Why the Panasonic Toughbook

There is a lot to consider when buying a laptop computer. This is especially true when that laptop is for use in harsh and mission critical applications.  Mobile law enforcement and other emergency response units such as ambulance services and fire departments are examples of such applications. The considerations for selecting a laptop in this category need to include: Resistance to shock spills and dust to name a few. This article will briefly discuss how the Panasonic Toughbook responds. We at Bob Johnson’s have found the Panasonic Toughbook to be the clear leader in this class of laptop, and that is why we have sold the Toughbook line for over twelve years.

It's unavoidable that notebooks used by mobile law enforcement and other professionals bounce around in cars and get knocked about. With a traditional laptop that is devoid of several ruggedized features, the prognosis for your notebook could be fatal in a harsh environment. This could be disastrous to the effectiveness of the response team and worse for the civilian in need.  The Engineers at Panasonic understand that police and emergency response personal are continuously driving under challenging road conditions. Their laptop rides with them through it all...bumps, bounces, everyday wear and tear. If the notebook cannot withstand the necessary rigors of an in-vehicle operation, the response team will not be able to efficiently and effectively do the their job the way it should be done. The vibration inherent in moving vehicles can wreak havoc on average notebooks. Through rigorous testing, Panasonic confirmed and can demonstrate that the Toughbook series of laptops proves to be most capable of operating successfully under these conditions.

It is essential that computer design meets the challenges facing mobile workers and addresses the "hidden cost of mobility." It is not uncommon that a beverage is going to be bumped and spilt on the keyboard of a laptop in a vehicle. The results of this could be catastrophic, unless the keyboard, ports and internal circuitry have been designed to resist such hazards. It's unavoidable. Laptops in the field get caught in the rain and accidentally dowsed with coffee just like you do. Certain Toughbook models feature spill-resistant keyboards and touch pads for protection against potential damage from the spills and splashes that are common to mobile computing environments. Standard to the Toughbook CF-19 and th CF-30 is protection against these situations.

In the course of an emergency response team’s work, or even on a routine call, dust, smoke, and various other forms of dirt are likely to be floating through the air. If the laptop’s case, card slots, ports and hinges are not sealed and designed to resist these conditions, vital information may not be accessed or recorded in a timely fashion. Dust and dirt are ubiquitous in the field and have a way of invading the exposed areas of laptops, potentially slowing key functions and damaging components. Panasonic took the typical design and engineering a step further ensuring dust- resistance by making the Toughbook the ultimate laptop for use in harsh field conditions.
A drop, a crunch or a bang can result in a cracked or broken LCD. On top of the time and cost of repair, respondent to an emergency or other call could be unable to use of the laptop for critical information and reporting. Every Toughbook features a full or partial magnesium case to assure superior resistance to incidents like bumps, drops and knocks. Protection against these events is standard to the Toughbook CF-19 and CF-30.

Each Panasonic Toughbook is designed and manufactured to meet a level of durability matched to an intended work environment. The full Toughbook line covers the ruggedized includes models with selected durability features. At the very least, each Toughbook features a magnesium alloy LCD case which is twenty times stronger than ABS plastic, protecting this critical and expensive-to-replace component. Other models include full magnesium cases to protect all system components. Hard disk drives are equipped with various degrees of shock insulation to protect mission-critical data from the dangers of shocks, bumps and drops.

At  Bob Johnson’s Computer Stuff, we will help you understand which Toughbook is the right choice for your particular requirements. The rugged Toughbook line has been designed using MIL-STD-810F test procedures to measure levels of environmental reliability. Created by the U.S. government, the MIL-STD-810F specifications cover a broad range of tests that measure the durability of equipment used under harsh conditions. From the MIL-STD-810F test menu, Panasonic selected those that most closely reflect the challenges that mobile professionals face in the field, on the road, and in the office. These tests include drop, shock, moisture, dust and vibration-resistance, along with exposure to extremely low and high temperatures.  We found some great information that includes videos showing some of the great features of the ruggedized laptops.

Contact us today at Bob Johnson’s Computer Stuff to discuss your needs. We are certain that we can help you select the best ruggedized laptop (Toughbook) for your application.