Rugged Laptops

Every major player in the computer hardware market has at least one line of premium, well-made laptops. For instance, Dell XPS, Apple MacBook Pro or Lenovo ThinkPad could be compared to sleek race cars. 

While those are nice consumer-grade laptops, we’re talking about something entirely different. 

Think robust off-road vehicles: rugged laptop computers are built with durability and practicality in mind.

Good rugged laptops are purpose-built for workers in harsh, demanding environments. Designed and engineered with consideration for the needs of first responders, mechanics, military personnel, and field workers of all stripes. 

The rugged laptops for sale on our website are chock full of features you simply will not find at your local computer shop. From new rugged laptops on the market to rugged portable computers, even custom rugged laptops – we have you covered!

Let’s take a look at some of the most important features of these laptops.

Rugged Laptops Are Rugged. Who Would’ve Thought?

Sarcasm aside, it’s a worthwhile place to start. The casing of a rugged laptop incorporates tough, rigid materials designed to overcome the most arduous of situations.  Most common is magnesium alloy, a material known for its resistance to corrosion and high strength-to-weight ratio (five times stronger than titanium and one-third lighter than aluminum). You may also find rubberized bumpers and internal shock-absorbing components.

Beyond raw durability, fully-rugged extreme laptops are built to operate in intense temperatures and atmospheric conditions. From the hottest to coldest places on earth, at high altitudes, and through punishing humidity they won’t let you down.

Semi-rugged laptops and fully-rugged laptops are drop tested and undergo several testing procedures. Vibration, impact, temperature, and various other environmental conditions are all tested in accordance with MIL-STD 810G (military grade standards).

Ingress Protection

If you need a laptop you can use in a rain or dust storm, you’ve found what you’re looking for!

Just beneath the hard outer shell is an arrangement of gaskets and sealants. This makes sure that nothing from outside the rugged laptop finds its way inside. The most rugged laptops will have a sophisticated heat sink system inside.

This allows for a fanless or enclosed-fan design with no cooling vents through which dust and moisture can enter the main internal cavity. Most semi- and fully-rugged laptops feature doors and covers to seal any ports and expansion slots not in use.

A laptop with an Ingress Protection rating of IP65 is impervious to dust and can handle jets of water sprayed at it from any angle. These are common among fully-rugged models.

Security Features

Since many rugged laptop users work in law enforcement, the military, and the government, security is a high priority. Several rugged laptops come standard with or can be upgraded to include features like:

  • Trusted Platform Module (TPM), a chip that performs anti-tampering and security tasks at a hardware level
  • Intel vPro for remote management, diagnostics, and updates*
  • Opal storage specifications for encrypting and protecting data on the storage drive (available on Getac laptops)
  • Fingerprint scanners and smart card readers for controlling user access
  • Easily removable storage drives for when you don’t want to leave your data with your laptop.

Stay Connected 

While consumer laptops have been ditching ports in the name of simplicity rugged laptops typically come with a wide assortment of connection and expansion choices. 

Of course, these laptops include all the essential features: HDMI, SD, VGA, and multiple USB ports. They also offer wireless connectivity options like Bluetooth and WiFi. Additionally, there are optional 4G LTE connections available.

Professional equipment, however, often uses older or less common interfaces like PCMCIA type II, ExpressCard, and serial ports. You’ll never find those squeezed into a wafer-thin consumer laptop.

For even more connectivity options, check out our selection of port replicators.

Purpose-Built: Features and Options

Sometimes it’s the little things that make the difference:

  • Carrying Handle Secure transportation whatever the terrain!
  • Touch Panel – Works even if you’re wearing gloves 
  • Backlit Keyboard – A screen bright enough to see in direct sunlight. 

Other times you may have a specific, specialized use case in mind. Optional GPS modules are popular for marine navigation, geographical surveying, and various scientific applications. 

Two-in-one laptop/tablet hybrids are perfect for people who want both a laptop and a tablet in one device. They have dual touch interfaces that allow you to interact with the screen using touch gestures.

These hybrids are particularly useful if you need to take notes, sketch, or capture signatures directly on the screen.

The best part is you can rest your palm on the screen while using the stylus or touch input. The key advantage of these devices is their versatility, offering the flexibility to switch between laptop and tablet modes as needed.

Do you need a feature you can’t find? Or do you need some guidance? We can help.

*Intel vPro is available on most Durabook computers, but may require a custom order. Please contact us if you would like to order this or any other unlisted upgrade.

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