Education VARs take note: PC maker Lenovo is directing at the K-12 space a new ruggedized, special featured ThinkPad X131e Chromebook with software and security management for administrators along with access to apps, resources and storage.

The 11.6-inch X131e Chromebook features an Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) processor, a 1366×768 HD LED anti-glare screen, and three USB ports, weighs about 4 pounds and features 8.5 hours of battery life, or enough to last a school day, according to the vendor. It will be available to schools starting Feb. 26, with special bid volume pricing starting at $429.

Lenovo has ruggedized the ThinkPad X131e Chromebook for use by students, adding a rubber bumper around the top cover and stronger corners to protect the unit from damage. In addition, hinges and brackets have been beefed up to withstand more than 50,000 opening and closings, the company said.

In offering the ThinkPad X131e Chromebook, Lenovo joins Acer and Samsung as the third supplier of the Chromebook devices. “The ThinkPad X131e has proven to be very successful in education environments,” said Jerry Paradise, ThinkPad product marketing executive director. “With the rugged features we added to the X131e, we’ve seen reduced failure rates in the field. This is a huge benefit to schools and students.”

Additional customizable options for the X131e Chromebook include custom colors, tagging to keep track of devices that may get lost, and school logos etched into the case to make each device unique to the institution. Students also will be able to access Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) Apps for Education and web apps in the Chrome Web Store.

“Chromebooks are in use today by more than 1,000 K-12 schools, and they make an ideal one-to-one device because they’re more cost-effective and easier to manage and maintain than traditional laptops or tablets,” said Caesar Sengupta, Google Chrome OS product management director.

Be sure to check out The VAR Guy’s Chromebook 30-day review.