The Panasonic Toughbook is a rugged, heavy-duty laptop that offers high performance and protection from extreme conditions. The US military frequently employs them for fieldwork and reliability under any circumstances. Panasonic tests its Toughbooks with multiple rounds of rigorous quality checks, and are independently tested to become certified in military standards for high-demand environments.
Toughbooks Through the Generations
The earliest Toughbook model was the Toughbook CF-U1, which offered protection from drops up to 6 feet in height. This model ran Windows 7, and while the CF-U1 was a fully-rugged mobile PC, the company discontinued it in 2014 in favor of newer generations. Take a look at some of the more recent fully rugged, semi-rugged, and business-rugged Toughbooks that have been released:Toughbook CF-SX2
This model offers a business-rugged design that protects the computer from everyday business use, including 30-inch drops and a shock-mounted hard drive. It’s equipped with an i5 processor and ample RAM.Toughbook CF-C2
The CF-C2 is semi-rugged in construction and can be converted from a tablet to a laptop. It also allows a 30-inch drop on six of its sides, plus 26 different angles that can handle 12-inch drops. The keyboard resists spills of up to six ounces of liquid, and offers a lightweight design.Toughbook CF-19
This fully-rugged model also converts into a tablet, can be dropped from six feet, and resists dust and water damage. There is even availability for explosive atmosphere certification for battlefield situations. The CF-19 also has GPS capability as well as backlit keyboards, an LCD touchscreen, and fingerprint and smartcard readers.Toughbook CF-31
The latest model of the fully-rugged line of Toughbooks is the sixth generation. Not only can it survive all of the conditions the CF-19 can withstand, it also features a removable shock-mounted hard drive that is secured with locking port doors. The CF-31 runs Intel’s Core i3, i5, and i7 processor and has anywhere from 4 to 16 GB of DDR3 SDRAM. The laptop additionally has 4G LTE mobile broadband as well as satellite GPS, and backlit keyboards.High Value Return Potential
Toughbooks are an excellent investment, because in addition to their indestructible nature, they bring a healthy value return when they are recycled. The laptop’s construction provides years of life, as does its high-quality Intel Core i-Series processor. The exterior of each unit is fabricated from magnesium alloy, while the interior of most models features a shock-mounted hard drive, resistance to dust and water, plus an extensive battery life. Toughbooks even feature a carrying handle for ease of transport. Companies wanting a reliable laptop that can be used in the field and transported frequently with little risk of damage can benefit from what a Toughbook has to offer.The Bottom Line
Investing in a Toughbook is a wise business move, as is recycling older models to upgrade to the latest Toughbook and maximize the value return.
