Rugged laptop for heavy handed HT

[bitznpcz]

Can anyone recommend a rugged laptop for a rather heavy handed head teacher? She's already killed a Toshiba this year and her current laptop is under warranty repair.

 

She's the head at two schools and puts her laptop in a tote bag to transport between the schools and home (which is not ideal). Whatever we buy, I'm insisting on a proper laptop case!

 

Looking at spending around £750 +VAT and want an i5 minimum, 4-8GB RAM, SSD, Windows Home (as have EES to upgrade to pro). She's also requested a built in ODD and card reader.

 

Thanks

[geezersoft]

Secondhand tough book?

[bitznpcz]

I have thought about one of those... 👍

[ricki]

I like the Lenovo t420 style

[bitznpcz]

I've been looking at the Lenovo Thinkpads.... The only negative is the design... Not changed since the 90s! 😂

[jthompson]

I think Dell still do ruggedised Latitudes. We've got an E6420 ATG from a few years back which was bought for a heavy-handed teacher and it proved a good purchase. We use it now as a techy laptop for doing stuff out at network cabs, etc. The hinges and plastics are all still solid, nothing wrong with it. Batteries and charger interchangeable with the regular Latitudes from the time as well.

 

It's v heavy, though.

[Fazza]

I've been looking at the Lenovo Thinkpads.... The only negative is the design... Not changed since the 90s! 😂

 

That's because they're rugged! To make them look sleeker/modern/sexier they would have to remove the roll-cage type-of-thing but then it wouldn't be rugged any more. Lenovo do better looking ones without the roll-cage but then that's not what you're looking for.

 

When I had a proper job working in the business sector we used the Lenovo T-Series due to their ruggedness and they lasted forever. Once we got some cheaper ones (new IT Director trying to make a name for himself by cutting costs) and we got some of the SL series ones and after 6 months of Area Managers travelling throughout the UK with them, most were ruined with bits hanging off and loads of problems, we went back to the T series and no more problems!

[bitznpcz]

Thanks, I'll have a look. Heavy might not be an option though...

[bitznpcz]

That's because they're rugged! To make them look sleeker/modern/sexier they would have to remove the roll-cage type-of-thing but then it wouldn't be rugged any more. Lenovo do better looking ones without the roll-cage but then that's not what you're looking for.

 

When I had a proper job working in the business sector we used the Lenovo T-Series due to their ruggedness and they lasted forever. Once we got some cheaper ones (new IT Director trying to make a name for himself by cutting costs) and we got some of the SL series ones and after 6 months of Area Managers travelling throughout the UK with them, most were ruined with bits hanging off and loads of problems, we went back to the T series and no more problems!

I used the old IBM ThinkPad laptops in my commercial days and they were great. I am pushing her down this route, but HTs do compare devices at area heads meetings 😂

[Fazza]

I used the old IBM ThinkPad laptops in my commercial days and they were great. I am pushing her down this route, but HTs do compare devices at area heads meetings 😂

 

Get a custom Laptop Decal Sticker made (around £30ish) and make it look snazzy that way!

 

I've used these before for my 2008 MacBook:

 

https://www.decalgirl.com/skins/laptop-skins

 

Only the Lenovo Yoga is listed but they also do custom size ones so you can get a tape measure out and do it that way.

 

You could also get some Printable Vinyl and make your own with you School/Academy logo on them but they probably wont be as good a quality as someone like DecalGirl.

[Dos_Box]

I think there may be another solution to this, but first I'd have to ask in what way are her laptops being damaged?

My current laptop is an XPS 13 and love it to pieces, its light and has a metal chassis. As such it can be placed in bags where it is relatively compact and as it is light, tends not to get bashed around too much.

It has also survived a couple of falls (mainly from chair arms) and still looks good even after much lugging around.

I know a few others on here have XPS 13's and would be interested to hear what they have to add in regards to their durability.

[GuyJD]