Panasonic, Dell, Getac Rugged Laptops Can Take a Beating

by Nathan Eddy

The latest model in the company’s line of Toughbooks is available with discrete graphics, dual drives, up to 16GB of memory, and a 1080p full HD display and Webcam. It comes in four models and has a variety of optional features, such as smart card readers and fingerprint identification. A case made of magnesium alloy contributes to its durability without adding significant weight.

The Toughbook product line is used in a wide range of industries, from government to private enterprise. Mungiello said the semi-rugged models, including the Toughbook 54, are frequently used in video production, insurance, utilities, construction, field service, public safety and government. He said semi-rugged devices are an ideal compromise for customers who are looking for something that is more durable than a standard consumer laptop, but less reinforced and more affordable than a fully rugged model.

The Toughbook 54 incorporates some of the latest technology, including the 5th generation Intel Core i5 processor, which allows users to increase battery life as well as boost processing power—an optional hot-swappable second battery boosts battery life to 18 hours from 11, and for more storage and convenient backups, the notebook is the first Panasonic notebook to offer optional dual drives, a 128GB or 256GB SSD with heaters.

Connectivity options include three USB 3.0 ports, Bluetooth 4.0, Intel WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, an optional 4G LTE multicarrier wireless broadband with satellite GPS, and optional dedicated GPS (u-blox) and antenna pass through. Additional options include a DVD drive, true serial port, VGA, PC Card, 2nd LAN and a rugged Fischer USB port. Intel Wireless Display (WiDi) allows secure presenting without the need for video cables on displays that either have WiDi built in or have an adapter plugged in.

The Toughbook runs Windows 8.1 Pro Update 64-bit or Windows 7 Professional, which is available through downgrade rights from Windows 8.1 Pro. Standard on all models except for the Lite model, an emissive backlit keyboard offers four levels of brightness for users to adjust their keyboard brightness setting from a soft light to a warm glow for typing at night or in darkened settings.

Thanks to its rigid magnesium alloy backbone and shock-absorbent ultra-polymer materials, the Latitude 14 rugged notebook can take a beating, and it’s built to last in extreme temperatures with fourth-generation QuadCool thermal management. The Direct-View outdoor-readable display is designed to reduce reflections, preserve contrast and conserve battery life.

Not every rugged laptop needs to withstand extreme temperatures or dangerous environments, but they still need to hold up against destructive forces—namely, children. Designed with schoolyard durability in mind, this notebook features a liquid-resistant keyboard, and the latest model has been upgraded with an anti-glare Corning Gorilla Glass NBT display with optional touch-screen capabilities, as well as rubberized trim to protect the Chromebook 11 from bumps and bruises.

The Bobcat is the latest in Xplore’s family of fully rugged tablets, featuring an array of integrated options, carrying an MIL-STD-810G rating and running Windows 8.1 Pro. The tablet features a vehicle docking option with a quick release latching system, while raised corner bumpers and an optional Armortech screen guard protect the display, which is outdoor viewable thanks to anti-reflective glass.

Panasonic’s Toughpad FZ-R1 is a Windows 8.1 tablet computer that incorporates a Europay, MasterCard and Visa (EMV) reader for secure payments, purpose-built to accept most electronic payments. The magnetic stripe reader has encryption at the point of swipe, while the built-in chip and PIN addresses changing payment card technology and increases payment security. A Kensington lock slot and Computrace physically secure the tablet.

The X500 ultra rugged notebook is equipped with the latest generation Intel Core i5-4300M or Core i7-4600M processor, and provides two separate gigabit Ethernet ports, two RS232 serial ports, four USB ports, Express Card and PCMIA expansion slots, and both VGA and HDMI video output ports. Ninety percent manufactured from metal, rubber and plastic materials, the X500 has passed standard fungus testing, is dust and water resistant, and can withstand drops and shocks.