Panasonic Toughbook Windows 8 upgrade continues push for rugged supremacy
There's no lack of high-powered ruggedness in the Panasonic Toughbook range, and when it comes to keeping up with the rest of the notebook power world, the company is making sure of Windows 8-era excellence this week. There's the Toughbook CF-31, CF-19 and CF-H2 from Panasonic's "ultra durable Fully-rugged" range and the Semi-rugged CF-53 that are getting said upgrade, it'll finally be time to really, truly be done with Windows XP.
Speaking on the end of Windows XP support by Microsoft in 2014, Panasonic suggests that this upgrade to Windows 7 and 8 will offer "smooth migration option(s) for businesses." That's not the only use for these hardcore machines, of course, with each unit aimed at unique use-cases for computer needs small and great. In addition to updating the operating systems of these notebooks, camera upgrades are in order for full video conferencing functionality.
Each of the four models mentioned will be hitting the market with a push for the next generation of convertible notebook, tablet, and all-in hardcore notebook machines immediately. Just make sure wherever you're picking one of these machines up that you're hitting the newest range – run down the specs while you're at it!
Panasonic Toughbook CF-19 (pictured above)
• Intel® Core™ i5-3340M vPro Processor
• Windows® 8 Pro
• Intel HD 4000 graphics
• Vibration and shock resistant (MIL-STD 810G)*
• Water and dust resistant (IP65, MIL-STD 810G)*
• Balanced lightweight at just 2.3kg
• Extremely bright 10.1" transflective plus LCD with Touchscreen or Dual Touch (up to 6.500cd/m2 reflective brightness) with circular polarizer
• Long battery life of up to 10 hours
• 3G mobile broadband optional (HSPA+, up to 14.4Mbps)
Panasonic Toughbook CF-31
• Intel® Core™ i5-3340M vPro Processor (Standard Model)
• Intel® Core™ i5-3380M vPro Processor (Performance Model)
• Windows® 8 Pro
• Intel HD 4000 graphics (Standard Model), AMD® Radeon™ HD 7750M (Performance Model)
• Vibration and shock resistant (MIL-STD 810G)*
• Water and dust resistant (IP65, MIL-STD 810G)*
• 13.1" high brightness outdoor display (up to 1.200cd/m²) with circular polarizer
• Up to 14.5 hours battery life (Standard Model, 12 hours Performance Model)
• 3G mobile broadband optional (HSPA+, up to 14.4Mbps)
• Backwards compatible with CF-30 docking stations and Car Mounter Kit**
• High flexibility and connectivity through new configuration such as second LAN, camera or GPS
Panasonic Toughbook CF-53
• Intel® Core™ i5-3340M vPro Processor
• Windows® 8 Pro
• Intel HD 4000 graphics
• 14" HD display
• Integrated DVD Super Multi Drive
• Up to 11 hours battery life
• High capacity "road warrior" Battery optional
• 3G mobile broadband optional (HSPA+, up to 14.4Mbps)
• Dedicated GPS Module optional
• RFID Module optional
• 2nd LAN, Firewire or Modem optional
• Robust magnesium alloy display case
• Shock-protected HDD
• Low temperature HDD optional
• Withstands drops from a height of 76cm***
Panasonic Toughbook CF-H2
• Intel® Core™ i5-3437U vPro processor
• Windows® 8 Pro
• Intel HD 4000 graphics
• Vibration and shock resistant (MIL-STD 810G, Field Model)*
• Water and dust resistant (IP65, MIL-STD 810G)*
• Easy to clean/disinfect and meets Hospital Safety Certifications (Health Model)****
• Extremely bright 10.1" transflective plus LCD with Dual Touch (up to 6.500cd/m2 reflective brightness) and circular polarizer
• Lightweight form factor – weighing only 1.58kg
• Dual hot swappable batteries providing up to 7 hours battery life
• USB 3.0 SuperSpeed, LAN and Serial Port (depends on model)
• Integrated Barcode Reader optional
• Smartcard Reader optional
• Camera, GPS or RFID optional
SlashGear also recently had some hands-on time with the back-breaking Panasonic Toughbook CF-AX2 if you'd like to take a look. This machine was revealed well within the bounds of this same future-ready range of Windows 8 machines so doesn't fall under this reboot schedule – it's already prepped!
The same goes for the Panasonic Toughbook CF-C2, a display-turning transformable notebook ready to bring on both tablet and notebook abilities in a hardcore form. And for those of you that want to say small and don't necessarily feel the need to move forward with Windows 8, there's always the Panasonic Toughbook SX2 from back in 2012 – always room for a strange trackpad or two!