Durabook · Rugged tablet, Ex version
Durabook R8-EX
- Zone 2/22
- ATEX
- IIC
- T4
The Durabook R8-EX is the hazardous-area version of a Durabook rugged 8-inch tablet, certified for Zone 2/22 under ATEX. It is an intrinsically safe (Ex ic) design running Windows 11 Pro.
- Certified for
- Zone 2/22
- Protection
- Intrinsic safety (Ex ic)
- Screen
- 8-inch
- Temperature class
- T4 (≤ 135 °C)
- Operating system
- Windows 11 Pro
- Security updates
- Supported while kept on a current Windows 11 version
- Weight
- 880 gUnconfirmed, see note 1
- Price
- On request
Overview
Strengths and limitations
Strengths
- Optional built-in barcode imager
- User-replaceable battery
Limitations
- Zone 2 only, so not for Zone 1 areas
- T4 temperature class: fine for most gases, but not those that ignite below 135 °C
- Dust group IIIB: combustible flyings and non-conductive dust only, not conductive dust
- ATEX only: no IECEx certificate
Best for
Certification
Where you can use it
Gas
- Zone 0not certified.Explosive gas present continuously or for long periods
- Zone 1not certified.Explosive gas likely in normal operation
- Zone 2certified.Explosive gas unlikely, and only briefly
Dust
- Zone 20not certified.Combustible dust present continuously or for long periods
- Zone 21not certified.Combustible dust likely in normal operation
- Zone 22certified.Combustible dust unlikely, and only briefly
The Ex marking, decoded
Gas atmospheresZone 2
II3GExicIICT4Gc
IIEquipment group- Group II: equipment for surface industries (not mining).
3GATEX category- Category 3 for gas: suitable down to Zone 2.
ExExplosion protected- Certified to the IEC 60079 / EN 60079 series.
icProtection type- Intrinsic safety, level "ic": safe in normal operation. Zone 2 only.
IICGas group- Gas group IIC, e.g. hydrogen and acetylene. The most demanding group; also covers IIA and IIB.
T4Temperature class- Surface stays below 135 °C. T6 is the strictest class.
GcProtection level- Equipment protection level Gc (enhanced): suitable for Zone 2.
Dust atmospheresZone 22
II3DExicIIIBT135°CDc
3DATEX category- Category 3 for dust: suitable down to Zone 22.
IIIBDust group- Dust group IIIB: non-conductive dust. Also covers IIIA.
T135°CMax surface temperature- Surface stays below 135°C in dust.
DcProtection level- Equipment protection level Dc (enhanced): suitable for Zone 22.
IIExic as above.
Safe use
Rules for the hazardous area
- Charging
- Outside the hazardous area only
- Battery swap
- Outside the hazardous area only
- Ports and accessories in the zone
- Per the manual: the tablet shall not be connected to any external device. All I/O ports are covered by explosion-proof brackets that must be fitted (with screws) before entering the ATEX area. The anti-static leather case is mandatory.
- Certified accessories
- Supplied with the Ex tablet and part of the certification: ATEX anti-static leather case, left bracket and screws (explosion-proof brackets), stylus and tether, stylus holder. AC adapter and power cord are for the safe area only. Docking connector, keyboard, dock and scanner: none named as Ex-certified.Unconfirmed, see note 2
- Operating temperature
- −20 °C to +60 °C
Conditions of use
Must be used with the ATEX case supplied by Twinhead, packed as the manual describes. Must not be connected to any external device. Battery may only be charged in a safe area with the supplied adapter (FSP065-RBBN3, 19 V, 3.42 A, 65 W). Do not replace or charge the battery in explosive environments. Do not use the device without the ATEX case in explosive environments. Use only Japone Technology R8-H (7200 mAh) or R8-M (3600 mAh) batteries.
Specifications
Full specifications
Certification
- ATEX marking
- II 3G Ex ic IIC T4 Gc / II 3D Ex ic IIIB T135°C Dc
- ATEX certificate
- TPS 23 ATEX 123637 0002 X (certificate of conformity, category 3)Unconfirmed, see note 3
- Other approvals
- MIL-STD-810H; IP66
- Protection level (EPL)
- Gc / Dc
- Dust group
- IIIB
- Max surface temperature (dust)
- 135 °C
Device
- Type
- Rugged tablet, Ex version
- Launched
- 2024
- Operating system
- Windows 11 Pro
- Edition
- Windows 11 Pro 64-bitUnconfirmed, see note 4
- Security updates
- Supported while kept on a current Windows 11 version
- Processor
- Intel Core i7-1250U vPro / i5-1230U vPro (12th gen) or Pentium Gold 8500
- Processor architecture
- x86
- Memory (RAM)
- 8 (option 16), LPDDR4x onboard
- Storage
- 128 GB NVMe (options 256 GB, 512 GB, 1000 GB), microSDXC
Field capabilities
- Barcode scanning
- Built in (optional 1D/2D barcode reader)
- Remote expert / video calls
- Via app (2 MP front, optional 11 MP rear)
- Windows desktop software
- Built in (Windows 11 Pro, x86)
Display and camera
- Display
- 8-inch LCD, DynaVue sunlight-readable, 10-point capacitive
- Resolution
- 1280 × 800
- Brightness
- 800 nits
- Outdoor readability
- DynaVue sunlight-readable
- Touch
- User-selectable finger/water, glove, stylus modes
- Pen / stylus
- Optional digitizer
- Rear camera
- Optional 11 MP autofocus with flash
- Front camera
- 2 MP
Connectivity
- Network
- Wi-Fi 6E; optional GPS and 4G LTE
- Wi-Fi
- Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Satellite positioning
- Optional dedicated GPS or GPS with 4G LTE (mutually exclusive)
- SIM
- Nano-SIM
Physical and power
- Weight
- 880 gUnconfirmed, see note 1
- Dimensions
- 227 × 150 × 20.5 (tablet, without case) mm
- Ingress protection
- IP66
- Ruggedness
- MIL-STD-810H; 6 ft (1.8 m), 26 faces (tablet; effect of case not stated)
- Battery
- 3600 typical (7.6 V); optional 7200
- Battery energy
- 27.4Unconfirmed, see note 5
- Battery life
- 8.5 h standard, 17 h long-life (MobileMark 2014)
- Hot-swap battery
- Optional swappable battery, 5 minute swap (system stays on within 300 s in standby)
- Replaceable battery
- Yes
- Ports and expansion
- Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, audio combo, microSDXC, 20-pin pogo docking, nano-SIM, DC-in; optional USB-A, 1D/2D barcode; all behind explosion-proof brackets in the Ex version
- Docking
- 20-pin pogo docking connector (office/vehicle docks for standard R8; not for the Ex area)
- Keyboard
- Tablet only
Controls & Accessibility
- Keys
- 4 buttons (1 user-defined)
- Push-to-talk key
- No
- Glove touch
- Yes
Fleet and support
- Manufacturer
- Twinhead International Corp. (Durabook), Taiwan
Only specifications we could check are listed. A numbered marker next to a value means it is unconfirmed: it comes from a single or secondary source, or sources disagree. The matching note at the foot of the page explains each one. See the Twinhead International Corp. (Durabook) website for the full data sheet.
Compare
How it compares
Best in this comparison
| DurabookDurabook R8-EXThis tablet | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Rugged tablet, Ex version | Rugged tablet, Ex version | Rugged tablet, Ex version | Rugged tablet, Ex version |
| Screen size | 8-inch | 8-inch | 10.1-inch | 10.1-inch |
| Availability | Current | Current | Current | Current |
| Gas zones | Zone 2 | Zone 2 | Zone 2 | Zone 2 |
| Dust zones | Zone 22 | Zone 22 | Zone 22 | — |
| Protection | Intrinsic safety (Ex ic) | Intrinsic safety (Ex ic) with inherently safe optical radiation (op is) | Intrinsic safety (Ex ic) with inherently safe optical radiation (op is) | Intrinsic safety (Ex ic) |
| Gas group | IIC | IIC | IIC | IIC |
| Temperature class | T4 | T4 | T4 | T4 |
| Certification | ATEX | ATEX + IECEx | ATEX + IECEx | ATEX + IECEx |
| North America | — | — | — | Class I Division 2 |
| Ambient temperature | — | −21 °C to +55 °C | −20 °C to +55 °C | −10 °C to +50 °C |
| Charging in the Ex area | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC | Windows 11 Professional | Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC |
| Security updates | Supported while kept on a current Windows 11 version | Until October 2034 | Supported while kept on a current Windows 11 version | Until October 2034 |
| Weight | 880 g | 780 g (best in this comparison) | 1200 g | 1200 g |
| Display | 8-inch LCD, DynaVue sunlight-readable, 10-point capacitive | 8-inch | 10.1-inch Optically bonded capacitive multi-touch, Corning Gorilla Glass, contrast 1000:1 | 10.1-inch IPS LED, optical bonding, anti-glare |
| 5G | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pen / stylus | Optional digitizer | Digitizer pen | Passive stylus included (AI-powered touch control) | Capacitive stylus (included) |
| Replaceable battery | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hot-swap battery | Optional swappable battery, 5 minute swap (system stays on within 300 s in standby) | Headline claims high-capacity hot-swappable batteries (non-hazardous areas only) | Yes (true hot swap, minimum 60 seconds) | Yes, hot-swappable battery (swap outside hazardous areas per the Ex certificate) |
| Price | On request | On request | On request | On request |
FAQ
Common questions
Is the Durabook R8-EX certified for Zone 1?
No. It is certified for Zone 2/22 only, so it can be used in Zone 2 but not in Zone 1.
Can the Durabook R8-EX be used in Zone 0?
No. It is not certified for Zone 0. Zone 0 needs equipment with protection level Ga, such as Ex ia intrinsic safety.
What type of explosion protection does the Durabook R8-EX use?
It is intrinsically safe: intrinsic safety (Ex ic). Intrinsic safety limits the electrical and thermal energy in the device below the level that could ignite the surrounding atmosphere.
What does T4 mean for the Durabook R8-EX?
Its surface stays below 135 °C, so it is suitable for gases that only ignite above that temperature. Check the ignition temperature of the substances on your site.
Can you charge the Durabook R8-EX in a hazardous area?
No. The certificate only allows charging outside the hazardous area.
Which ports and accessories can be used with the Durabook R8-EX in the hazardous area?
Per the manual: the tablet shall not be connected to any external device. All I/O ports are covered by explosion-proof brackets that must be fitted (with screws) before entering the ATEX area. The anti-static leather case is mandatory.
What operating system does the Durabook R8-EX run?
Windows 11 Pro. Windows 11 has no fixed end date: Microsoft supports each version for about two years, so it keeps getting security updates while it's kept on a current version.
How much does the Durabook R8-EX cost?
Prices for certified hazardous-area tablets depend on volume, configuration and region, so they are on request. Contact us for a price.
Notes on unconfirmed values
- From a single source; the maker's figures vary. Return to note 1
- Not checked against the certificate for this exact model. Return to note 2
- From Durabook's user manual, which reproduces the certificate of conformity; the certificate itself isn't published. Return to note 3
- The maker doesn't state the edition year. Return to note 4
- Calculated from the maker's battery capacity and voltage; the maker doesn't state watt-hours. Return to note 5
Sources and verification
Facts last verified on against:
- Microsoft: Lifecycle: Windows 11 Home and Pro (25H2 end listed 10/13/2027; 24H2 10/14/2026)
- Durabook: R8-EX datasheet, Sep. 2025 V5
- Durabook (Twinhead): R8-EX user manual V2.0 (file R8-EX_User Manual_20260706), incl. ATEX certificate number and special conditions
- Durabook (Twinhead): U11I-EX user manual V2.0 (file U11I-EX_User Manual_20260706), incl. ATEX certificate number and special conditions; ATEX file R1 dated 2024-02-20
- Durabook via PR Newswire UK: Press release 2024-02-27: ATEX-certified R8-EX and U11I-EX (URL from research file 02, not re-fetched in this pass)
Always check the certificate for your exact model before use. Spotted an error? Tell us.