built to provide the best in performance, reliability, and flexibility.

Ports Ports Ports!

June 3, 2019June 3, 2019 Michelle

The Tangent E2 industrial mini PC is a literal lightweight at 4.6lbs and a petite 7.28″ x 7.75″ x 2.26″ frame, so it is shocking that there are over 21 input/output ports packed into it. Not only are they plentify, some are brightly colored for ease of use in the dark. Why in the world would one need that? For the many in-vehicle applications this like mini PC can offer, of course! From news vans, to stretch limos, to mobile clinics, the E2 can provide the computing power of a PC several times larger than it with the same reliability and performance. A limousine needs to be able to run both video and audio throughout its cavernous cabin while maintaining a sleek presentation that’s free of cables. A mobile clinic needs assured uptime and application speed to enter patient data.

A big consideration for in-vehicle computers is shock and vibration. Your standard off-the-shelf PC will clatter itself to death in a shaky car. Tangent’s industrial grade mini PCs have shock and vibration protection built into the enclosure and all the internals are purpose built to reduce movement. A solid state hard drive and the unique fanless casing ensure that there is no moving parts to break apart during operation. With stability precautions secured, the industrial PC can wow with its other capabilities. Two video ports provide for dual work monitors or flip-down entertainment monitors. Internet connectivity is achieved via an optional Intel wireless and bluetooth module and 2 wired LAN ports. Four USB ports offer connectivity for most any peripheral and the mic in/line out ports cover all the audio line needs. For serial components needing a solid and reliable connection, there are four DB9 Serial RS232 COM ports.

These industrial mini computers are no lightweight in terms of capability and utility. It’s a good thing that they are so durable and low maintenance. With their diminutive size, it’s easy tuck them away in tight vehicle cabin spaces without a worry about damage or having to fish them out for regular repairs. And with the varying types of power that can be encountered in a vehicle, Tangent made sure that the E-series mini PCs can be plugged into a wide range of voltages starting as low as 9 VDC and as high as 48 VDC. It really feels like they thought about all the variables involved with in-car computer applications and challenges.

A Solid Standard for Cleanliness

August 16, 2018August 16, 2018 Michelle

A Solid Standard for Cleanliness

We’ve mentioned ISO standards in the past regarding safety metrics for electrical components like PCs, but did you know that the International Organization for Standards has published well over twenty thousand standards? Their work covers almost every industry, and every aspect of technology and manufacturing, providing guidance and rating descriptions for each product, service or system they assess. That sounds both amazing and like overkill at the same time, but it certainly makes sense to have a stringent rating system available when trying to determine the quality, cleanliness, or safety of something before utilizing it. This is especially highlighted in highly sensitive areas that require strictly controlled work environments.

Controlling contamination is essential in many manufacturing and research activities, and so effective clean rooms are of paramount importance to those companies. As you may have guessed, the ISO has a series of standards dedicated to clean rooms, defining practices and procedures required to manage the risk of contamination. The ISO rating of a clean room can determine a great deal about how trustworthy and accurate the work being done inside is. But a clean room contains much more than just a secured enclosure. Specialized equipment, including computers, must also be secured to ensure they don’t diminish the quality of contaminate control and affect it’s rating.

Specialized mini PCs like the Tangent Rugged O were especially designed with these requirements in mind. The Rugged O mini PC’s innovative design allows for a fanless operation which means there are no moving parts or ventilation slots to circulate or collect dust contaminants. This passive cooling technology allows heat from the CPU to transfer directly to the mini PC’s stainless steel housing, and ensures a reliable and noiseless function. The mini PC’s diminutive size and mounting bracket give it the flexibility to be affixed to most any surface. All the ports on the case are threaded and sealed to keep the internals protected and the outside environment clean. The mini PC’s stainless steel case in minimal in appearance for a good reason. The fewer grooves and edges on a PC, the fewer places for dirt and dust to collect. That’s not the end of the case’s features either. The Rugged O mini PC is IP65 certified and IP67 compliant. This IP rating ensures total protection from dust and provides waterproof reliability of up to a thirty-minute submersion. This means it’s also capable of withstanding industrial-grade cleaning solutions and thorough cleaning which is a common occurrence within clean rooms.

So how does an industrial mini PC of this caliber help bolster the ISO rating of a clean room? The ISO 14644 standard specifies air cleanliness in terms of the concentration of airborne particles in the clean rooms. The use and maintenance of a Tangent mini PC that has no fan, is sealed, is waterproof and can withstand corrosion is solid evidence of a concerted effort to conform to the ISO standards since it greatly reduces the potential presence of airborne particles. The standard for clean rooms has 16 different detailed parts to it, so it is of the utmost importance that the equipment deployed to a clean zone can meet the requirements to achieve a good rating and demonstrate the room’s efficacy.

Industrial Computers – Conducting Business in Extreme Conditions

June 28, 2018July 26, 2018 Michelle

Industrial Computers – Conducting Business in Extreme Conditions

It’s no surprise that extreme weather can have a significant impact on industrial operations, which often times take place while on the move or exposed to the elements. For military personnel working in Afghanistan, summers are blistering hot and winters can be bitterly cold, and a 2007 Air Force Weather Agency report on Iraq’s summer weather marked a record temperature of 124 degrees fahrenheit. Temperatures of that nature are nearly intolerable to human beings, much less to sensitive computer equipment that emit heat on their own. For that and many other reasons, sturdy industrial computers are a necessity to ground forces and any other industry working in harsh conditions.

With thermal and shock management in mind, Tangent created a line of rugged industrial PCs to suit a variety of environments, be it frigid or sweltering. Both the Rugged E3 and Rugged E2 have operating temperatures ranging from -13° to 158°F (-25° to 70° C) and storage temperatures ranging from an amazing -22° to 185°F (-30° – 85° C). Another excellent feature is that they have no moving parts to wear out. Being fanless and sealed ensures that dust, humidity, and other contaminants cannot get into the industrial computer and wreak havoc as it often does with standard PCs.

How do they manage to regulate extreme temperatures without fans? By using conduction cooling! Tangent’s military-grade industrial computer cases have fin-like design that acts as a heat conduit to draw thermal energy away from the processor and dissipates the heat. Conduction cooling literally conducts the heat away from the source to the cooler outer wall of the enclosure. This makes the enclosure of the industrial computer itself a heat radiator. Although forced air cooling is cheaper and easier to implement, conduction-cooled designs provide greater flexibility than forced-air, particularly for extreme conditions. An added bonus to this cooling method is that it provides a completely noise-free operation for the industrial PC.

Besides the excellent cooling components, the sturdy construction of the mini PCs protects them from vibration, sudden movements or drops, which make them prime candidates for use as a vehicle mounted industrial computer. The Rugged Tank is especially suited to in-car applications. In addition to being rated for extreme temperature, the conductive case is MIL-STD-810F military standard tested for shock and vibration. The Rugged Tank industrial computer also has an optional iRIS-2400 remote management module that provides IPMI 2.0 compliant support that monitors hardware operation, can be used to autonomously to reset the machine from a remote location and also provides a reliable remote access tool. A very handy thing to have for a PC that is installed in hard to reach places!

In the unfortunate event of a crash, the Rugged series industrial computers come equipped with RAID support and the E series even has removable drive bays to quickly swap out bad hard drives. This also helps to meet offsite data retention and storage requirements organizations often have for auditing purposes. Both form and function play heavily into the construction of the Rugged industrial computer series to ensure reliable and consistent performance in any work capacity or environmental situation and aims to be as flexible as possible to meet the demands of ever changing industries and the climates they do business in.

Mini PCs for Industrial Use

May 21, 2018April 4, 2023 Michelle

f15 Mini PCs for Industrial Use

When deciding whether to buy a Mini PC, you may feel some hesitancy comparing it to a full size PC. Although the size may be attractive, there may be some questions in your mind about what their capabilities are. You may be surprised to learn about their versatility and wide range of power and capacities Tangent’s Mini PCs have.

With fifteen Mini Pcs (and more to come) to choose from, our Mini PCs can be utilized in a wide variety of industries and applications. Our Rugged E3 Mini PC is able to withstand temperatures of -13 degrees up to 185 degrees. This Mini PC is fanless and provides noise-free operation. Rated for shock & vibration,, designed with removable drive bays and RAID support, the Rugged E3 is an ideal Mini PC for video surveillance and video capture POE. The TPM and watchdog timer enhance functionality.

Rugged E3

Our Rugged S is slightly larger than a standard pencil. It meets medical grade UL60601-1 requirements and is ideal for healthcare or industrial applications. With optional multiple ISO ports, the Rugged S can be configured to meet the needs of critical care environments. The Rugged S is fanless and provides noise-free operation. It also comes with an Available Full PCIe Slot which can be configured with optional 4KV isolated card for high voltage insulation, making this model ideal for healthcare environments.

rugged-mini-s Rugged S

At 1.53 pounds and dimensions of 4.57″ x 4.33″ x 1.93″, our Rugged Q is lightweight and has an ultra mini form factor. This desirable computer is easy to mount and install in a variety of environments. With a wide input power of 9 to 24V DC and VESA 75/100 Mounting, wall mounting brackets and DIN rail mounting this Mini PC offers versatile connectivity and mounting options. Standard with two LANs, one RS232, four USB ports, and two HDMI connectivity is not an issue for this Mini PC.

rugged-q Rugged Q

Our complete line of Rugged Mini PC’s can be used for in-vehicle, defense, factories, mills and healthcare applications. They can also be mounted on mobile carts, used for surveillance and for digital signage. Tangent’s Mini PCs are capable of performing similar to their larger counterparts, at times even surpassing larger PCs. Our available Mini PCs our designed to meet your industry needs. The question is not if they have have the power to perform. The question is which Mini PC best suits your specific needs.

All About In-Vehicle Computers

April 17, 2018April 18, 2018 Michelle

All About In-Vehicle Computers

A computer mounted in a vehicle doesn’t sound like the most obvious place for it, but in reality, it’s an essential part of many industries’ daily functions. For example, mobile surveillance computers provide tracking, information gathering, and monitoring for emergency response vehicles such as police cars and ambulances. Vehicle mounted mini PCs are employed as informational and entertainment systems in taxis, airplanes and public transit, not to mention personal entertainment systems in passenger cars. In-vehicle GPS and 4G communication systems are widely used for fleet management and long-distance trucking operations.

Once you get to thinking about it, the need for durable, reliable, and space efficient mini PCs for vehicular use is quite far reaching. The environments they are integrated into are demanding, jarring, prone to lots of wear and tear, and leave little room for downtime or error. At first blush, specialized applications like this sound intensive and cost prohibitive, but with a good set of requirements and Tangent’s impressive line of rugged mini PCs, the opportunities are boundless.

tank Rugged Tank

The starring feature of Tangent’s Rugged Mini PCs are their extremely sturdy and functional design. The fanless operation promotes longevity and keeps the PC very quiet. Also, having no moving parts allows for a greater temperature range at which the unit can operate safely. This is a big deal when you consider how much the temperate can vary inside a vehicle. The Rugged Tank Mini PC can operate at up to 153° F and as low as -4° F. The fins on the PCs case aren’t just for looks either, they are quite adept at keeping the unit’s temperature as cool and stable as possible.

The next issue that’s often encountered with in-vehicle computers is the constant vibration, jolts and bumps felt during driving. For a person it’s annoying, but for most computers it’s quite potentially damaging. The Tangent Rugged Mini PCs’ extruded aluminum chassis is shock and vibration resistant, and many come with mounting brackets that are VESA standard compliant. The effort into keeping these mini PCs stable and reliable will provide the confidence to use the systems over most any terrain. Many in the Rugged series also come installed with watchdogs timers. Watchdogs add critical monitoring features that allows the system to detect and recover from system failures on its own.

ruggmini-L1 Rugged L1

Another common challenge encountered is space. Real estate within a vehicle is already pretty tight, so a mini PC needs to be compact and lightweight while still offering most of the same features and outputs as a full sized computer. Tangent’s Rugged Mini PCs are all under 10 pounds and not much longer than a pencil. The Rugged E2 comes in at 4.6 lbs while the Rugged L1 is a featherweight at 2.9 lbs. Options for input/output ports range from 1 to nearly 30 on the PCs in the series, as well as a wide range of options for memory and even wireless capabilities; they are extremely versatile to fit the job and still be cost effective to the consumer. If there’s a need for an in-vehicle mini PC, Tangent has a product to suit it perfectly.