Toughbook of desktops, recommend wanted

I need to replace my desktop and want something as tough as my Toughbook 28. Don't need a gaming computer or anything frilly thing like that. Just something that will last for more than a year. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

 

i dont think you will find any desktop as durable as a toughbook. a desktop is just meant to stay at one location most of the time. a toughbook you would use in harsh enviroments.

 

Only thing that comes to mind short of building your own is this:



The Dolch Flexpac which is a field transportable lunchbox unit but can probably smash a few toughbooks that get in it's way.

 

WOW. How cool would that be!!

 

THAT is pretty slick!

 

That's awesome!! Maybe I don't need something quite that extreme. But it would be cool to have none the less.

 

What kind of abuse do you plan on running your system through? Harsh dust, extreme cold, hosting a porn movie shoot?

 

Yes, all the above, except the porn.

 

The IBM Industrial line was some serious stuff, but unfortunately they closed the division several years ago. Here's one example of their product offering:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310057131077

 

Awww, look at that!

http://www.theportablepc.com/computerpricelist/DisplayOptions.aspx?product=MOBILE-X5

And *only* $1,406., including the built-in pop-up 7" touchscreen!

 

I'm thinking now a days, it might almost be best to build your own rugged desktop. Make the outer case out of 1/4" steel, important frame portions with 10g, and non-structural framing with 16g.

Weld it together, throw the components inside using small o-rings to separate the case mounts from the circuit boards (preferably using underclocked components), add dust shields to the fans. If you were crafty enough, you could add in a peltier based heating/cooling system that will heat or cool a heatsink right on the other side of a fan, and have it thermally activated which one engages (Ie; 20° in the room, it heats, 100°, it cools).

For added protection, you could have the case rhinolined. You could throw that thing down a cliff and still be able to mount stuff in it

 

I'm doing a little work with some oilpatch types. They're using one of these bad boys for seismic monitoring. View attachment 20409
http://www.bsicomputer.com/portable/pcatxn9/pcatxn9_intro.htm
It's called a BSI Fieldgo N-9. No word on cost, built by Broadaxe Systems, weight, 50#.

 

You know... You could just build your own. There are a few websites that are devoted to building PCs into just about everything. I saw one that was built into a guitar! (I know... Not Toughbook-like) But you get my point. You could build one into a Pelican case so you could just fold it up and go... Then you'd be water tight as well as vibration proof. Just an idea.

Any other ideas without going too far over the top?