The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Are you looking for a durable laptop to withstand abuse for under $2000 USD?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by titaniummd, Jul 1, 2006.

  1. titaniummd

    titaniummd Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    70
    Messages:
    1,746
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    http://computershopper.com/4002-7409_9-6543913.html

    The test consisted of baking each laptop at 140 degrees for 1 hour (simulating leaving it in a car), freezing it for 1 hour (simulating being in your mother in law's presence), spilling 50 cc of water (simulating leaving your laptop open in a drizzle by the window ; who in the heck does that one?), and dropping the laptop on its hinge from 29 inches (padded carpet) and 36 inches (concrete).

    Toshiba Tecra M5-S433 wins.

    Australia's PC World tested the Latitude by shoving the D620 off of the desk, spilling coffee, and standing on it:

    http://www.dell.com/html/us/products/latitude/test.html

    I have only done Tests 1 and 2. No intentional tests beyond that are planned.

    More durable laptops to withstand abuse also:
    Panasonic Toughbook 18 $3500
    Itronix Hummer Laptop $2988 starting
    Twinhead Durabook N15R1 $1309

    ...Falling from a desk near you.
     
  2. ejl

    ejl fudge

    Reputations:
    1,783
    Messages:
    8,254
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    interesting stuff...i'm surprised they didn't bother to test a thinkpad.
     
  3. lixuelai

    lixuelai Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    463
    Messages:
    2,326
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    They probably thought testing a Thinkpad is pointless lol. Just like how they didnt test a Panasonic Toughbook.
     
  4. ArmanSLR

    ArmanSLR Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    46
    Messages:
    318
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    that was very interesting, I was surprised how good the dell did!
    ~Arman
     
  5. who8mahrice

    who8mahrice Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    375
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30

    LOL! I assume it's also to simulate leaving it in your car.
     
  6. titaniummd

    titaniummd Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    70
    Messages:
    1,746
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Oops! Freudian slip. Excuse me.

    You are correct.
     
  7. titaniummd

    titaniummd Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    70
    Messages:
    1,746
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Actually, they notified companies and those were the computers sent in for that testing.

    I was surprised about the 'spillproof' Dell D620 test and that it took 12 hours before it would restart (considering the keyboard is sealed) - unless it went somewhere where the notebook is not sealed, like the vent in the top left side.

    The Australian test showed a more realistic scenario - a spill of half of cup of coffee.
     
  8. hydra

    hydra Breaks Laptops

    Reputations:
    285
    Messages:
    2,834
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    56
    "a spill of half of cup of coffee."

    BTDT..killed my usb keyboard witht the sugar :)