Rugged Notebook Computers offer additional protection against keyboard spills and hard drive damage. As the price of laptops falls, and more people carry them everywhere from the coffee shop to the beach, keyboard spills and other mishaps are happening more frequently. Do you know that a glass of beverage sitting near your laptop is a recipe for disaster?
The list of other accidents includes everything from power-surges to dropped laptops to notebooks being crushed beneath a car.For that matter computer manufacturers are making notebook computers which are meant to be drop-proof and spill-proof.
Although rugged notebook computers have been sold for years to workers in fields such as construction and law enforcement, PC makers including Lenovo (formerly IBM) and Panasonic are now adding durability features for executives and consumers. Despite all the potential damage, semi-rugged laptops aren't for everyone.
They're typically more expensive and are heavier than an average laptop.Lenovo launched its ThinkPad Z60 notebook to address the needs of accident-prone consumers. At $799.00, the Z60 has a feature called the "Active Protection System".
Using a device similar to the one utilized for air bags in cars, the feature automatically detects when a notebook is falling and instantly secures the hard drive. It also features a stiff magnesium frame inside the laptop.
Fujitsu Computer Systems introduced three new business notebooks with spill-resistant keyboards and a specially mounted hard drive that resists shock and vibration. These notebooks are named LifeBooks Toshiba Corporation has also launched its Protege M405, a convertible tablet PC for $1699.00 with a spill-resistant keyboard and which can secure the hard drive if the computer is dropped.
And Dell has also outfitted its Latitude notebooks with spill-proof keyboards. Panasonic has also launched its ToughBook CF-74. The ToughBook, for $2999, has a spill-resistant keyboard, magnesium alloy case and a handle making it easier to carry around.
Like PCs, laptops these days are very cheap but laptops with durability features are generally more expensive than other models. While many semi-rugged notebooks start at around $1200, the average cost of a new standard notebook PC is around $984.It's been reported that more than 60 percent of laptop owners drop their notebooks as opposed to about 50 percent who report damage due to liquid spills. Other frequent causes of laptop damage are electrical surges and dust damage. Most manufacturer warranties do not cover accidental damage. And that is why considering a rugged notebook should be put under consideration.
Like any necessity good, the market for rugged notebook computers is growing, though it remains a small portion of the mainstream laptop market.
If you're not willing to lay out the cash for a semi-rugged notebook and decide to purchase a mainstream laptop, consider purchasing accidental damage insurance for your notebook, which I think is very expensive compared to buying a rugged notebook.
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