Rounding out the Laptops and Notebooks category is our bronze winner, Itronix Corp.'s GoBook VR-1 notebook.

Launched in September, this semi-rugged notebook is all about toughness. Not only is it nice-looking; it's high-powered and ergonomic, and can handle pretty much any wireless network -- WWAN, WLAN, GPS and Bluetooth.

Maybe what's most jarring about the GoBook VR-1 is its ability with withstand intense vibrations, insanely devilish temperatures (140 degrees Fahrenheit), bumps, shocks and even that precariously placed cup of joe that teeters for a while and -- in a one-in-a-million shot -- splashes the keyboard with sticky sweetness.

Inside, the book boasts a 1.86 GHZ Intel Pentium M Centrino processor.

The $3,300 price tag isn't much to pay for a notebook that gives a little peace of mind. All it takes is one or two hard drops to realize the value. And let's not forget that the removable hard drive, fingerprint scanner and smart card reader will render the device useless should someone pluck it from your bag at the bus depot or airport terminal.

Itronix works closely with its customers in deployment and offers training for users and IT staff so you can get the most out of the GoBook right away.

Andrew Hickey