Best Tech for Clumsy People
Being clumsy with your electronics not only looks foolish, but it also costs money. Billions of dollars, in fact. Americans spent nearly $6 billion on iPhone repairs between 2007 and 2012, according to Time, and that’s just for one of the many phones on the market.
We’ve all dropped our electronics, but some are clumsier than others. If you fall into this category, there are rugged, durable devices designed to sustain a little more damage than the average gadget, such as the following:
GoPro Hero 4 Black
The GoPro is one of the most durable consumer cameras on the market, and also arguably one of the best. The Hero 4 Black can record 4K video at 30 frames per second and 1080p (the resolution of most high-definition televisions) at 120 frames per second, which is a super fast frame rate for slow motion video.
As for its durability, GoPro offers a waterproof shell for the Hero 4 that also acts as a decent shock buffer in case the camera is dropped. Nothing is guaranteed, but the GoPro holds its own against other high-quality cameras on the market in nearly every drop test.
HTC One M9
Smartphones aren’t known for their durability — that title belongs to your grandma’s 10-year-old Nokia brick — but some are stronger than others. The iPhone has come a long way in terms of its durability, but it still falls short compared to other Android models on the market.
For example, the HTC One M9 has the right balance between attractive and practical. And it comes with the “UH OH” Protection Plan if you buy one through T-Mobile. With a name like that, you know it has clumsy people in mind.
Otterbox
If you’re still feeling at risk with your HTC, attach an Otterbox case to it. This tank-like smartphone case comes in sizes for nearly all popular smartphones, including the HTC One M9.
Otterboxes range from $35 to $50 and come with two pieces: a rubber layer to absorb impact and a hard outer shell to protect from drops. It’s not waterproof, like the shell for the GoPro Hero 4, but there isn’t a better protective case available.
Dell Inspiron Laptops
Dell caught a bad rep for the better part of a decade, but the company has really turned it’s game around since 2010. While Apple computers are both beautiful and powerful, they are expensive and their aluminum casing shows every ding and scratch, making it less than ideal for the clumsy person.
Alternatively, the Dell Inspiron is cheap and easily repairable, and its plastic shell is more forgivable to damage. Plus, with the huge improvements in Windows and Dell’s own software, the choice becomes even more tempting for consumers, whether they’re clumsy or not.
Apple Watch
The iPhone may crack, and the MacBook may dent, but the Apple Watch is one of the most durable Apple products on the market. The smartwatch is constructed with a durable alloy and sapphire glass (same as the home button on current iPhones), which is one of the most durable glass materials used in electronics today.
The Apple Watch is also highly water resistant, meaning showers or falling into the occasional pool (we are talking clumsy after all) are less of a problem. Traditional watches will always be more durable, but if you must have some technology on your wrist, this is your best bet.