#ruggedminipc | Tangent Blog

Mini PC, Tangent’s Top 9 Best Mini PCs to Buy

August 28, 2019August 28, 2019 Michelle

Sometimes there is simply just not enough room at a workstation or desk to fit a bulky computer tower, and that’s where Mini PCs from Tangent come in. A mini PC contains all the power one comes to expect from a work computer, but in a compact enclosure usually no bigger than a lunch box. These mini PCs are capable of handling every situation, so whether you are looking for a new system to strap onto your work vehicle or medical cart, install into a tight workstation, or even help automate part of a factory floor, there’s a mini PC built for the task. Here are Tangent’s top ten best mini PCs to buy for any job.

Rugged Mini E3

Great for: In-Vehicle Computer | Video Surveillance

No moving parts
Solid State Drive (SSD)
Powerful Intel processor
Expandable Mini PCI Express sockets
Up to 32 gigabytes DDR4 RAM
Windows operating system
Multiple I/O ports

The Rugged Mini E3 is the flagship model of the Tangent mini PC lineup, encompassing all aspects of what it means to be a mini PC. The Rugged Mini E3 features no moving parts, using a passive noiseless cooling system in lieu of a fan, and sporting a lightning fast SSD. The Rugged Mini E3 can be customized to feature one of the latest Intel I7 processors for maximum performance. It also comes equipped with two mini PCI Express sockets, ready for virtually any module attachment. With up to 32 gigabytes of RAM, the Rugged Mini E3 can take on multiple tasks at once without lag or errors. Best of all, like all Tangent mini PCs it comes with Windows 7 o 10 built in, making this mini PC a breeze to use.

Rugged Mini I

Great for:Video Display | Signage | Mobile Carts | Multi-Screen Work

Triple monitor support
Wide power input
Multiple I/O ports
2x Ethernet ports and Wifi
Windows operating system
Up to 32 gigabytes DDR4 RAM

The Rugged Mini I is unique not only for a mini PC, but for PCs at large in that it can support up to 3 monitors at once. This makes the Rugged Mini I an ideal mini PC for situations where multitasking is a regular occurence. On a medical cart, The Rugged Mini I not only has the ability to display three separate readouts, but enough processing power to keep the programs displaying the readouts running in real time. When used at the desk, the Mini I allows workers to run three programs simultaneously without having to switch tabs repeatedly. For digital signage with multiple displays, the Mini I is the mini PC.

Rugged Mini S

Great for: Mobile Carts | Anesthesia Module

TPM high level security
Noise free
Powerful Intel Processor
2 Ethernet ports and Wifi
Windows operating system
Watchdog Timer

Storing patient data in a secure, HIPAA compliant manner is critical to preventing potentially bankrupting data breaches from occurring. That’s why mini PCs like the Rugged Mini S come integrated with Intel’s TPM security module. TPM security modules help keep your data safe by encrypting it for in network use, drastically reducing the odds of information being skimmed from your network. Not only will this mini PC secure your data, but it can secure itself in the event of a program malfunction utilizing its built in watchdog timer. This module ensures that this mini PC can reboot itself if a glitch occurs, saving workers unnecessary time trying to diagnose a computer problem.

Rugged Mini X

Great for: Mobile Carts | Factory Automation

Ultra mini PC
Extreme temperature resistance
Fanless cooling system
TPM high level security
Windows operating system

At Tangent, the label of mini PC isn’t just some marketing term we throw around casually— it is a challenge we constantly work towards. Challenging as it may be to fit an entire computer into a mini PC frame, it’s worth it when we create models like the Rugged Mini X. The Rugged Mini X is an ultra mini PC, weighing a mere 2 pounds, it’s one of our lightest mini PCs available. This lightweight design allows the Rugged Mini X an operating temperature range of 14° to 122° F. A wide operating temperature range coupled with a fanless design makes this mini pc perfect for environments where other computers would be prone to environmental damage. Whether you are working in a frigid lab, or a hot and dusty factory, the Rugged Mini X is capable of performing as if it were in an office.

Rugged Mini L2

Great for: Video Display | Signage| Mobile Carts

Extreme temperature resistance
2 Ethernet ports
Ultra mini PC
Easy mounting
TPM high level security
Watchdog timer
Windows operating system

The Rugged Mini L2 is the perfect mini PC for digital signage, having a sleek profile that is a mere 1.3 inches tall. This mini PC can easily fit in the narrowest of digital signages, from bus stops to billboards. The Rugged Mini L2 requires little maintenance once it is setup, featuring a wide operating temperature range and fanless design. It also comes equipped with a watchdog timer, meaning that in the event of an error, the Rugged Mini L2 can reset itself without you having to send out a maintenance crew to reboot it. A TPM module ensures that the Mini L2 remains secure from breaches while on the job, adding to the mini PC’s ability to lack oversight.

Rugged Mini FX

Great for: In Vehicle Computer

Military grade shock resistance
Military grade vibration resistance
4x GbE RJ45 LAN ports
Extreme temperature resistance
Fanless cooling system
Windows operating system

When you need a mini PC for your vehicle, look no further than the Mini FX from Tangent. This mini PC is built to be used in vehicles, whether that be a forklift in a refrigerated warehouse or a military personnel transport making its way across a scorching desert. The Mini FX meets military standards for shock and vibration, and features an excessive operating temperature range of -4°F – 140°F. This mini PC’s fanless cooling system allows it to maintain an ideal operating temperature for its processor regardless of the outside environment. With four LAN ports built in, the Mini FX is ready to connect to whatever is needed of it.

Rugged Mini G

Great for: Video Display | Signage | Mobile Carts

Flexible mounting
Versatility
Fanless cooling system
Wide power input range
Extreme temperature resistance
Windows operating system

The Rugged Mini G is a versatile mini PC built to be a multipurpose computer. The Mini G is customizable to your needs, and can be fitted with a wall mount, VESA 75/100 mounting, or DIN rail. This allows the Mini G to easily mesh into your current computing system without the hassle of trying to figure out how to mount it. To go along with this, the Mini G can handle a wide range of power input options, allowing for it to operate in a variety of powering situations. This versatility makes it a great choice for when you need a mini PC that handles digital displays today, but may need to be behind the desk tomorrow.

Rugged Mini Tank

Great for: In Vehicle Computer

Extreme temperature range
Military standard shock resistance
Fanless cooling system
Solid State Drive (SSD)
Powerful Intel Processor
Built like a tank

For when the job takes place in the scorching desert, on uneven terrain, in a dustorm, there’s the Rugged Mini Tank. We’ve already gone over how seriously Tangent takes the labeling of computers, and make no mistake here: The Rugged Mini Tank is exactly what it sounds like. Able to withstand temperatures from -4° to 158°F, meeting military standards for shock resistance, fanless cooling, the Rugged Mini tank is the mini PC that has it all. This mini PC is ready to be mounted in vehicles that take a regular beating, sporting a SSD that won’t lose data because of a bump in the road. Featuring a powerful Intel I7 processor, the Rugged Mini Tank is as powerful as it is durable.

Rugged Mini Q1

Great for: Video Display | Signage | Mobile Carts

Ultra mini PC
Flexible mounting
TPM high level security
4K support
Extreme temperature range
Windows operating system

At Tangent, we’re not fans of the practice of saving the best for last, all of our mini PCs have features that make them stand out. So instead, we’ve saved the smallest for last. Meet the smallest mini PC in the lineup: The Rugged Mini Q1. At only 1.29 pounds, the Rugged Mini Q1 weighs less than 2 cans of soda, and is just about the size of them too. The Mini Q1 comes in at 4.33 inches 4.56 inches by 1.93 inches, making it small enough to fit behind your computer monitor. With a range of customizable mounting options, you can mount this mini PC behind your monitor and completely forget it’s even there. But don’t let this mini PC’s extremely small size fool you, the Q1 is powerful and able to support 4K imaging.

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.