Panasonic just rolled out the Toughbook 56, an evolution of the Toughbook 55 MK3 (see my Toughbook 55 review) that leans hard into modularity, real-world performance, and security. This is the first major overhaul of this laptop since the Toughbook 55 was originally introduced in 2019 (with 3 mid-cycle upgrades for new CPUs).

If you have spent time around first responders, utilities, or field service teams, you know those users do not care about marketing copy. They care about whether a laptop will survive a shift, connect where they need it to, and keep data safe. The 56 answers those questions with a long list of practical upgrades and a few industry firsts.

I saw the 56 in person at the launch briefing on the flight deck of the Intrepid Museum in New York City. That felt right to me. Toughbooks have a long history with military and defense customers, and standing on a carrier surrounded by aircraft and naval history made the product feel like it belonged there. The setting underscored the point that these machines are built for work in demanding environments, including use by the US military and other defense organizations.

Confession: I'm also a huge engineering nerd and love rugged laptops like the Toughbook 56. These are the laptops that cops, EMTs, firefighters, military, and CIA use, which make them particularly cool, especially since you see them in every movie!

What’s new and why it matters

The Toughbook 56 keeps the xPAK modular philosophy (swappable components) that made the 55 MK3 so useful, but expands the options and tightens up the details that matter in the field.

xPak is a game changer for Panasonic and its customers. It allows on-the-fly adaptations and upgrades without tools and in the field. Previously, companies would have to send in their laptops for servicing to get a new card scanner or add a fingerprint reader. Now, the laptop owner could do it in about 30 seconds.

Here's a quick summary of what's new with the Toughbook 56 (especially compared to the previous Toughbook 55 model).

• Modularity and expandability: The 56 offers six modular areas and thousands of possible configurations (5,700+ by Panasonic's count!). You can mix barcode readers, optical drives, extra SSDs, authentication modules, and a second battery. Main SSD and memory remain user accessible, so upgrades can happen in the field. That flexibility is not a gimmick. For organizations that keep devices for years, being able to swap a module or add storage without replacing the whole unit saves time and money.
• Faster wired networking: This is a big one for IT teams. The 56 supports 10 Gbps Ethernet and can run up to three Ethernet ports simultaneously. If you image hundreds or thousands of units, faster wired transfers cut hours off deployments. That matters when you are staging fleets for police, utilities, or enterprise rollouts.
• Modern compute and graphics: The 56 moves to Intel Core Ultra Series 2 processors (Ultra 5 and Ultra 7; H-series) with DDR5 memory and offers an optional 8 GB discrete AMD GPU. That brings on device AI and better graphics performance for mapping, video review, and other heavy tasks that used to require a workstation.
• Battery life and thermal design: Panasonic says battery life improved by about 36 percent over the previous model under MobileMark testing. The design uses custom fans, copper heat pipes, and new battery vents to manage heat and to isolate thermal events. For people who work long shifts away from power, that extra runtime and safer battery behavior are meaningful.
• Connectivity tuned for the field: The 56 adds Wi‑Fi 7, built-in 5G (previously it was an add-on), expanded carrier support including T‑Mobile and Anterix private cellular bands, and a dedicated GPS antenna that was repositioned to improve reception when the lid is closed. That last change is small on paper and huge in practice. If an officer or technician closes the lid while driving, the laptop reconnects faster and gets a location fix sooner.
• Security and manageability: OPAL-encrypted drives are standard, and FIPS-certified options are available for customers with strict compliance needs. Panasonic layers BIOS asset tagging, Intel Hardware Shield, firmware integrity checks, and endpoint protections under a Total Defense approach to reduce supply chain and firmware risks. Those features are aimed at agencies that need to prove chain of custody and device integrity.

Design and usability

Panasonic refined a lot of small things that add up. The display moves to a 16:10 aspect ratio for more vertical workspace. The touchscreen gains an auto touch mode that adapts to gloves, pens, and bare fingers. The power port now uses a slide cover that is more durable than a hinged door. The handle has been reshaped and retextured for a better grip and to stay cool in direct sun. Backward compatibility with vehicle docks and many existing accessories remains a priority, so organizations can upgrade laptops without reworking vehicle installations.

Compared with the Toughbook 55 MK3, the 56 feels like a focused set of improvements rather than a radical redesign. The 55 MK3 earned praise for its modularity, long service life, and field-friendly features. The 56 keeps those strengths and adds faster networking, newer CPUs, Wi‑Fi 7, and a stronger security stack. If you already run 55 MK3 units, the 56 gives you clear upgrade paths for networking and compute-heavy tasks while preserving accessory investments.

And AI is here

Interestingly, this laptop does have a Copilot key (everyone has to do it!), and this is the first rugged PC to support AI directly on the device.

Now, AI has a lot of flak from consumers, but in enterprise, professional, and governmental spaces, AI is a legit tool. Case in point, I was told by some representatives of Pansonic that AI is a big deal as customers like the Department of War (previously Department of Defense), use local, proprietary LLMs in various tasks for military purposes. Cloud AI is a no-go for such sensitive information, but the Toughbook 56 (with its OPAL and FIPS storage) can run these AI models now directly on the laptop, which is secure, often faster, and customized for specific tasks.

Service and lifecycle

Panasonic is selling the 56 as a platform you will keep in the field for years. The company offers staging and imaging services, and a new streamlined warranty program called ToughCare to reduce IT overhead during rollouts and repairs. That combination of hardware modularity and lifecycle services is aimed at organizations that want predictable, long-term value from each device.

Who should consider it

If you manage fleets for public safety, utilities, transportation, or field service, the Toughbook 56 is built for your constraints. It is for teams that need long device lifecycles, legacy peripheral support, secure data handling, and reliable connectivity in challenging environments. The 10 Gbps Ethernet option and modular I/O choices will be especially useful for IT teams that image and deploy many units.

If you already run Toughbook 55 MK3 hardware, the decision comes down to whether you need the newer CPU, faster wired networking, Wi‑Fi 7, or the optional dGPU. For many customers, the 55 MK3 will remain a solid choice. For organizations that need faster imaging, on-device AI, or expanded carrier support, the 56 is worth a look.

Toughbook 56 pricing and availability

Early retailer listings show base configurations starting around $3,800 with lead times and first ship dates in late May for some SKUs. European pricing appears in the €2,700–€3,000 range depending on configuration.

Bottom line

The Toughbook 56 is a practical, field-focused upgrade that emphasizes flexibility, durability, and security. Panasonic refined many details that matter to people who use laptops outside the office and added a few industry firsts that will help IT teams move faster. If you care about keeping devices working in the real world, the 56 is a thoughtful step forward.

Hopefully, I'll get my hands on one for review, and I'll take it out on an adventure.

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What you need to know

• Panasonic Connect has announced that its Let’s note FV4 Windows 11 laptop is now available in the US after a successful run in Japan.
• The laptop features a user-removable battery, Intel Core i7 CPU, 32GB of RAM, and a circle-type touchpad with “infinite scroll.”
• The Let’s note FV4 is aimed at government, courts, military, healthcare, and other professional environments that require durability and longevity.
• This is the first non-Toughbook laptop from Panasonic Connect to be launched in the US.

Panasonic Connect, a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, has brought one of its popular work laptops from Japan to the US. Let’s note FV4 is a more traditional enterprise-focused laptop from Panasonic Connect and is now available. For the first time, a non-Toughbook ruggedized laptop (like the modular Toughbook 55 Mk3 or Toughbook 40) from the company will be available in the US.

Make no mistake—this is a very Japanese laptop (it's actually sold in Japan under the Let's note brand). For those who don’t know, circular touchpads are popular in that market, and designs are less flashy than in Western markets. Due to the prevalence of trains, luggage, and commuting, many businesspeople prefer a more rugged laptop that doesn’t look like a Toughbook. More than design, the touchpad allows for “infinite scroll,” unlike traditional square ones where you must reposition your finger each time.

A few other unique things about the Let’s note FV4 make it stand out from many US laptops in this space.

For one, the sheer number of ports, including some legacy and more modern ones, is excellent for those needing flexibility, especially with older systems. That list includes USB-C x2 Thunderbolt 4, USB-A x3, microSD, HDMI 4K, VGA, Ethernet, and Audio In/Out 3.5mm.

Yes, you read that right; it has a VGA port. Take that, 2024.

The other cool thing about this laptop is the battery pops out, letting users swap out for a new one when needed or after years of degradation from charging and discharging. There is no need to send it out or open the bottom of the device, exposing its delicate motherboard and silicon and reducing turn-around time (not to mention, you don’t need to send out a laptop with sensitive data on it).

Additionally, this laptop is made entirely in Japan. That allows it to be Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliant, meaning the US government clears it for sensitive operations like military, healthcare, federal courts, national laboratories, and more, where sensitive data is accessed on the laptop.

Of course, many other laptops used by businesses are manufactured in China, which raises some flags if you work in certain occupations and is, therefore, not TAA compliant.

What are the Let's note FV4 specs?

The rest of the laptop is also interesting. It has a magnesium-alloy chassis, making it incredibly durable but keeping it very light at just 2.4 lbs., which is exceptionally light in the enterprise space (not everyone can afford a fleet of Lenovo X1 Carbons). While not an outdoor laptop, it can function in temperatures ranging from 41F to 95F and is 30-inch drop-resistant.

The processor is an older Intel Core i7-1370P vPro, but that has more to do with time-to-market and getting various clearances. Either way, it’s a solid chip for those who work in office environments.

Since this laptop has only one SKU (likely to keep costs and inventory down), companies can get it with a 512GB OPAL SSD and 32GB LPDDR4x RAM.

The 14-inch display is also not too shabby, with a preferred 3:2 aspect ratio and 2160 x 1440 resolution (more WQHD+ rather than 2K proper).

To round things out, you get a 2MP webcam with Windows Hello facial recognition, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, top-facing speakers, a 3-year warranty (with an optional 5-year extended warranty), and a battery that should last 10 hours.

Why is the Let’s note FV4 a big deal?

Panasonic Connect bringing this laptop to market in the US says a lot. For one, the laptop market is growing and expected to grow further in 2025, when pandemic-era laptops need a cycle refresh. Panasonic hopes to swoop in and get some of that market, even if a bit niche.

It’s also fascinating in that Westerners rarely get to see actual Japanese laptops (see my earlier VAIO coverage)—they do things differently there! It’s bold to bring a laptop with a circular touchpad to the US market.

Finally, having a laptop with a user-replaceable battery, a vast array of ports, and TAA compliance while also being incredibly light yet durable is an enticing package for hospitals, courts, law enforcement, government, and other jobs where “beater laptops” that are also secure are required.

Panasonic Connect already owns the rugged PC market in the US, so expanding from the field to the office seems like the right move.

I’ll get my hands on one soon and share my thoughts. For now, you can check out the video above, which is a hands-on review of the Japanese version. It looks pretty great, actually. Stay tuned.

What you need to know

• Panasonic Connect has revealed the updated Toughbook 40 Mk2 is available to order now from $4,699. 
• The refreshed model uses Intel Core Ultra 5 or 7 chips, an optional AMD dedicated GPU, and a long list of features desirable by its user base. 
• The xPAK module system now has 9,600 different combinations, and the latest new addition is a simple add-on to give users more ports. 

The Panasonic Toughbook 40 likely isn't for you. But that doesn't mean it isn't both popular and important, and today, the king of the rugged laptop world is getting some important updates. 

The Toughbook 40 Mk2 takes everything that made the first-gen version great and juices it a little. If ever there was a company that listens to its customers and builds the laptops they actually require, it's Panasonic Connect. 

Thanks to the addition of Intel Core Ultra 5 or 7 chips, the performance gains on the Toughbook 40 Mk2 are significant. And not just when you consider AI. Naturally, we're not talking about a Copilot+ PC here, but Intel's current NPU can handle other AI workloads, including those that can be deployed by professionals. 

“We are dedicated to developing solutions that not only address the current needs of our customers, but also anticipate their future requirements,” said Dominick Passanante, Vice President and GM of Panasonic Connect. “The TOUGHBOOK 40 Mk2, equipped with advanced AI capabilities, is another example of how we’re providing the mobile workforce with tools to enhance productivity and efficiency on the job.”

The Toughbook 40 Mk2 also benefits from Intel's move to put Arc graphics on the Core Ultra chips, which in turn leads to significant gains in performance over the previous generation. There's still an optional AMD dedicated GPU available, but even without going for that, buyers will have much more graphics horsepower to play with this time. 

This is also the first time the Toughbook 40 has been available with DDR5 RAM. It also has dual SSDs, both of which are user-replaceable, to cope with ever-increasing storage requirements. Oh, and despite all of the added hardware goodies, Panasonic Connect claims a real-world battery life improvement of up to 20% over the previous model. And who doesn't want that? 

Here's a quick cheat sheet on the specs:

• 14” FHD 1-1200 nits capacitive gloved touch display
• Rugged certifications include 6’ Drop, MIL-STD-810H, MIL-STD-461H, C1D2, and IP662
• Intel Core Ultra 5 vPro 14-core processor 135H (optional Ultra 7 vPro processor 16-core 165H)
• Intel Arc graphics or AMD Radeon™ Pro W6300M dGPU
• 512GB - 2TB Main SSD & Second SSD (both user-replaceable) – up to 4TB total
• 16 - 64GB DDR5 RAM 
• 4G or 5G connectivity options support FirstNet® (band 14), CBRS private cellular (band 48), and dual 
• SIM (physical + eSIM)
• 5MP infrared webcam with privacy cover
• Superior voice accuracy with tetra array microphones and now with AI noise reduction
• 95db front speakers
• 24 hours of battery life (MobileMark 25) with optional second battery
• Local Platform Erase option to easily and securely wipe the entire contents of the device in less than 10 seconds
• New COM splitter software allows WWAN-GPS or dedicated GPS to assign multiple COM ports to integrate with various applications requiring GPS information simultaneously
• Easier to open latch and improved touchpad buttons

New xPAK modules and a crazy amount of possible combinations

All this is great, but it's not only the raw specs that's what the Toughbook 40 Mk2 is all about. Naturally, Panasonic Connect's customers want to get the latest and greatest, but what's built around it continues to make it shine. 

For example, the expansion (xPAK) system, of which there are four available slots on the Toughbook 40 Mk2, is now up to an insane 9,600 different combinations. If you need a very specific niche requirement from your rugged laptop, it's almost guaranteed that Panasonic Connect has what you're looking for. Some of these have been upgraded, too. For example, the updated contactless smart card reader meets all the latest security and identification requirements. The barcode scanner has double the sensor pixels, is three times faster, and has a wider scanning area. 

There's also a brand new xPAK module designed to expand the ports available on the Toughbook 40 Mk2. Another example is listening to customers' needs and coming up with goods. It'll give owners additional USB-C, USB-A, and HDMI ports. As with other xPAK modules, it can be configured during purchase or added separately later, continuing the Toughbook reputation of longevity and future-proofing. 

Despite not being remotely designed for the type of use I need, the Toughbook 40 Mk2, like its predecessor and many before, is among the most interesting and exciting laptops I've seen. It's the type of machine that makes a lot of the world go around and is used in important roles in areas such as law enforcement and healthcare. It's big and heavy, but who isn't impressed by a laptop you could throw out of a window and still use afterward? Our Editor-in-Chief, Daniel Rubino, always has enormous fun reviewing Toughbooks. They're unique in a world dominated by sleek-looking Ultrabooks. 

The Toughbook 40 Mk2 will be available to order starting today, June 19, 2024, with prices starting at $4,699. Yes, that's a lot, but remember, it isn't for consumers and will be worth every cent. I don't need one of these at all, but I still really want one. 

Panasonic stands out as the leader in the realm of professional-grade rugged and semi-rugged PCs. Celebrating its 27th year as the top seller of laptops to the military, government, industrial sectors, police forces, and utilities, Panasonic's reputation for excellence is well-earned—they are simply the best.

Launched in 2019, the Toughbook 55 (FZ-55) stands as a flagship model for Panasonic. This 14-inch laptop features three modular bays, 4G LTE connectivity, and a touchscreen that supports pen input. The latest 2024 Mk3 version, unveiled in late 2023, retains the familiar design but upgrades the hardware from Intel's 11th Gen to the 13th Gen processors, incorporating the accompanying enhancements.

Here's why the Toughbook 55 is still the best semi-rugged laptop on the market.

This review was made possible by a Panasonic review sample. The company did not see the contents of the review before publishing it.

Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3: Price and availability

The refreshed Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3 is now available directly through Panasonic and associated resellers like MooringTech and GovDirect. It replaces the previous 2021 Toughbook 55 (Mk2), although all the existing accessories, mounts, chargers, and batteries are fully compatible between the two.

Prices start at approximately $2,776, varying based on the volume of purchases and configuration options. The Toughbook 55 offers a range of configurations, including different processors, optional 4G, dedicated GPS, and a choice of touch or non-touch displays. It also features RAM options from 16GB to 64GB (via 2x DIMM slots) and storage capacities of up to 2TB, with the possibility of adding a third TB through an xPak.

Special orders for security concerns can be made for Toughbook 55s with no cameras and no wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth).

Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3: What you'll like

The Panasonic Toughbook 55 is classified as a semi-rugged laptop. The new Mk3 model effectively makes it an excellent consumer Ultrabook but built for professional field use. The target audience is police, fire, EMT, military, government, and utility, although anyone can buy one for personal use.

Being semi-rugged means being MIL-STD 810H compliant for short drops (3 feet), salt fog, temperature shock, etc., and being IP53 certified. IP53 means the Toughbook 55 is "dust and splash-proof," primarily because the ports (ingresses) have covers. The keyboard is also spill-resistant, the display is recessed for impact protection, and the chassis is a rugged magnesium alloy.

While the Mk3 version is identical to the 2019 MK1 and 2021 Mk2 models externally, the hardware has been refreshed to make it faster and better than before. Indeed, the Iris Xe graphics are now so powerful Pansonic no longer needs to offer the optional AMD Radeon GPU xPak to boost graphic performance. 

Here's what's new for 2024:

• Intel 13th Gen i5 and i7 vPro CPUs (up from 11th Gen)
• Faster Intel Iris Xe graphics
• Now up to 64GB DDR4 3200MHz RAM (vs. 32GB max)
• Now up to 3TB SSD storage (2TB internal, 1TB xPAK)
• Wi-Fi 6E (up from Wi-Fi 6)
• Bluetooth 5.3 (up from BT 5.1)

Specifications for the Toughbook 55 Mk3 will be on par with modern enterprise/business laptops in 2024. Still, it will miss out on the latest Intel Metor Lake with Core Ultra processors in premium consumer laptops, including a discrete NPU for forthcoming AI tasks. 

Thanks to the Intel 13th-generation processors and Iris Xe graphics, the Toughbook 55 does well in our benchmarks, pulling ahead of the HP ZBook Firefly 14 (G10), which is a powerful workstation. 

Panasonic's thermal solutions are pretty basic compared to prosumer laptops. Hence, performance is not at the top, but it is markedly improved from the previous Mk2 model with 11th-generation Intel as its PCMark 10 score jumps from 4,819 to 6,074, where it pulls ahead of the ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED (UM3402) with its AMD Ryzen R7 7730U processor. 

However, this isn't just a "some numbers" on a benchmark, as there is a very discernable difference between the Mk2 and Mk3 models for everyday real-world performance. Besides jumping from 4.8GHz to 5.2GHz in Peak Turbo, the 13th Generation Core i7-1370P now has 14 cores compared to the Core i7-1185G7's meager four. 

Due to Intel's P- and E-core configuration, more cores mean better efficiency, lower temperatures (less fan usage), and better background performance for system-level tasks. 

Battery life is outstanding. With both battery packs enabled, the Toughbook 55 easily goes past 20 hours of usage and can likely go past 25 hours, especially when left in night mode. This laptop could last for days since the battery packs can be hot-swapped. Toss in a 100W or 120W solar charger; you could use this laptop indefinitely in the field.

Upon opening the Toughbook 55 Mk3, a 14-inch IPS display welcomes you. The review unit boasts a Full HD (1920x1080) touchscreen that is glove-friendly. Additionally, it comes with a stylus housed in a dedicated compartment for convenience. Users have the option to select from four touch modes: inking only, touch and inking, or touch with gloves.

While not a color-accurate display (63% sRGB, 47% DCI-P3), the Toughbook 55 Mk3 is not aimed at graphics professionals or those who do professional media editing. The screen is uncalibrated, which is not unexpected. However, it does hit an unusual 912 nits of peak brightness (just shy of the claimed 1,000 nits), which, combined with the matte and anti-reflective properties, makes it very viewable outdoors (there is also a sensor to auto-adjust brightness).

Like other Toughbooks, the Toughbook 55 Mk3 has a day/night mode. In this mode, users can set the display to orange, green, red, blue reduced, or grayscale. Likewise, the keyboard backlight can be set to white, red, blue, or green. 

The screen can also drop down to just 0.5 nits of brightness (the lowest I have ever seen), which makes this laptop excellent for night work or while wearing night goggles.

The spill-resistant keyboard is replaceable and very enjoyable to type on even compared to prosumer laptops. The keys are spread out enough that you can type while wearing gloves.

Unlike other Toughbook PCs, this one uses Microsoft Precision drivers. While it is still a small trackpad, the drivers and buttons make it very functional, and I have no complaints.

Audio is delivered via two top-firing speakers that can peak at 92dB, which is extraordinarily loud. While these speakers aren't great for watching a movie as they lack depth, bass, and presence, they are perfect for hearing a voice in outdoor and noisy environments, which is their intended use.

The front-facing full HD camera is quite decent, and the four front-facing microphones ensure excellent communication in the field. A sliding privacy door hides the camera and the Windows Hello infrared sensor.

The real magic of the Toughbook 55 is its three modular bays. By default, the laptop has one battery pack, and the other two bays have empty fillers. Customers can purchase various xPAKs to adapt the computer for multiple missions without returning the laptop to Panasonic for servicing. Two bays are toolless (the rear has some simple screws), and customers can add more ports via the rear expansion area.

The various xPAKs include:

• Rear expansion area: VGA + Serial and either USB-A, LAN, or Fischer USB
• Front expansion area: Fingerprint reader, Contactless Smartcard, or Insertable Smartcard
• Universal Bay expansion area: Barcode reader, Insertable Smartcard, Blu-ray Drive, DVD Drive, 2nd OPAL SSD, and USB-C and USB-A (NEW)

On the earlier Toughbook 55 from 2019 (Mk1), an optional AMD Radeon WX4150 GPU xPAK was offered to improve over the Intel UHD graphics. That GPU no longer works with the Mk2 or Mk3  versions, but the new Intel 13th Gen Iris Xe integrated GPU now significantly beats that discrete AMD GPU, making it irrelevant. 

Optional 4G LTE with multi-carrier support and satellite GPS lets this laptop connect anywhere in the world. Customers can drop in a SIM (in the rear) or use an electronic SIM (eSIM). Customers can also order a dedicated GPS module (u-blox NEO-M8N) and use built-in Band 48 CBRS (private LTE).

Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3: What you won't like

The Toughbook 55 has no significant shortcomings. The Mk3 model introduces modern features such as Thunderbolt 4 and a substantial performance increase. Typically, laptops designed for enterprise and field use are behind the consumer market. Yet Panasonic keeps close pace despite a launch cycle that doesn't exactly match the consumer market. Businesses generally don't concern themselves with this aspect. Panasonic conducts extensive testing on these laptops, including software reliability, which delays their market release compared to consumer models. 

Furthermore, enterprises prioritize the availability of Intel vPro, which often follows the non-vPro versions. For example, Intel recently unveiled the Intel Core Ultra with vPro, which is not expected to ship for several more weeks. In contrast, Panasonic has been offering the Mk3 i7 vPro model since late 2023 and the vPro Core i5 model since February, aligning with their customers' current needs.

The only suggested improvement is the addition of an optional 5G modem. However, the target audience for this laptop currently shows less interest in 5G, making this a minor point. Panasonic has informed me that it collaborates closely with its customers to prioritize features, and for them, 5G is not as essential as 4G LTE. Moreover, the complexity of 5G antenna systems means that integrating 5G would require a significant redesign of the Toughbook 55, as it's not as simple as inserting a 5G modem.

Additionally, the use of a haptic touchpad could make the Toughbook 55 even tougher due to the lack of moving parts found in a traditional touchpad. And since this physical touchpad doesn't depress ("click") to ensure reliability, a haptic touchpad is precisely designed to simulate such a function, making it ideal for this laptop.

Similarly, transitioning to a taller 16:10 display rather than the traditional 16:9 could allow for displaying more information with less scrolling, which is always advantageous. While I wouldn't object to a 2K resolution, Panasonic prioritizes pricing, battery life, and practicality over consumer preferences.

Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3: Competition

There is not much competition for the Toughbook 55, primarily because other companies like Dell have not refreshed their rugged PCs.

There is the Dell Latitude 5420 with a 14-inch display, which is very similar in overall design and audience to the Toughbook 55. However, it is still on Intel's older 8th Gen CPU. It has no modularity besides a hot-swappable battery, no Thunderbolt 4, uses Bluetooth 4.2/Wi-Fi 5, is slightly heavier, has just 16GB of RAM, and has no option for 4G LTE. It also feels like Dell is slowly backing out of rugged devices due to Panasonic's strong presence.

Other options start to veer to different form factors. Panasonic offers the Toughbook 33, a 2-in-1 tablet PC with a keyboard. There is also the 10.1-inch and brand-new Toughbook G2, which is also very modular.

We have more recommendations in our best rugged laptops guide.

Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3: Should you buy it?

You shouldn't buy this if ...

Although I am not the intended audience for the Toughbook 55, it remains one of my preferred laptops, which is quite telling. The prospect of a 25-hour battery life, constant internet connectivity, an integrated carry handle, and the robustness of this laptop make it immensely enjoyable. This says a lot about the Toughbook 55. If someone like me, who is particular about laptops, finds it appealing, emergency medical technicians, police officers, or military personnel would likely appreciate its speed, dependability, and all the contemporary features of a 2023 prosumer laptop.

Panasonic is almost unmatched in this field, and the Toughbook 55 shows why. Its rugged and semi-rugged PCs (and Android tablets) have not just the best features and designs but the best features and designs its core customers want. Panasonic then executes those requirements with outstanding engineering.

Equipped with a 13th-generation Intel processor, built-in 4G LTE, and on-the-fly customization capabilities, the Toughbook 55 stands out as the premier semi-rugged laptop currently available and is expected to remain at the forefront for the coming years.

What you need to know

• Panasonic just announced the Toughbook 55 Mk3.
• The semi rugged laptop has seven user-replaceable areas, allowing owners to upgrade and repair the device easily.
• This is the third generation of the Toughbook 55, and it runs on up to a 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor.
• The Intel Core i7 version of the Toughbook 55 Mk3 is available now and the Intel Core i5 version will start shipping in February 2024.

When it comes to rugged laptops, Panasonic is the first name that comes to mind. The company has decades of experience making durable devices. Today, Panasonic unveiled the Toughbook 55 Mk3, a semi rugged laptop running on the latest internals from Intel. Pricing for the laptop hasn't been shared yet, but it is available starting today.

The Toughbook 55, first introduced in 2019, is now in its third generation. The Toughbook 55 Mk3 runs on a 13th Gen Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processor. Its refresh also brings other modern internals, including Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

Our Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino ran the last version of the Toughbook 55 in our Panasonic Toughbook 55 MK2 review. That PC earned a rare 5 out of 5 for its outstanding design, rugged build quality, and battery life of over 25 hours. It also earned praise for its three modular bays, loud 92dB speakers, and optional 4G LTE.

The Panasonic Toughbook 55 Mk3 builds upon its predecessor, keeping the good and improving in a few key areas, at least based on its spec sheet. The semi rugged laptop still has 92dB speakers and dual array microphones to help in loud environments.

Panasonic added customizable color-selected keyboard with four preset options for custom colors. The latest Toughbook 55 also has programmable keys for assigning shortcuts.

The 14-inch display of the new Toughbook 55 can reach 1,000 nits of brightness, which is important as the laptop is meant to be used anywhere from outdoors to poorly lit areas.

The total number of USB ports has bumped up to five, providing better connectivity. Like several other Panasonic laptops, the Toughbook 55 Mk3 supports xPAKs, which are user-upgradeable expansion areas for connecting accessories like SmartCard readers. New USB-C and USB-A xPAKs will be available in February 2024.

Panasonic's xPAK strategy also makes laptops modular, allowing customers to replace a PC's battery, memory, storage, and other components with just a screwdriver. The Toughbook 55 Mk3 has seven user-replaceable modular areas.

• Panasonic Connect just announced its latest Toughbook, the Toughbook 40.
• The new laptop is fully rugged, meeting MIL-STD-810H, MIL-STD-461H, C1D2, and IP66 ratings.
• The Windows 11 PC is aimed at law enforcement departments, federal agencies, and utility companies.
• The Toughbook 40 goes on sale this spring with a starting price of $4,899.

Panasonic, now known as Panasonic Connect, is no stranger to making the world’s most rugged laptops. Indeed, we’ve already reviewed the Toughbook G2, Toughbook 33, and the semi-rugged Toughbook 55. But what the company was missing in its lineup was a modern, fully rugged Windows 11 PC that also adopts its new xPAK modular strategy.

Today, Panasonic is fixing that gap in its lineup with the new Toughbook 40. It’s a massive, 7.4lb (3.37kg) 14-inch Windows 11 PC that is likely the most rugged laptop on the planet. Aimed at military use, federal agencies, law enforcement, fire/rescue, and utility companies, the Toughbook 40 can withstand multiple 6-foot drops and meet rigorous MIL-STD-810H, MIL-STD-461H, C1D2, and IP66 ratings.

From the outside, the Toughbook 40 looks like most other Toughbooks: You get a magnesium alloy chassis with a handle, lots of ports, and a familiar design. But where the Toughbook 40 veers from the Toughbook 55 is thickness and size, coming in at 2.1-inches thick (53.3mm). By comparison, that’s almost five Samsung Galaxy Book S laptops (11.8mm) stacked on top of each other.

All that size, however, is put to good use. Like more recent Toughbooks, the Toughbook 40 adopts Panasonic’s new xPAK modular technology. The concept behind xPAK is simple: Four multiple bays can house swappable expansion abilities like adding a Smart Card Reader, DVD drive, or barcode reader. Customers can also repair or replace the battery, memory, storage, and keyboard with a simple screwdriver.

With xPAK, customers can buy this laptop, use it for the next five years, and never have to send it in for repairs or upgrades. It should be no surprise that the xPAK feature has been an enormous success.

Craig Jackowski, GM of Product Management at Panasonic Connect North America, noted in the press release:

"The TOUGHBOOK team is laser-focused on supporting the mission-critical jobs of our customers who work in the most extreme environments, and the new TOUGHBOOK 40 provides them with the perfect balance of performance, modularity, durability and innovation … This is our most rugged TOUGHBOOK laptop ever and it was designed and engineered uniquely for customers across the enterprise, public sector and federal agencies, leveraging their direct feedback and experience to provide a world-class solution combining hardware, software, accessories and professional services. With up to eight user-replaceable and upgradeable areas, the TOUGHBOOK 40 combines power, ruggedness and flexibility to elevate the customer experience now and into the future.”

To always be connected, customers can add on 4G (LTE, LTE-A) and 5G (mmWave, C-band, Sub6) to the Toughbook 40. It also supports both a physical SIM and eSIM.

Powering this beefy laptop is either a Core i5-1145G7 vPro or Core i7-1185G7 vPro Intel processor with Iris Xe graphics. Customers can add AMD graphics, too, if they require a bit of extra power. While Intel 12th Gen is coming out, unfortunately, the Intel vPro versions aren’t likely to drop until later this fall, which didn’t line up with Panasonic’s release schedule.

And no worries about battery life. The Toughbook 40 can reportedly hit 36 hours of longevity with the optional secondary battery onboard.

Everything else about the Toughbook 40 is very familiar. A 14-inch full HD touch display with AR supports glove use and can hit a massive 1,200 nits of brightness. Dual top-firing 95dB speakers. There is a new 5MP full HD webcam with Windows Hello IR and a privacy shutter. And for ports, there are plenty of those, including Thunderbolt 4, Type-A (x2), microSDXC, HDMI 4K, Ethernet RJ-45, and a headphone/mic. Customers can add additional ports like Type-A (x2), a second HDMI, VGA, second RJ-45, or Series (True) D-sub 9 pin.

In the coming weeks, we’ll be doing some benchmarks and more on the Toughbook 40 to see how it stacks up to the others in the Toughbook line. So far, however, it’s quite the experience with a magnificent touch display and excellent keyboard.

The Toughbook 40 is available for purchase in late spring, with MSRP starting at $4,899. For complete product details and to learn more about the lineup of accessories, please visit na.panasonic.com/TOUGHBOOK40.

Panasonic is on a kick with its famous Toughbook line of hardcore PCs (and Android tablets). We recently reviewed the Toughbook 33 and Toughbook A3, along with the flagship Toughbook 55 still available with LTE.

Just announced is the new Toughbook G2, which combines past products Toughbook G1 (tablet) and Toughbook 20 (laptop) into one killer device. It also borrows from the Toughbook 55's modular ability, but instead of just one modular bay, this device has three, even though it is much smaller.

I spent the last week with the Toughbook G2. Imagine taking Microsoft Surface Go, adding a keyboard, and making it wholly modular and tough as nails. It should be the perfect PC for utility, field services, military, fire, EMS, police, and anyone else working where conditions are harsh. Toss in 4G LTE, GPS, and a thermal camera, and you have the most extreme PC of 2021.

Panasonic Toughbook G2: Price and availability

The Panasonic Toughbook G2 is now available direct through Panasonic. The starting price is $2,999 and varies significantly due to the number of configuration options.

Businesses or governments can buy just the tablet portion or add in the keyboard to complete the PC experience. There are also ten optional xPAKs (Panasonic's proprietary expandable bays), including Thermal Camera, 2nd LAN, Barcode Reader, Contactless SmartCard, and OPAL SSDs. Integrated options include 4G LTE and dedicated GPS in addition to those xPAKs.

Panasonic Toughbook G2: What you'll like

The Panasonic Toughbook G2 is a surprisingly compact but powerful tablet and laptop combo. It is like the Toughbook 33 (12.0-inches) but features Panasonics xPAK modular design. This modularity is necessary for businesses, EMS, or the military where the mission may change. Previously, customers would send back the device to Panasonic to retrofit, but now, customers with a screwdriver can do it in 90 seconds.

Our review unit used the Core i5-10310U, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Customers can upgrade to a Core i7, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. Performance was decent for the Core i5, especially when set to performance mode – there were no lags or stutters. The OPAL NVMe SSD is also decent, with 2,400 MB/s sequential read and 1,500 MB/s for write.

The display can hit an astounding 1,000 nits of brightness, which, when combined with the anti-reflective layer, makes it ideal for outdoor use as you would expect. The display supports touch, and there is a built-in pen for notetaking or marking up documents.

There are other modern-day PC features, too, like Windows Hello infrared for effortless logins to Windows 10 and a privacy shutter. Not only can you get 4G LTE, but there is support for both Nano-SIM and the increasingly crucial eSIM technology.

The front-facing speakers crank to a very loud 88 dB, allowing you to hear the PC's audio whether pulled over on the highway (police), in an ambulance, or any work environment with a lot of noise.

The optional keyboard is also backlit and nice to type on, thanks to the ample key travel. The tablet PC simply slots into the keyboard and locks into place with a lever mechanism. On the front of the tablet are a few user-programmable buttons for quick launching any software one uses frequently.

But really, it's the modular bays – all three of them – that are the stars here. A company can remove a barcode reader with those bays and replace it with a FLIR thermal camera or add some extra ports. Another area is configured for either insertable or contactless SmartCards. Another bay is for the SSD, letting government organizations remove sensitive storage with just a few motions.

Replacing the extra RJ-45 port with a FLIR camera and firing up Panasonic's special software is a real treat. Whether it is spotting burning brush in the field or utility workers looking for electric "hot spots," the FLIR camera lets you take half an image in thermal and the other half as a real photo making it perfect for documentation and record-keeping.

With the ability for customers to hot-swap batteries, add in new hardware, secure SSDs, and more, the Panasonic Toughbook G2 is quite a robust device that should last years. That's also thanks to the IP-65 water resistance and MIL-STD ratings, making this tablet/laptop combo nearly indestructible.

And for easy carrying, there is a built-in expandable handle grip that doubles as a stabilizer for the keyboard when typing.

Finally, for those wondering, yes, Panasonic says this rugged tablet PC will get Windows 11 and qualifies for the upgrade. Panasonic will work with customers who want the updated OS or for those wishing to stay on Windows 10.

Panasonic Toughbook G2: What you won't like

There's not a whole lot to complain about when it comes to the Panasonic Toughbook G2, except one thing: the trackpad. It is tiny and lacks accuracy making it frustrating to use.

Lacking Microsoft Precision drivers, the non-clicking touchpad is so bad I just ended up using the touch screen most of the time. I had a similar complaint on the Toughbook 33 (though the Toughbook 55 does use Precision and is quite lovely).

To be fair, Panasonic's challenge is more about durability than usability. Moving touchpads are a no-go due to ingresses and how easy they can break in the field. That said, I would love for Panasonic to get on board with haptic trackpads, which solve all of these problems.

Panasonic Toughbook G2: Competition

There's not much direct competition with the Panasonic Toughbook G2 besides Panasonic's own offerings.

Dell does offer the Latitude 7220 with an 11.6-inch display. However, it is still on Intel's older 8th Gen CPU, uses slower DDR3 RAM, and has no modularity. It also feels like Dell is slowly backing out of rugged devices due to Panasonic's strong presence.

The Panasonic Toughbook 33 is similar in overall design to the G2 but has a larger display at 12.0-inches and doesn't have any modular components besides hot-swappable batteries.

Some may not need Toughbook's G2 primary function, which is a tablet PC with inking. For those who prefer a more traditional laptop (also with inking) but with similar features, the Panasonic CF-55 is an incredible laptop that is also modular but with one bay instead of three. I used this laptop myself – even hiking 4,000 to a top of a mountain where the 4G LTE worked without a hitch.

Panasonic Toughbook G2: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if ...

• You need a tough, compact, rugged Windows tablet PC
• You're in the military, EMS, utility, or do contract work in the field
• You want a modular, flexible PC with 4G LTE
• You're a "prepper" waiting for the 2024 election

You shouldn't buy this if...

• You work in the office
• You game
• You don't know what CSAR stands for

The Panasonic Toughbook G2 brings all that is unique about Toughbooks into one fascinating PC. While most "civs" won't ever need to touch this device, it is still fun to think about how your police, fire, EMS, military, or even electric utility company will be using this device to serve the community or succeed in missions.

While modular PCs aren't new (Lenovo was very good at them about 20 years ago), Panasonic is the only one embracing the concept in 2021. The reasons are apparent, as it gives customers much more flexibility when buying a $3,000 tablet to keep it functional. Moreover, you may notice the Panasonic Toughbook G2 is not exactly pretty because it doesn't need to be for its job. It's like a combo steampunk/cyberpunk fever dream that merges old concepts with new technology.

Panasonic is currently celebrating the 25th anniversary of its Toughbook line of PCs, and it is leaning harder than ever into the series. It's almost utterly dominant in this space now and for a good reason, as the Toughbook G2 demonstrates. Let's just hope it can fix its trackpads in the next round of rugged beasts.

Panasonic is synonymous with many things, including its nearly one-of-a-kind series of TOUGHBOOK laptops and tablets. Now going into its 25th year, Panasonic is refreshing the best-selling rugged device laptop, the TOUGHBOOK 33 (CF-33).

Just imagine Microsoft's Surface Book if it went to boot camp with the U.S. Marine Corps.

First introduced in 2017, the TOUGHBOOK 33 is an always-connected laptop that turns into a tablet with pen and inking support. It is also one of the craziest PCs I have ever used. While I find it fascinating, the TOUGHBOOK 33 is designed for the military, police, EMTs, fire, and anyone who works in the most extreme environments.

I have spent the last ten days using it and here is what you need to know about this nearly indestructible laptop.

Just the specs

Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 33 (2021): At a glance

The Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 33 is a rugged 2-in-1 tablet with optional keyboard attachments designed for harsh environments to be used by EMT, police, fire, and military use. We're using the optional Premium Keyboard for this review, although there is also a Light Keyboard.

TL;DR

Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 33 (2021): What's new

It has been four years since the last iteration of TOUGHBOOK 33, which makes sense as townships, governments, and private contractors who buy it deploy them for years at a time. For 2021, Panasonic is right at the sweet spot for refining old features and supporting new ones that this market segment demands.

Here is the short version of what's new for 2021:

Performance

• Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD standard, up to 1TB supported
• RAM: 16GB DDR4 standard; up to 32GB supported
• Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1
• 10th Gen Intel Core i5 and i7 with vPRO processors

Functionality

• Louder speakers
• Improved camera, Windows Hello IR
• Brighter barcode reader
• Revised advanced keyboard with brighter LEDs, more liquid resistant

Flexability

• Band 48 CBRS supported
• Dual SIM with eSIM
• USB-C port
• New pen and digitizer

Stat of the art security

• OPAL SSD standard
• Microsoft Secured-core PC
• Intel Hardware Shield
• Webcam privacy shutter

Some of these features, like 10th Gen Intel with vPRO, are expected. The same applies to more RAM and improved storage options as customers requested those for productivity reasons. Panasonic is not using Intel 11th Gen because those vPRO processors are not due until later this spring and need further testing.

Support for Band 48 CBRS (Citizens Broadband Radio Service) is fascinating. It is effectively a private LTE network that governments or institutions can deploy, giving them all the LTE security without a public network's risks. Consumers won't see any value to it, but secure agencies will. Likewise, TOUGHBOOK 33 is the first all-rugged Windows 2-in-1 that now supports eSIM. While not widely used yet by U.S. carriers, it is expected to change in the coming years. Of course, there is standard nano-SIM hardware too.

Features like louder speakers are needed since police, EMT, and first responders need to hear the audio in some boisterous environments, including burning buildings, highways, and places where sirens are likely roaring.

The pen and digitizer are also upgraded. The TOUGHBOOK 33 pen is siloed on the side of the tablet with a quick-release mechanism to pull it out (you won't lose it when siloed). The pen is now comparable to modern prosumer Ultrabooks with low latency and high accuracy.

So much stuff

Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 33 (2021): What I like

The TOUGHBOOK 33 is so packed with features, ports, and abilities it is difficult to summarize. At its core, it is a super rugged Windows 10 tablet that meets MIL-STD-461F, MIL-STD-810G, and IP65 certification. Add on the Premium Keyboard, and it's now a fully rugged laptop. Flip the display around, and you now have an alternate way to interact with it.

The tablet (which can be purchased without the Premium Keyboard) has multiple ports for Type-A, Type-C (with Power Delivery), full HDMI, Ethernet, headphone, and AC power. There is also a full-sized siloed pen on the right with exceptionally good inking.

On the front of the TOUGHBOOK 33, there are multiple hardware buttons for easy interaction. Two buttons (A1, A2) are user assigned and can be used to launch Panasonic's settings or enable the barcode reader, for example. There are also dedicated buttons for volume, Start, orientation lock, and power. Next to those are LEDs for the status of both batteries. Users can lock the tablet portion to the keyboard, and managers can hardware lock them further so employees cannot separate the two.

On the rear of the TOUGHBOOK 33, the metal compartment can unlock and reveal the two hot-swappable batteries. Below the left one is the nano-SIM slot for LTE.

The screen is also terrific and more premium than I expected. It has a lovely 3:2 2160 x 1440 resolution that supports touch but also works while wearing gloves. It's sharp, crisp, and the colors look great. Because this tablet is used outdoors, brightness can shoot up to an astounding 1,200 nits (most laptops struggle past 400). The direct bonding ensures excellent viewing angles with no discernable layering.

Moving onto the Premium Keyboard, it has a Docking Connector (25-pin), three Type-A, SD card reader, another HDMI, VGA-D, Ethernet RJ-45, and a Serial USB D-sub 9 pin. All the ports on the tablet and keyboard are locked behind sliding doors for protection and water resistance.

When combined, the tablet and the keyboard and be locked together, so it does not flop open. A grab-handle deploys from the bottom, so you can just grab and go to your next assignment.

TOUGHBOOK 33 supports two cameras with a front-facing 2MP full HD one, and a solid 8MP rear shooter with autofocus and a triple LED flash. The front one now features a privacy shutter. Typically, I do not expect much from these devices for imaging, but these cameras are better than average and quite good. Windows Hello infrared (IR) worked flawlessly. A fingerprint reader can also be installed via an insertable SmartCard CAC.

The audio, via the dual front-facing speakers, is booming and better than expected. At a 75 percent volume setting, I registered a peak of 80+ dB, which is near that of a vacuum cleaner. These are good speakers that Panasonic claims can hit 91 dB at max volume.

Overall, the TOUGHBOOK 33 is a brutalist's dream design. And yet, it is not bigger or more complicated than it needs to be as everything is easy to figure out even without a manual.

Panasonic also uses some clever software. The display can switch to various colors for low-light/nighttime usage without straining your eyes. Choose green, red, orange, blue, or even greyscale. The feature works in conjunction with the brightness sensor so it can enable automatically.

Throw in things like Wi-Fi 6, 4G LTE, and literally a built-in handle to carry the TOUGHBOOK 33, and this convertible laptop can do it all. It will survive on a battlefield, the back of an ambulance, or your local police cruiser.

Performance is decent from the Core i5-10310U, a quad-core vPRO processor released in mid-2020. It doesn't set any records but is a nice upgrade from the previous dual-core 7th Gen i5-7300U.

Fan noise when under load is on the louder side as there is only one located at the tablet's back. It peaks around 48 dB, louder than almost every other laptop (save for gaming ones). That said, you won't be using this laptop in a library, but likely outside where it won't be an issue.

A few grumbles

Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 33 (2021): What I don't like

There are only a few complaints about the TOUGHBOOK 33. They all have to do with the Premium Keyboard and not the tablet itself.

The worst offender is the trackpad. The trackpad not physically clicking makes sense as this needs to be an exceptionally durable laptop – the fewer moving parts, the better. But it's also tiny and does not use Microsoft Precision drivers. Many times, I'd reach for the screen instead of the trackpad. I think something like Sensel's haptic touchpad technology would work perfectly for this device – no moving parts, it can vary in size, works with gloves, and it uses proper drivers. Hopefully, Panasonic will improve it in later versions.

I am surprised that the keyboard is mainly hollow and does not contain extra battery packs, even as a possibility. As a result, the TOUGHBOOK 33 is very top-heavy, and it wobbles over if you push the display back at a slight angle. Batteries in the base could counteract that and improve PC duration (Panasonic does sell Long Life Batteries that extend the size of the tablet as an option). Sure, the TOUGHBOOK 33 would even be heavier, but this is not the kind of laptop where you pull your punches.

Update: I've since learned you can pull out the rear handle, which then serves as a support to prevent the laptop from tipping too far back.

The keyboard backlighting is also a bit dim. Or rather, it uses red backlighting (which not only looks fantastic but is easier on the eyes for night usage). But because it is red, the contrast is less than that of white LEDs, making it appear dimmer. Panasonic ramped up the brightness significantly with this new iteration, but it is still quite dim unless in a dark room. I'd rather see Panasonic adopt what it did in the excellent FZ-55 TOUGHBOOK in supporting multiple LED colors, including green, orange, blue, or white.

Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 33 (2021): The competition

There's not much competition in this space due to the niche demographic combined with Panasonic's dominance in this sector.

Dell is the most likely alternative with its Latitude 7720 Rugged Extreme tablet and add-on keyboard/kickstand. However, it's still running Intel 8th Gen and doesn't quite have all the features of the TOUGHBOOK 33.

There is also the less familiar GETAC F110, which is also still on Intel 8th Gen and doesn't quite have the same Premium Keyboard option and maxes out at only 8GB of RAM.

Some may not need TOUGHBOOK 33's primary function, which is a tablet PC with inking. For those who prefer a more traditional laptop (also with inking) but with similar features, the Panasonic CF-55 is an incredible laptop that is also fully modular. I use this laptop myself – even hiking 4,000 to a top of a mountain where the 4G LTE worked without a hitch.

For more recommendations, see our best-rugged laptops to see other options.

Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 33 (2021): Should you buy?

You should buy this if ...

• You need the best rugged 2-in-1 Windows PC
• You need 4G LTE and work in harsh environments
• You work for the military or as a first responder
• You're a "prepper" waiting for the end of civilization

You should not buy this if ...

• You don't need a 2-in1 rugged PC
• You don't work outdoors or in challenging environments
• You don't work for a company or government org that would buy this for you
• You're a consumer who likes to pretend you work for the CIA

Most people who get the TOUGHBOOK 33 will have it assigned to them for deployment at their job. There is no natural way just to go and buy this at Best Buy.

But for the military, first responders like EMT, police, or fire, or those who work as outdoor contractors, the TOUGHBOOK 33 is unparalleled. It features the latest connectivity, an excellent 2K display, outstanding audio, supports pen and inking, and is intuitive to use.

There is a reason why the TOUGHBOOK 33 is the number one selling rugged PC and tablet, and this refresh makes it set for the next four years of use out in the field.

Panasonic builds devices like the TOUGHBOOK 33 for some of the harshest environments and people who are putting it all out there, usually to help others. While there are a few areas where Panasonic can improve, there is a lot to like here, especially if you need the power of a networked PC in more than just a Starbucks.

What you need to know

• LUMIX Tether for Streaming (Beta) is now available from Panasonic.
• The piece of software helps you live stream using your DSLR.
• LUMIX Tether for Streaming works with the LUMIX DC-GH5, DC-G9, DC-GH5S, DC-S1, DC-S1R, and DC-S1H.

Panasonic released a piece of software today that helps you live stream with your DSLR, LUMIX Tether for Streaming (Beta). The software is in beta right now and builds off of Panasonic's LUMIX Tether software. LUMIX Tether for Streaming allows you to connect your supported camera to your PC through USB tethering. It also features a LIVE VIEW mode that is free from any graphics or text on top of the camera feed. As a result, it's easier for streaming software to pick up a clean camera feed from LUMIX Tether for Streaming.

As more people work from home, it's become more important to have a good webcam. If you have a supported LUMIX camera, you can use Panasonic's new software as part of your streaming set up. The software currently supports the LUMIX DC-GH5, DC-G9, DC-GH5S, DC-S1, DC-S1R, and DC-S1H.

• How to use your own camera as a webcam
• How to use your Android phone as a webcam for streaming
• Best Webcam Software for Windows 10 in 2020

You can download LUMIX Tether for Streaming from Panasonic's website

A lot of our gear comes with embedded, rechargeable batteries these days, but sometimes you still require a good old set of AAs. Rather than spending money every few months on disposable batteries, why not invest in some you can use over and over again? A 4-pack of Panasonic AA Eneloop rechargeable batteries are down to $8.92 on Amazon. These batteries normally sell for around $12 on average and this is the lowest price we've ever seen for the set of 4.

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

Panasonic eneloop BQ-CC55 power pack with 8 AA and 4 AAA batteries

$37.30 $50.00 Save $13 1618319467

This is a 3-hour quick charger that can charge batteries individually or all at once. This bundle includes eight AA batteries and four AAA batteries and can charge both sizes. You'll get up to 2100 recharges. And the batteries can hold their charges.

Panasonic RP-HD805N-K over-ear noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones

$79.99 $100.00 Save $20 1612972068

Includes a built-in mic and multi-function button to help you take calls, adjust volume, activate a voice assistant, and more. Battery lasts up to 20 hours on a full charge and has Quick Charge. Has 3 levels of active noise cancelling.

PANASONIC LUMIX Waterproof Digital Camera Underwater Camcorder with Optical Image Stabilizer, Time Lapse, Torch Light and 220MB Built-In Memory - DMC-TS30K (Black)

$104.08 $179.99 Save $76 1427083200

PANASONIC LUMIX Waterproof Digital Camera Underwater Camcorder with Optical Image Stabilizer, Time Lapse, Torch Light and 220MB Built-In Memory - DMC-TS30K (Black)

$103.44 $179.99 Save $77 1427083200

PANASONIC LUMIX Waterproof Digital Camera Underwater Camcorder with Optical Image Stabilizer, Time Lapse, Torch Light and 220MB Built-In Memory - DMC-TS30K (Black)

$104.08 $179.99 Save $76 1427083200

These 2000mAh batteries can recharge up to 2,100 times and will retain their charge up to 10 years when not in use. Users give these batteries 4.6 stars based on more than 14,000 reviews. They work great and save you a bunch of money on the disposable alternative down the line, preventing a ton of e-waste too.

Although they do arrive pre-charged and ready to use, rechargeable batteries don't really fulfill their purpose without a way to recharge them. If you don't already have one, you'll want to grab the battery charger by itself for $25 or grab it with four more batteries for just $18. Obviously, that's an easy choice.

What you need to know

• Microsoft partnered with several PC manufacturers to create Secured-core PCs.
• These PCs protect data and devices at a hardware, firmware, and software level.
• Dell, Dynabook, HP, Lenovo, Panasonic, and Microsoft all have devices that are Secured-core PCs.

As attackers use more advanced ways to gather data and steal identities, PC-makers have to utilize new ways to improve security. Microsoft partnered with several PC manufacturers to create devices that called "Secured-core PCs." These devices use security measures at the hardware, firmware, and software levels to protect data and user identities. Dell, Dynabook, HP, Lenovo, Panasonic, and Microsoft have devices that are Secured-core PCs.

Secured-core PCs are aimed at users that have highly sensitive data, such as people working in healthcare, financial services or for the government. Though, the devices are generally available to consumers, so anyone who wants to have extra security could utilize the options on their Secured-core PC. For example, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga 4th Gen and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon 7th Gen are both Secured-core PCs.

Attackers often utilize firmware to attempt to access PCs. Firmware has the ability to make changes to devices that even software and the operating system of a device can't. As a result, attackers that utilize firmware can bypass many security measures and gain access to sensitive data. Attacks that target firmware can undermine secure boot and other security measures. Endpoint protection and detection solutions don't have full visibility and access to the firmware layer, which means that attacks can circumvent these as well.

To combat firmware level attacks, Windows Defender now implements System Guard Secure Launch. Supporting this is a requirement for Secured-Core PCs and uses new hardware capabilities from AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm. Microsoft explains that System Guard uses capabilities that are built into silicon from major chip manufacturers,

Secured-core PCs leverage a number of technologies to isolate hardware, detect attacks using software, and protect devices from attacks that utilize firmware. A page from Microsoft dedicated to Secured-core PCs explains each level of security and includes a helpful video summary for anyone looking to utilize the security of these devices. It also includes a full list of Secured-core PCs.

What you need to know

• Panasonic expanded its Toughbook line with the new Toughbook 55 today.
• This is the first Toughbook to sport USB-C connectivity.
• The rugged Toughbook 55 is available from resellers today starting at $2,100.

Panasonic has made a name for itself by supplying rugged laptops in its Toughbook line, and it's expanding the series further today with the new Toughbook 55. The laptop is built to survive rough worksites with a unique modular design, and this is the first Toughbook to sport USB-C, Bluetooth 5, and HDMI 2.0 connectivity.

The Toughbook 55's modular design means that expansion ports offer easy access to the main storage drive and the optional second storage drive through quick-release connections. The RAM and keyboard are als both ungradeable components so users can change them out as necessary. Adding to the Toughbook 55's customizability is the ability to add expansion ports that bring extra IO ports, dedicated graphics, and a fingerprint reader.

Inside the Toughbook 55, you'll find Intel's 8th Gen quad-core i5 and i7 vPro processors, optional AMD discrete graphics, and up to 2TB of storage and 64GB of RAM. The laptop also comes with tetra-array microphones for voice recognition, an optional 1000 nit touchscreen, and compatibility with existing Toughbook 54 vehicle mounts. Panasonic is also touting all-day battery life.

The Panasonic Toughbook 55 is available starting today from Panasonic resellers starting at $2,100.

Amazon is offering the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS60K camera with a $150 discount right now. The 4K-capable point and shoot camera has been selling for $400 recently but is down to $249.99 right now. It initially went on sale at this price earlier this week as a limited-time Amazon deal of the day before selling out quickly. It's now back on sale, but it's not clear exactly how long this will last.

The ZS60 features an 18 Megapixel sensor for high-resolution photos as well as 4K Ultra HD video recording and exclusive LUMIX 4K photo and 4K Post Focus photo capture features. The 30x (24-720mm) Leica DC Lens on the front is great for everyday photography and the lens-mounted control ring brings DSLR-like exposure control to a point and shoot form factor. On the back, there's an electronic viewfinder and touch-enabled LCD display on the back for easy viewing of your snaps. There's also built-in Wi-Fi to wirelessly transfer images from the camera and operate it remotely using a smartphone.

Panasonic's has revealed some updates to its Toughbook 20, an exceptionally rugged 2-in-1 that first debuted two years ago. Meant to survive rough work environments, the new Toughbook 20 features the same beefy design as its predecessor. Where Panasonic has improved things, however, is with a new, faster processor, better battery life, and new standard features that will ship with every Toughbook 20.

At the top of the list is a speedier processor, the Intel Core i5-7Y57, which features a Turbo Boost of up to 3.3 GHz. All models also come with 256GB of SSD storage standard, along with the option to expand up to 512GB. Panasonic says the new Toughbook 20 will come with Windows 10 Pro by default, but it will still offer Windows 7 Professional as an option on models with Intel's Core m5-6Y57 processor for customers who need to maintain compatibility with existing applications and setups.

A number of other features are now included as standard as well. Those include an integrated digitizer in addition to the device's touchscreen, an infrared webcam that supports Windows Hello, and a rear-facing 8MP camera. In terms of battery life, the Toughbook 20 can now keep going with a "bridge battery," which now comes standard, allowing users to hot-swap charged batteries. That's in addition to an optional second battery that can be used to double battery life. Lastly, LTE connectivity is also on board, allowing for connectivity anywhere while in the field.

According to Panasonic, the revised Toughbook 20 is now available at a starting price of $3,099 from Panasonic resellers.

If you're in need of an exceptionally rugged Windows 10 2-in-1 to get work done in the field, Panasonic's ToughBook 33 will be up for grabs soon in the U.S. Combining powerful specs with a bulky, protective shell, the 12-inch ToughBook 33 will be available for $3,649 later in May, Panasonic has announced.

The ToughBook 33 will be available either with a detachable keyboard or as a tablet-only affair. The 12-inch, 3:2 QHD display comes packed in a magnesium alloy shell that is rated to withstand extreme conditions and the occasional fall thanks to meeting MIL-STD-810G and IP65 standards. Driving home its fitness for outdoor use, Panasonic notes that the anti-reflective display can hit a peak brightness of 1,200 nits, ensuring visibility in sunlight.

On the inside, the ToughBook 33's ruggedness is backed up by Intel's 7th-generation Core i5 and i7 processors, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of SSD storage. There's also a 1080p webcam on the front, with an 8MP camera on the rear. Windows Hello is also supported via facial recognition, along with iris and fingerprint scanning. The 2-in-1 can also be equipped with optional dedicated GPS and 4G LTE for use in the field, along with barcode or serial scanners.

The ToughBook 33 will be available at authorized Panasonic resellers later in May starting at $3,649 alongside a vehicle dock accessory. For more, check out our hands-on with the ruggedized laptop from Mobile World Congress 2017 below.

Is your Windows 10 tablet guaranteed to survive a fall from more than a meter up? Does it have twin hot-swappable batteries? Or a 12-inch 1200nit QHD display? How about an Ethernet port?

I didn't think so. The Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 has all of that and more.

I'll be honest: This is not a 2-in-1 tablet for everybody, most people, or even more than a select market that needs a fully ruggedized PC. Panasonic's Toughbook line has always been beastly and expensive, and the CF-33 is no exception. It is built to take the abuse of life out in the field that your typical Windows 10 portable, even the most solidly-built laptops, just can't take. Panasonic's been making Toughbooks for more than a decade, and the CF-33 is the natural evolution of the brand.

Let's talk about the Toughbook CF-33 like it's a typical Windows 10 tablet for a bit. It's running Windows 10 (or Windows 7 if you choose the corporate downgrade option so it will work with ancient corporate apps) on top of a seventh-generation Intel Core vPro i5-7300U processor with up to 16GB of RAM and up to a 512GB solid state drive (SSD). The 10-point multitouch LCD display measures 12-inches diagonally with a crisp 2160 x 1440 resolution on a comfortable 3:2 aspect ratio. The screen is eye-poppingly bright at 1,200nits, making it a breeze to use in even direct sunlight.

That's where the similarities to typical tablets end. The Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 is no ordinary Windows tablet. It is a rugged tablet, and that's clear from the first glance. There's thinness here, as a thin tablet is one without room to secure and cushion the internal components. The frame around the bezel is thick rubber and easily gripped; despite the tablet's 3.37 lbs. in weight, it is surprisingly easy to hold. The thickness allows for several business-centric features, including a bevy of ports — with Ethernet! and VGA! — and a little Windows Ink-compatible stylus that docks into the side.

You can even customize the Toughbook CF-33 tablet with additional input options, including a smart card reader or serial port.

As if the tablet isn't thick enough, you can also dock it into the equally thick keyboard base, turning the CF-33 into what is in 2017 a hilariously thick laptop. The keyboard base brings three more USB ports. a serial port, and duplicates of the Ethernet, VGA, and HDMI ports. Yeah, a serial port. This thing's made for plugging into old-school equipment. Every one of these ports is hidden under a stiff rubber flap along the bezel, and each flap has a sliding lock to secure it closed, so it's nigh impossible for them to accidentally open.

The backside of the tablet is split into two metal plates — the bottom one unlatches and flips open to reveal a pair of removable batteries. You can pop them out one at a time to hot swap and have a full charge without having to shutdown and restart the PC. The two batteries can run for 10 hours, and Panasonic plans to offer extended batteries that can last up to 20 hours.

While the CF-33 looks tough, it also walks the walk. The whole thing is IP55 certified, which means it should be protected against particulate infiltration and water splashing (though not immersion). However, that doesn't rate the hardware's durability — the Toughbook CF-33 can take a beating. Panasonic says it should survive a drop from 1.2 meters with ease, and the magnesium-and-rubber body is designed to handle the abuse that is routinely dealt in the field and in factories.

In addition to the keyboard dock, the Toughbook CF-33 will work with Panasonic's desktop dock replicator (the docking port is duplicated on the bottom of the keyboard) that includes a four-bay battery charger, as well as vehicle docks with antenna passthrough.

As you might expect, this kind of durability comes at a price, and it's a high one. The tablet alone runs for $3,499, and it's another $600 for the keyboard dock. It's expected to be released in May. Yes, it's absurdly expensive. But the Toughbook CF-33 can take the kind of abuse that few other laptops can. For people how genuinely need it, it'll pay for itself several times over, versus buying tablet after tablet to replace the ones that break in the field.

Panasonic has teamed up with the AA in the UK to provide the vehicle roadside breakdown specialist with 3,000 advanced and rugged Toughpad series tablets. The Windows-powered mobile device will help enhance patrol communication and service to customers, responding to the 10,000 breakdown calls the AA receives on a daily basis.

This isn't the first time Panasonic has supplied the AA with Toughbooks. The new FZ-G1 units are actually replacing older CF-19 models already in use. The successor tablets offer improved 4G connectivity, better display tech and enhanced features like signature capture. Everything is powered by Windows 8 and the on-board Intel Core i5 processor.

The roll out is currently under way and is expected to be completed in early 2016.

Press Release

BRACKNELL, UK. 15th March 2016 Panasonic is supplying the AA, the UK's largest recovery breakdown service, with 3000 of the latest rugged Panasonic Toughpad tablets to help patrols enhance communications and service to customers. The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1 tablets will be used by patrols to respond to the 10,000 breakdown calls that the AA receives daily on average. The roll-out is underway and scheduled to be completed in early 2016.

Replacing the existing Panasonic Toughbook CF-19 notebooks, the new tablets will be lighter and easier to use, offer improved 4G communications and enhanced features such as on screen forms and signature capture.

Arran Simms, Motoring Innovations Manager at the AA, said: "The move to a Panasonic Toughpad tablet was a natural evolution for us. With the latest 4G communications and touchscreen capabilities via the Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro operating system, our patrols will be able to respond faster and more effectively than ever before."

The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1 tablet is the primary device for patrols when responding to breakdown calls. The patrols accept jobs via the tablet, locate the breakdown using GPS and let the customer service centre know when they have arrived on site. They can also search online for specialist knowledge and order replacement parts before completing the task and closing the job.

The AA has also ordered specially designed Panasonic dashboard-mounted vehicle docking stations to hold the tablets when on the move, which enables the devices to be used for job dispatch and route guidance. The Panasonic ProServices team of in-house CAD designers worked with the AA to refine the existing docking station and produced a solution which not only met the requirements of the AA patrol vehicles but also addresses the wider market. The ProServices team are also responsible for the testing and installation of the docking stations in the vehicles throughout the roll-out.

"This latest deployment will ensure the AA patrols continue to have access to the very latest ergonomically designed, easy to use and reliable mobile technology on the market. The enhanced communication features and touchscreen capabilities will ensure drivers in need receive a faster and more efficient service than ever before," said Paul Davidson, Corporate Sales Manager for Computer Product Solutions at Panasonic.

Ergonomic design and reliability

Panasonic Toughpad tablets are designed to operate outdoors in a variety of extreme and remote environments, helping to drive efficiency and productivity in ways that were never previously possible.

The fully rugged Toughpad FZ-G1 tablet sets the benchmark for outdoor viewable tablets incorporating a 800cd/m² IPSa display. The capacitive 10-finger multi-touch display and digitizer pen makes it extremely user friendly. The FZ-G1 runs on Windows 8 Pro and is equipped with the Intel® Core™ i5-3437U vPro Processor. It also benefits from connectivity options to ensure data is available to the user whenever needed. The compact, fully rugged and lightweight design is a popular choice for businesses looking for a tough and mobile tablet that runs Windows 8.

Panasonic has released many rugged Windows-based tablets and smartphones in the past, and the company will continue that trend with the launch of the Toughpad FZ-F1. Based on Windows 10 IoT Mobile Enterprise, the 4.7-inch smartphone is being announced as part of the company's Mobile World Congress plans.

The phone will have an unnamed 2.3Ghz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, along with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of onboard storage. However, Panasonic has made this smartphone, along with the Android-based Toughpad FZ-N1, for enterprise customers who demand that their smartphones stand up to a lot of abuse:

It will be a while before the phone is available, and it will be very expensive. Panasonic will start selling the Toughpad FZ-F1 sometime this fall for the price of $1,599.

There are a lot of Windows 10 2-in-1 laptops on the market, but soon there will be one that can withstand a lot of use and abuse. Panasonic has announced the Toughbook 20, the latest in its line of rugged devices, and the company says it is the first 2-in-1 rugged laptop, with a detachable keyboard and display.

Panasonic says:

The 3.9-pound Toughbook 20 will have a 10.1-inch 1920x1200 display, which can be used in a number of modes:

Inside there will be an Intel Core m5-6Y57 vPro processor with a clock speed of 1.1GHz, along with 8GB RAM and storage options for a 128GB, 256GB or 512GB SSD. The display has a removable 2600mAh battery and there's an option to place a second battery of the same size in the keyboard dock to double its power life (no battery life times were revealed) The Toughbook 20 goes on sale in February 2016 starting at $3,099.

Source: Panasonic

Panasonic plans to launch a new version of its standard 20-inch Toughpad 4K tablet, running on Windows 8.1 sometime in July. It will contain some hardware improvements and a price tag of "just" $2,999, which is half the cost of the current $5,999 version.

The tablet will still have the same impressive 3840x2560 LCD display in a 15:10 aspect ratio, but it will also add an HDMI 2.0 input port for the first time, allowing users to hook it up to a wider range of devices and peripherals for use in jobs like video production and more. It will also have a fifth generation Intel Core i5 vPro processor inside; the previous version had the older fourth generation chip.

Panasonic says:

Panasonic will also sell an optional desktop cradle for the new Toughpad 4K tablet, which offers some more ports along with a stand that lets the tablet be used as a desktop PC.

Source: Panasonic

Part of the fun of events like Mobile World Congress is not only the new devices, but getting to see ones you'd never normally come across in every day life. The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-E1 is one such device that we saw while hanging out with Microsoft's OEM partners division in Barcelona. You won't see many around, but it's the toughest Windows Phone there is.

Windows and Windows Phone goes beyond just the consumer devices we cover daily in these parts. Niche devices such as this are constructed to cater to a specific target market. This one, for example, beyond just being ridiculously tough has a barcode scanner embedded in the top of the casing. Custom apps are being built to interface with hardware such as this, and it's pretty cool to see Windows Phone being used in this way.

We'll likely never see one, it's not something you're going to just go out and buy, but that it exists is still a great thing for the product ecosystem. We've got a few pictures of it for you below, including a couple of side-by-sides with the Lumia 830, just to illustrate how massive the FZ-E1 really is.

Panasonic has introduced a new, all-in-one mobile point of sale tablet, the Toughpad FZ-R1. It's a 7-inch Windows tablet. It features an integrated PIN pad, a magnetic stripe reader, and support for EMV and NFC payment methods.

In addition to Windows 8.1, there will also be a version of the Toughpad running Windows 8.1 Pro. The device is powered by an Intel Celeron processor, with 2-4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage, expandable to an extra 64GB with a microSD card. The Toughpad FZ-R1 will be available in late Spring 2015, and will start at $1,799 for the base model.

Press release:

Panasonic Announces First All-in-One Mobile POS Tablet with Integrated EMV Payment Technology for Retail Running Windows 8.1

The 7-inch Toughpad FZ-R1 empowers retailers with a true omni-channel mobile platform for today's evolving shopping experience

NEWARK, NJ, January 11, 2015 – Panasonic, an industry leader in reliable and innovative mobile computers for retail, today announced at the 104th annual National Retail Federation (NRF) Big Show the launch of the Toughpad® FZ-R1 the industry's first*1 7-inch all-in-one mobile POS tablet running Windows 8.1 for retail environments and to meet the changing omni-channel customer expectations while providing secure transaction capabilities.

With its integrated EMV reader with PIN pad, mag stripe reader and NFC compatibility, the Intel®-based Toughpad FZ-R1 can handle all forms of electronic payment, giving retailers and their customers confidence that financial data is secure.

"The retail world is changing dramatically. Fraud liability is shifting from credit card companies to retailers in the U.S. this fall if they don't adopt EMV, and the widespread adoption of smartphones has upended brick and mortar retail strategies," said Dan Diliberti, senior product development manager – tablet and payment systems, Panasonic System Communications Company of North America. "The Toughpad FZ-R1 addresses these dramatic changes in the retail landscape with its integrated EMV payment technology and equips a retailer's salesforce with a powerful platform to help turn browsing shoppers into buyers and close sales right from the sales floor."

With the Toughpad FZ-R1 and the retailer's own store applications, salespeople can assist customers with product comparisons, check inventory or change an item's style color or size right from the sales floor in real time. By enabling checkout anywhere on the sales floor, the salesforce can emerge from behind the register and instead focus on the customer. They can easily pull up customer information including purchase history and other preferences, enabling associates to create cross sell opportunities and deliver that unique in-store, omni-channel experience customers now expect.

Additionally, the tablet is ideal for other customer engagement applications in retail, table service restaurants and hospitality including line busting, order taking, kiosk usage and inventory management.

Powered by an Intel® Celeron® processor and running Windows 8.1 Pro, the Toughpad FZ-R1 offers exclusive, enterprise-grade security features such as Trusted Platform Module (TPM). Other features not available on consumer-grade tablets include: a fast-charging, user-replaceable full-shift battery with optional bridge battery and high-capacity battery, ten-point capacitive multi-touch screen, integrated EMV reader with PIN pad, encrypted magnetic stripe reader, optional POS cradle, and a wide range of configuration options to allow retailers to build the ideal Toughpad FZ-R1 for their specific needs on the sales floor.

"Intel® Celeron® processors enable the media and graphics performance needed for the Toughpad FZ-R1 to drive customer interest, increase customer loyalty and turn showrooming into sales," said Joe Jensen, general manager, Retail Solutions Division, Intel. "The staff is empowered with an omni-channel mobile platform and, with a few taps or swipes, customers can adjust the design, size, color of an item and more." "Retailers today can use the point of sale to understand their customers better and provide more customized service from anywhere in the store," said Brendan O'Meara, managing director, Worldwide Retail and Consumer Goods at Microsoft Corp. "Panasonic's Toughpad® FZ-R1 mobile POS solution running Windows 8.1 will give retailers the expanded capabilities they need on a familiar platform for their employees, with an innovative, fully-integrated EMV card reader implementation in a mobile POS tablet."

Designed for the retail environment, the thin and lightweight rugged Toughpad FZ-R1 features a pre-installed replaceable screen film for LCD protection. Panasonic's entire range of enterprise-grade mobile computers are designed for reliable performance and long deployments, delivering a low total cost of ownership.

Panasonic offers a comprehensive POS system including the Toughpad FZ-R1 as part of its retail technology solutions engineered to increase management capabilities, operational efficiencies and productivity while improving the customer experience and boosting sales.

Toughpad FZ-R1: Key Specifications

· Durable: Semi-rugged, water resistant, fanless design

· Portability: 1.43 lbs., 10.12" x 5.12" x 1.08" (without protruding parts)

· Display: 10 Finger touch (Capacitive), 7" WXGA(1280x800), Aspect ratio 16:10, Anti-Reflection, includes capacitive stylus pen

· Payment: Integrated EMV reader with PIN pad, mag stripe reader

· Processor: Intel® Celeron® processor N2807 (1MB Cache, 1.58 GHz up to 2.16 GHz)

· Operating System: Windows 8.1 Models available*2

· Storage and Memory: 2-4GB SDRAM and 64GB eMMC storage, up to 64GB additional with optional micro SDXC card

· Battery: Approx. 8.0 hours (Tablet Only)3 and approx. 7.0 hours with payment4 Optional bridge battery, enabling users to switch out batteries without powering down the device.

· Charging Time: Power On (approx. 4 hours), Power Off (approx. 2.5 hours) *5

· Camera: optional 5MP, 2048 x 1536 dots, 15fps(Video) / 2592 x 1944 dots(Still), with Camera light

· Connectivity: Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC7260 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth® v4.0 (Class 1), USB 3.0, micro SDHC card slot, headset jack and docking connector. The Toughpad FZ-R1 offers optional 4G LTE wireless broadband with satellite GPS

· Available Configuration Options: Barcode reader

Accessories The Toughpad FZ-R1 is compatible with a variety of accessories, including hand and shoulder straps, holsters, countertop POS cradle, cases, charging solutions and mobile printers.

Pricing, Availability and Warranty The Toughpad FZ-R1 will be available through authorized and select resellers and distributors in late Spring 2015. The Toughpad FZ-R1 Base model including Windows 8.1 and a standard MSR starts at $1,799. Limited development equipment is available now for lab testing and pilot tests. Please contact your Panasonic representative for more information.

Like all Toughpad devices, the Toughpad FZ-R1 comes backed by the industry's most comprehensive 3-year warranty and includes U.S.-based customer support.

For general sales inquiries, email or call Panasonic at sales.psc@us.panasonic.com or 877-803-8492.

Nearly two years ago, Panasonic announced their new 4K Toughpad, a monstrous Windows tablet sporting an outstanding 20-inch 3840 x 2560 LCD.

Last night, during Microsoft's device showcase, many of this year's latest and greatest devices were out for play as well as this 4K Toughpad. We had never seen one in person, so it was quite a blast to be able to handle one. Later that night, Microsoft's Juha Alakarhu used it for a Lumia presentation on the world's largest observation wheel, the High Roller

Want one? Unfortunately, this pricey, professional-level tablet will run you $6,000 USD.

Panasonic 4K Toughpad

• 20-inch 4K 3840 x 2560 LCD, 15:10 aspect ratio
• Intel Core i5-3437U 1.9GHz or Intel Core i7-3687U 2.1GHz processor
• Standard NVIDIA GeForce GT 745M GPU or NVIDIA Quadro K1000M GPU
• 2GB dedicated VRAM
• 256GB SSD
• 16GB RAM
• HD 720p webcam with microphone, 5Mp rear-facing camera
• 5-foot drop rating (bottom side), 1-foot drop rating (26 drops), Magnesium alloy chassis and GFRP rear case
• USB 3.0, SD card (SDXC), Mini DisplayPort, 10/100/1000 Ethernet, headphone/speaker jack and docking connector
• 7"(L) x 13.1"(W) x 0.5"(D), 5.6 lbs

So who is this for? Panasonic Toughpad certified is for business, enterprise, or those with very specific work needs. This tablet is not, by any means, a consumer device (although consumers could surely covet such tech).

Ideally, those that work in media, like magazines, photography, film, design, etc. could benefit from a portable, 4K display that also runs full Windows for imaging, video or apps. The device only has a 2-hour battery life, but this not likely to go on the plane or bus with you, making that an acceptable tradeoff.

Surprisingly, at only 5-pounds (2.54 kg), the 4K Toughpad is quite light and easy to handle.

Niche device? Absolutely. However, that display is easily one of the best we have ever seen on a computer. Then again, for $6,000 you would expect that to be standard.

Panasonic has today unveiled a new "3E" hybrid Windows tablet for the education sector. The 10-inch tablet will be priced at $499 and will be offered to poorer school districts at more affordable pricing. What's neat about this product is what Panasonic has chosen to include when it comes to extended functionality, including an attachable magnifying lens to transform the 3E tablet into a microscope.

Accompanying the attachable lens is a temperature sensor, a 1366 x 768 LCD five-point touch display, 1.3-GHz Intel Atom AZ3740D quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, as well as either 32GB or 64GB of internal storage. The 3E is powered by Windows 8.1 Pro. There's also a tethered stylus for OneNote drawing and the creation of general notes. It's a rugged unit, much like the FZ-E1.

Panasonic designed the tablet for the day-to-day operation in a classroom. The tablet itself sports not only dust and water resistance, but also the ability to withstand a 70cm drop. Intel has bundled a suite of educational software and lesson plans to facilitate student learning. Overall, it's a neat tablet to learn with. The tech company is also working with Redmond on enterprise hardware.

Source: PCWorld

Panasonic has announced it will begin to launch the Toughpad FZ-E1 in the US in August. It's a 5-inch device that uses Windows Embedded 8.1 Handheld, a enterprise version of the consumer-based Windows Phone 8.1.

The FZ-E1, which was first announced in February, is the latest in Panasonic's Toughpad lineup of mobile devices that have been designed to withstand a ton of abuse. The company claims that the FZ-E1 can survive a drop from 10 feet on concrete and stay submerged in 5 feet of water for 30 minutes. It can also operate in an extreme range of temperatures, from -4 to 140 degrees F.

Inside, the FZ-E1 has a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 with a clock speed of 2.3 GHz, along with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. There'e also a rear 8MP camera and a 1.3 MP front facing camera. The display has a resolution of 1280x720 and the battery capacity is 6,200 mAh that can last up to 14 hours. The device has dual SIM slots and supports up to 4G LTE for wireless carriers.

Again, the Panasonic FZ-E1 is not made for the casual smartphone owner but for businesses that need to purchase devices that can last a long time and used in a ton of different and extreme environments. The company will sell a WiFi-only version of the FZ-E1 in August for the price of $1,899, followed by the WiFi-cellular version in October for $1,999.

Source: Panasonic

I often hear a lot of complaints from people I meet here in India about the Surface tablets and the Nokia Lumia 2520 not hitting our shores. We could either believe or argue the reasons offered by Microsoft and Nokia about the same, or look at all other options available in the market right now and make an informed purchase decision.

In a Microsoft event last week, I learned about twenty Windows 8.1 tablets from seven original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that are on the shelves at the moment or coming in a couple of weeks or so. In this post, let’s take a look at few of them.

Acer Iconia W4

The Acer Iconia W4 is a good successor to the Iconia W3, the dubious tablet that was the first 8-inch one in the market but disappointed with the lackluster display.

Powered by an Intel Atom Z3740 1.33 GHz processor, the 8-inch tablet features a 1280 x 800 display. The tablet comes bundled with the complete Office 2013 Home and Student Edition, and is available in two variants – 32 GB and 64 GB. The W4 sports 8-hours of battery life and is available in the stores and online for ₹26,499.

Asus Transformer Book T100TA

The Transformer Book T100 is a compact ultraportable that combines the productivity features of a laptop with the easy portability of a tablet — and you can switch between the two in an instant. At just 1.07kg, T100 is one of the lightest laptops around, but detach the 10.1-inch display from the keyboard and it becomes an equally lightweight tablet.

This Asus tablet features the Intel Atom TZ3740 processor with 2GB RAM and includes 32 GB on board storage. At ₹34,099, it’s actually a great buy compared to several low cost laptops in the market.

Dell Venue 8 Pro

The Dell Venue 8 Pro is another 8-inch Windows tablet to rival the Acer Iconia W4. Powered by the Intel Atom Z3740D processor and including 32 GB Storage, the Dell 8-incher is available for ₹26,499. This one also features the Office 2013 Home and Student Edition.  

Lava XOLO Win

The XOLO Win is the maiden Windows tablet from any Indian OEM, and is coming soon to the market for about ₹21,999.

Powered by the AMD A4 - 1200 dual-core 1.0 GHz ‘Temash’ processor with AMD Radeon HD 8180G graphics, the XOLO tablet is the only AMD tablet in the stable. The 10.1-inch display features a modest resolution of 1280 x 800.

Lenovo Thinkpad 8

Lenovo Thinkpad 8 is actually an 8.3-inch multimode tablet that features three modes - Tablet, Desktop, and Tent.

Featuring the latest Intel Bay trail - Z3770 Processor and a lavish 128 GB storage, it’s a solid device. It’s not yet available in stores, and there’s no indication of price, but it’s coming soon as we are told.

HP Omni 10

HP has a had a series of convertibles since Windows 8 arrived, but the Omni 10 powered by the Intel Atom Z3000 processor is a great 10.1-inch tablet. Again, it’s not yet available in stores.

Panasonic Toughpad FZ-M1

The Panasonic’s are a different league altogether. The Toughpad FZ-M1 is world's thinnest and lightest rugged 7-inch tablet. It does not compromise on specifications as well and is powered by the Intel Core i5 vPro processor with 4GB RAM. The Toughpad comes in two storage variants – 128 GB and 256 GB.

At ₹1,25,000, it is expensive, but the ruggedized tablets serve a specific purpose obviously. There’s also the Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1 at ₹175,000 which is a 10-inch variant.  

Which one of these do you think is a great buy as a personal, consumption device or a secondary device for business productivity? Which one would you like to buy for yourself or a family member? Tell us in the comments! 

Panasonic returns to the smartphone market with a new device running Windows Embedded 8 Handheld. The announcement comes from Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. We don’t cover Windows Embedded too much, because these are devices that are more oriented towards enterprise users. Plus it was only just last month that we first learned Panasonic was working with Microsoft to build a new handheld device for enterprise, the FZ-E1 is it. Specs and more info below.

The FZ-E1 isn’t going to win any awards in the consumer space, but again, that’s because this is geared towards enterprise scenarios. That said, you do get a 5-inch display with a 1280 x 720 resolution. It’s powered by a quad-core Snapdragon 800 at 2.3 GHz. Inside it has 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. The rear camera is 8MP, while the front-facing camera is 1.3 MP. The battery capacity is 6,200 mAh. Talk about battery life. You also get Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/n/n/ac, micro USB port, GSP and NFC.

This is a very, very tough phone. It features a MIL-STD-810G military rating, survive a drop from 3 meters and stay submerged in 1.5 meters of water for 30 minute. The Panasonic FZ-E1 can operate in temperatures ranging from -20 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius.

If you’re a superhero in your spare time you might want the FZ-E1.

However, this isn’t a phone aimed at the consumer space. The FZ-E1 is running Windows Embedded 8 Handheld for the OS. Sure, it’s build on Windows Phone 8 and can run apps from the Windows Phone Store, but it goes beyond that.

Windows Embedded 8 Handheld allows businesses and developers to create specific applications for enterprises. Devices running Windows Embedded 8 Handheld, like the Panasonic FZ-E1, can easily be outfitted with extra peripherals like barcode scanners and credit card readers. Developers can then create line-of-business applications aimed directly at Windows Embedded 8 Handheld devices.

So imagine checking out at a store, a sales associate could use the FZ-E1 outfitted with a credit card reader and barcode scanner to complete the transaction.

The FZ-E1 will be available in Japan first, followed by a rollout in the United States and Europe. Retail pricing starts at $1,300.

We’ll hit up the Panasonic booth tomorrow for some hands-on photos and coverage.

Source: Panasonic, Via/Image: Reuters

Panasonic has today announced at the National Retail Federation 2014 expo that it's currently working with Microsoft to introduce enterprise-class mobile hardware using Windows Embedded 8 Handheld. This collaboration will enable the company to further expand its product portfolio with new handheld devices for businesses, rocking Microsoft's enterprise features.

Windows Embedded 8 Handheld is the latest generation of Microsoft's platform for business mobile devices, based on Windows Phone 8. What this means is customers will be able to utilise enterprise-grade security and manageability, as well as full Windows Phone 8 app compatibility, opening up solutions such as Dynamics AX, Lync and Office.

Garrett Clarke, Senior Product Manager of Windows Embedded Handheld at Microsoft, commented the following on the announcement:

Panasonic will look to release hardware for a wide range of retail applications, including mobile POS, supply chain and operations management and customer service. The company also showed off its 7-inch Toughpad FZ-M1 tablet running Windows 8.1 Pro, touted as the thinnest and lightest 7-inch full Windows tablet available (with a wide variety of retail apps, including mobile POS).

Source: Yahoo!

The typical day of a tech blogger is pretty extreme. You wake up, make some coffee, check your emails, write a few blog posts, do a review of a case or two, and head off to your dinner date with a Victoria Secret model. You know, typical blogger stuff. In all honesty, our lives aren’t that extreme, but there are people on this little blue ball that do some pretty crazy stuff daily. The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-M1 is the 7-inch Windows 8 tablet for those out there in the field needing computing power. Here’s our hands-on with it at CES. 

The Toughpad FZ-M1 is a 7-inch tablet running Windows 8.1 Pro. It’s powered by Intel’s 4th generation i5 processors. What’s crazy is that there are no fans in this machine. Panasonic has years of working on fanless designs. Which is a necessity for a PC like this when you’re out in the field where you encounter a lot of dust and dirt. Here at the full specs of this little machine that can:

• 4th generation Intel® Core™ i5 vPro™ processor, or an Intel® Celeron processor (available Summer 2014)
• Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit with Windows 7 Professional downgrade option available
• MIL-STD-810G, 5’ drop, IP65 fully sealed fanless design
• 7-inch daylight-readable WXGA display (1280x800); high-sensitivity 10-point capacitive multitouch input, with an optional Stylus pen
• 128GB SSD (256GB SSD option available) with 8 GB RAM (Intel® Core™ i5 vPro processor model)
• Dual Band Intel Wireless-AC7260 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth® v4.0 (Class 1), USB 3.0, micro SDXC card slot, docking connector, optional 4G LTE multi-carrier embedded wireless broadband. Other options include dedicated GPS, Barcode reader, Ethernet, serial port, and choice of near field communications (NFC), SmartCard reader, UHF radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader (up to 10 ft. range), or Magnetic Stripe reader
• 1.2 lbs., 0.7” thin (standard configuration)
• 8 hours per MobileMark® 2007 testing (user-replaceable); optional hot swap bridge battery and high capacity battery (16 hours) available
• 720P built-in front camera with mic; 5MP rear camera with auto focus and LED light
• Enterprise-class security features include encryption, IPsec VPN, trusted boot and root protection

Like we said, we’ll never need a device like this, but it’s impressive to see nonetheless. We’re sure there are enterprise and business users out there that would be very interested in a machine like this. When can they get it? How about early spring 2014 with a street price starting at $2,099. 

Panasonic may not be the top household name when it comes to Windows PCs, but they have certainly carved their niche into the market with their line of Toughbook and Toughpad products. Touted as the world's most rugged PCs, the Tough series gives military and law enforcement personal a laptop they can truly work with. 

This year at CES 2014, Panasonic has announced a new Windows 8 tablet, dubbed the Toughpad FZ-M1, that is being described as "the world's thinnest and lightest fully-rugged 7 inch Windows tablet". 

The unit itself features an Intel 4th generation Core i5 processor running at 1.6 Ghz and 8 GB of SDRAM. The processor within the Toughpad is fanless to help ensure the durability of the unit. To continue the "no moving parts" trend, you can either select from a 128 GB SSD or a 256 GB SSD.  

Battery life on the unit is said to last up to 16 hours with the long life battery. The batteries themselves are not sealed in and are swappable, so you won't have to worry about running out of juice. Available along with the thicker 16 hour long life battery is a slightly smaller standard battery with up to 8 hours of power. 

While the internals are an important aspect to comment on, when it comes to the Tough series - we want to know truly how tough these units are. The FZ-M1 is said to be easily able to withstand a 5 foot drop and thanks to its special case design, can handle dust and water in extremely difficult situations. 

There is no price as of yet on the FZ-M1 tablet, but we are going to assume it isn't a unit you will be picking up unless you are currently stationed in a war zone. In the meantime, you can check out a less rugged, but probably the best Windows 8 tablet we have seen at CES 2014 thus far - the Lenovo ThinkPad 8. 

For the latest news on CES 2014, stay tuned to WPCentral.

Source: Panasonic

Sometimes size does matter, at least for Panasonic; the company has just introduced a brand new 20 inch 4K tablet running Windows 8.1. The new tablet is under the company’s Toughpad branding and is aimed at bringing a high resolution experience to professional creative types.

The Panasonic Toughpad tablet will be available with expandable RAM up to 8 GB and a solid state drive up to 256 GB. There will be two variations of the tablet, a standard model and a pro model – both will house an Intel Core i5 processor.

While the tablet is sure to be an exciting product, our wallets begin to shake and cry at the $6,000 price tag (and that’s not even the Pro model). If you want to add on the optional digitizer pen, it is going to cost you another $370.

So, will you be diving in, selling your house, and buying the new Panasonic Toughpad?

PS. Panasonic, if you send us a unit for review, please bubble wrap it (seriously, we don’t want to break it).

Source: Engadget