Explosion-Proof PC: Now That's Tough

Sure, those Panasonic Toughbooks look like the can handle wind, mud, and rain, but how would they handle places like an oil rig, where the odd spark could have dire consequences? Enter the Ruffneck Zone 1 Explosion-Proof Computer.

Unearthed by Engadget, the Ruffneck has apparently been built for safe operation in "Hazloc environments"—that is, hazardous locations, where things just might go "boom." Running on Windows XP, this 15-inch, touch-screen PC packs in a 1.6Ghz Pentium M processor, up to 2GB of memory, a 40GB hard drive, and a display that's readable in direct sunlight. You can operate the ruggedized, 45-pound Ruffneck with your bare hands or with gloves on (and if explosions are an issue, gloves might be a good idea), and the panel will work at temperatures ranging from -40 degrees Celsius to a blistering 60°C (or 140 degrees Fahrenheit). No pricing details just yet, but don't expect to find the Ruffneck in the bargain bin.

Related:
Computer Dynamics introduces the Ruffneck "explosion-proof" computer [Engadget]