Laptops have always been considered to be frail devices, the ones to be handled carefully. 1st laptop users carry their notebooks offices or places where they can put ir notebook on a table and work fortably. However, it is not possible get a proper working area to work out in the field. And when rking at an outdoor location, it's not ays possible to find a warm, dryce to work and a laptop might not be e to withstand the exposure to eme conditions. Under harsh circumstances where re's even a small chance of exposure extremes of heat or cold, light rain or idity, dust or proximity to hazardous terials, a standard laptop would die you before you can even save your
. This is where rugged laptops e into play-extreme machines that t way over the price of a standard 'ebook with the same configuration are durable enough to withstand a more abuse.





Rugged laptops are available in .e versions: 3usiness rugged - These laptops
ure sealed keyboards and casing to teet against exposure to water spills humidity. They also have shock proof hard disk drives to protect your data. Their casing is made of durable materials such as magnesium alloys to prevent scratches.

NX7400 Notebook - This notebook features a 1 .83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 1 GB RAM, 100 GB hard disk drive and a bright 15.4" WXGA display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. It features HP's fast charge technology that reduces charging times, HP mobile data protection system that protects the hard drive from shock and vibration. It has a magnesium alloy casing with HP Panel protection system that protects the display from scratches. 2. Semi rugged - These laptops come with all the basic protective features and more. They have rubberized casings for better grip, covered ports, dust/moisture and vibration resistance; making them extremely durable.

Dell Latitude ATG - The Dell ATG (All Terrain Gear) is one of the
toughest notebooks available that doesn't look like a vault. It's got protection against dust, vibration and moisture. Other features include a shock mounted removable hard disk drive, shock¬mounted LCD screen, a dust and spill-resistant keyboard, port covers and a 14.1" display with ambient light sensor (ALS), glass overlay and anti¬reflective coating. With Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 160 GB SATA hard drive and 2 GB RAM, the ATG comes packed with Dell's 3 year complete cover warranty. The ATG's LCD back and edges have an additional layer of protection in the form of highly durable textured paint, minimizing scratches. 3.

Military Grade -These are the best of the lot as they have to meet strict standards set by the military in terms of variance in pressure and temperature, rain, humidity, fungus, fog, sand, dust, acceleration and shock. These laptops go through a barrage of tests including a drop test from 3 feet. On passing these stringent tests, they are given an MIL-STD 81 OF-F grading which means they meet requirements set by the Unites States Department of Defense.






Panasonic Tough book CF 29 - Encased in magnesium, this notebook has been designed using MIL -STD-81 OF test procedure and is ruggedized inside and out. It has a moisture and dust resistant LCD with screen film for touch screen protection; sealed port and connector covers; a shock-mounted, removable HOD in stainless steel case, along with wide area wireless and GPS. It's powered by an Intel Centrino 1.4 GHz processor, has an 80 GB hard drive 512 MB RAM, and a 13.3" XGA TFT screen.

Like I mentioned earlier, extreme notebooks cost way above their standard counterparts, but if you work in extreme environments and want foolproof security of your data, go for a rugged laptop eyes closed.