Toughbook

Panasonic Drops ‘Toughbook’ Android Tablet, Which Doesn’t Break

Dubbed the Toughbook tablet, Panasonic’s Android slate caters to those prone to excess dropping, be it electronics or otherwise. The Toughbook joins the company’s line of durable, impact-resistant devices. Panasonic’s Toughbook product line has been around since 1993, touting a device portfolio comprised mostly of notebooks and slate-shaped PCs. The rugged devices come encased in high-impact plastics normally reserved for items that expect to take a beating, like car bumpers and bicycle helmets.

As 2011 has seen countless Android tablet debuts, manufacturers must fight to differentiate. Motorola’s Xoom tablet launched in February as the flagship device for Android 3.0 (Honeycomb). HTC’s Flyer tablet recently dropped, with the company heavily hyping the accompanying stylus pen to make the tablet unique. The Toughbook has a better chance of standing out in the crowded field, however, as the heavy-duty construction may appeal to the roughnecked crowd. Think: geologists in the field, or perhaps an emergency room doc.

 

Like Samsung’s recent Galaxy Tab revamp, the Toughbook comes with a 10.1-inch screen. The display differs from many existing Android tablets, however; Instead of a glossy TFT screen, the Toughbook tablet features a matte-finished XGA display, which the company claims is easier to read in outdoor, high-brightness settings.

Although further details are scant at the moment, we know the Toughbook will come with a stylus (like the Flyer), as well as optional 3G and 4G versions. We aren’t sure what version of the Android operating system the tablet will run, but press photos suggest it isn’t Honeycomb. Mum’s the word on pricing, but you should expect to see the Toughbook tablet come Christmas time. Rest assured we eagerly await getting our hands on one for demolition testing.