Panasonic Toughpad Tablets Can Take a Beating

by Nathan Eddy

The Toughpad FZ-E1 is powered by the Windows Embedded 8.1 Handheld operating system. This operating system is focused on usage by enterprise customers, while offering the manageability, security and multitouch experience found on Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8.1.

The ToughPad FZ-X1 runs the Google Android 4.2.2 operating system, and Panasonic said it will provide the necessary application programming interface (API) and plug-in specs for the unique functions of the device that are not integrated in the operating systems. The Toughpad FZ-X1 supports the standard mobile device management (MDM) API, and the Toughpad FZ-E1supports the Microsoft MDM client.

Both the Toughpad FZ-E1 and FZ-X1 offer options for telephony, data broadband and WiFi-only connectivity. Standard on both models are WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, near-field communications (NFC), stand-alone GPS and Bluetooth 4.0.

The tablets carry an operating temperature range of -4°F to 140°F thanks to a built-in heater, and are also tested for resistance to impact, shock, vibration, altitude and extreme humidity. Both devices are fully sealed against dust and are submersible in up to 5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes, meeting IP65 and IP68 certification requirements.

Glove-touch and rain-sensing features are included on the high-sensitivity, 10-point capacitive multitouch display. The tablets also boast an optional integrated 1D/2D barcode reader, an optional attachable magnetic stripe card reader and an expansion area for peripheral connectivity.

Both tablets include intelligent noise canceling and dual-front speakers that reach an impressive volume of 100 decibels, important for workers in noisy field conditions. They also both boast fully rugged designs that go beyond MIL-STD-810G criteria—including resistance to drops of up to 10 feet to concrete.

A quick-charging feature allows for a 50 percent charge in just one hour, and—thanks to hot-swap functionality—a depleted battery can be swapped out for a fresh one without powering down the device. This allows professionals in the field to continue working without worrying about losing data or time because they have to power down to swap out the battery.

In addition to the 14-hour hot-swappable batteries, FIPS 140-2 Level 1 security and sunlight-readable HD touch screens, the tablets are supported by an ecosystem of accessories such as holsters, vehicle mounts and chargers, and vertical-market-specific application solutions from a wide variety of vendors. These features make the tablets well-suited for working professionals who might be bouncing down a dirt road or hanging from the side of a telephone pole.

Other features include an 8-megapixel rear camera with auto-focus and LED light, and a 1.3MP front camera. Plus, the Toughpad FZ-E1 sports a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 series 2.3GHz quad-core processor, while the FZ-X1 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 series 1.7GHz quad-core chip.

All Toughpad devices can be purchased through authorized Panasonic resellers, and both tablets are backed by a comprehensive three-year warranty and U.S.-based customer support. Push-to-talk service will be available on specific networks and depending on service contracts.