Most durable for outdoor technical use

[liliggyracin]

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

[Stargate199]

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.)

[YourOldBuddy]

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.

[pianowizard]

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."

[egibbs]

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

[liliggyracin]

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.

[techflavor]

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.

[brainpicker]

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

[tomh009]

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 ...