Rugged Laptops

We've had a few queries about rugged laptops so we thought we'd take a look at a couple of the market leading models of hardened laptop computers. 

Panasonic Toughbook

The Panasonic Toughbook is widely regarded as the best rugged laptop computer in the industry. They're manufactured with a durable magnesium case, Panasonic claims the alloy they use is 20 times stronger than the ABS plastic used in most laptops.

Panasonic use military specifications when they test their machines, they have to able to withstand water and dust ingress, on the Toughbook CF-18 and CF-29 the LCD screen is also sealed against water.

They also undergo temperature testing from as high as 96 degrees Celsius down to -51 degrees Celsius, the units are placed in an environment at those temperatures for a set period of time, once they're back to a more reasonable temperature they're expected to boot as per normal.

All Toughbook hard drives are mounted in a shock absorbing dampener which is supposed to absorb up to 70% of the shock if the unit is dropped, the LCD screen is also shock mounted. 

The internal connections are flex connectors instead of being hard wired, these are also designed to absorb any shock and minimise damage.

Panasonic has been building hardened laptop computers for a long time and they have this sort of technology down to an art. 

I've been in the notebook servicing industry for about 10 years now and have always known about Toughbooks, no other manufacturer seems to have as much credibility when it comes to rugged laptops. 

You can check out the whole Panasonic range of rugged laptops here. 


Rugged Notebooks

Rugged Notebooks are also in the business of making rugged laptops and produce a model similar to the Panasonic Toughbook. 

Their machines are also tested and certified to MIL-STD-810F military standards in regards to dust and water ingress, their shock protected hard drive is able to take a 3 foot drop onto concrete or a 15G shock.

Their rugged laptops also come with an optional sunlight readable LCD screen and a touchscreen display set up. The unit weighs in at a lightweight 6.2 lbs. 

Check out the Rugged Notebooks site here, there are some videos on the site that would make the average laptop owner cringe. 

The major laptop manufacturers are now starting to integrate features such as magnesium cases, spill resistant keyboards and shock protected hard drives into their new models.

The rugged laptops featured on this page are not intended for the average user looking to buy a laptop, they are designed for a purpose market which specifically requires these sorts of crash proof systems for in the field applications and other hazardous and dirty environments.

This of course classifies them as a piece of specialist equipment, which in turn makes them more expensive than a normal notebook with the added cost of all the research and development that go into the special features of these machines. 

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