Whether it’s a laptop, tablet or smartphone, digital devices help to grow a booming business. Adopting modern technology into your daily work allows you to operate more efficiently when:
- communicating with customers.
- speeding up business admin & paperwork.
- managing all your past, present, and future jobs.
But you don’t want any old laptop. Tradespeople need a rugged, portable laptop that can handle tough conditions onsite. Take your pick from the top rugged laptops for tradespeople below.
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- The best for bad conditions: Getac B360
- Unbeatable battery life: Panasonic Toughbook G2
- The toughest nut to handle high-impact cracks: Dell Latitude Rugged Series 7330
- Budget-friendly: Panasonic Toughbook 33
- Biggest screen: Acer Enduro N7
1. The best for bad conditions: Getac B360
Engineered for extreme conditions, the Getac B360 is prepared for all environments. You could leave this laptop out in a thunderstorm and check your emails between the lightning strikes. Whatever the weather, you’ll be able to manage your business through vital software like Tradify.
Pros:
- It withstands rain, snow, dust, sparks, and shocks, plus an optional salt fog certification.
- Can handle temperatures from -29°C to 63°C (-20°F to 145°F).
- Touchscreen which is operable come rain or snow.
- The screen delivers 1,400 nits of luminance for easy reading in bright conditions.
- 3-year warranty.
Cons:
- Very small touchpad.
- The stylus is attached to the laptop on the left side making it less intuitive for right-handed users.
2. Unbeatable battery life: Panasonic Toughbook G2
If you’re working in the outback and your laptop runs out of juice with no way to recharge it, you’re going to fall badly behind on work. Time is money and, to stay on top of your schedule, it pays to have a rugged laptop with a big battery - even better, one with replaceable batteries too.
Pros:
- Offers 18.5-hour battery life.
- Replaceable battery.
- A detachable screen that can operate as a tablet.
- Optional cellular capabilities are available.
Cons:
- The keyboard comes separately.
- Spare batteries come separately.
- The 10.1-inch screen may be too small for some needs.
3. The toughest nut to handle high-impact cracks: Dell Latitude Rugged Series 7330
This rugged laptop is so tough, that dropping it from space wouldn’t stop it from having a great day at the proverbial office. If you don’t have the luxury of treating your laptop like a Picasso painting when you’re on the job then it’s worth having a tough laptop that can protect itself.
Pros:
- Magnesium casing allows it to deal with the harshest impacts.
- Can resist the crushing weight of a car.
- It has a touchscreen.
Cons:
- Expensive.
- RAM is soldered to the board, making it difficult to upgrade.
4. Budget-friendly: Panasonic Toughbook 33
Rugged laptops usually carry a high price tag, but the Toughbook 33 offers a more cost-effective alternative without compromising durability. While it's not as inexpensive as a standard tablet, it's significantly more affordable than many rugged laptops. Most importantly, it ensures your work remains protected from external damages.
Pros:
- Less expensive than others.
- Good performance with an Intel Core i7 processor.
- Detachable touchscreen allowing tablet use.
Cons:
- Top-heavy.
- Less special features compared to newer models.
5. Biggest screen: Acer Enduro N7
Most rugged laptops have screens under 12 inches. Aside from portability, that’s not always helpful. Sometimes you just need a bigger screen, so you can manage your business without missing out on the finer details.
Pros:
- Dual battery system for longer runtime.
- A 14-inch screen means you don’t have to squint to operate it.
Cons:
- Only 700 nits of screen luminance.
- No backlit keyboard.
- Bulkier then other options.
Rugged laptops keep your digital work and apps safe, making them a clever place to manage your business. Meanwhile, Tradify is an unrivalled business management software. It’s a match made in heaven.
With Tradify’s quoting templates, straightforward scheduling system, automated quote and payment reminders you can save 10+ hours a week from admin!
Work smarter with Tradify. Sign up for a 14-day free trial or dive into a demo to see what all the fuss is about.
