Rugged PC Review.com - Rugged Tablet PCs: Handheld Algiz RT8

Handheld Algiz RT8

Powerful, state-of-the-art, ultra-rugged 8-inch Android tablet for work in demanding environments
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

On February 5, 2020, Swedish Handheld Group announced the Android 9-based 8-inch Algiz RT8 tablet computer, the latest in the company's lineup of rugged mobile computers for field workers in all sorts of demanding environments.

In terms of overall product lineup, the Handheld Group offers two primary product lines, those being the "Nautiz" branded rugged handhelds and the "Algiz" branded rugged tablets. By now, most of the Nautiz handhelds are Android-based, with some still available with either Android or the old Windows Embedded Handheld.

On the Algiz tablet side, the Handheld Group also supports both Android and (full) Windows, and now, with the new Algiz RT8, there are two tablets with Windows and two with Android. The image below shows the company's whole current tablet lineup.

As usual, let's answer some basic questions first. Why a rugged 8-inch Android tablet when Handheld already has a rugged 8-inch Windows tablet (the Algiz 8X)?

Answer: Android is coming on ever stronger in tablets, too. And with smartphones now pushing into 7-inch screens, it made perfect sense to offer a device with a display bigger than anything available in the smartphone market for those who like or need a tablet. Hence the Algiz RT8 as a larger and more powerful complement to the still available 7-inch Algiz RT7.

Android on rugged tablets

While the smartphone market is now dominated by Android (the vast majority of the market) and Apple (the high end), the situation is much less clear in tablets. Google's focus with Android is almost completely on phones, and virtually all apps are designed and optimized for phones. So what happened is that both Windows and Android have a presence in tablets, with Windows working best on larger tablets and Android best on smaller screens. Handheld realized this would happen and positioned itself perfectly: they have 7 and 8 inch tablets with Android, 8 and 10 inch tablets with Windows.

The next issue then becomes what kind of rugged Android tablet might work best. The logical answer is not just a larger phone that you could just as well stick into a protective case. No, a rugged Android tablet must provide true value-added. It must be designed and built rugged from the inside out, and it must be able to do things phone just cannot. It also should be reasonably quick, because the global smartphone performance and features race has spoiled the literally billions of Android phone users, and they now expect the same or better from their professional tools.

How did Handheld go about it?

They did it their way. Throughout their entire history, the Handheld Group has pursued a consistent design language and consistent color palettes. As a result, Handheld Group devices have visual brand recognition rivaled only by the Panasonic Toughbook brand. You know a Handheld device when you see one, and the Algiz RT8 is no exception.

Handheld has also consistently hit the sweet spot between using enough of the consumer tablet and smartphone look and feel to be attractive, but also enough real-world features and practicality to prevail on the job. The RT8 is a good looking piece of equipment, but it has enough of a bezel to protect the display and to be held and handled without the screen going nuts (tablets with zero bezel and wrap-around screens, we're looking at you). There are actual physical, programmable buttons, because out there on the job it's sometimes better to have push buttons than tapping on the touch screen.

The 8-inch screen is plenty roomy for Android apps, and its comfortable 16:10 aspect ratio feels just right. Tablets that are likely to be used for positioning and other graphical tasks must have good resolution, and the Algiz RT8 does. 1920 x 1200 pixels make for 283 dpi (dots per inch). That's sharper than any Microsoft Surface Pro and sharper than any Apple iPad Pro. Handheld says the display is sunlight readable, but the specs don't show a nits rating (yet). We'd expect 500-600.

How about connectivity? Here we're a bit limited because the Algiz RT8 is only half an inch thick. So rather than shoehorn in a string of micro ports, Handheld opted for one of those new reversible USB Type-C ports, a full-size 3.5mm audio in/out port, and the rest (HDMI, Ethernet, more USB) you can get via the docking port. And there's an expansion connector on the back of the Algiz RT8, so customers will likely have access to all sorts of bolt-on functionality.

Of course, having a stellar reputation for quality and service, and an attractive, cohesive product lineup and clear brand identity — both of which the Handheld Group has — doesn't hurt either. These guys have been around.

And what are the specs?

So what do customers get with the new Algiz RT8? It measures 9.8 x 5.7 inches — as long as the standard iPad, but an inch narrower. For a fully rugged device the Algiz RT8 is remarkably slender, and that's why it only weighs 1.4 pounds, even with a replaceable 31.2 watt-hour battery that Handheld says lasts "all day" (we assume that means work day).

What about performance? Here, rugged Android devices have often been a bit sluggish compared to all those speedy smartphones. When Handheld designed the smaller Algiz RT7, Thomas Löfblad, who is now Handheld's CEO, said that they built the tablet to hit that perfect spot between value and efficiency. Speed is good, but that makes sense.

So when it came to the Algiz RT8, Handheld used the same Snapdragon 625 processor that's also in the Handheld Nautiz X6 which was introduced in 2019. It is a robust, power-efficient processor platform for (at the time) high-end smartphones. It includes an integrated X9 LTE modem with very fast upload speed as well as advanced Wi-Fi, positioning, NFC, and 2G/3G/4G LTE mobile broadband.

There are 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage, two cameras (5mp and 13mp AF), and speedy 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth 4.1. For navigation, there's a stand-alone integrated u-blox module that supports all four available GNSS systems, those being GPS (the US system), GLONASS (the Russian version of GPS), the European Galileo, and the Chinese BeiDou. The ability to use them concurrently means access to more satellites, making for quicker starts, very good accuracy, and superior coverage.

Very rugged

As you'd expect, in terms of ruggedness the Algiz RT8 can handle quite a bit of punishment and rough handling out there in the field. Working anywhere within -4 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit is no problem. There's IP67 sealing where the "6" means the computer is totally protected from dust, and the "7" that it is protected against full immersion down to a meter for 30 minutes. The Algiz RT8 also passed the MIL-STD-810G test of 26 4-foot drops to concrete, as well as several other MIL-STD-810G and complementary tests.

Handheld Group's new Algiz RT8

The Algiz RT8 is the perfect next logical step in the Handheld Group's lineup. Tablet customers now have their choice not only of two compact rugged Windows tablets, but also two logically sized and implemented Android tablets. In essence, with the Algiz RT8, Handheld gives customers Android, the OS they already know inside and out, on a bigger screen than any smartphone has, and in a package that's much more durable and much more functional. — Conrad H. Blickenstorfer, February 2020

Specifications Handheld Algiz RT8

Added	Added 02/2020
Type	Rugged Android tablet
OS	Android 9 (GMS)
Processor	Octa-core Qualcomm "Snapdragon" 625
Graphics	Adreno 506
CPU Speed	2.00GHz
Standard/Max RAM	4GB
Disk/drive	64GB
Card slots	1 x Micro SDXC (up to 128GB), 1 x Nano SIM
Display type	Sunlight-readable TFT LCD with Corning Gorilla Glass
Display size/res	8.0" (1920 x 1200 pixel, 16:10 aspect ratio) 283 ppi
Digitizer/pens	10-point capacitive multi-touch (incl. rain and glove modes)
Buttons	Power, F1, F2, F3, volume up/down
Housing	Est: Plastic with protective rubber bumpers
Operating Temp	-4° to 140° degrees Fahrenheit (-20° to 60° Celsius)
Sealing	IP67, MIL-STD-810G, IEC 60529
Shock	26 4-feet drops to concrete per MIL-STD-810G Method 516.6, Procedure IV
Vibration	MIL-STD-810G, Method 514.6 Procedures I
Altitude	15.000 ft at 73°F (4572 meters at 23°C) per MIL-STD-810G, Method 500.5, Procedure I and II
Size (WxHxD)	9.8 x 5.7 x 0.5 inches (249 x 145 x 14.5 mm)
Weight	1.4 pounds (635 grams)
Power	User-accessible, field-replaceable 3.8V 8,200mAh 31.2 watt-hour Li-Ion battery
Cameras	5.0 MP (front), 13.0 MP with LED flash (rear)
Sensors	Ambient light, accelerometer, gyro, eCompass, pressure, proximity
Scanning	Unknown
Interface	1 x USB Type-C OTG, 1 x 3.5mm audio in/out, power, docking connector (supporting HDMI, Ethernet, USB), expansion connector in back
Wireless	802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth v4.1, integrated u-blox GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou), NFC, 2G/3G/4G LTE
List price	Inquire
Brochure	Algiz RT8 product brochure (PDF)
Web	Algiz RT8 product page
Contact	Handheld Group AB Strandgatan 40 531 60 Lidköping, Sweden Tel: +46 (0) 510 54 71 70 Web: www.handheldgroup.com Email: info @ handheldgroup.com HHCS Handheld USA Inc. 2121 NE Jack London Street Suite 100 Corvallis, OR 97330, USA Tel: (541) 752-0313 Web: www.handheld-us.com Email: info @ handheld-us.com