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Windows or Android? This question has probably been asked by most people who want to get themselves a rugged tablet. This competition also exists in the world of industrial computers. In the industrial environment, a rugged, handy outdoor device plays a much bigger role than the stationary office PC.
Would you like to strengthen your industrial company with IT solutions, but are still unsure whether Windows can even prevail against the competing systems? Are you unsure whether you should purchase tablets with Windows at all or rather Android or iOS? Then you’ve come to the right place, because these questions will be clarified here.
In this article, we highlight the potential of rugged Windows tablets in the enterprise environment and the advantages over Android. We also show why Windows 11 in particular is interesting for industrial use. You will also get a decision-making aid on how to choose the right operating system for you. Last but not least, we are pleased to present our rugged tablets, which unfold their highest potential with Windows support. So if you’re looking to purchase a light, handy, yet full-featured device for field service, production or the workshop, then you should read on.
Underestimated potential of Windows tablets
Although Android has always enjoyed a fairly stable dominance on the tablet market, we can see, especially in the industry, that Windows is a serious player there. If we look specifically at the market for rugged tablets, we can see that the market share of Windows is continuously high.
The chart below clearly shows that the demand for Windows rugged tablets is consistently 3-4 times larger than that for Android devices from 2018 to 2023. According to VDC Rese-arch, global shipments of Windows OS rugged tablets will remain above 75% of total rugged tablet sales through 2023. We at WEROCK can confirm this as well.
Advantages of Windows on a rugged tablet
If you put Windows and Android side by side, the differences between them are quite clear. The two systems differ in their roots: Android was primarily developed for use on smartphones, whereas Windows originated in the stationary PC world. While the user experience of Android tablets is more reminiscent of cell phones, a Windows tablet has much more in common with a full-fledged PC: with a whole range of desktop features and applications, users can expect a lightweight and mobile PC alternative. Windows tablets support your everyday work just like a desktop PC, but at the same time give you more convenience in mobile and flexible use. This opens up numerous possibilities in industrial and corporate use.
Specific benefits include continuous updates, powerful processors, high compatibility with software and hardware, and state-of-the-art architectures:
Continuous updates
The first advantage lies in the system updates, which cover a long period of use. For Windows 7, for example, Microsoft has delivered updates for 11 years without separate additional contracts. In addition, Microsoft has given the old operating system multiple security updates after the actual “final update”. In comparison, Android systems usually do not receive major release updates; if they do, then usually only for up to 3 versions (approx. 3 years).
Powerful processors
Windows tablets have long been powered by the “classic” processors from Intel. This shows that the models were deliberately developed as desktop or laptop replacements and for correspondingly high performance. Most entry-level tablets are equipped with Intel Atom processors, which run quickly and allow working with office programs. However, there are also Windows tablets that have hardware that can keep up with all conventional notebooks, ultrabooks or even PCs in terms of performance. There are options from Core i3 to i7 processors, with up to 32 GB RAM and also 1 TB SSDs as main storage. These tablets leave nothing to be desired and can definitely serve as a computer replacement. With optional docking stations, you can also directly connect your mouse, keyboard and external monitor here, for example, and get a full-fledged office setup.
Meanwhile, there are also Windows tablets with ARM-based processors. These offer the advantage of a longer battery life and have an always-on mode like smartphones. However, not all Windows software can be installed on these tablets and compatibility is limited.
Just keep using your normal office apps
One of the biggest selling points of Windows computers is extremely high software compatibility thanks to its high penetration. On a Windows tablet, you can easily and quickly install those programs you use every day for work on your Windows PC. With Office and Adobe packages you can still write texts, create Excel spreadsheets, prepare PowerPoint presentations, process images and design PDF files, etc.
Apart from that, you can still benefit from many special programs that are significant for industrial management. To make this even clearer, let’s look at a few exemplary application scenes: In order to have a constant overview of all the goods in the plant, many companies rely on warehouse management software; in fiber optic operations, software is needed that can, for example, locate shafts, record masts and much more; employees in industry as well as trade have to measure many parts, the results of which should be as accurate as possible: For this, they need special measuring software as well as software for calibrating the measuring devices. The powerful Windows architectures make it possible to implement these programs more easily than any other operating system, so these applications are usually only available for Windows.
High compatibility with hardware
Application programs sometimes require additional hardware to work with them comfortably and smoothly. Office applications, for example, are better operated with a keyboard and mouse, otherwise writing longer texts or building complete tables can quickly prove to be tedious. However, you don’t have to worry here: Many manufacturers of Windows Rugged Tablets offer docking stations to which everything can be connected, e.g. keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, scanner, special devices and co.
No matter if you are in the office or on the road: You only have to connect the tablet to the docking station or to it with a cable, then connect the desired devices: Now you have a fully-fledged computer. This clearly sets the Windows tablet apart from “normal” Android and iOS tablets, which usually only provide the performance of a smartphone and do not meet the requirements of a stationary workplace. The advantages of industrial tablets can also be seen in the connectivity options: Normal consumer devices usually only have a single port to which other devices can be connected, while industrial tablets have several USB ports, RJ45, and sometimes even the serial interface. Rugged tablets also have extra charging ports, so there is no need to occupy a USB port for charging.
The fact that Windows is made for work environments becomes apparent in detail. Compared to Android, WLAN and LAN can be used simultaneously under Windows. Under Android, the WLAN signal is completely deactivated as soon as you connect a LAN cable. The operating system doesn’t care whether it’s an Internet line or perhaps your external test device, printer or car control.
Advantages of Windows 11
Now we want to present the biggest highlights of Windows 11, namely the security features as well as the compatibility and openness with other operating systems.
Enhanced security
Windows 11 is based on the principle of “Zero Trust”, which protects your devices, data, applications and identities from anywhere by requiring your authentication for every single access. The new hardware requirements of Windows 11 are designed to provide a stronger and more resilient foundation for protection against hacker attacks and viruses compared to previous generations of Windows. TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, the Zero Trust security model and many other security features are designed to ensure protection against malware and block unauthorized access. Also available for businesses is the new “Defender Smart Screen” protection feature, which warns users not to enter their credentials into fake websites and malware.
Maximum compatibility with Linux and Android
Windows 11 is characterized by high openness to other operating systems. Thus, the Subsystem for Linux (WSL) was introduced. This allows developers to run a GNU/Linux environment – including most command-line tools, utilities and applications – unmodified on Windows 11, without the overhead of a traditional virtual machine or dual-boot configuration. The new version – WSL 2 – supports running ELF64 Linux binaries under Windows. It uses a brand new architecture that benefits from running a real Linux kernel, so running graphical Linux interfaces can also be realized.
Android app support is also a big step towards open standards, whose technical foundation is again a Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA).
Such integration of operating systems delivers great opportunities for industrial companies. It enormously reduces dependency on software and hardware platforms and greatly increases the flexibility of IT structures from different systems. This gives you the freedom to choose between three operating systems, even without having to restart the computer.
Decision support for the operating system
When making a decision, you should definitely consider the intended use of the device. If you will not use any special or resource-hungry applications, an Android tablet will probably suffice. If, on the other hand, you want it to be a reliable companion in an industrial environment, a Windows tablet is the better option. Here you can use all known desktop applications as well as numerous special industrial software. The Microsoft Teams feature still offers strong support for efficient communication among colleagues and partners.
Windows computers can usually be used longer than their Android counterparts. Therefore, choosing a Windows rugged tablet is often more affordable than an Android tablet over a longer period of time. They receive updates for longer and generally have an architecture that allows updates without problems. This increases the compatibility to used software and hardware enormously.
Windows Rugged Computer at WEROCK
With WEROCK computers you secure reliable and resistant rugged devices with Windows as well as with Android or Linux system. Here we are happy to provide an overview of which operating systems our tablets and notebooks are available with and whether they are compatible with Windows 11.
| WEROCK Product | Current Operating System | Windows 11 compatibility |
|---|---|---|
Rocktab S108 | Windows 10 Pro, Android 10, Android 11 | |
Rocktab S110 | Windows 10 Pro, Android 10, Android 11 | |
Rocktab S208 | Android 11 | |
Rocktab S508 | Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, Windows 11 Pro | |
Rocktab S510 | Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, Windows 11 Pro | |
Rocktab S512 | Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, Windows 11 Pro | |
Rocktab U210 | Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, Windows 11 Pro, Ubuntu Linux | |
Rocktab U212 | Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise |
Our entire portfolio will be Windows 11 focused. The overall Windows Rugged Computer portfolio will grow significantly over the coming years, ranging from entry-level to high-end devices, so we have already released three new Windows tablets in 2022 – all Windows 11 compatible, of course.
Conclusion
Windows computers are an indispensable part of the enterprise environment, no wonder with a market share of 75%. Windows rugged tablets offer a seamless integration into the enterprise environment, as there is no “extra sausage” (including additional costs for operating system adaptations as well as increased administrative effort) to be made for the mobile devices. They provide a seamless, consistent work experience, as field workers can continue to work with the same apps they use in the office. This not only increases productivity, but also employee satisfaction.
Are you looking to purchase tablets for your field, warehouse, factory or shop floor employees? We are also happy to help you decide whether you would rather use a Windows or an Andro-id tablet. With our Rocktab series of rugged tablets, we have an extensive portfolio for a wide range of needs: https://www.werocktools.com/rugged-tablets/
