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Windows or Android? This is a question that most people who want to get a rugged tablet have probably asked themselves. This rivalry also exists in the world of industrial computers. In the industrial environment, a rugged, handy outdoor device plays a significantly larger role than a stationary office PC.
Are you looking to strengthen your industrial company with IT solutions, but are still unsure whether Windows can even hold its own against competing systems? Do you feel uncertain about whether you should get tablets with Windows at all or whether you should get Android or iOS instead? Then you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we shed light on the potential of rugged Windows tablets in the corporate environment and the advantages over Android. We also show why Windows 11 is particularly interesting for industrial use. You will also receive a decision-making aid to help you choose the right operating system for you. Last but not least, we are happy to present our rugged tablets, which develop their full potential with Windows support. So if you are looking to purchase a lightweight, handy, yet fully-fledged device for field service, production or the workshop, then read on.
Underestimated potential of Windows tablets
Although Android has always enjoyed a fairly stable dominance in the tablet market, we are now seeing in industry that Windows is a serious contender there. If we look specifically at the rugged tablet market, it is noticeable that Windows’ market share there is consistently high.
The following graphic clearly shows that demand for Windows rugged tablets is consistently 3-4 times higher than for Android devices from 2018 to 2023. According to VDC Research, global shipments of rugged tablets with the Windows operating system will remain over 75% of total rugged tablet sales through 2023. We at WEROCK can also confirm this.
Advantages of Windows on a rugged tablet
When you compare Windows and Android side by side, the differences between them are clear. The two systems differ in their roots: Android was developed primarily for use on smartphones, whereas Windows originally comes from the stationary PC world. While the user experience on Android tablets is more reminiscent of cell phones, a Windows tablet has much more in common with a full-fledged PC: with a full range of desktop features and applications, users can expect a lightweight and mobile PC alternative. Windows tablets support your workday just like a desktop PC, but at the same time give you more convenience for mobile and flexible use. This opens up numerous possibilities for industrial and business use.
The specific advantages include continuous updates, powerful processors, high compatibility with software and hardware, and the most modern architectures.
Continuous updates
A key advantage of Windows is the long-lasting support through updates that cover a long period of use. For Windows 10, Microsoft provided updates for a total of 10 years from its release in 2015 until the planned end of support in October 2025. During this period, users regularly received feature and security updates to keep the operating system up to date. After the end of regular support, there will likely be no further security updates unless companies sign special additional contracts, as has already been the case with other older Microsoft operating systems. By contrast, Android devices typically only receive 2–3 years of major updates, which makes them comparatively more likely to appear outdated.
Windows 10 support ends in October 2025 after just over 10 years, so it is less advisable for new IT purchases to rely on this version. For specific applications, such as those with long-term support, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC is available, which continues to offer extended support. The latest version will still be available until 2032. With regular new features, modern security and hardware support, and an optimized user experience, Windows 11 is still the future-proof choice.
Powerful processors
Windows tablets have long been powered by “classic” processors from Intel. This shows that the models were deliberately designed as desktop or laptop replacements and for correspondingly high performance. Entry-level tablets usually have Intel Atom processors installed, which run quickly and enable work with office and office programs. There are also Windows tablets that, thanks to their performance, can keep up with all conventional notebooks, ultrabooks or even PCs. Options range from Core i3 to i7 processors, with up to 32 GB RAM and 1 TB SSDs as main memory. These tablets leave nothing to be desired and can certainly serve as a replacement for a computer. With optional docking stations, you can also connect your mouse, keyboard and external monitor directly to them, for example, to create a full office setup.
Meanwhile, there are also Windows tablets with ARM-based processors. These offer the advantage of a longer battery life and, like smartphones, have an always-on mode. However, not all Windows software can be installed on these tablets and compatibility is limited. In addition, there has been feedback from the consumer sector that apps do not run or only run very slowly. For the time being, such devices are not planned for the professional sector, where the requirements for fast and reliable hardware are significantly higher.
Just keep using your normal office apps
One of the biggest selling points of Windows computers is their extremely high software compatibility thanks to their widespread use. You can quickly and easily install the programs you use every day for your work on a Windows tablet. Office and Adobe packages allow you to continue writing texts, creating Excel spreadsheets, preparing PowerPoint presentations, processing images and designing PDF files, etc.
In addition, you will benefit from many specialized programs that are important for industrial management. To make this even clearer, let’s look at a few examples of how these programs are used: Many companies use warehouse management software to keep a constant overview of all goods in the company; when working with fiber optics, you need software that can localize shafts, record masts and much more; industrial and trade employees have to measure many parts, and the results have to be as accurate as possible: For this, they need special measurement software and software for calibrating the measuring devices. The powerful Windows architectures make it possible to implement these programs better than any other operating system, so these applications are usually only available under Windows.
High compatibility with hardware
Sometimes, application programs require additional hardware to ensure that you can work with them comfortably and smoothly. Office applications, for example, are easier to use with a keyboard and mouse; otherwise, composing longer texts or building complex tables can quickly become tedious. But there’s no need to worry: 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 more.
Whether in the office or on the road, you just have to connect the tablet to the docking station or with a cable, then connect the desired devices: Now you have a fully-fledged computer. This is how the Windows tablet clearly stands out from “normal” Android and iOS tablets, which usually only provide the performance of a smartphone and do not meet the requirements of a stationary workstation. The advantages of industrial tablets can also be seen from the connection options: normal consumer devices usually only have a single port for connecting other devices, while industrial tablets have several USB ports, RJ45 and sometimes even a serial interface. Rugged tablets also have extra charging ports so that no USB port has to be used for charging.
The fact that Windows is made for work environments is evident in the details. Unlike Android, Windows can use Wi-Fi and LAN at the same time. With Android, the Wi-Fi signal is completely deactivated as soon as you connect a LAN cable, regardless of whether it is an internet connection or perhaps your external testing device, printer or vehicle control system.
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 “Zero Trust” principle, which protects your devices, data, applications and identities from anywhere by requiring each individual access to authenticate. The new hardware system requirements of Windows 11 are designed to provide a stronger and more resilient foundation for protection against hackers and viruses compared to previous Windows generations. TPM 2.0, secure boot, the zero-trust security model and many other security features are designed to protect against malware and block unauthorized access. For businesses, there is the new Defender Smart Screen protection feature, which warns users not to enter their login credentials into fake websites and malware.
Maximum compatibility with Linux
Windows 11 is characterized by its high degree of openness towards other operating systems. This is how the subsystem for Linux (WSL) was introduced. This enables developers to run a GNU/Linux environment – including most command-line tools, utilities and applications – unchanged on Windows 11, without the overhead of a traditional virtual machine or dual-boot configuration. The new version – WSL 2 – supports the execution of ELF64 Linux binaries on Windows. It uses a brand new architecture that benefits from the execution of a real Linux kernel, so that the execution of graphical Linux interfaces can also be realized.
Decision support for the operating system
When making your decision, you should definitely consider the intended use of the device. If you are not going to use any special or resource-hungry applications, an Android tablet will probably suffice. However, if you need 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 specialized industrial software. The Microsoft Teams function also offers strong support for efficient communication among colleagues and partners.
Windows computers can usually be used for longer than their Android equivalents. Therefore, choosing a Windows rugged tablet is often cheaper over a longer period of time than an Android tablet. You get updates for longer and generally find an architecture that allows updates without any problems. This increases compatibility with the software and hardware used enormously.
Windows Rugged Computer at WEROCK
With WEROCK computers you secure reliable and resistant rugged devices with Windows as well as with 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 S508 |
Windows 11 Pro |
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Rocktab S510 |
Windows 11 Pro |
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|
Rocktab S512 |
Windows 11 Pro |
|
|
Rocktab U210 G2 |
Windows 11 Pro, Ubuntu Linux |
|
|
Rocktab U210 Pro |
Windows 11 Pro, Ubuntu Linux |
|
All our tablets come with Windows 11 Pro as standard. This means that users benefit from high performance, efficient multitasking and comprehensive management options – ideal for use in demanding work environments.
Conclusion
With a market share of 75%, it is no wonder that Windows computers are indispensable in the enterprise environment. Rugged tablets with Windows offer seamless integration into the enterprise environment, eliminating the need for a “special solution” (including additional costs for operating system customization and increased administrative overhead) for mobile devices. They provide a seamless, consistent working experience, as field staff can continue to work with the same apps as in the office. This not only increases productivity, but also employee satisfaction.
Do you want to purchase tablets for your employees in the field, warehouse, factory or workshop? We would be happy to help you decide whether you should use a Windows or an Android tablet. With our Rocktab series of rugged tablets, we have an extensive portfolio for a wide range of needs: Professional Industrial Rugged Tablet PCs WEROCK Technologies
