There isn’t a mass product that is special for those working in harsh environments where additional protection is required upon contact with water and dust. The Toughpad from Panasonic is a tablet that does meet those requirements thought and here we delve into just how good it is.
1. Overview
With a diagonal of 10 inches, the Toughpad FZ-A1 is ideal for those working in special conditions such as aviation, construction or public safety. The series will be supported by an ecosystem that includes a wide range of professional accessories, such as those fitted to vehicles or ergonomic holster for hands-free. Panasonic and its partners may offer professional services such as project management, imaging and assembly.
In the second half of 2012, Panasonic will enrich the Toughpad series with a new model of 7-inch tablet.
“Consumers have, for some time, the existence of tablets but without being able to use the premises for work due to the fundamental limitations of design. Now, users in rural business and industry can benefit from the ease of use and portability of a tablet. Toughpad powerful Toughbook computers taken from experience, experience that we have developed since 1996 and we channeled to design a tablet.” Explained Hiroaki Sakamoto, Managing Director, Panasonic Computer Products Europe.
2. Features
The new Toughpad family is such that to have the same durability standards as Panasonic Toughbook series of laptops. The Toughpad FZ-A1 has a rating of MIL-STD-810G for distances of 120cm drop and protection against dust and water included. Also Toughpad FZ-A1 is resistant on extreme temperature. This allows the use of the tablet in almost any situation. Toughpad FZ-A1 has, in addition to ordinary CPU and a dedicated security processor, powerful and reliable. Its CPU allows data encryption and security programs, VPN improved management for authentication and secure boot. Enhanced level of security means that the security of the Toughpad system will be under FIPS 140-2 level 2. Toughpad FZ-A1 is equipped with Bluetooth® v2.1 + EDR, 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, GPS and optional 3G connection, offering download speeds of up to 21Mb/s. Here you can use a great way to have portable internet by connecting your tablet with a phone that allows tethering and comes with a decent data allowance or by inserting an Internet SIM only deal into the built-in SIM card slot.
The new tablet has a high brightness, 10.1″ XGA, multi-touch and anti-reflective screen. Workers in areas such as procurement, logistics, utilities and the military can easily read the documents and data they need and can use the device even in bright sunlight. Toughpad FZ-A1 includes an active digitizer that records the pressure, direction and speed, together with the signature, so signing a legal document will have a higher value. You can also ease your work by adding a best SIM.
3. Autonomy
The model has a range of 10 hours and the battery can be replaced. (Panasonic recommends the battery to be replaced by the IT support team). As a world leader that makes durable mobile computers, the Toughpad benefits from advanced accessories, including:
- Ergonomic support and bags daily use.
- Powerful System load.
- Chargers with multiple outputs, multiple Toughpad tablets can be loaded simultaneously.
- Solutions for mounting on vehicles.
- Office support.
4. Services
Panasonic offers the Toughpad customers a wide range of professional services including project management, imaging and assembly.
Toughpad FZ-A1 will be available in spring 2012 at an estimated retail price of €850 + VAT for the standard model and €999 + VAT for 3G. The Toughpad model comes with a guarantee of 3 years.
Costea is working for a website that offers one of the best SIM contracts. He often writes about the latest gadget news.