Thinkpads Forum

We are currently looking at the Dell Lattitude ATG for its durabilty and rugged design and shock deflection. However we have 95% IBM computers thinkpads etc etc in our company. Is there an IBM laptop that is similar to that machine? Specs for it can be found here.

http://www.dell.com/content/products/fe ... l=en&s=bsd


Hoping to stay IBM

Iggy

The T series can really take a beating. It all depends on your definition of "rugged use". Could you be a little more specific on what type on enviorment this computer will be used in. Depending on what you are using it for, you might need a Panasonic Toughbook. These are the same laptops used by the military (well the industrial/corporate versions are. The consumer level will take a good beating though.)

I have no experience with this Dell computer.

The T60 is a lot more resistant to water than the T4X family and should suffice for most terrain. A local company that does all sorts of water-measurements is changing to ThinkPads after seeing a regular Dell in action vs ThinkPad T4X. When I told them the T60 was better protected, they couldnt contain their excitement.

Stargate199 wrote:you might need a Panasonic Toughbook.

I just found this article on Wikipedia which cites some remarkable statistics:

The notebooks are designed to withstand vibrations, drops, spills, extreme temperature, and other rough handling. Notebooks made by major manufacturers have a return rate averaging 25%, while the entire Toughbook line averages 3.2%, and Panasonic's most rugged products have an annualized failure of only 1.05%.

I remember reading a recent customer satisfaction survey (it could have been in PC Magazine) which found that Thinkpads' failure rate was slightly above the average across all major manufacturers. So, I suggest getting Toughbooks instead of Thinkpads.

EDIT: I just found the survey I was referring to: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2006499,00.asp

It states that "a higher percentage of Lenovo notebooks needed repair—19 percent, and that's right around the industry average—but among first-year notebooks, 14 percent needed repair. That's the second-worst rating among leading vendors (behind Gateway's 15 percent). Though still within the average range, 14 percent of new systems needing repair is hardly cause for pride."

For truly rugged requirements (sandstorms, driving rain, drops off maintenance stands, covered in hydraulic fluid, etc.) you can't beat a Toughbook.

For just rough handling a T-series would be fine.

Depends on your requirement.

Ed Gibbs

Currently I have around 15 that I want to replace with a "more durable unit" These are for use during snow-storms rain storms etc etc for working outdoors in AFC cabinets. I have sent in 3 for problems that were deemed. Moisture caused and 4 of of these "tech" computers for being dropped and broken. so something that can work after being dropped a few times and can hold out some moisture and dust would be a nice thing to have.

Then you're definitely going to want to go with Panasonic Toughbooks. They may be a little more expensive but it will be cheaper in the long run.

I agree with the two posters who recommended the Toughbooks. BUT, remember that there are different lines of Toughbooks. Some are simply a bit more protected than an average laptop, and those really aren't much of an improvement over a T-series Thinkpad (if any at all) or even a Lattitude (what my brother uses on construction sites). The better line is VERY well protected/rugged and quite a bit more costly. I suggest you look at each before making a decision.

- Yak

I agree -- I think you definitely need the "rugged" Toughbook line. The "semi-rugged" (let alone "business-rugged") line doesn't really give you the kind of weather resistance you are looking for. I don't think the Dell will do it, either ...