Secrets to Safe and Secure Mobile Computing-Protective Cases

An alternative to purchasing a rugged laptop is purchasing a protective case for your computer or PDA. While a case won't do anything to protect your laptop when it's out and in use, it can significantly reduce the chance of damage the remainder of the time that you are traveling when your laptop is safely tucked away inside.

When I talk about protective cases, I'm not referring to the small, soft, carry cases that often came with a laptop. These do little to protect a laptop; other than preventing scratches, they don't prevent serious damage. Many aren't even water-resistant and won't prevent water damage if you are caught in a downpour while waiting for a cab or airport shuttle.

The sort of case I recommend provides adequate protection against impact, moisture, and vibration. There are dozens of manufacturers of high-quality protective cases for laptops; shop around and find one that best suits your needs. When doing so, consider the following:

- Choose a case made of sufficiently strong material to resist damage from impact or crashing. Ballistic PVC or even metal are desirable. Avoid soft cases with hard metal or plastic sheets sewn into the case, as they do not protect against crushing and will not absorb shock.

- The case should offer some sort or shock absorption. Fitted compartments of high-density foam with a strong internal frame that holds the laptop away from the sides of the case and provides shock absorption are best.

- A case should also provide some degree of water resistance. I'm not talking waterproof, just water-resistant. The ability to repel rain and spilled liquids is sufficient. Your case doesn't have to be watertight when submerged unless you foresee that happening to your laptop (in which case I don't ever plan on being on the same flight as you are).

- The case should have sufficient space for your peripherals and disks.

- It should not look like an obvious computer case.

Laptops aren't the only things that need protection. Your PDA is just as susceptible to physical damage as your laptop, perhaps even more so. Because they are small and lightweight, PDAs are more likely to be knocked off a desk, dropped, or even crushed than laptops are.

There are a number of cases available for PDAs, most of which are designed to protect your device while still being small enough to slip into a pocket. Since these cases are slim and small, they can't necessarily provide the same degree of protection as a larger case might, but look for these features:

A case should provide sufficient protection for the LCD screen. This is the part of a PDA most often damaged by impact and crashing. A metal or ballistic PVC exterior is best.

- The case should afford some degree of moisture resistance.

- You should be able to work out of the case and, if possible, synchronize your PDA without removing it. Having to constantly remove it from the case will create more opportunities for damage.

- A nonslip exterior is a plus. The fewer times you drop it, the better.

There are wallet-style cases available for PDAs, although many of these are made of leather and won't provide as much protection as a hard-shell case. Since wallet cases provide spaces for business cards, as well as your money and PDA, the presence of a business card with your contact information may facilitate the return of your PDA if you lose it.

Inside insight: Many manufacturers of PDA cases and wallets also offer insurance against theft and damage as an option when you purchase their products. Read the fine print and consider taking this step.