MIL-STD-810 Certified | What You Need in a Military-Grade Computer
Whether you’re actively deployed or just subjecting your laptop to rugged conditions on the job, you want to ensure that your device is equipped to handle the toughest environmental conditions.
The MIL-STD-810 standard has been devised and improved over the years to establish precise environmental testing conditions for electrical equipment. The current standard is MIL-STD-810G, which employs the most rigorous testing of any MIL-SPEC model that came before it.
The standard was developed specifically for the military, as equipment must be able to withstand all the rigors of an unpredictable warzone. Today, the Department of Defense will only approve equipment that meets MIL-SPEC standards.
You might not be required to have this kind of equipment for your job, but it can add to your peace of mind and ensure that you’re able to withstand any environmental factors that come along.
What Does MIL-STD-810 Certified Mean for Computers?
A military-grade computer is one that meets MIL-STD-810 compliance. That means that it has been subjected to rigorous testing procedures that include:
- Mechanical shock testing: The device must be able to withstand sudden mechanical shocks or abrupt changes in motion.
- Altitude testing: If you plan to operate a device at high altitudes, it should be proven suitable for such. MIL-STD-810G standards ensure that devices remain operational at 15,000 feet.
- Humidity testing: MIL-STD-810 Certified devices can be used outdoors in tropical regions with up to 95% relative humidity.
- Random mechanical vibration testing: If you plan to operate the device in an atmosphere subject to heavy vibration (such as in a commercial vehicle, forklift, or seafaring vehicle), you want a military-grade computer that has been subject to vibration testing.
- Explosive atmosphere testing: The MIL-STD-810G standard even tests devices in the presence of an explosive atmosphere, ensuring that they’re able to stand up against dangerous and hazardous substance exposure.
This is just a small sampling of the conditions that a device must be able to withstand in order to meet MIL-SPEC compliance. Additional tests expose the device to rain, solar radiation, fluid contamination, low and high temperatures, gunfire vibration, fungus, salt fog, and more.
Military-Grade Computers Are for Civilians Too
If you’re shopping for a rugged laptop, always look for the MIL-STD-810 Certified stamp of approval. All Toughbooks meet this important standard, meaning that they’re suitable for rugged-use vehicles, industrial workplaces, outdoor job sites, and other unpredictable environments. For the most rugged jobs, opt for devices that meet the most up-to-date standard — currently, MIL-STD-810G. The Toughbook 31 and Toughbook 19 i5 both meet MIL-STD-810G standards, while the Toughbook 30 and Toughbook 19 meet the more outdated MIL-STD-810F standards.
Greater strength means a longer-lasting device that always works at a moment’s notice, no matter where the job takes you.
