Tough Computers

JohnnyCache

I need to put some PCs together that are tough. I mean, super-tough. The Harvey Keitel of PCs.

We're talking dust proof, shock proof, water resistant, and it would be nice if they worked in sub-zero temps, and/or could draw automotive power. Total system power footprint needs to be under 1200 watts or so and I need a monitor, a fan-fold printer (I think I have a printer company lined up but I'm open to suggestions), and a PC. A laptop is an option, but an inferior one.

Judicious use of firefox's included google box has found me many companies that will do this for a fee, but it appears the going rate is 'market price' and I was wondering if anyone had any input on/personal experience with re-enforced computer components that would help me either do this myself or give me some reference with bargaining with the companies.

Edit: These are for use in a vehicle, and may or may not go in a 19" rack (I have the rack but don't know if it will be shock proof enough unless I can put it on some sort of suspension)

12gauge

The only thing I saw was a test of the Panasonice Toughbook on TV where they were letting it fall on the ground from two meters and put snow on it without it malfunctioning - it's also the one I hear always getting mentioned when talking about such hardware.

Pheezer

Police departments commonly use the Panasonic Toughbook line.

Lucky Cynic

pheezer FD wrote: »

Police departments commonly use the Panasonic Toughbook line.

Paramedics do as well.

Nozz

If this is for a vehicle I don't see you getting around using a laptop. How are you planning on powering a PC in a vehicle? Sounds like a shit ton of work.

A laptop is absolutely the way to go.

embrik

How serious are you about toughness? I think a Google search with "mil-spec" as a keyword will probably turn up results like this, which may be more what you're looking for.

Philodox

I read a hardware site that put the toughbook through its paces and those things are rediculously resilient.

ElectricTurtle

Desktops are actually rather hard to toughen up. The components are inherently looser, the cards, the CPUs, cables--everything is very sensitive to impact (and the weight of CPU heatsinks combined with how much pressure than can have on the CPU mount without cracking the die leads to them shifting too much in turn causing bad thermal interface). Luckily there are solid state hard drives now (albeit they cost a ton), so that isn't the insurmountable weak point any more. However, looking at dust/water proofing, you run into ventilation problems. You can use filters to fix the dust, but not the water, and you can't seal the whole thing up unless you have some really good passive solution, or carefully contained and sealed TECs that won't condense, or liquid cooling that would be too risky in the environment you're talking about. You'd probably have to combine a TEC or two with completely custom heatsinks to seal such a system, maybe use heat pipes to get the heat from the inside to the outside of the seal.

So, all you have to do is buy heinously expensive SSD hard drives, custom harden all the connectors on all the parts, find or custom seal a case which can be adapted to cool from the inside to ouside of the seal with no ventilation or liquid without messing up TECs so that they condense and short or improperly estimate your heat dissipation.

PirateJon

You're looking at $$$. Custom solution are a horrible bitch and much more trouble than they're worth. If some bullshit bracket is .5 inches off, it's good to be able to send it back rather than try to get it re-milled.

I know that the DRS tactical systems (stupid fucking name) are small and sturdy tablets but they're like $5k each plus goodies like mounting brackets.
http://www.drs-ts.com/walkabout/products_specs_xtreme.html

Can you get away with something like a telzon?

Unknown

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locomotiveman

I have to ask just what are you planning to use these for?

JohnnyCache

locomotiveman wrote: »

I have to ask just what are you planning to use these for?

Uranium exploration in very remote parts of Wyoming and Montana

ElectricTurtle wrote: »

Desktops are actually rather hard to toughen up. The components are inherently looser, the cards, the CPUs, cables--everything is very sensitive to impact (and the weight of CPU heatsinks combined with how much pressure than can have on the CPU mount without cracking the die leads to them shifting too much in turn causing bad thermal interface). Luckily there are solid state hard drives now (albeit they cost a ton), so that isn't the insurmountable weak point any more. However, looking at dust/water proofing, you run into ventilation problems. You can use filters to fix the dust, but not the water, and you can't seal the whole thing up unless you have some really good passive solution, or carefully contained and sealed TECs that won't condense, or liquid cooling that would be too risky in the environment you're talking about. You'd probably have to combine a TEC or two with completely custom heatsinks to seal such a system, maybe use heat pipes to get the heat from the inside to the outside of the seal.

So, all you have to do is buy heinously expensive SSD hard drives, custom harden all the connectors on all the parts, find or custom seal a case which can be adapted to cool from the inside to ouside of the seal with no ventilation or liquid without messing up TECs so that they condense and short or improperly estimate your heat dissipation.

I was actually thinking of rack-mounting them in a cabinet with positive pressure to keep the dust of them, using a wireless keyboard and mouse

Kerbob97

I think Ford actually has a ruggedized tablet rig that you can aftermarket. At the demo I was at the guy was flinging it at the ground repeatedly. (it is meant for contractors, has a built in wireless network, as well as a fax/printer/scanner)

JohnnyCache

It's odd to me that the tablet function seems to be a big thing in the rugged market...

Kerbob97

the idea being you can write just like on a notepad - then it transfers it to text or whatever. no trying to type with gloves on, or getting crap in the keyboard, and it is a much better form function. I know some guys with Motion PC if you want to PM me.

Unknown

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DrFrylock

JohnnyCache wrote: »

I was actually thinking of rack-mounting them in a cabinet with positive pressure to keep the dust of them, using a wireless keyboard and mouse

Note that you'll also want dustproof/sealed keyboards and mice. They make these for ruggedized applications (industrial, medical, field, etc.); do a search for 'dustproof keyboard' or 'sealed keyboard' for examples.

PirateJon

JohnnyCache wrote: »

It's odd to me that the tablet function seems to be a big thing in the rugged market...

all in one means easy swapping when something fails. it's also small enough to carry around with you and be usable outside in foul weather, unlike a laptop.

Consider if you have a failure in the field. how easy will the repair be on your custom solution vs swapping a tablet? We have the ones I linked and they're in both in use outside in whatever the weather is and mounted in trucks and industrial equipment - toploaders, cranes, etc. lots of dirt, lots of dust, *LOTS* of vibration. Failures aren't anymore common than a typical desktop fleet, although we do lose some in odd cases like the "fell 60 feet on concrete", "ran over by RTG" and the ever popular "punched the screen".

JohnnyCache

I actually had a PTS error on thursday...

mindlar

We have some rack mounted machines that are installed inside of a bus. We purchased some shock mounts and installed them in the bus. For power we had a few UPSs to clean the power being generated by gas generators.

The shock mounted racks will give you some flexibility, though they tend to have a larger physical footprint and a smaller internal physical space than a more typical mount. To keep the racks from sliding, we attached a couple of bolts into the base of the bus and used those to tie everything down. A good shock rack may take care of many of the problems that you are looking at and let you use more standard rack mounted pcs.

It really helps in this type of situation to know more about the typical usage, who the users are, etc. rather than just physical specs for the computer.