rockdirect Hardbook: You talkin' to me?

If you live on a fault line or are prone to epilepsy, this is one laptop that can take a knock or two. The Hardbook's maker rockdirect claims it will tolerate the "harshest abuse -- from drops off the desk to spilled liquids and lunch remnants". The manual has different ideas, though. "Do not use the computer near open water or other liquids. Never spill liquid onto the computer," it says. It adds, "Never take the notebook anywhere without the carrying case." For a Hardbook, this laptop sounds like a sissy.

Still, the Hardbook's Tonka-truck finish and nuclear-fallout-proof metal clamshell design make it look the part, despite the manual's caution. We've not brought ourselves to chuck it across the room yet, but with every passing minute the prospect becomes more tempting. The packaging is boastful of the Hardbook's superhuman strength capabilities, yet everything in the documentation -- and every bone in our bodies -- tells us not to stamp on such an expensive bit of kit. What is Crave to do?

As soon as we've mustered the courage to jump up and down on the thing, we'll let you know. Expect a full review soon. -CS