Panasonic Toughbook T8

The basics

The T8 is Panasonic's latest indestructible Toughbook laptop to save the clumsy from memory KOs thanks to a shock-mounted 120GB hard drive. There's A 12.1-inch touchscreen in there, as well as a low voltage 1.2GHz Intel Centrino processor to run Windows XP for anywhere between five and nine hours from one charge.

The good

The small form factor T8 is the netbook for warzones – you can even get one with 3G inside. It’s surprisingly light, at 1.68kg, while the flexible handle is inspired convenience. And if you're clumsier than Ozzie Osbourne on a quad-bike, the hard disk is shock-mounted. Though what you're doing with a laptop on a quad-bike is anyone's guess. It works well, though: drop the T8 even in mid-spin and built-in accelerometers kick-in to cushion the blow. Everything else might smash, but your data will still be there.

The bad

The touchscreen seems like unnecessary frippery that could break all too easily in tough conditions. What's wrong with the good, old keyboard and trackpad? Compared to a Core 2 Duo, the processor isn't up to much either, although the trade off is prolonged battery life – probably why there’s no DVD drive also.

The bottom line

If you're the sort of person who treats their laptop like a football then firstly, what's wrong with you? And secondly you need to get the T8. It's a super tough laptop and will withstand even your most solid boots. Although probably best you don't kick it!