http://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/ Engadget Comments for Forbes takes on ruggedized laptops http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/http://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/Dec 19th 2005 1:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/http://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/
Nowadays, I tend to rely on low-tech "replaceables" for writing in rough environments. I don't do anything other than write when I'm away from my G5, so the QuickPad Pro has served me well. Runs DOS of all things. Lately I've also been trying out an AlphaSmart Neo. Wonderful hardware, awesome keyboard, extremely rugged. You could pound a nail with this thing. It's too bad the software sucks to all hell, cause it would be a great machine for those cross-desert or through-the-jungle trips.

As for a -real- laptop... well, I can't help but think it's ironic that these rugged "go anywhere" computers are too frickin' heavy to take anywhere. Or maybe us travel writers are just wimps. :-)]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/http://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/Dec 19th 2005 1:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/http://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/Dec 19th 2005 1:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/http://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/Dec 19th 2005 1:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/http://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/Dec 19th 2005 1:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/http://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/Dec 19th 2005 1:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/http://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/Dec 19th 2005 1:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/http://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/
How do you like the QuickPad's keyboard compared to the AlphaSmart Neo's? I have a Neo and love the hardware, but like you I think the software needs help. Apparently the AlphaSmart programmers are trying to fix it, but with the acquisition it'll probably be awhile.

Anyhow, I agree with the others here that think a rugged computer that can go anywhere should also be light enough to take anywhere, with battery life to last for a long time when away from power. I'll keep using [URL=http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/vrf/neoprened.jpg]my Neo[/URL] for now (700 hours on 3AAs), but that's only for writing. Maybe someday we'll have a ruggedized, 2lb full-fledged computer that can last for a few hundred hours. (With no moving parts.)]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/http://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/Dec 19th 2005 1:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/http://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/Dec 19th 2005 1:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/http://www.engadget.com/2005/06/22/forbes-takes-on-ruggedized-laptops/Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM