Dell has added to its rugged tablet lineup with the new Dell Latitude 7220 Rugged Extreme Tablet. The device has a 1000 nit display and has some great hardware specs. Let’s take a brief overview of the device, its features and find out if it justifies its price tag.
Hardware
You can easily get carried away by the rugged exterior and ignore the powerful hardware that the Dell Latitude 7220 is packed. The base variant comes with a dual core 8th generation Intel i3 processor. However, you have the option of getting a quad core i5 and a quad core i7 processor with additional $158 and $329 respectively.
The device comes with standard 8GB RAM and a 128 GB SSD storage. You also get the Intel Integrated Graphics 620 inbuilt into the processor. The 11.6-inch display is 1000 nit and allows easy readability in outdoor conditions without straining the eyes. The multi-touch display also works smoothly even when the user has put on gloves.
Operating System
Dell has years of experience in manufacturing computer hardware. They have complete understanding of the mission critical situations that a rugged tablet can be subjected to. To do proper justice to this, they have decided to use Windows 10 at the heart of the device.
With Windows 10, the device becomes way more capable and useful. Connect a keyboard and it functions like a windows PC. Though it might have some impact on battery life, but utility is what matters more. Dell has used a powerful battery, so this problem is effectively eliminated.
Ruggedness
Let’s discuss the ruggedness of the Dell Latitude 7220. It’s a rugged tablet after all. Dell has drop tested the device from 4-feet and you can’t damage any part by just dropping in from an average person’s waist height or from your table top.
Each corner is protected by an additional plastic cover that takes the impact and does not allow the impact to reach the glass screen. The device is also temperature tested from -28 °C to 62 °C. The Dell Latitude 7220 is IP-65 rated and provides maximum dust and water resistance.
Connectivity
The Dell Latitude 7220 is packed with connectivity options. You get a DC in port to supply power to the device. Along with that you get a mini serial RS-232 port. It is one of the most versatile serial communication ports and you can connect peripherals, data transmission and data communication equipment.
- DC-in
- Mini Serial RS-232 Port
- USB 3.0 Type-C (w/ DisplayPort Alt Mode/PowerShare)
- USB 3.1 Type-A
- MicroSD Card Slot
- Combo Mic and Headphone Jack
- Fan Exhaust
- Kensington Lock
To support modern day data transmission, you get a USB Type-C port which can also be used to charge other devices like your mobile phone or smart watch. You also get a USB Type A port that connect your removable storage devices or mobile communication devices. You also have the option to enhance the storage by inserting a microSD card into the slot. The device also features a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
For physical and theft security, the Kensington lock slot is also embedded into the Dell Latitude 7220. A rugged tablet is usually lot thicker than a normal tablet. Dell has however made complete use of the thickness to add every possible connectivity options used today. As these devices will mostly be used in outdoor conditions or in mission critical applications, having all these connectivity gives more options to the user.
Camera
The device comes standard with a 5 megapixel HD webcam and a 8 megapixel rear camera with LED flash. The dual mic setup allows noise cancellation while you shoot videos in noisy outdoor conditions. The quality of the output would mostly be usable and we should not expect a great camera performance. As it’s not a general consumer product, camera is definitely not the emphasis here, neither for the manufacturer nor for the user.
Design
While buying a rugged tablet, design is the last thing that is on a buyer’s mind. The primary purpose of a rugged tablet is to function in challenging conditions like extreme temperature, and endure bad drops without affecting the internal hardware or display. However, Dell has given some though into the design of this device.
The plastic notch on the top part of the device that accommodates the camera is beautifully complemented by the bottom notch that hold the control buttons. The connectivity ports are also well hidden in a chamber and the user can keep the chamber shut while not using the connectivity ports.
Battery
The battery of the Dell Latitude 7220 is a dual cell 34 Whr, Lithium ion Battery that user the trademarked ExpressCharge technology for faster charging and better battery life. The battery is replaceable so you can carry around an additional battery that gives you double the usual working time. You can buy the additional battery during the purchase with 3 years of warranty at $23.10 only.
Warranty and Service
Dell is known for their great after-sales service. The device comes with a 3 years mail in service. However, you can choose to upgrade to 3 years ProSupport where the technicians will reach the site on the next working day to provide service at additional $177.80.
Accessories
Dell has manufactured some cool and useful accessories for the Dell Latitude 7220. One area where rugged tablet users complained was the lack of a detachable keyboard. If they had to do some typing they had to use the display or use an external keyboard that was not custom made for rugged use.
You can buy a detachable keyboard along with the Dell Latitude 7220 which is backlit and IP65 tested. Another handy accessory is the rigid handle. You can connect the handle to the top edges of the device and carry it around like a suitcase! That is a really useful addition to the list of accessories from Dell. You can also buy a vehicle dock or table dock based on your use and preference.
If you have been looking to buy a rugged tablet that is powered by Windows 10, the Dell Latitude 7220 fits in perfectly with a $1899 price tag.