OtterBox 7030: The Most Durable Notebook Case

Did the ThinkPad R52 with its traditional hard disk drive survive our testing? It sure did! Even after submersing it into a bathtub, stepping on it, dropping it several times, and then turning it into a winter sled, at the end of the day the ThinkPad R52 continued to run without any problems. If the notebook leaving in pristine condition wasn't enough, the OtterBox 7030 too was unscaved after all of our testing. Even after riding this notebook case down a snowy hill a half dozen times, the OtterBox had no scratches or any other signs of being used.

When it comes to durability, the OtterBox 7030 is absolutely the most durable notebook case we have ever seen -- and we anticipate that the OtterBox will hold this title for some time at least. This case is waterproof, crushproof, and nearly whatever else you want to throw at it. Another benefit is that the OtterBox 7030 is universally compatible with 15" notebooks and its bumpers can be readjusted when you end up changing notebooks. In addition, it has an integrated security lock for protecting your notebook, but there is no Kensington lock slot or other mechanism for then securing the case to a stationary object. We had tested this notebook by submerging it in water, stepping on it, dropping it several times, and then riding it down a snowy hill. It passed even our outlandish winter test and at the end of the day had continued to look like new!

This case, however, isn't for everyone. The OtterBox 7030 retails for $190 USD, which makes it almost the price of some ultra low-end/mobile notebooks, and most people cannot justify spending that amount of money on a notebook case unless you really are taking this notebook to some extreme places. The OtterBox is also heavy, which may discourage some from frequently using it and preventing it from being a solution for hikers and other outdoor activities. This also isn't a stylish case or one that your wife would want to use. The OtterBox, however, lives up to all of its durability claims (it's also backed by a lifetime warranty) and if that's what you are after, you should be very satisfied with the OtterBox 7030.