A portable computer that is designed for hazardous duty such as found in police, fire, military and industrial applications. Ruggedized machines command a large price premium, and although they are essential in harsh environments, they have tremendous advantages for every user. Regular laptop computers can be easily dropped and damaged.

Semi-Rugged Vs. Fully Rugged
A semi-rugged computer can withstand harsh temperatures as well as extreme vibration such as in a vehicle riding over rough terrain. It can also handle a certain amount of water spilled on the keyboard.

In addition to handling excessive vibration and temperatures, a fully ruggedized PC may have a completely waterproof keyboard that can be left out in the rain, and it can typically withstand being dropped three to four feet onto a cement floor. It may also offer a removable hard drive that can be ejected and used for data transfer or be stored in a more secure location when necessary.