Windows tablet PCs remain the default choice wherever a hazardous-area operation runs legacy SCADA software, plant-specific ERP tools, or any application that simply doesn’t have an Android equivalent. The Bartec Agile S NI and the Ecom Pad-Ex 01 DZ2 both fill that role for ATEX Zone 2/22 and Class I Division 2 sites, but they land a full generation apart in operating system, memory, and documented durability. One runs Windows 10 with 8GB of RAM and a documented IP65 rating. The other runs Windows 11 with 16GB of RAM and a documented IP64 rating. The $1,309.80 price gap between them tracks to the OS and memory generation gap, not documented durability — both publish an IP rating, and the Agile S NI’s is actually the higher of the two.
New to sourcing ATEX-certified tablets?
Read Where to Buy an ATEX Certified Tablet for Zone 2 (2026 Guide) before comparing specific models.
What ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU Category 3 Actually Requires
ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU assigns Category 3 equipment to Zone 2/22 use — areas where an explosive atmosphere is unlikely to occur, and if it does, will persist only briefly. Both the Bartec Agile S NI (Class I Division 2 Groups A, B, C, D T4A, ATEX/IECEx Zone 2/22) and the Ecom Pad-Ex 01 DZ2 (ATEX Zone 2, IECEx, Class I Division 2 / C1D2) meet that Category 3 threshold, so both tablets hold certifications for operation within these hazardous area classifications. A buyer must still verify that the specific ratings of a device, including its Gas Groups and Temperature Class, align with their site’s specific safety and compliance requirements. IEC 60529, the standard that defines the IP (Ingress Protection) rating system, is where the two tablets are close but not identical: the Ecom Pad-Ex 01 DZ2 publishes an IP64 rating plus MIL-STD-810H drop and shock testing, while the Bartec Agile S NI publishes a marginally higher IP65 rating, tested to MIL-STD-810G. A shared certification tier doesn’t mean identical specs across the board — that’s a separate check buyers need to make.
Core Specifications: Bartec Agile S NI vs. Ecom Pad-Ex 01 DZ2
- Certification: Bartec Agile S NI — Class I Div. 2 (Groups A, B, C, D, T4A), ATEX/IECEx Zone 2/22. Ecom Pad-Ex 01 DZ2 — ATEX Zone 2, IECEx, Class I Div. 2 (C1D2).
- Platform: Bartec Agile S NI — Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, 10.1″ display, Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM. Ecom Pad-Ex 01 DZ2 — Windows 11 Pro, 11.6″ FHD DynaVue 1000-nit display, Intel Core i5-1235U, 16GB RAM.
- IP rating: Bartec Agile S NI — IP65 (MIL-STD-810G). Ecom Pad-Ex 01 DZ2 — IP64 + MIL-STD-810H.
- Price: Bartec Agile S NI — $3,560.20 USD. Ecom Pad-Ex 01 DZ2 — $4,870.00 USD.
Which One Fits Your Fleet
Both tablets clear the same Zone 2/22 and Class I Division 2 bar and both publish a documented IP rating, so the decision comes down to operating system generation and memory headroom:
- Choose the Bartec Agile S NI if your software stack still depends on a specific Windows 10 build, or if budget is the deciding factor between these two.
- Choose the Ecom Pad-Ex 01 DZ2 if you need Windows 11 today or more RAM for running multiple industrial applications at once.
- If your deployment includes exposure to water or heavy washdown, note that the Agile S NI’s IP65 rating is marginally higher than the Pad-Ex 01 DZ2’s IP64 — both are documented, so this isn’t a real differentiator between the two.
- Factor in Windows 10’s support lifecycle when planning a multi-year fleet purchase around the Agile S NI.
Recommended Products for Windows Industrial Tablets: Bartec Agile S NI vs. Ecom Pad-Ex 01 DZ2
The following products from our catalog are certified for use in hazardous areas and directly relevant to this guide:
| Product Category | Rating / Certification | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Intrinsically Safe Tablets | Class I Div. 2 (Groups A-D, T4A) · ATEX/IECEx Zone 2/22 | Shop Now |
| Intrinsically Safe Tablets | ATEX Zone 2 · IECEx · Class I Div. 2 (C1D2) | Shop Now |
Shop Certified Intrinsically Safe Tablets
Browse the full Intrinsically Safe Tablet category for more Windows and Android options certified for Zone 2/22.
FAQs
What’s the difference between the Bartec Agile S NI and Ecom Pad-Ex 01 DZ2?
The Agile S NI runs Windows 10 IoT Enterprise on a 10.1″ screen with 8GB RAM at $3,560.20, while the Pad-Ex 01 DZ2 runs Windows 11 Pro on a larger 11.6″ FHD DynaVue display (1000 nits) with 16GB RAM at $4,870.00. Both are certified for Class I Div 2/C1D2, ATEX Zone 2, and IECEx, and both publish a documented IP rating: IP64 + MIL-STD-810H for the Pad-Ex 01 DZ2, and IP65 (MIL-STD-810G) for the Agile S NI.
Should I get a Windows 10 or Windows 11 ATEX tablet in 2026?
Windows 11 Pro, as used in the Ecom Pad-Ex 01 DZ2, is the newer OS and better positioned for longer-term Microsoft support. The Bartec Agile S NI ships with Windows 10 IoT Enterprise CBB, which remains functional for hazardous-area deployments, but buyers should factor in Microsoft’s Windows 10 support lifecycle when planning multi-year fleet purchases.
How much RAM do I need in an ATEX Zone 2 tablet?
The two tablets compared here differ significantly: the Bartec Agile S NI has 8GB RAM, while the Ecom Pad-Ex 01 DZ2 doubles that at 16GB. More RAM matters for running multiple industrial applications, inspection software, or Windows 11 more smoothly — one reason the Pad-Ex 01 DZ2 costs more.
What IP rating do ATEX Zone 2 tablets typically have?
Zone 2 tablets commonly carry IP64 through IP68 ratings for dust and water resistance. Of the two models compared here, the Ecom Pad-Ex 01 DZ2 publishes an IP64 rating plus MIL-STD-810H drop and shock testing, while the Bartec Agile S NI publishes a slightly higher IP65 rating, tested to MIL-STD-810G.
Why is the Ecom Pad-Ex 01 DZ2 more expensive than the Bartec Agile S NI?
At $4,870.00 versus $3,560.20 — a difference of $1,309.80 — the Pad-Ex 01 DZ2’s premium reflects its newer Intel Core i5-1235U processor, double the RAM (16GB vs. 8GB), a larger 1000-nit FHD DynaVue display, and Windows 11 Pro — both tablets publish a comparable IP64/IP65 durability rating, so that isn’t part of the price gap.
Chat for a QuoteCall: 832-699-6726
Conclusion
After confirming that a device’s specific certifications (including Zone/Division, Gas Group, and Temperature Class) fully meet your site’s compliance requirements, the decision can then be guided by factors like OS generation, memory, and documented durability. The Agile S NI is the lower-cost, Windows 10-based option for teams that don’t need the latest OS or the extra RAM. The Pad-Ex 01 DZ2 costs more but delivers Windows 11 and double the memory. Both tablets publish a documented IP rating (Agile S NI IP65, Pad-Ex 01 DZ2 IP64) — durability documentation isn’t what separates them; OS generation and RAM headroom are.
