Top 5 rugged notebooks

Outlook
Essentially a beefed-up version of the Latitude E6400 business notebook, the ATG version is not only rugged, but is able to use the same accessories and expansion ports as its more vulnerable sibling. Built to US military MIL-STD 810F standards, this semi-rugged laptop is not only resistant to water, it can also survive drops thanks to its shock-mounted LCD display and harddisk. Nice touches include a backlit keyboard, ambient light sensor and up to 19-hour battery life (with optional nine-cell battery and external battery slice).

Outlook
Unlike some semi-rugged laptops which are built to resemble a tank, the HP EliteBook hardly looks different from a standard business portable. However, like the Dell ATG, it is built to meet US military MIL-STD 810F standards for vibration, dust, humidity, altitude, and high temperature. But the hottest thing about this laptop is that the 80GB SSD model with LED-backlit screen combined with the six-cell battery and external Ultra-Capacity Battery, can last for up to 24 hours on a single charge. Great if you are hitting the field for a couple of days as you won't need a generator or charger.

Outlook
Though it does not claim to be a semi-rugged laptop, the ThinkPad series have a reputation for being hardy and reliable. The magnesium-alloy "roll-cage" under the hood protects internal components from damage during drops, while the spill-resistant keyboard features drain-holes that prevents liquids from entering the system. It is also one of the few ultraportables in the market to feature a full-power Core 2 Duo chip, yet maintaining an above-average battery life. Moreover, its widescreen display also allows Lenovo to slip in a full-sized keyboard, similar to the one on the larger T series.

The good: Exceptional battery life; strong chassis able to withstand up to 300kg/f of pressure; strong security features; holds an integrated optical drive despite its light weight; bright LED-backlit screen.

The bad: Weak warranty terms; no spill-resistant keyboard; pretty expensive for an average feature set.

The bottom line: The NEC Versa S9100 is too costly for an ultraportable with middling features. Its key redeeming features, however, lie in the exceptionally strong chassis as well as impressive battery life.

The good: Slimmed-down design; low starting price; high-end extras are available, including HDMI and touch-sensitive media control buttons.

The bad: Far from attractive; pricey compared to ordinary laptops.

The bottom line: The Panasonic ToughBook CF-W7 is great for anyone who's prone to breaking things. It's by no means unbreakable, but it'll withstand more punishment than most users will be able to inflict upon it.