I have a Dell Latitude that was provided to me through my employer, the US Navy, by way of EDS corporation under the NMCI contract.  I use it as a desktop computer to get my email and it is rarely moved.  I am now on my third hard drive in two years due to the failure of the previous ones.  Others at work who have Dell Latitudes have also had multiple hard drive replacements. 

 

I have used and continue to use three other brands of laptops in field tests and other harsh conditions and have not had any problems with them.  Given my experience with a Dell laptop I would be hesitant to purchase one for my home use or recommend it to others.