Source: Tom's Games | Keywords: shockproof, waterproof | Themes: Business Notebooks, Laptops and Notebooks, Digital Cameras
3. Current Tech: Cameras
Cameras go everywhere these days—from the surf to the slopes—and their toughness index gets better all the time.
Olympus Stylus 1030 SW
The Olympus Stylus 1030 SW ($399), is one tough cookie of a camera. It’s waterproof to 33 feet (130 feet with a $200 [1] optional waterproof case), droppable to 6.6 feet, freezeproof to 14 degrees F, and crushproof to 220 pounds/foot. It also has a 10.1-megapixel capability, a wide-angle 3.6 optical zoom, and a 2.7-inch LCD screen on the back.
Some users report that the Stylus 1030 SW suffers battery failure when cold and requires warming to resuscitate. Others say the camera feels a bit bulky or heavy—probably because it’s built more like a baseball than a lithe piece of electronics. The toughness also compromises picture quality.
If you’re looking for a camera you can take anywhere without worrying about it being damaged, this could do the trick—just don’t expect to win any awards for the photos you take with it.
Ricoh G600
The Ricoh G600 ($700) goes even farther in terms of shock-proofing. Before launching it in April 2008, the company claims to have dropped the camera on 26 different surfaces to see how it bounces. The G600, which is also dust-resistant, has a 10-megapixel capacity, a 5X wide-angle optical zoom, flash with 33-foot range, and a high-definition 2.7-inch LCD display.
The camera, which passes many military standards for use in extreme environments, can switch out a rechargeable battery for two AAA batteries in a pinch—a nice feature on long hikes. The camera’s rubber skin allows it to withstand extreme temperatures—from 14 degrees F up to 104 degrees F. The steep price may keep some consumers away, but this camera is clearly ready to go anywhere.
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If I'm not mistaken this is suppose to be a site for Computer Enthusiasts...if so why is this article treating us like we're idiots?
My god, if your computer is making a whirring noise you recommend giving it a light smack? What kind of non-technical potentially risky bullshit is that. I want to hear one computer professional recommend smacking a computer when its on, when the probable cause is a wire near a fan.
My dog chewed on a brand new cell phone (no sim card), breaking the screen and puncturing the battery. I found the same model (differant carrier) on ebay for $15, opened them up, put the old board into the new phone and it fired right up. All of the programming info was on the circuit board, so Sprint never has to know.
Another phone I had got drenched in a rain storm. Popped out the battery, and put it in the toaster oven on low with constant supervision for an hour. It baked out the water and the phone was as good as new.
Hmm as an IT professional, I would never recommend "smacking" a computer and definitely not RISING OUT A LAPTOP if you spill something in it, talk about making a bad situation worse. If anything the water will dilute whatever you spilled and ensure that it gets in every single crevice and guarantee your laptop will never work again.
As long as companies keep outsourcing to the chinks in china with their substandard quality and tainted goods, nothing will ever be good.
Hey, I'm almost certain the last part wasn't serious, guys. It's clearly a joke. It's the OPPOSITE of what your supposed to do.
(Oh, and I like the atomic-proof drive.)
An interesting article though, and the only problem I have is that it seems these laptops that are 'ultra-durable' are compensated by their cost and performance.
Actually, smacking is a good method for fixing an aging CRT monitor when it decides to turn pink or green. I used to really abuse mine.
To little detail was given on each item, we know these laptops exist...why aren't they telling us the specs, or why the USB hard drive isn't compatible with all computers..? Or the hard drive ticking comment....oh come on who do you think you're talking to here?
If I'm not mistaken this is suppose to be a site for Computer Enthusiasts...if so why is this article treating us like we're idiots?
Hi Grims,
Tom's Hardware is for "enthusiasts," while Tom's Guide is for interested consumers, but we think both groups can find interesting things to read on both sites.
Thanks for your comment!
Rachel Rosmarin, Editor of Tom's Guide
A good method for drying your toilet, lake, sink or bathtub dunked phone is to take it apart, remove the battery and sim card. Heat up some uncooked dry rice in the microwave for about 30-60s. Then put the wet phone in the rice (covering the phone with the rice) and repeat until it is dry, let it sit overnight, reassemble and fire it up. This worked on my brother's Palm Treo, and is most likely safer than a toaster oven =P
smack it? why smack it?! are you crazy? don't give bs tips to non-IT readers! what kind of advice is that...
smack it? why smack it?! are you crazy? don't give bs tips to non-IT readers! what kind of advice is that...
If you are stupid enough to rinse off your laptop or smack your computer because it is noisy, you shouldn't really be reading this anyway. In fact, you shouldn't own any electronic device.
A good method for drying your toilet, lake, sink or bathtub http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathtub dunked phone is to take it apart, remove the battery and sim card. Heat up some uncooked dry rice in the microwave for about 30-60s. Then put the wet phone in the rice (covering the phone with the rice) and repeat until it is dry, let it sit overnight, reassemble and fire it up. This worked on my brother's Palm Treo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Tr%C4%93o , and is most likely safer than a toaster oven =P
I'll keep this one in mind
Why I use a Panasonic Toughbook and Linux...
Billy in Sugar Land