Finally, I found an Android tablet that can withstand my durability torture tests

I have a soft spot for tough, ruggedized hardware — the kind of hardware designed to be tossed into the back of a truck, hauled around the outdoors in all sorts of weather, and used in conditions that would make an iPad beg to be sent back to the Apple Store.

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The Getac ZX10 Android tablet is a device that ticks all the boxes for me, even if it wasn’t necessarily made for someone like me.

At its core, this is a 10.1-inch Android 13 tablet built around the Qualcomm 660 chipset. It features a 1920 x 1200 pixel WUXGA TFT touchscreen display that’s sunlight-readable and can be operated by stylus, gloved finger, or bare finger. It’s powered by the Kryo 260, a 1.95 GHz octa-core processor, Adreno 512 graphics, 4 GB of LPDDR4 RAM, and a 4990 mAh battery offering all-day performance (expandable to two batteries, which are hot-swappable). 

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It also comes with a pair of cameras — a 16-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel selfie camera. And yes, you read that right — the batteries are user-replaceable. 

The tablet is equipped with dual integrated microphones to filter out loud background noises, such as power tools and machinery. There’s also the option for an RFID scanner and/or an integrated industrial-grade barcode reader. Additionally, it comes with a tethered stylus for when your finger just doesn’t do the job.

In terms of connectivity, the ZX10 offers dual-SIM support (one physical SIM + one eSIM) with options for 4G LTE for regular performance or 5G Sub-6 with 4×4 MIMO for the best possible speed.

Now take all that hardware and put it into an IP66-certified shell that can resist drops, shocks, rain, vibration, dust, and liquids, giving it the ability to function in heavy rain or even when hit by high-pressure water jets. Add to that the reassurance of MIL-STD 810H certification, which means the tablet can survive 6-foot drops and operate in extreme temperatures ranging from -20°F to 145°F (-29°C to 63°C).

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This entire package measures 10.8 x 7.6 x 0.7 inches (keeping the thickness under an inch makes sense for ease of handling) and weighs 2.29 pounds. That’s a fair amount of heft, but the balance in the hand is good, and there’s a handle on the top to make carrying it easier.

Getac claims that this is the lightest 10-inch fully rugged tablet with a 6-foot drop rating, and based on my experience in this field, I’m inclined to agree. 

The ZX10 isn’t the fastest, newest, or most stylish tablet out there, but it is one of the most rugged tablets you can buy. It’s not just built tough — it’s built industrial tough, and it has the certifications to prove it.

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This tablet is perfect for industrial, mechanical, or engineering environments and for those who spend a lot of time outdoors, such as utility workers and first responders. It’s not designed to run the latest games or handle processor-intensive tasks like VR or AI workloads, but it excels in durability and reliability.

I particularly like how readable the display is, even in bright sunlight. This is usually a weak point for ruggedized devices, but the ZX10 excels here. There are also other thoughtful touches, like a backlight for the buttons and an easy way to switch the input between fingers, gloved fingers, and stylus. I can’t overstate how useful this is.

I also tested the durability, exposing it to water, the most extreme cold I had access to, and even a 6-foot drop test. This tablet took everything I threw at it in stride. It’s a tough device built with durability in mind, but the handle and relatively thin design show that usability and aesthetics were also considered.

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Built into the operating system is a hardware sensor test, which offers an easy way to check if everything is working as it should. This is a must-have feature for an industrial device like the ZX10, which is subject to a hard life.

I test a lot of ruggedized equipment, and I can tell you there’s a big difference between ruggedized gear aimed at consumers and gear aimed at the industrial market. The Getac ZX10 is built to offer years of reliable use, even with daily abuse. The user-replaceable batteries mean this tablet has a long life ahead of it and won’t end up prematurely in the recycling heap.

Another great thing about buying an industrial product is that you can pick up a lot of accessories for it, such as a myriad of mounts to fit it into cars and trucks. 

ZDNET’s buying advice

These Getac tablets are not cheap — they’re in the $1,300 price range, depending on the spec — but when it comes to industrial toughness, they can’t be beaten. If you’re a consumer looking for something more affordable, consider devices like the Ulefone Armor Pad 2 or Oukitel RT7, which are priced at $300 and $400, respectively.

But if you need a tablet that can withstand industrial abuse, an industrial tool like the ZX10 is exactly what you’re looking for –anything less simply won’t survive. Remember: Buy cheap, buy twice.