Who’s tougher, Dwayne Johnson or Jason Statham? The answer (obviously, Chuck Norris) is about as inconclusive as advertisements for laptops with vague, overlapping descriptions like “semi-rugged,” “fully rugged,” and “business-rugged.” But the need for notebooks that can take a licking and keep on clicking is very real.Let’s be clear right up front about one thing: When PCMag refers to “rugged laptops,” we’re not talking to travelers with business laptops, worried about a little turbulence in an airline overhead compartment. Really rugged laptops are vertical-market dwellers designed for work in the field or on factory floors. They may be carried by first responders or military personnel or mounted on police car dashboards. They may have to survive being rained on or dropped six feet onto a hard surface, work through freezing or broiling temperatures, or keep from getting clogged up by clouds of blowing dust or sand.What’s the price you pay for such super-sturdy survivability? One is the literal price: Rugged laptops cost a lot more than their civilian counterparts. Two, the weight: A laptop with virtual armor plating can test your biceps to the tune of 10 pounds, an immense burden compared with the three or four pounds of most laptops. That’s why many true-blue rugged models come with pop-out carrying handles.Time to look at some tougher-than-average laptops and convertibles! The models below are some of our favorites PC Labs has tested. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each one before getting into a few more details you need to know before you buy a rugged laptop, concluding with a spec breakout of all the models we’ve tested.
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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Panasonic Toughbook 40
Best Rugged Laptop for Heavy-Duty Field Use
Bottom Line:
Formidable construction and extensive customizability make Panasonic’s Toughbook 40 the cost-no-object model of a mission-critical rugged laptop.
PROS
Nearly invincible and invulnerable
Many modular options
Epic runtime with second battery
Keyboard and touchpad don’t require brute force
High-resolution webcam
CONS
Big and heavy
Pentagon-style price tag
Wi-Fi 6, not 6E
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Rugged
Processor
Intel Core i7-1185G7
Processor Speed
3 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
64 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Optical Drive
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1080
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
2.1 by 13.9 by 11.9 inches
Weight
7.4 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
27:24
Learn More
Panasonic Toughbook 40 Review
Getac B360 G2
Best Compact Rugged Laptop
Bottom Line:
The 13.3-inch Getac B360 G2 isn’t as versatile or configurable as other impact-resistant and weatherproof laptops, but it’s lighter and a smart choice to grab if you’re heading into harm’s way.
PROS
Laughs at abuse
Light and compact
Extra-bright 1080p touch screen
Broad array of ports and optional 5G
CONS
Lacks swappable component bays of heavier rivals
Dim keyboard backlighting
Expensive
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Rugged
Processor
Intel Core i7-1280P
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Optical Drive
Screen Size
13.3 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1080
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G
Dimensions (HWD)
1.37 by 13.5 by 11.1 inches
Weight
5.11 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
10:39
Learn More
Getac B360 G2 Review
Getac X600
Best Large-Screen Rugged Laptop
Bottom Line:
The Getac X600 laptop offers a unique combination of a large display and powerful workstation-grade components in an almost indestructible enclosure—for a staggeringly high price.
PROS
Rugged to the max
Powerful CPU/GPU combo
Big, bright display
Dual hot-swappable batteries
Plenty of connectivity
CONS
Very, very expensive and heavy
Screen has poor color performance
Mushy keyboard and undersize touchpad
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Rugged
Processor
Intel Core i9-11950H
Processor Speed
2.6 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Optical Drive
Screen Size
15.6 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1080
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
LCD
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
Graphics Processor
Nvidia Quadro RTX 3000
Graphics Memory
6 GB
Wireless Networking
802.11ax
Dimensions (HWD)
2.07 by 16.22 by 12.68 inches
Weight
9.72 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
12:37
Learn More
Getac X600 Review
Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3
Best Rugged Laptop for Customization Options
Bottom Line:
Panasonic’s Toughbook 55 presents a semi-rugged laptop with excellent connectivity, lots of customization, a comfortable keyboard, and a sunlight-ready touch screen that can last nearly 24 hours.
PROS
Sunlight-viewable touch screen
Stellar battery life with second battery
Three modular bays
Comfortable keyboard
Connectivity galore
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Rugged
Processor
Intel Core i7-1370P
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Optical Drive
Dual-Layer DVD+/-RW
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1080
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6E
Dimensions (HWD)
1.3 by 13.6 by 10.7 inches
Weight
4.9 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
23:05
Learn More
Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3 Review
Durabook R11
Best Rugged Tablet
Bottom Line:
The Durabook R11 is the thinnest and lightest fully rugged tablet we’ve reviewed, but its base model’s short battery life will leave workers in the field wanting more.
PROS
Fully rugged yet thin and light
Impressive 12th Gen Intel CPU performance
Versatile and bright touch screen
CONS
Disappointing battery life (without optional accessory)
No stylus storage area
Expensive
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Rugged
Processor
Intel Core i7-1255U
Processor Speed
1.7 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
256 GB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Optical Drive
Screen Size
11.6 inches
Native Display Resolution
1,920 by 1,080
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Dimensions (HWD)
0.79 by 11.7 by 7.6 inches
Weight
2.8 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
7:07
Learn More
Durabook R11 Review
Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet
Best Rugged Tablet for Long Battery Life
Bottom Line:
It’s not the best performer, but Dell’s Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet does the job anywhere—whether down a mineshaft, on a construction site, or at the scene of an accident. You’ll likely be hard-pressed to find an environment this slate can’t survive.
PROS
Rugged design can survive almost anything
Sunlight-ready touch screen works with gloved hands and included pen
Plenty of features, including 4G/5G mobile data
Optional handle for grab-and-go use
Dual hot-swappable batteries with long battery life, too
CONS
Heavy and chunky
Middling performance
Keyboard not included
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Rugged, Detachable 2-in-1
Processor
Intel Core i5-1240U
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Optical Drive
Screen Size
12 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1080
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
WVA
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.94 by 11.65 by 8 inches
Weight
3.5 pounds
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
15:34
Learn More
Dell Latitude 7230 Rugged Extreme Tablet Review
Getac S410 G5
Best Compact Semi-Rugged Laptop
Bottom Line:
The latest refresh of Getac’s 14-inch semi-rugged laptop, the S410, is a pricey but industrial-strength partner for first responders and factory workers.
PROS
Laughs at rough treatment and bad weather
Epic battery life
Super-bright screen
High-res webcam
Plenty of ports and configuration options
CONS
Deeply expensive
Heavy
Rigid, dimly backlit keyboard
Not as drop- and- waterproof as fully rugged machines
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Rugged, Business
Processor
Intel Core i5-1350P
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Secondary Drive Type
SSD
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
256 GB
Optical Drive
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1080
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
1.5 by 13.8 by 11.5 inches
Weight
5.25 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
29:45
Learn More
Getac S410 G5 Review
Durabook S15
Best Large-Screen Semi-Rugged Laptop
Bottom Line:
Durabook’s S15 rugged laptop is far more durable than the average notebook and provides almost everything workers need in the field, including a screen that’s legible in direct sunlight.
PROS
Sunlight-legible screen
Plenty of connectivity
Supports three storage drives
Integrated carry handle
Three-year warranty
CONS
So-so battery life
Screen lacks color
Noticeable cooling fan noise
SPECS
Name
Value
Laptop Class
Rugged
Processor
Intel Core i7-1255U
Processor Speed
1.7 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Optical Drive
Screen Size
15.6 inches
Native Display Resolution
1,920 by 1,080
Touch Screen
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
Screen Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Graphics Memory
Wireless Networking
802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
1.16 by 14.8 by 10.8 inches
Weight
5.63 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
8:37
Learn More
Durabook S15 Review
Buying Guide: The Best Rugged Laptops for 2024
For users who need serious computing power in hostile environments, there’s no substitute for a laptop that can laugh off mistreatment that would destroy an ordinary machine. Let’s run through the key things to look for as you shop. Fasten your seat belts. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.Right to Business: MIL-STD 810G and HBefore we get into brawny machines that can survive six-foot drops and jets of water, we must acknowledge that not all mainstream notebooks are frail and fragile. Many Lenovo ThinkPads, HP EliteBooks, and other business systems are reasonably resistant to bumps and bruises, though they can’t survive high dives or liquids in excess of minor keyboard spills. Even some Chromebooks carry the same designation as these hardy travelers—MIL-STD 810G, which indicates compliance with a series of tests required for the US Department of Defense to consider using a piece of equipment in a military setting. More recent models often meet the refreshed MIL-STD 810H spec.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
The MIL-STD 810 standard spans over 800 pages and nearly 30 laboratory test methods for challenges ranging from weather (high and low temperatures, rain, and humidity) to physical forces (acceleration, vibration, and shock). Few computer vendors push their products over every hurdle that the standard posits, including such tortures as gunfire-recoil shock, icing or freezing rain, whether a laptop might spark an explosion in flammable gas atmospheres, and—wait for it—resistance to fungus. Rather, the manufacturer may note that the system has passed 10 or 12 MIL-STD tests.The trouble with a MIL-STD 810G or 810H sticker on a laptop’s box or vendor’s website is that it doesn’t tell you enough. Because no independent agency certifies MIL-STD compliance, it’s up to you to look for documentation or details of which tests a product passed, who conducted the tests—the manufacturer or an outside lab—and how the tests were performed. For example, since users are prone to drop laptops, certification for shock is a popular claim. But there’s no rule about what height to drop a device from.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
Does this make the certification useless? Not at all. Think of it as a checklist item or the first thing to look for rather than a guarantee of bulletproof reliability, and be aware that you need to read the fine print.Braving the Elements: What Do IP Ratings Mean?A more stringent abbreviation seen on seriously sturdy laptops is a code such as “IP65.” The IP stands for “ingress protection”—keeping solids or liquids out of the machine’s vulnerable innards. This rating is measured numerically rather than by general terms such as “dustproof” or “water-resistant.”You can read our primer on IP and MIL-STD ratings for full details, but here’s IP in a nutshell. The first digit after the letters “IP” denotes safety against solids on a scale of 0 to 6. The number 2 means you can’t stick your fingers into the device. The number 4 means the system is proof against objects larger than 1mm, such as most wires; 5 means some, and 6 means complete protection against dust and sand.The second digit after IP measures protection against liquids, this time on a scale of 0 to 9. A device rated 1 can resist a few vertical drips; 4 means splashing water, 5 means jets of water, and 7 and 8 refer to immersion in less than one meter and one to three meters of water, respectively. Unlike some smartphones, no laptop we know of is safe to wholly submerge, so don’t expect to see a liquid rating higher than 5.
(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)
A sure sign that a manufacturer is serious about an IP rating is sealed ports—doors that cover connectors such as USB ports and HDMI video outputs. The higher the IP rating, the better it is at sealing out water and dust, so you’ll see some laptops with simple port covers and others with specialty seals to further protect the openings.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
What Are Rugged Laptops Made Of?Other things to look for in a rugged laptop start at first sight—its outer case or chassis. Obviously, the thin plastic of many consumer models turns to shrapnel when faced with what rugged PCs go through, though it’s amazing what a little reinforcement can do. Semi-rugged laptops may stick to plastic but are reinforced with tougher composite materials. Fully rugged laptops and tablets usually opt for metal.Common chassis materials include magnesium or magnesium-aluminum alloys, with rubber or rubberized bumpers on a laptop’s corners as a popular protective measure against drops. However, heftier metals like steel may still be used for reinforcement, usually as a chassis frame that acts like a roll cage for internal components.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
We’ve already discussed doors that cover ports, but as with any laptop, you should consider which ports you need. Machines built for duty on factory floors are among the last that still have RS-232 serial ports, often used for connection to legacy data-collection equipment. SmartCard readers are common since rugged machines are usually deployed in environments where machine access needs to be controlled. Others feature modular or swappable bays for storage drives or batteries or slots for mobile-broadband SIM cards so you can go online when out in the field, away from Wi-Fi hotspots. (There’s a whole nationwide network, FirstNet, reserved for first responders.)While you can’t see them easily, many rugged laptops have specially shock-mounted components. Jolt-resistant solid-state drives (SSDs) replaced relatively delicate spinning hard drives, which was a boon for the category, but some vendors go beyond that—we’ve even seen a heated SSD that keeps working in frigid temperatures.Real Hands-On Issues: Factoring in Gloves and RainVirtually all laptop screens are good enough for work in your average office. Take one outside, however, and it’s a whole different story.Looking at a typical display panel in direct sunlight can render it invisible, without enough contrast to make out more than the palest ghost of an image. That’s why many rugged laptops boast extra-bright displays, with 1,000 or more nits of brightness compared with the 300 or 400 of most indoors-optimized systems.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
You’ll also find reinforced glass to combat cracking or shattering, though you almost certainly won’t find the 4K (3,840-by-2,160-pixel) resolution of conventional flagship laptops—rugged screens tend to peak at full HD or 1080p (1,920 by 1,080 pixels), with a few settling for even lower, older resolutions such as 1,024 by 768.On these laptops, touch screens are a special case. Most of today’s touch-screen notebooks use capacitive technology, in which a near-transparent digitizing layer over the panel detects your finger via the electrical conductivity of your skin. Fine, but what if you’re wearing gloves? Oops—capacitive tech doesn’t work. The solution is a resistive touch-screen design, in which—with a slightly harder push from you—the top layer flexes to close a circuit with another layer beneath it.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
The same goes for the touchpads located in laptops’ palm rests. Capacitive pads are useless if you’re wearing gloves or if it’s raining, whereas a two-layer resistive touchpad can track in wet or adverse conditions. On the negative side, you may discover that a resistive pad requires so much pressure that it feels clumsy when used indoors with dry, bare fingers.Tablet-based designs take this even further with glove-friendly touch screens, stylus input, and physical buttons, ideal for use in cold or wet weather where the user might be wearing gloves.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
We mentioned that many business systems have spill-resistant keyboards and drainage holes in their bottoms to save your bacon if you spill a few ounces of water, so it’s no surprise that rugged keyboards are designed not to drown with even greater amounts. Depending on the weather where you work, some manufacturers offer a choice of keyboards built for wet or wetter conditions, the latter with rubberized or coated keys that sacrifice a little typing feel to provide extra protection.So, What Is the Best Rugged Laptop to Buy?Every rugged laptop has passed MIL-STD tests, and at the minimum, they’re the next best thing to bulletproof. We’ll refresh this guide as we review additional true-rugged systems; meanwhile, check below for a detailed spec breakout of our suggested models above. Thanks for reading, and be careful out there.
