Gear Up with the Best Rugged Laptops for Field Work in 2023

Working in public safety, construction sites, and other fieldwork jobs requires the physical endurance and focus needed for harsh environments. This is where commercial laptops rarely perform at their best. That's why experts like you need a laptop that matches your resilience and can handle unique work demands.

While several rugged laptops exist to stand up to such challenges, Panasonic, Getac, Durabook, and Dell each have their own unique design when it comes to competing in the rugged computing space.

Here’s what to look for in the best rugged laptops in 2023 based on our field-tested customers’ feedback.

What Is the Best Rugged Laptop in 2023?

For professionals in the industries mentioned above, we recommend two Toughbook models as the best rugged laptop computers. Trust us, they're built to withstand anything you throw at them.

Panasonic Toughbook CF-31

The CF-31 Panasonic stands out as the ultimate rugged laptop for police, fire departments, and EMS. These magnificent machines have Intel i3, i5, and sometimes even i7 processors, ensuring unrivaled performance while maintaining excellent battery life. Equipped with the Mobile Intel QM57 Express chipset, a cutting-edge hybrid cooling system, and a 1,100-nit LED backlight, this laptop truly takes the rugged computing experience to the next level.

CF-33 Panasonic

The CF-33 Panasonic is the newest Toughbook laptop available and is also ideal for public safety professionals. It’s the first fully rugged 2-in-1 tablet computer available on the market.

This Toughbook features 6th and 7th Gen Intel Core(TM) i5 processors, 8GB to 16GB of DDR3 memory, and M.2 solid-state drives. It has an IP65 Ingress Protection Rating and a 1,200-nit multi-touch display. It is versatile, portable, and top-of-the-line.

Quick Definitions: What Makes a Laptop Rugged?

There are many perks that make a rugged laptop what it is. In order to withstand challenging environments, they have:

• Magnesium alloy casing
• Water-tight seals
• A TPM chip to improve PC security
• Higher nit screens

Many also utilize mobile data cards for increased connectivity and feature advanced touchscreens. We'll define these terms below.

Daylight Readability

Field work typically involves working in the bright outdoors, which can make it tough to read your screen. When you need to be able to read your screen clearly at any time of day, screen brightness is important. When selecting rugged laptops, it's wise to consider the number of nits – the measure of luminosity, particularly for esteemed Toughbooks.

Ultimately, for those that work outside in direct sunlight, more nits mean a brighter screen.

The average rugged laptop has more than 1000 nits of brightness. The average indoor-optimized laptop features an average of 200 to 600 nits.

Rugged Certifications: And What It Means for Field Work

The first certification rugged laptops undergo is MIL-STD (military standards). This certification provides proof that your machine has undergone testing originally intended for military-grade devices, making them the best laptops for rugged use.

During MIL-STD-810 Certification, your laptop must withstand:

• Drops
• Shocks
• Vibrations
• Rain
• Dust
• Sand
• Altitude
• Freeze/Thaw
• High/Low temperature
• Temperature shock
• Solar radiation
• Contamination by fluids
• Humidity
• Explosive atmosphere

During MIL-STD-461 Certification, your laptop is tested for the influence of EMI (Electromagnetic Interference).

The second is IP or an Ingress Protection Rating. This rating specifically refers to a rugged laptop's ability to withstand water, dust, and the elements. Nearly all electronic devices have an IP rating, from lightbulbs to cell phones.

The IP rating system consists of two digits, each carrying valuable information. The first digit, ranging from 0 to 6, represents the level of protection against solids, ranging from pesky dust particles to curious human fingers. The second digit, ranging from 0 to 9k, signifies the resilience against liquids, from delicate sprays to complete immersion underwater. So, if your laptop has an impressive IP rating of 69K, it means it can brave even the harshest work environments.

Mobile Data

A mobile data card communicates seamlessly with a SIM card, offering a reliable internet connection through expansive cell tower coverage. This guarantees uninterrupted services, regardless of your location. Rest assured, the world is transitioning from 4G to the lightning-fast 5G LTE.

Check out the mobile data plans that we provide! Perfect for using a rugged computer wherever your work takes you. 

Advanced Touchscreens

The best Toughbooks and rugged laptop computers possess advanced touchscreens. You can operate these touch screens with:

• Fingers
• Any Stylus
• Through work gloves or protective gear

They are sensitive even in inclement weather, including in the rain.

Fully Rugged or Semi-Rugged?

A semi-rugged laptop can withstand 2 to 4-foot drops and is nearly dustproof. They can resist sprays of water, but you cannot submerge them.

In contrast, a fully rugged laptop is even more resilient and can withstand 4 to 6-foot drops. These machines are dust tight and can resist strong jets of water. These are ideal if you work in an outdoor environment most of the time.

Many professionals in public safety also opt for a Rubber Backlit Keyboard upgrade. This enhances visibility and allows for water and other liquids to flick off the keyboard seamlessly.

What Field Work Jobs Benefit from Rugged Laptops?

Professionals in many hands-on industries can benefit from fully rugged and semi-rugged laptops. Toughbooks and other models of rugged computers are perfect for these tough, outdoor fields:

• Wildlife Control
• Automotive Industry
• Aquatics: Including individual boaters, Navy and Coast Guard
• Public Safety: Including police, fire, and EMS
• Agriculture and Dairy industry, and any who work with tractors
• Construction Industry
• And more

Any industry involving active, hands-on work can benefit from the resilience of a rugged laptop.

The Best Rugged Laptops for Field Work at the Best Prices

For any outdoor fieldwork, nothing beats the sheer resilience and performance of rugged laptops. At Bob Johnson's, we offer an exceptional collection of new and refurbished rugged laptops, all backed by a limited lifetime warranty. If you require bulk purchases and a quick turnaround time, explore our extensive collection. You deserve nothing but the best.