We Dropped 10 Laptops Down the Stairs – Here’s What Happened

Ever wondered how tough your laptop really is? Well, we decided to put 10 popular laptops to the test by dropping them down a set of stairs. From rugged business laptops to sleek ultrabooks, we aimed to see which could withstand the impact and which would crumble under the pressure. Spoiler alert: you might be surprised by the results.

Business man falling down the stairs in the office concept for accident and insurance injury claim at work

Why Drop Laptops Down the Stairs?

You’ve probably dropped your laptop once or twice. Whether it slipped from your desk or you fumbled with it on the stairs, the fear of damage is real. We wanted to test whether laptops live up to the durability claims manufacturers make. By dropping these laptops down a staircase, we could simulate an everyday mishap and see how they perform.

The Test: The Setup

To ensure a fair test, we set up the experiment as follows:

  • Staircase Height: About 12 steps, simulating a moderate fall.
  • Surface: Hardwood flooring to simulate a real-world scenario.
  • Method: Dropped each laptop in a standard position, directly onto the floor.

We tracked each laptop’s condition post-drop and noted any visible damage, performance issues, or failures.

The Laptops We Tested

  1. Apple MacBook Pro (2021)
  2. Dell XPS 13 (2022)
  3. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2021)
  4. HP Spectre x360 (2021)
  5. Acer Predator Helios 300 (2021)
  6. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2022)
  7. Microsoft Surface Laptop 4
  8. Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360
  9. Razer Blade 15 (2021)
  10. Google Pixelbook Go

The Results: What Happened?

1. Apple MacBook Pro (2021)

The MacBook Pro has a sturdy aluminum unibody, but it didn’t make it through unscathed. After the drop, the screen was cracked, but it still powered on. The real surprise? The keyboard was functional, despite the dents on the chassis.

Damage: Cracked screen, dented body
Performance: Functional but with screen issues

2. Dell XPS 13 (2022)

Known for its thin and lightweight design, the Dell XPS 13 didn’t fare too well. It survived the fall without shutting down, but the screen showed signs of damage and the hinge became loose. Surprisingly, the laptop was still operational.

Damage: Scratches, loose hinge, damaged screen
Performance: Functional with display issues

3. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2021)

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon is often hailed for its durability, and it showed why. With minimal damage and no operational issues, this rugged business laptop passed the test with flying colors.

Damage: Minor scratches
Performance: Fully functional

4. HP Spectre x360 (2021)

The HP Spectre x360’s sleek design didn’t protect it from the fall. The aluminum chassis bent slightly, but it kept working. However, the screen cracked, and the hinge became loose after the impact.

Damage: Bent body, cracked screen
Performance: Working with display issues

5. Acer Predator Helios 300 (2021)

This gaming laptop proved to be surprisingly durable. While the outer shell showed visible damage, the screen remained intact, and it powered up without any issues. The sturdy build paid off.

Damage: Minor scratches, dented body
Performance: Fully functional

6. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2022)

Known for its compact design and powerful performance, the Zephyrus G14 held up well. The laptop’s unique magnesium alloy body did a great job of absorbing the impact, with only a few visible marks.

Damage: Minor dents and scratches
Performance: Fully functional

7. Microsoft Surface Laptop 4

The Surface Laptop 4 didn’t have the best results in this test. While it powered on, the screen shattered, and the body bent significantly. The laptop was still functional, but its looks were badly affected.

Damage: Cracked screen, bent body
Performance: Functional with visible damage

8. Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360

The Galaxy Book Pro 360 handled the fall better than expected, though the screen sustained significant damage. The hinge remained intact, and the laptop powered up afterward.

Damage: Cracked screen, minor body dents
Performance: Working with display issues

9. Razer Blade 15 (2021)

The Razer Blade 15 is designed for gaming, so it comes with a hefty, durable build. Despite some cosmetic scratches, the Razer Blade 15 kept running smoothly.

Damage: Cosmetic scratches
Performance: Fully functional

10. Google Pixelbook Go

The Pixelbook Go didn’t handle the drop well at all. The screen shattered completely, and the keyboard became unresponsive. It struggled to power on afterward.

Damage: Shattered screen, unresponsive keyboard
Performance: Failed to power on fully

Conclusion: What Did We Learn?

The results were surprising! Here’s a quick rundown of what we found:

  • Most Durable: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon – The business laptop lived up to its reputation for ruggedness.
  • Best Gaming Laptop Under Impact: Acer Predator Helios 300 – Its solid build held up, despite minor dents.
  • Least Durable: Google Pixelbook Go – A complete screen failure and unresponsive keyboard made this one the weakest in the test.

While dropping your laptop down stairs is definitely not recommended, it’s interesting to see which models are truly built to last. If durability is your top concern, a business-focused laptop like the ThinkPad X1 Carbon should be your go-to.

Would you ever drop your laptop down the stairs to test its durability? Let us know in the comments!