So I was shopping for a laptop. Of course I probably don't need a ruggedized one (I certainly can't afford one that advertises itself as rugged) , but I do need (for certain values of need) one that isn't quite as flimsy as the one I picked up a couple of years ago. I don't think I dropped it but I do think that the dust (I live in very dusty conditions) has caused the hinges to give up the ghost, so it is on its last legs as it is pulling apart due to the hinges not working.
So I've poked around and can get refurbished Panasonic ones that are several generations old (honestly that probably doesn't matter to me) in the $700 range. Something I can tote, something that will be reasonably fast, heck I could back migrate to my older celeron based lappy that is still working since the game I was playing ended and that was the main reason for buying a newer lappy. The older lappy keeps working, it hasn't failed due to bad hinges and though it is slow, it certainly will do for word processing (writing) which is what I'm sure my few remaining fans would like me to get on with....