Combined rugged tablet and notebook delivers unrivalled versatility for mobile workers.
Panasonic Australia has launched the Toughbook 20 – a new fully rugged detachable notebook design that can be used in different modes to provide unrivalled versatility for mobile business computing. The Toughbook 20 provides the benefit of being the slimmest and lightest device of its kind, while offering features that set the standard for ruggedness and reliability.
Stuart Buxton, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Toughbook, Panasonic said: “The drive for mobility in Australian businesses continues to accelerate. Users are constantly pushing the boundaries of how and where devices are used. They are increasingly aware of the true cost of consumer-grade devices failing in the field. The Toughbook 20 provides lower lifetime costs, increased flexibility and functionality, and extraordinary ruggedisation that has made Panasonic a global leader in field-ready PCs, tablets and handhelds.”
The Toughbook 20 delivers a single rugged device with all the advantages of a fully functioning laptop and tablet, with six usage modes that make it suitable for a range of business uses. As well as being used as a traditional laptop, the tablet can be detached and used by itself or flipped 180-degrees to show content in presentation mode. The convertible mode allows users to see the display with the keyboard attached and ready when it is needed. Using the built-in handle, the device can operate in carry mode or hanging on a wall, while vehicle mode provides full functionality and operation of the device when on the move. The Toughbook 20 has a glove-enabled touchscreen and purpose-built vehicle mount and desktop port replicator.
The new device is ideal for field workers that need a highly mobile computing solution and the ability to reliably capture large amounts of data. The Toughbook 20 is purpose-built for challenging environments, including emergency services, government, transport and logistics, mining and gas, defense and field service. It is a versatile device for applications, such as insurance assessors, fleet management and car hire, as well as maintenance and service technicians in utilities and communications.
David Findlay, Project Manager of Wilson Security – a longstanding customer of Panasonic – said: “We’ve worked with Panasonic for many years and have successfully improved our processes using a variety of their Toughbook rugged devices.
“The mobile patrol market is one of our core revenue streams, and with over 6000 employees nationwide and 330 personnel on the ground, we need reliable technology to enable our workforce to efficiently work on-site and in the office. Using Panasonic Toughbook products has increased productivity, streamlined processes and cut costs. “We’ll definitely be testing the Toughbook 20 out in the field,” continued David Findlay. “We’ve seen first-hand the results of using this type of technology and know there’s a real opportunity for our business. We are especially interested in the 2-in-1 form factor and its ability to enable our workforce to use one device out on the job, mounted in vehicles and in the office.”
With mobile workers being responsible for increasingly complex tasks in the field, the Toughbook 20 offers a rich set of business interfaces with customisable options. It ships with Windows 10 Pro and is powered by 6th Generation Intel® CoreTM vProTM processor technology.
The Panasonic Toughbook 20 draws upon its heritage for ruggedness with a magnesium alloy case and IP65 and MIL-STD 810G rated design, making it ideal for all outdoor usage from below zero temperatures to the height of Australia’s summer. On top of this, the latest generation of Toughbook is also more mobile than ever before, weighing just 1.76kg in notebook mode – with the detachable tablet weighing 950g – well below the 2kg industry standard for a device of this kind.
With its integrated handle, which makes additional carrying solutions obsolete, the device is easy and stable to use and also features 16% larger keys than the previous generation device for easy data input.
Key features
Rugged reliability
The Toughbook 20 has been engineered to set the standard for ruggedness and reliability. It meets MIL-STD-461F for electromagnetic interference and MIL-STD-810G for drop, shock, vibration, explosive atmosphere, temperature, humidity, rain and sand, as well as waterproof and dustproof ingress (IP65). The device features a magnesium alloy case, fanless design, locking port covers, raised bezel, Solid State Drive (SSD) heater and a built-in handle for ease of use, which also serves as a kickstand for desktop stability and enables use while hung.
Crystal clarity
Designed for tough outdoor use from bright sunlight to heavy rain, the Panasonic Toughbook 20 has a 10.1″, 10-finger capacitive multi-touch WUXGA screen (1920 x 1200 pixels). Suitable for workers that need to operate touchscreens with gloves, the device uses the latest IPS Panel technology, providing a new level of viewing quality for tablet users working outside, with 800cd/m² brightness. In addition, there is the optional IP55 Digitiser pen for workers that need the highest levels of touchscreen accuracy, writing or drawing in the toughest of weather conditions.
Prime performance
The Panasonic Toughbook 20 is powered by the very latest technology to ensure performance for the length of its life. It includes Intel® CoreTM m5-6Y57 vProTM processor technology (4MB cache, 1.1GHz up to 2.8 GHz with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology) with a fanless design, Intel® HD Graphics 515, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD and a full Windows 10 Pro operating system with the option to downgrade to Windows 7.
Continuous operation
With hot swap capabilities, allowing the batteries to be switched by the user whilst in operation, the Panasonic Toughbook 20 has the ability to work throughout a shift. There is a battery powering the tablet and another optional battery that can be inserted into the keyboard base unit to provide double the battery capacity. The batteries can also be hot swapped between the tablet and base unit.
Ultimate communicator
To ensure mobile workers are always connected to the business, the Panasonic Toughbook 20 is equipped with a 2MP webcam with stereo microphones and an 8MP rear camera. There is a 4G LTE option for connection to the office and workforce management systems, and the option for the latest U-Blox 8 GPS for precise navigation.
Supporting ecosystem
Available at launch, the Panasonic Toughbook 20 has a full array of support peripherals to maximise a mobile worker’s productivity whether on the road or in the office.
The device’s slim, purpose-built vehicle dock comes with antenna pass-through for the strongest communications signal while in the vehicle, and full port replication to provide users with the full functionality of the device when docked. The tablet is removable when the keyboard base is in the dock. The device can also be locked in storage mode to keep the Toughbook 20 secure and is lockable when in convertible mode to allow for job routing and access to the GPS functionality.
The sleek Desktop Port Replicator allows the Toughbook 20 to be used as a high performance desktop device. The four bay battery charger is ideal for large organisations where the ability to charge multiple batteries can reduce work downtime.
Panasonic Toughbook CF-20: Key Specifications
- Versatility: World’s first fully rugged detachable PC, combining the best features of laptop and tablet.
- Processor: Intel® CoreTM m5-6Y57 vProTM Processor (4MB cache, 1.1GHz up to 2.8 GHz with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology).
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro operating system with optional downgrade to Windows 7.
- Display: 10.1” WUXGA 1920 x 1200 (224 PPI) sunlight-viewable 800 nit IPS display
- Memory & Storage: 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD (upgradeable to 512GB).
- Graphics: Intel® HD Graphics 515.
- Battery Life: An identical, removable, full-shift 2600mAh battery comes standard in the tablet and as an option in the keyboard dock
- Hot Swappable: Optional bridge battery allows batteries to be hot swapped for continuous use.
- Durability: Designed to meet MIL-STD-810G, MIL-STD-461F and IP65.
Pricing and availability: The Toughbook 20 starts from RRP $5,399. The new model is available in May from authorised Panasonic Toughbook distributors and resellers. For more information visit www.panasonic.com.au.
