My Recommendations:
If you want something tough as nails but you dont need the fastest computer around get an old Toughbook:
Panasonic CF-30 Rugged Toughbook Windows 7 Touchscreen 4GB RAM 1TB HDD
If you want a fast, powerful computer, MIl-spec tested and good enough for NASA, then consider a good Thinkpad such as the T420. It wont stop bullets like Toughbooks but they are lighter, durable, easy to repair pretty and powerful hardware. A Thinkpad with a Mini Dock Series 3 docking station is a great combo. If you happen to need something smaller then go for an X220:
Lenovo IBM Thinkpad Laptop T420 14 Inch Laptop
If you need both extra durability and lots of hardware power, get a newer Toughbook with a docking station:
Panasonic Toughbook 14″ LED Notebook – Intel Core i7 i7-3520M
FerFAL