What case/shell materials best protect computer notebooks from damage?
If you drop most laptops on the floor in a working environment (e.g., concrete or steel), they shatter into very expensive pieces. However, it is not just the case that protects a portable computer, since a strong case is useless if the hard drive goes wonky after a fall. Systems also need to be shock-resistant and protected against dust and fluids. Note that ruggedized laptops often have slower processors than desktops, because they generate less heat and don’t require ventilating fans. No ventilation means fewer points of access for water and dirt and fewer parts to break. The best cases I have seen on laptops from a major manufacturer are the magnesium housings on the Panasonic Toughbook series. Some of the Toughbook products meet MIL-STD-810F requirements. You can use these computers in environments and under conditions that would ruin a conventional laptop in short order. Over the years, I have purchased several for work and have found them to be very reliable. (I had one get away
