Are Rugged Laptops Really That Great?
Your first look at a rugged laptop may make it hard to understand why you’d want to buy it instead of an ordinary commercial-type laptop. After all, the price tag is high, and the benefits aren’t immediately obvious.
On the other hand, if you’re someone who needs to be able to work under any conditions and in almost any location, rugged laptops may fit the bill. They offer flexibility, durability, and deal with almost any situation.
For instance, workers in environments that expose computers to vibration, falls, electromagnetic emissions, dust or liquids are all good candidates for these durable machines. While the high price tag puts some people off, the fact that these computers can take almost anything really does make it worth it.
A good rugged laptop will offer a strong casing with no gaps and a sealed keyboard. Liquids, dust and damp will be kept out of interior compartments, and won’t be able to cause damage to delicate components. You can use your laptop in the dustiest, dampest conditions without fear that your information will be lost.
If vibrations or a fall could be a hazard, you’ll want to make sure you choose a rugged laptop that’s been built with protection against shock and vibration for the case and the hard drive, too.
If you work near power transmission or radio equipment, you could have trouble with most electronic devices. Choose a laptop that has shielding from these kinds of emissions to protect your data and keep your workflow efficient.
It may seem hard to protect the fragile equipment inside a laptop. After all, rotating hard drives and big LCDs are pretty delicate. However, there are lots of methods used in the toughest laptops.
For instance, instead of regular plastic cases, you’ll find high impact materials and even magnesium allows in a rugged laptop. These computers also come with rubber corner bumpers and carrying handles to help you get them around without damage.
Their slightly smaller screens resist damage and can be read easily, even in bright sunlight. Shock-mounted hard disks don’t take damage in a fall.
There are even a few newer rugged laptops using smaller capacity solid state drives instead of traditional mechanical ones, and devices with motion sensors to stop a hard drive platter before the computer reaches the ground.
To make sure that these computers are waterproof, case joints use rubber membranes and gaskets, and all connectors are well protected. Membrane under keyboards keeps dust and liquid out of your computer.
Some rugged laptops meant for outdoor use in all seasons even have tiny heaters to keep components at the right temperature, and large keys that can be used by someone with gloves on. There are even models that glow in the dark for night use.
Wondering if a rugged laptop is the right option for you? It’s a simple question with a simple answer - if you work in a rough environment of any kind, there’s a pretty good chance that these are the machines for your job.
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