Thinkpads...protected against dirt/dust environment?

How well will the T series hold up in really dusty environments? I've heard you can literally spill liquid on it and it won't penetrate beyond the keyboard...is this true?
I plan on purchasing a 400 or 500 for my wife who will be using it at her horse-barn and it's just really bad dusty there.

Thanks

 

Sure, Thinkpads are sturdy, but no laptop with open access to its fan should be exposed to excessive amount of dust/dirt. Something along the lines of a Toughbook or similar rugged notebook may be a better choice (although they are quite expensive - what is your budget?)..

 

as long as there are vents on the laptop, then dust would entrain it. If you plan to use it in really dusty environment get a panasonic toughbook or the Dell Latitude E6400 XFR laptops, these are the standard laptop used in highly dusty and harsh environment, such as mining.

With Thinkpads keyboard it can only take 50 cc of water before it would spill over to the motherboard, and dusts would also probably add insult to the injury.

 

This might give you an idea of how the keyboard is designed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmBXU9Jz7qM

As for dust, here's what lenovoblogs.com says.

Notice also that the system is covered in dust. It comes in from every crack as the wind whips by. They did not know this when they bought it, but the T Series is one of multiple ThinkPads with MIL spec certification to stand up against dust.

http://lenovoblogs.com/insidethebox/?p=242

Edit: can't get an image to show up in this post so you'll have to check the links.

 

well, I guess it's not "That" dusty..... she has been using a Fujitsu for the last 5 years there and it has survived.
Why is the screen not centered on these?

 

Apparently because the wireless antennas are grouped together on the left side of the screen.

I was a little upset at first when I realized that the screen was off center but honestly you will not notice when you're using it. The only time I notice it is when the screen is off and I am admiring my beautiful T400.

 

You may spill a small amount of liquid, 3oz I think is the standard, and it should pass through, but it is not spill proof.

 

Let's put it this way, if she has been using a fujitsu for five years there the heck yes, i'd do it. But I tell all peoples the same thing, spend the money for warranty up front. It worth the piece of mind.
Renee

 

You'd have to properly look up if that is considered normal use for the warranty or Thinkpad Protection.

 

BuYah!!!!!! This vid is so much better!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYTRA-_p4Lk

 

haha that video is so funny. Obviously the liquid spill part is over the top, while the actual laptop would behave like that after a major spill, but it will fail later on. There are numerous people i know whom have spilled instant noodles, half a bottle of mineral water or sports drink on their thinkpads and none of them failed instantly, but the problem did develop after couple of hours to couple of days later.