Why a car computer is an essential business tool

Robustness

These devices, which are often very fragile, are constantly handled by the user and are therefore much more likely to be damaged, either during use or transportation.

The PC itself is never handled by the user, reducing the risk of accidental damage to almost zero. The only parts of the system that are handled by the user are the display and wireless keyboard, and in the unlikely event that these do fail they can be swapped for replacements very rapidly. All programs, data & settings remain on the PC itself.

Security

The device moves around constantly and can easily be lost or stolen, resulting in the loss of both a valuable piece of equipment and potentially irreplaceable data.

The PC, where all the data and most of the system’s value reside, remains permanently in the vehicle. Because it is normally completely out of sight, and can be bolted to the vehicle using anti-theft bolts if necessary, it is much less likely to be lost or stolen.

Screens can also be secured firmly to the vehicle.

The screen is part of the device and either cannot be changed at all or is limited to a small range of sizes and screen types, which can only be customised before the unit is purchased.

We offer a very wide range of display sizes from 7” to 21” and beyond, including sunlight readable versions. Screens are extremely easy to upgrade in the future (e.g. for a larger or brighter model as screen technology advances).

Laptops are impractical for in-vehicle use due to their extremely large physical footprint. Balancing a hot laptop on your knees, or twisting round to view one that is resting on a passenger seat, is no recipe for efficient or ergonomic mobile working.

Tablets normally need to be mounted on the dashboard using a docking cradle. Because they are heavy and bulky the range of mounting options is severely limited. Our dedicated on-dash displays are light and compact, allowing for a much wider range of mounting options.

PDAs normally need to be mounted on the dashboard. Their small screen size means they need to be mounted as close to the driver as possible, which is often impractical.

Touch sensitive screens can be mounted anywhere in the vehicle, including:

• On-dash removable
  • Light and compact because they are only screens, and contain no other electronics
  • Very easy to rapidly remove from the vehicle if required
• Sun-visor integrated
  • Positioned directly in front of the user for the most ergonomic setup
  • Completely covert - does not need to be removed when the vehicle is parked
• Headrest integrated
  • Trimmed into the headrest for a very professional look
• Roof mounted
  • One screen can serve more than one person
  • Covert when not in use

PDAs and tablets often have very limited processing power and storage capabilities. See below for further information about how limited PDAs really are.

Our range of vehicle PCs feature processors up to an Intel Core i7-620M (2.66 GHz), with hard drives up to 750 GB and RAM up to 8 GB. If greater performance is required then we can always build a system to your specs.

If these devices are to be used in a vehicle they still require professional installation in order to install a docking station, a cost which is often neglected in the planning stages of a mobile IT project.

Our computers and screens are designed from the ground up to be installed into a vehicle, with features such as integrated mounting flanges and anti-vibration options.  This makes them much easier to install than devices which are not primarily designed to be vehicle mounted, and need to be adapted. 

These devices are usually mass produced, with little or no customisation available.

We build all our computers to our customers’ exact specifications. Have an unusual request? We’ll do our best to make it happen.

PDAs use a very small on-screen keyboard, and if a physical keyboard is available it is extremely cramped.

With tablets and laptops the physical keyboard, if present, is fixed to the chassis and cannot be detached, which makes it difficult to use in a vehicle environment.

Wide range of data input methods, including:

• Full-size compact wireless QWERTY keyboards
• Large touch sensitive displays with on-screen keyboards
• Voice recognition for rapid dictation of documents or emails

Can be used outside of the vehicle, unless:

• It happens to be raining and the device is not waterproof
• The batteries have run out
• Heavy vehicle-bound accessories such as printers tie the mobile device to the vehicle anyway

If your application really does require mobile devices to be used outside the vehicle then a dedicated vehicle PC can work with these devices, maximising mobile working efficiency by giving users the best solution while both in and out of the vehicle.

OK, we do accept that laptops etc may score a point here. But portability is a disadvantage if it isn’t absolutely necessary, and there are many applications that do not require the system to be used outside the vehicle.

Our PCs are fully integrated into the vehicle, allowing them to:

• Turn on and off automatically with the vehicle ignition
• Play sound over the vehicle sound system
• Perform driver-related functions such as navigation