A rugged computer is a type of computer designed to operate reliably in harsh environments where conventional computers could not. They are usually designed to withstand prolonged exposure to heat and moisture, and should be able to survive against dust, vibration, shocks, and falls without immediate risk of failure.

Use Cases

Rugged computers are most useful in harsh environments where there is a much higher risk of failure. Some examples include:

• Military and Defense - deployed in aircrafts, vehicles, and field operations.
• Oil and Gas - used in drilling sites and remote expeditions.
• Mining - used on location to withstand the extremes of the mines.
• Emergency Services - deployed with police, fire, and first responders.
• Agriculture - integrated usage with machinery and equipment like tractors and combines.
• Transportation and Logistics - utilized for navigation and fleet management.

Key Features

Including those mentioned before, rugged computers should be able to withstand extreme levels of:

• Temperature variance, from extreme hot to cold conditions.
• Environmental factors like dust, water, and mud.
• Durability to withstand physical stress like drops, shocks, and vibrations.
• Electrical shock.
• Extended life cycles to meet the specific need of industries with longer equipment replacement cycles. 

Note that there are different degrees of resilience, with MIL-STD-810 (Military-Standard) devices being approved for the highest degree of durability as standardized and tested by the US Department of Defense.