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Last Updated on Jan-11-2022 – This article has been updated to reflect the latest in rugged work laptops. We went back to our 2021 article to reassess the market for the most rugged computing devices for work, productivity, or simple web browsing, certified with military standards and IP Ratings for guaranteed durability and protection.
As global travel begins to show signs of life again, it might well be time to start gearing up and hitting the road once more. But after a few years of working from home, is your workstation properly prepared for life outside your four walls?
Thanks to their hinge design and increasingly slim profiles, laptops can be critically vulnerable to fall damage, water, and heat exposure, and plenty of other potentially expensive hazards that make the initially cheaper price tag not all that worth it.
At a glance…
In our opinion, the MilDef RK12 might be the strongest option in durable, military-grade laptops out there in 2022. Achieving a record of 9.5 out of 10 score, this machine is ultra-configurable, highly decorated in terms of ruggedness, and comes with a list-topping 5-year warranty.
Alternatively, check out the Getac B360 Pro. Scoring 8.3 out of 10 with points mostly in multi-purpose and upgradability, this is a great durable all-rounder that offers a more compact and much lighter solution than the beefy MilDef RK12.
- Perfect for: Defense customers where a bespoke solution is required for specific, mission-critical use.
- Perfect for: Highly specific defense applications where durability and privacy come first.
- Perfect for: A great and truly tough machine for those working in military environments.
In our opinion, it’s much wiser to shell out a few extra bucks for a more rugged notebook that you’ll be able to throw in backpacks, spill drinks over, and drop off your desk without concern for losing your precious data or commissioning expensive repairs.
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What is a ‘military grade’ laptop?
Often, in the durable product’s niche, the term ‘military grade’ is overused.
In this case, we really mean it.
Each rugged computer on our list was chosen for their verified military standards, which means they have undergone rigorous testing against a variety of environmental stressors and lived to tell the tale.
They have gradings like MIL-STD-810G, MIL-STD-461G, and hazardous locations certificates. In short, they’re purpose-built for accompanying personnel on legit military excursions and tactical operations.
Having these military standards is great, but it’s not 100% of the picture when it comes to overall value in durable tech.
To make sure the laptops on our list will meet our high standards of durability and longevity, we also paid special attention to models with the following #BIFL qualities and features:
- Military grade laptops (MIL-STD-810G & above)
- Ingress protection (IP) ratings
- Impact resistance
- Broad operating temperature range
Repairable: 20% weight of total score
- Long or extended warranty
- Can buy replacement parts or service easily
Upgradable: 15% weight of total score
- Option to upgrade modules
- Option to swap or replace battery, SSD, or memory
Multipurpose: 15% weight of total score
- Can be used in hazardous locations and conditions
- Performs the duties of multiple individual pieces of tech
With that understood, let’s move on to our top 5 list of the toughest military-grade laptops available today.
These rugged laptops are perfect for use by the real military or law enforcement officers, people with punishing and dangerous jobs in the public or utility sectors, and absolutely anyone who values extreme durability in their tech as much as we do.
We’ll be brushing over the internal specs of each laptop and their various use-cases, but paying very close attention to the design features that give them the ability to survive intense use and abuse.
Let’s begin.
The Best Military Grade Laptops of 2022
Dell Latitude 7424 Rugged Extreme
Those who know anything about rugged laptops probably knew that at least one of the Dell Latitude series of ruggedized laptops would appear on the list, and for good reason.
Designed specifically for ‘the world’s toughest jobs and most hazardous environments, the Latitude Rugged Extreme 7424 is the beefiest and most expensive in the Dell rugged laptop lineage.
At 14”, this compact unit packs a lot into a small footprint. Check out the following key internal specs for the Dell Latitude 7424 Rugged Extreme base model:
- 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-8350U Processor (Quad Core, 6M Cache, 1.7GHz,15W, vPro)
- 8GB, 2x4GB, 2400MHz DDR4 Non-ECC
- M.2 128GB PCIe NVMe Class 35 Solid State Drive
- 14” FHD 1920 x 1080 Full HD Touch (10-finger, glove capable)
- Battery Life: 11.5 hrs
You can build a more powerful unit by selecting up to the 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-8650U processor, 32GB RAM, and an additional two hard drive slots to offer up to 4TB of storage. But this will come at a significant cost, and might not be necessary for those looking for muscle over brains.
Speaking of which, what makes this laptop so rugged?
Firstly, it’s the proud owner of two of the leading certifications for rugged products — MIL-STD-810G and IP65.
The former is a military-grade for common hazards like impact protection, where this unit has been verified for drops of up to 6-feet.
The latter ingress protection rating of IP65 offers complete protection against ingress of dust and low-pressure jets of water from all directions.
The Rugged Extreme also possesses a hazardous locations certificate, which could be a non-negotiable feature for corporate customers purchasing equipment for use in specific industrial environments.
Speaking of which, its ‘QuadCool’ thermal management will ensure that you can continue to work in temperatures that range between -20°F to 145°F (-29°C to 63°C).
As for computing power, this laptop’s performance definitely won’t blow you away. But that’s not what it’s aiming for – there are other great options for durable gaming and productivity laptop needs out there.
However, it’ll be able to handle all basic computing operations and some CPU-intensive productivity tasks and industrial programs — and for a long time, too, with many reviews pointing to excellent battery life.
But the main selling point (and justification for the steep price tag) is its admirable durability, configurability, and versatility.
PRICE: Starts at around $3,700.
PERFECT FOR: A great and truly tough machine for those working in military environments.
- MIL-STD-810G, IP65, and Hazardous Locations certified
- Glove/stylus-friendly touch display
- Compact size and chassis handle make it easily portable
- Performance doesn’t stand up to price-tag
- Unattractive form-factor
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- Intel Core I7-8650U vPro processor @ 1.90GHz
- 14" FHD Touch, Outdoor Readable w/ Stylus, AMD Radeon RX540 Discrete Graphics
- 32GB DDR4, 1TB NVMe
- Backlit Keyboard, Webcam, Fingerprint Reader, Contacted Smartcard Reader, TPM Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
- [Intel Core i5 Processor] The 14" Latitude Rugged Extreme 7424 Laptop in Dell's Latitude 7000 family...
- [Display & Graphics] This Latitude Rugged Extreme 7424 Laptop comes with a 14" Touch Screen with FHD...
- [High Speed RAM And Enormous Space] The 16GB DDR4 RAM Running @ 3200MHz will let you smoothly run...
- [Operating System] Windows 10 is Microsoft's most battle tested Operating System and if you want to...
- [Extra Details] Wifi and Bluetooth come integrated. [PORTS & SLOTS] Anchors (straps optional) | Removable...
Last update on 2022-11-09 at 20:29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Dell Latitude 5420 Rugged
You might have been impressed with the functionality and durability of the 7424, but scared off by the admittedly steep price tag.
If that’s you, allow us to introduce you to its little brother, the Latitude 5420 Rugged.
This model grants you many of the same configurability and performance features that we loved in the 7424, but with a little chipped off the durability side of the equation, and a lot of the price-point.
The internal specs of the base-model Dell 5420:
- 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-8350U Processor (Quad Core, 6M Cache, 1.7GHz,15W, vPro)
- 8GB, 1x8GB, 2400MHz DDR4 Non-ECC
- M.2 256GB PCIe NVMe Class 40 Solid State Drive
- 14” FHD 1920 x 1080 Full HD Touch (10-finger, glove capable)
- Battery Life: 10 hrs
As before, you can build a more powerful unit with optional upgrades for enhanced memory, storage, and processing power.
Made from the same automotive-grade magnesium alloy chassis as the Rugged Extreme, this unit also gets a MIL-STD-810G rating. But the tolerable drop height has been reduced to three feet instead of six.
Additionally, this model is not fully dust and watertight, with only an IP53 rating and no hazardous locations certification.
The 5420 does benefit from an anti-glare display which will be preferred by those working in outdoor environments, a comfortable RGB keyboard, and great battery performance.
As before though, the unit still won’t meet its full potential without significant upgrades, and the baseline performance is nothing to celebrate. But at a more attractive price point, we’re sure the 5420 will tick a lot of your boxes.
PRICE: Starts at around $1,400
PERFECT FOR: A more affordable version of the 7424 Rugged Extreme that would be better suited to outdoor and industrial environments than a military base.
- Bright anti-glare display is great for outdoor environments
- MIL-STD-810G and IP53 rating
- Compact size and chassis handle make it easily portable
- Requires upgrades for best performance
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- Dell 14" Latitude 5420 Laptop
- 11th Generation Intel Core i7- 1185G7 (4 Core, 12M cache, base 3.0GHz, up to 4.8GHz, vPro)
- 14" FHD (1920x1080) Non-Touch, Anti-Glare, 250nits
- 16GB of DDR4 RAM | 512GB M.2 SSD-Palmrest, Fingerprint Reader, Thunderbolt 4-Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Windows 10 Pro -Dell warranty 3 YEARS ProSupport Plus
- Dell 14" Latitude 5430 Laptop
- 14 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Wide View Angle Anti-Glare IPS 250-nits Non-Touch Display
- Intel Core 12th Generation i5-1245U Processor (10 Core, Up to 4.40GHz, 12MB Cache, 15W) - Intel Wi-Fi 6E...
- HD Camera with Shutter, Temporal Noise Reduction and Microphone - Palmrest with SmartCard Reader,...
- Windows 11 Pro - US English Single Pointing Backlit Keyboard - Onsite/In-Home Service After Remote...
Last update on 2022-11-09 at 20:29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Getac B360 Pro
If you’ve arrived here due to a simple love of durable tech and not because your industry or job demands it, then you might not have heard of Getac before.
Getac is a Taiwanese technology hardware company with one focus: making extremely rugged products exclusively for industry use. Getac computers, laptops, and tablets are designed and produced specifically for public safety, utilities, manufacturing, and defense applications.
And the B360 PRO sets its sights on defense, claiming ‘mission ready’ status with the following baseline internals:
- Intel® Core™ i5-10210U Processor 1.6GHz Max. 4.2GHz with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology – 6MB Intel® Smart Cache
- 8GB DDR4
- 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD
- 13.3″ IPS TFT LCD FHD (1920 x 1080) Protection film 1,400 nits LumiBond® display with Getac sunlightreadable technology
- Battery Life: 14.5 hrs
You can bump up the processor up to an i7-10710U, the RAM up to 64GB, and add more storage thanks to the secondary slot. It also features hot-swappable batteries which could prove valuable on the field.
As a combat-ready machine, this durable laptop is the most highly decorated in terms of military specification on the list — and really looks like it, too.
The B360 PRO is (get ready) MIL-STD-810H and MIL-STD-461G certified for rain, dust, shock, vibration, and optional salt fog resistance, IP66 certified for complete protection from dust and high-pressure water jets, meets ANSI/ISA 12.12.01 standards for Class I Division 2 hazardous locations, and has an operating temperature range of -20°F to 145°F (-29°C to +63°C).
Even if the attached carry-handle slips from your grip, it’ll be fine at dropping from heights of up to six feet. They also optimized the multi-touch display (glove and stylus-friendly) to perform in conditions of harsh sunlight at 1400 nits.
We also loved the array of security measures, with a multi-factor HF RFID reader, smart card reader, and face-authentication built-in to protect mission-critical data and privacy.
Its list-topping toughness comes at a price, though.
It’s weighty at 6.79lbs, and its watertight rating means getting to its many ports through the hefty compartment doors can be a little frustrating. Also, with the base of the B360 Pro at over 50mm high, it can prove a little uncomfortable to type with.
PRICE: Over $4,300.
PERFECT FOR: Highly specific defense applications where durability and privacy come first.
- Highest rugged specification on the list
- Flexible and customizable through additional slots and ports
- Great display for outdoor use
- Bulky
- Height off the ground makes typing a pain
Panasonic Toughbook 55 Full-HD
When they’re not making flatscreens, it turns out Panasonic has a strong consumer base in corporate business circles with their rugged laptop line – Panasonic Toughbook Laptops.
The base model Toughbook 55 has the following internal specs:
- Intel® Core™ i5 8365 vPro™ Processor
- 8GB Memory
- 256GB SSD
- 6500mAh Battery (with hot-swap option)
- Battery Life: 19hrs
Why do they call it the ‘Toughbook’?
Well, like the Dell Latitude series, its chassis is composed of a magnesium alloy, this time with a unique honeycomb-like structure for improved strength and splash resistance.
It’s MIL-STD-810H certified and has an IP53 rating for moderate dust and water protection, with an operating temperature between -4° F and 140° F (-20°C to +60°C) .
The Toughbook features a whole host of expansion slot options, which include Universal Bay connectivity, a second SSD and battery, Smart Card Reader, DVD Multi Drive, Blu Ray Drive, Fingerprint Reader, and Contactless Smart Card Reader.
Some of these features offer greater levels of security, like the fingerprint reader that enables you to use Windows Hello, a secure biometric login system. But more than any ‘feature’, having these options ultimately means that the user can configure the perfect machine for their specific professional needs.
PRICE: Contact Panasonic to get a quote (around $2,000+).
PERFECT FOR: Construction and emergency service personnel who need a laptop that can be counted on not to fail in critical moments.
- Versatility of expansion slots
- MIL-STD-810H and IP53 certified
- Great ruggedization without sacrificing looks
- Not fully protected from water
Durabook S15AB
The Durabook S15AB is unique amongst its kind, happily describing itself as only a ‘semi-rugged laptop’, and focusing on the possibilities that a less industrial design could bring in a still fairly robust package.
Check out the S15AB base-model specs below:
- Intel® Core™ i7-8565U Processor
- 16GB Memory
- 256GB SSD (swappable)
- 7600mAh Battery (swappable)
- Battery Life: 13.5 hrs
It’s by no means slow, but also not the performance powerhouse that you might expect at a similar price point for non-rugged laptops.
Weighing only 5.73lbs and 29mm in height, though, it’s lightweight for its generous screen size and one of the most compact and portable units of all the laptops featured so far.
Designed for mobility, the unit has an ergonomic base handle and the screen is impressively thin when extended.
All that doesn’t come at a huge cost to the durability of the machine. The S15AB is IP5X and MIL-STD-810G rated, able to survive drops of up to 3 feet with its aluminum-magnesium alloy chassis. All the ports feature covers, which gives them their dust protection rating. However, it’s important to note that this unit has no water resistance.
The FHD screen with anti-glare is a nice touch but does not support touchscreen use.
Along with expandable battery slots, thanks to the three SSD slots, its data management capabilities are huge. With three drives, you can transform the S15AB into a functioning server with RAID 0 and RAID 1.
PRICE: Contact Durabook for a quote (around $1500).
PERFECT FOR: General-purpose rugged laptop user on a budget.
- Thin and light for its larger screen size
- Can be a functioning server with additional drives
- Reasonably priced
- Only semi-rugged
- No touchscreen capabilities
MilDef RK12
MilDef are a Sweden-based rugged IT solutions company with a focus on the defense sector. They custom-make everything from laptops to servers, routers to displays, and switches to software that are designed to perform in the most challenging defense conditions.
The RK12 is a 15” rugged laptop with high-performance internals and an appearance and form-factor that screams ‘army ready’.
Here’s what’s under the hood:
- Intel® Core™ i7-6822EQ Processor
- Up to 32 GB DDR4 2133 MHz
- 1x SATA III SSD
- 10,8V / 8700 mAh Li-Ion battery
- Battery Life: unspecified
But that’s just for the baseline model.
The RK12 definitely wins the award for ‘most upgradeable machine’, with the following components open for customization: screen resolution, brightness, and touch capability, additional SATA drive, additional battery, TPM2.0 security, additional GPS system, additional flexbay, wider operating temperature range, and even an additional military grading.
As standard, though, it’s the proud owner of the updated MIL-STD-810H spec, with an IP rating of IP65 for complete dust and water protection. It’s also got a MIL-STD-461 rating, verifying its safety and efficacy in environments that are dense with electromagnetic activity.
It’s a tough, briefcase-looking unit composed of magnesium alloy in black or army green.
At around 13lbs it’s certainly heavy — and that’s without full customization. But it remains a great, combat-ready tool for those looking for a highly customizable machine for a specific purpose.
PRICE: Enquire about pricing.
PERFECT FOR: Defense customers where a bespoke solution is required for specific, mission-critical use.
- Highly customizable
- MIL-STD-810H, MIL-STD-461, and IP65 rated
- Good baseline internals
- Ambiguous pricing
- Very heavy
Comparison Table
To round off any important stats or specs about our picks on the computing or durability/longevity side of things, we’ve put together a comparison table for a side-by-side look.
| Product | Features | RUGGED RATINGS | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Ruggedized |
| 9.5 | Check Latest Price |
Best All-Rounder |
| 8.3 | Check Latest Price |
Best Military | Dell Latitude 7424 Rugged Extreme
| 7.5 | Check Latest Price |
 | Panasonic Toughbook 55 Full-HD
| 7 | Check Latest Price |
 |
| 6.6 | Check Latest Price |
 |
| 6.5 | Check Latest Price |
Rugged recommendation
There we have it — six of the toughest laptops on the market in 2022.
These units certainly aren’t toys, and would feel well out of place in a lecture hall or a corporate office. They’re finely-tuned machines destined for the battlefield, for delicate industrial operations, and for extreme recreation where the margin for error is slim-to-none.
Based on their BIFL scores, we can offer two recommendations that will justify these laptops’ steep asking prices.
First, the MilDef RK12.
Scoring a record 9.5 out of 10, this machine won’t let you down and should meet your every demand based on its broad configurability alone.
It’s decorated with all sorts of military grades, including the recently updated MIL-STD-810H, the electromagnetic MIL-STD-461 rating, and of course IP65 for dust and waterproofing. As for its internals, well, those are broadly up to you. The baseline CPU and memory is high-performance as it is, but you can upgrade nearly everything from the brightness of the screen to the number of GPS systems, as well as add an optional flex bay for whatever modular function your mission requires. Top all that off with a generous 5-year warranty and the result is a pretty attractive overall package.
Is it good value? Well, that depends on what you add — you have to make a sales inquiry for a specific price. But we can tell you it won’t come cheap.
This is perhaps where the Getac B360 Pro comes in. Scoring 8.3 out of 10 with points mostly in multi-purpose and upgradability, this is a great durable all-rounder at a cool $4,300. More compact and much lighter than the MilDef RK12, the Getac has a much broader appeal and would fit right in amongst less combat-oriented environments. But that doesn’t mean it’s shy of mil-spec, either, owning the beefiest environmental ratings on the list including a hazardous locations certificate.
Its screen is super friendly to gloved hands and styluses as well as outdoor environments with 1400 nits of brightness. On top of that, it’s loaded with a plethora of multi-factor security features that ensure only you can get at its valuable data.
FAQ
1. What is a US military-grade durability laptop?
It means the laptop has passed the durability test created by the US Department of Defense. For example, a rugged notebook with MIL-STD-810G certification means that the equipment has been strictly tested in various situations to endure high temperatures, vibrations, and drops.
2. What is the most demanding laptop in the world?
The MilDef RK12 might be the most robust option in durable, military-grade laptops. This machine is ultra-configurable, built with a strong core, and a list-topping 5-year warranty.
3. Which laptop does the US military recommend?
Dell Latitude 7424 Rugged Extreme is a solid device for those working in military environments. Leading MIL-STD-810G and IP65 certifications for rugged products, the Latitude Rugged Extreme 7424 is made specifically for the most unstable environments.
4. Who can use military-grade laptops?
Not only the Army personnel, everyone that’s into rugged, “unbreakable” things can own a military-grade laptop.
5. Are rugged laptops worth it?
Would you rather spend a few bucks for a more rugged laptop than get expensive repairs over and over? A reliable, rugged laptop makes you feel less worried and less stressed about unfortunate incidents.
6. What is the most rugged laptop on a budget?
You may have been impressed with the 7424’s functionality and durability, but isn’t the price too high? The Latitude e5420 Rugged is the best you can find on the market. This model gives you many of the 7424’s performance features, but at a more affordable price point.
7. What is US military-grade durability?
MIL-STD-810G is a US military term used to describe the durability of technology. To achieve this term, the product must go through many strict tests to ensure that it is resistant to shock, vibration, heat, cold, and gunfire shock.
8. What is a rugged laptop?
A rugged laptop is one that achieves a military rating and is impact-resistant in any harsh environment. It should come with an extended warranty and enable the upgrade of the new module, SDD, RAM, battery, etc.
9. What is the use of a rugged laptop?
A rugged laptop is designed to operate well in dusty or wet environments. These laptops are thicker and stronger than regular ones and are used for industrial, construction, and military purposes.
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