Laptop Suggestions

[tmcd35]

Hi Guys,

 

I'm wondering what laptops others are purchasing at the moment for the kids to use. I need to get some for our science dept. and can't make my mind up.

 

I want something reasonably tough. Preferably with a serial port (if such things exist now days). Dual-Core, preferably with virtualisation support (AMD?). Usual sort of thing. Would go as high as £650 for the right model, just can't find the right model!

 

The last ones we had were Ergo Tough Books but the kids have started ripping the rubber mouse keys off after less than a year! I like the recessed keys on the Apple MacBooks but the models I find using them look a bit plastic-y and again the mouse pads look like they are going to be destroyed. The Toshiba's seem to have good mousepads....