We’ve all seen those devices on eBay and the like: Cheap Android phones and tablets. Yes, they may be a quick, easy and cheap way of going mobile, but what’s the true cost of ownership of these devices?

It’s very easy to look at tablets in the £100 range and think “Oh, that’ll do”, but have you really given thought to the conditions in which it’s going to be used in?

The biggest question to ask yourself when thinking of purchasing a new mobile phone or tablet HAS to be: “Will it withstand the environment that I want to work in?” In farming, you’re exposed to the extremes of the elements. Cold, heat and damp all can have adverse effects on the operation of electronic devices. The fact is, cheaper, usually imported tablets just aren’t up to the job. Even Apple’s fabled iPad offers no water resistance whatsoever, with exposed connector docks corroding from exposure to water being one of the biggest causes of device failure. Incredibly, there have been reports from some hotter countries from users having problems caused by the humidity alone!

This is where toughened or “rugged” devices come in. Designed specifically for extreme conditions, they can be dropped from height, and are water resistant. Some can even be submerged in water. the thing to look for is a high ip rating. IP stands for Ingess Protection, and is a score given to devices to rate the degree of protection the device has against solid objects, accidental contact, and water.

More info on IP ratings can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_Code

Orchid have a range of tablets and smartphones, all with a high IP rating, so you can be sure that we have deemed them to be suitable for outdoor use. A particularly good model is the Mitac Ulmo tablet, which is barely more than an iPad. But is an iPad water-resistant or drop proof..?

You can see our full range of hardware at www.orchidfarmtech.co.uk/hardware Give us a call on 01536 443300 if you wish to discuss your needs, as we may be able to provide you with something better suited to you that isn’t currently listed in our catalogue.