Every professional knows the sinking feeling when critical equipment faces unexpected challenges. At the Festival de Cannes, a place known for its glamour, our greatest test came from the sky rather than the red carpet. A torrential downpour turned the scene into a trial of endurance for both our equipment and our team.
I worked in collaboration with the Dell team to ensure we had the right gear for what could prove to be a challenging environment. Orbital Studios was there to showcase our mobile VP portfolio to festival attendees. While Orbital’s cinematic magic was the main event, Dell’s Rugged devices were on hand to support us. Nature provided the ultimate opportunity to prove the product’s durability.
While waiting to get through security, I was drenched from head to toe, laptop bag and all. In one distracted instant, my completely soaked Dell Latitude 5430 Rugged laptop, slipped and hit the wooden floor with a sickening thud. Months of careful equipment selection flashed through my mind.
After completing security, I had to face the moment of truth. It powered on immediately, its screen bright, and its system running as if the chaos had never happened. Could the tech we chose stand up to outdoor chaos and live up to the “Rugged” name? Absolutely. I couldn’t wait to tell the team. We’d just witnessed the perfect real-world validation.
Everyday durability in action
That rainstorm wasn’t the only time our Rugged devices proved their worth at Cannes. The Latitude 5430 Rugged laptop is our go-to device for client meetings, where we present current projects and walk through our production techniques. Many guests preferred to meet on the marina-side terrace for its scenic backdrop. Normally, that wouldn’t be the first choice for electronics due to the risk of splashes, spills, or sea spray, but with the laptop’s IP53-rated water resistance, we could meet there without concern.
Before our main presentation , organizers announced last-minute changes that impacted our content. I opened the necessary files on the spot and made the updates without hesitation – another reminder that having gear you can trust outdoors is as valuable as any presentation slide.
That same reliability proved just as important away from the meeting tables. Our local assistant, Haddie, used a Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet to manage guest check-ins and schedules. The tablet’s built-in adjustable palm strap gave her a secure grip for one-handed operation, freeing her to greet attendees and navigate scheduling tools. Paired with the Rugged Active Pen, she could enter information, capture notes and approve updates quickly.
During peak hours, Haddie handed a second tablet to visitors so they could browse Orbital Studios’ VP portfolio on their own. In the bustle of the crowd, devices were dropped. Each time, the tablets remained unscathed and fully operational, turning every mishap into a live demonstration of how “Rugged” lives up to its name.
From shrugging off those drops to delivering crisp visuals on the high-brightness 1000-nit display, our Rugged lineup moved easily between indoor meeting rooms and the sunlit terrace. Together, these demonstrations, weather resistance, drop protection, and display adaptability, showed how Dell Rugged devices can support client interactions and presentations anywhere.
Tech you don’t have to baby
At the Festival de Cannes Innovation Village, Orbital Studios demonstrated how mobile VP can deliver studio-quality results anywhere, from a festival terrace to a remote film set, without the cost and constraints of a fixed studio. Dell was there to support, ensuring that presentations, schedules, and portfolio content were always accessible. While our Rugged devices weren’t running the VP systems themselves, they played an essential supporting role keeping the showcase running smoothly, no matter the conditions.
At a fast-paced event like Cannes, it’s liberating to work with technology you don’t have to baby. With over 10 hours of battery life and proven durability, our Rugged lineup lets us move effortlessly between indoor and outdoor spaces without worrying about drops or sudden weather changes. That reliability kept our team focused on what mattered, connecting with attendees and sharing Orbital’s mobile virtual production.
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