Join for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation plus sign you up to our newsletter.
By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over,
have read our
Privacy Policy
and agree to the
Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.
Stay On the Cutting Edge: Get the Tom's Hardware Newsletter
Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Join the club
Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.
An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Holiday Buyer's Guide 2006, Part 5: The Mobile Stuff
Otterbox has a well deserved reputation for building cases for a variety of mobile devices including portable music and video players and PDAs. The company's new line of rugged laptop (and notebook) cases builds on that reputation. The case shells are made of nearly indestructible polypropylene and the cases themselves are waterproof though not designed for immersion in water. In addition Otterbox supplies a number of moveable bumpers that assure computers stay in place during even the roughest jiggling and joggling. The cases have a very sturdy feel both with and without a computer inside.
Otterbox Rugged cases come with bumpers that are securely held in place using Velcro. The cases come with four standard laptop bumpers, four large notebook bumpers and two L-shaped bumpers. After the computer is positioned within the bumpers a traditional two part hold-down strap is run over the top and tightly secured using Velcro. The case also comes with a shoulder strap, two keys and an instruction sheet.
Otterbox 7000 rugged cases come in two sizes. One fits mobile computers with displays up to 15" diagonally; the other holds laptops and notebooks with displays as large as 17". Both cases are fitted on the back with a rectangular opening covered by rubber access plug. The opening can be used to bring cables outside the case when the computer is in use. While the flap fits tightly into the opening, it might loosen or come out, which is likely why Otterbox warns that the cases should not be immersed in water. There are also water drain holes on the case to get any water that gets inside out quickly and a vent to regulate pressure in the case while keeping it waterproof.
Ed Tittel is a long-time IT writer, researcher and consultant, and occasional contributor to Tom’s Hardware. A Windows Insider MVP since 2018, he likes to cover OS-related driver, troubleshooting, and security topics.
