Hi you might consider buying one of the computers made by X2 Computers. An English outfit who specialise in making laptops for Firemen, Police men and the military, so their computers are tough, and obviously dust proof too. Having lived in Beijing, where the Gobi desert sent huge sand storm to us, I iknow what you mean about desert dust, it kills machines! Anyhow, here is their URL.. have a look, and good luck. www.x2mc.co.uk/website1

As a point of interest, almost all eReaders out there, and there are now dozens of different models (not just Kindle and Sony!!!!), most of which are versatile, well made devices support any format you want, either protected or not, as well as hundreds of online bookshops and dealers in eReaders. Things like the iPad are not eReaders, they are simply computers, no more, no less, and I don't believe for a minute they will kill real eReaders with e-Paper and e-ink. The whole reading experience is different. Some people are happy reading books on back-lit screens, but most are not. it is comparing apples and pears. (no pun intended!). There is surely room out there for both devices, why does everything have to do everything? I dont ask my car to be an efficient plane after all.