Sometimes a notebook takes more of a beating than we had intended. They get dropped, smashed, scratched, shaken, spilled on, and jostled around our carrying cases a bit more than they should. If you are looking for a rugged notebook computer that can handle the thumps and bumps inherent in portable computing, you'll need to look for five features added for durability.

Notebook Frames and Bumpers

Rugged notebook computers have magnesium frames making them resistant to scratches and dents. This also allows for the notebook to operate in extreme environmental conditions like extreme heat or cold. Magnesium alloy casing ensures superior resistance to exterior effects like bumps, drops and knocks.

Some more durable notebooks have corner bumpers around the screen and base to withstand hits and bumps. When closed these notebooks look like bulletproof briefcases you see in the James Bond movies.

Sealed Water Resistant Keyboards

One of the most common ways laptops get damaged is from spills. All rugged notebooks have a water resistant keyboard usually with a sealing Mylar coating. Make sure to look for a notebook that can stand up to hot coffee and still keep working.

Shock Absorbers

Shock absorbers help protect your most valuable assets, your hard drive and your data, from harm. All rugged notebook computers have hard drive shock absorbers to protect your data in case of a drop. Some even have shock absorbers for your keyboard.

Steel Hinges

For maximum durability, rugged notebooks have steel hinges to take the abuse of opening and closing the notebook several thousand times. You'll never have to worry about the screen coming off the base with steel hinges.

Maximum Security

Most rugged notebooks have extra security features on them. They'll likely have a Smart Card Reader, a fingerprint reader, a pre-boot password, and pre-installed data encryption software. The case itself can be locked so it's like carrying around a portable safe.

Testing Results

If a notebook claims to be rugged, it usually has some testing to back it up. Check out the testing results done by independent organizations or media to see how the notebook stood up to the test.

PC World's rigorous testing of Dell's rugged notebooks - including table side drops and coffee spills - demonstrates the durability of each and every one of their notebooks. Take a look at PC World's testing video to see how Dell notebooks hold up to the rigors of daily life.

The Panasonic Toughbook features some real life stories of how their Toughbook survived some pretty rugged conditions.

These ultra durable notebooks can be costly with prices ranging from $2000 all the way up to $15,000. If you are someone who works outside in harsh environments, a soldier in war conditions, or a policeman on the beat, you may benefit from a rugged notebook computer for fast and powerful computing without the worry of damage by weather, drops, shocks, knocks or hits. You can have all the features of a regular notebook with the added security and protection a rugged notebook provides.