My laptop (an Acer Travelmate) just gave up the ghost after 3 years and a replaced (but still dodgy) hard drive. Any suggestions for laptops that can handle plenty of travel and being bumped around in bags? So! Apparently I am in the market for a new laptop. I have been lusting after a tablet since about 2003 (write on the screen! woo!) but the iPad is disappointing and I don't know what's good anymore. I used to be a loyal Acer customer but am willing to branch out. My first university was filled with broken iMacs so I have a distaste for them (the only reason I even have an iPod is because I won it from MySpace). I am currently writing this from my partner's netbook, a Kogan running Ubuntu, which is pretty decent.

I'm mainly using it for office stuff, surfing the web, listening to music, and watching videos. Must have good wifi. Games - not too concerned, so long as I can play Flash games I'm good. I liked how speedy Ubuntu was and I don't mind Windows; I'll only consider a Mac if I REALLY have to. It'd be nice to be able to edit pictures but I'm not too worried about that.

Most of all, I'm after something *robust* - my first laptop ever survived 2 falls and everything unhinged, and it still worked for 6 years on 256MB and Windows 95. Newer laptops seem too fragile. Something that can handle international travel, being tossed around in a bag, and being moved around a lot would be great.

Any suggestions? Recs? Most of my laptops have been in the RM4000ish range (about US$1200?) so mid-range would be good. If anyone's doing a special, even better.