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Rugged is a word a spec sheet has to earn. A machine of this kind is tested against a fixed list — a fall onto a hard floor, sustained vibration, water and dust — and the useful part of any announcement is never the word itself but the drop height, the standard and the sealing rating behind it. A sealed keyboard and sealed port covers are what make the rating true; leave one cover open and it no longer applies.

The trade is the other half of the story, and it has not changed. Weight goes up because the case carries a frame and gaskets. The screen is chosen for readability in daylight rather than for colour. Ports sit behind hatches, so everyday plugging costs a few seconds. What comes back is a machine that survives a working van, a building site or a service call — which is why this class of laptop is bought by fleets rather than by individuals.