I'm looking for a laptop for my business, for communications, Microsoft Office and also EasyCAD 7. I want something small enough to fit my BMW motorcycle cases. My current machine, a Dell Latitude, only just fits - and not in a proper padded case. It hasn't lasted well. Neil Budgen Microlimit
Most notebooks are built down to a price and are not designed to take any physical punishment. One of the few widely available exceptions is the Panasonic Toughbook, designed using US military MIL-STD-810F test procedures.
Alternatives include the "semirugged" Itronix GoBook VR-1, which is available in the UK from Computacenter Direct. "Semi-rugged" is just as rugged but not environmentally sealed. Rugged notebooks are more expensive to buy, but for mobile workers, can work out cheaper in the long run.
Backchat: Mike Hickman, a sales manager with Itronix in the US, responds: "You mentioned only our VR-1 semi-rugged machine. Our GoBook III is tougher than the ubiquitous Panasonic Toughbook CF-29 and is more powerful (1.8GHz Pentium M vs. 1.4GHz Pentium M). In fairness I should mention that Panasonic is also in the semi-rugged game."
