Best Durable Laptops for Construction Pros
Updated: Feb. 17, 2023Most laptops these days are ultralight and ultra fragile, so you don't want them on the jobsite. Not these. These five laptops are meant to work hard.
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Acer Enduro N3
If you need a lightweight laptop that can handle a workshop or jobsite while delivering all the computing power you need, the Acer Enduro N3 offers that, along with military-standard durability.
A shock-absorbent design in the corners helps protect the hard drive if dropped, while Gorilla Glass protects the screen from impacts and water. Plus, the Intel i7 processor stands up to whatever computing tasks you can throw at it.
Dell 7424 Rugged Extreme
The Dell name is nearly synonymous with work; its computers are in offices everywhere. Now take that work outside with the Latitude 7424 Rugged Extreme.
The big, built-in handle makes it easy to haul from your truck even while wearing work gloves. And the touch screen works with a gloved finger as well! The 7424 Rugged Extreme is drop-tested from six feet, so if someone gets careless with a 2×4 you won’t lose your work.
Panasonic Toughbook 55
The Panasonic Toughbook 55 is a semi-rugged laptop with a modular design that allows for user-removable expansion. Added memory, storage or a keyboard allow for plenty of customization to meet your needs.
Notably, the Toughbook 55 lets you change batteries without shutting down the PC, providing up to 38 hours of work time with two batteries.
Panasonic Toughbook 20
Dealing with clients is a big part of any construction pro’s job, and often you want to show the client what their project will look like when it’s done. You can do that easily with the Panasonic Toughbook 20. The screen detaches into a 10.1-inch tablet you can hand to your client.
Oh, and tablet screens like this one are also great for catching up on Netflix in your truck during lunch.
Durabook S14I
Durabook isn’t a brand name you’ll see in your local electronics store. However, the customizability of this tough Durabook S14I laptop is impressive.
One extra feature: If you use computer-aided design (CAD) software, it can be outfitted with high-performance, standalone graphics cards like an NVIDIA GTX1050. Notably, Durabook also offers ways to securely mount the laptop in a vehicle.
