Pros & Cons: Ruggedized/Vertical Niche Handhelds

The Windows Mobile touch screen devices listed in this section include hardware and software features that support industrial or vertical niche enterprise uses. They are more expensive than consumer-grade devices. The specific version of the Windows Mobile operating system and built-in suite of Microsoft applications tends to be less important for ruggedized/vertical niche users. Generally, these devices are purchased in quantity and used for a specific purpose within a company. We only list pros and cons common to all ruggedized devices.

Pros (common to all ruggedized devices)

• Built to withstand drops, moisture, dust, and other extreme conditions.
• Most have built-in keyboards or numeric keypads for data entry.
• High-capacity batteries (and other options) provide longer use between charges.
• Barcode and card readers (optional or built in) are available for data capture.
• Wireless capability (optional or built-in).

Cons (common to all ruggedized devices)

• Heavier than consumer Windows Mobile devices.
• Much more expensive than consumer Windows Mobile devices.
• May include a limited subset of Microsoft Windows Mobile applications.
• May be based on older versions of the Windows Mobile software (not as much of an issue for this type of device).