Evaluation of Two Fully Rugged Laptop Computers for the Forest Service
Appendix B—High Temperature Tests
Purpose
The high temperature test was conducted to determine whether the laptop would start and whether its components would operate properly at high temperatures. This test simulates, for example, a situation where a law enforcement officer may leave the laptop in a vehicle during hot weather and must start and operate the laptop after returning.
Equipment
An environmental chamber (figure B–1) manufactured by Percival Environmental was used for the high temperature tests. The chamber was programmed to operate at 120 °F. Temperatures were monitored using a Campbell Scientific Model CR-1000 datalogger using a Type K thermocouple.
Figure B–1—An environmental chamber was used to conduct
the extreme
hot temperature startup and operation tests.
Procedure
Tests were conducted under the guidance of MIL-STD-810F, Method 501.4—Procedure II (operation). The laptop was heated to 120 °F and held at the temperature for at least 2 h. Afterward, the laptop was started and its operation checked. Once operation tests were complete, the laptop was allowed to cool to ambient conditions and a complete visual inspection was conducted.
The CF-30 and XR-1 laptops were tested at the same time (figure B–2). Each laptop was plugged into line power and started. PassMark BurnInTest software was started and all systems were verified as functioning. The laptops were placed into the chamber and operated for 4 h after the chamber reached 120 °F. The laptops were restarted and unplugged. BurnInTest software was started again for an additional 20 min.
Figure B–2—Both laptops were placed in the environmental
chamber
for
two h at 120 °F. Then they were started and tested.
Results
Both laptops passed all tests:
- CF-30: The CF-30 laptop passed all BurnInTest
software tests while warming up in the chamber and
during the 4-h test. The CF-30 laptop successfully
restarted. All components successfully passed
BurnInTest software tests while the CF-30 laptop was
on battery power and operating at a temperature of
120 °F.
- XR-1: The XR-1 laptop passed all BurnInTest software tests while warming up in the chamber and during the 4-h test. The XR-1 laptop successfully restarted. All components successfully passed BurnInTest software tests while the XR-1 laptop was on battery power and operating at a temperature of 120 °F.
Conclusions
Both laptops performed similarly in the high temperature tests. Both successfully started at high temperatures (120 °F) and passed the BurnInTest software tests.
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