ThinkPads Tested, Passed as Semi-Rugged Notebooks

Think that Panasonic Toughbooks are the only ones for the military? Think again. Think...Pad.

Lenovo announced that it is designating eight ThinkPad laptops for “use in field and vehicle semi-ruggedized computing environments such as in public safety, utilities, construction and the military.”

Specifically, the ThinkPad X200, X301, X200s, X200 Tablet, T400, T500, R400 and SL300 laptops went through a number of specifications tests -- and passed -- thanks to durability features such as a hard drive protection system, a spill resistant keyboard and a roll cage in select models.

"ThinkPad is well known for quality, reliability and innovative security technologies for business computing," said Tom Ribble, executive director, Worldwide ThinkPad Product Marketing, Lenovo. "The truth is we've always built tough laptops that can weather extreme conditions from hiking the rainforests of the Amazon to flying in space. You don't need a PC that looks like a tank to excel in harsh environments, and unlike many of our competitors, we don't put an extra charge on toughness."

To make the T400 better suitable for outdoor computing, Lenovo is adding a new optional 680-nit high brightness panel to its most popular laptop, the ThinkPad T400. The display also comes with a matte finish, cutting down on reflections within an uncontrollable lighting environment.

Lenovo put its ThinkPads to pass a significant number of specifications for military-grade computing. Such tests include:

Low Pressure – Tests operation at 15,000 feet
Humidity – Cycles 95 percent humidity through the environment
Vibration (operational and non-operational) – Jostles and jolts the laptops to make sure they can withstand shocks
High Temperature – Simulates high heat conditions by baking the laptop up to 140 degrees
Low Temperature – Tests operation at minus 4 degrees
Temperature Shock – Fluctuates between minus 4 and up to 140 degrees to test operation
Dust – Blows dust for an extended amount of time

We've long known that ThinkPads are among the very best in the laptop business for build quality, so it's not surprising to see Lenovo finally reap the 'marketing benefits' of what its engineers have been able to achieve.