CES 2013: Panasonic Unveils Two New Ruggedized Toughpad Tablets Running Windows 8 and Android
Subject: General Tech | January 9, 2013 - 02:51 AM | Tim Verry
Tagged: CES, windows 8, toughpad, tablet, ruggedized, Panasonic, Android, ces 2013
Panasonic is continuing to branch out from ruggedized notebooks into the world of tablets, and this time around the company is releasing two new ruggedized tablets that succeed the current-generation FZ-A1. The new Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1 will run Windows 8 Pro while the JT-B1 will run Android 4.0 and use ARM hardware.
The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1 packs some respectable hardware for this type of ruggedized product. A dual core (with HyperThreading for four total threads) Intel Core i5-3437U processor running at 1.9GHz base/2.9GHz turbo, up to 8GB of RAM, and up to a 256GB SSD comprise the basic internal specifications. On the outside is a 10.1” touchscreen with active digitizer along with USB 3.0, USB 2.0, HDMI, microSDXC, RJ45, and serial ports. The FZ-G1 can also host a dedicated GPS and tap into Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular networks. The tablet is rated for various Mil-spec standards such that it can survive harsh working environments of industrial, military, public safety, et al jobs. The tablet does not come cheap though, as the ruggedized form factor comes at a high price – starting at $2,899 for the base model. Still, it is interesting to see that tablets are even being embraced in roles that ruggedized notebooks have long dominated. Notably, Panasonic has stated that it hopes to capture 50% of the ruggedized tablet market by 2015.
| Processor | Intel Core-i5 3437U @ 1.9GHz (2.9GHz turbo) |
| Memory | 4-8GB |
| Storage | 128-256GB SSD |
| Display | 10.1" touchscreen w/ active digitizer @ 1920x1200 |
| IO | Full size: USB 3.0, HDMI, micro SDXC (optional), USB 2.0, LAN, and serial port or dedicated GPS. |
| Wireless | 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, optional 4G LTE or 3G |
| Dimensions | 10.6" x 7.4" x 0.75" |
| Weight | 2.43 lbs |
| OS | Windows 8 Pro |
| Rugged | MIL-STD-810G, 4' drop, IP65, 14° to 122°F (operational temp range) |
While the FZ-G1 runs Windows and has x86-64 hardware, the Panasonic Toughpad JT-B1 is smaller and goes with ARM internals and Google’s Android mobile OS. This 7” tablet maintains the same MIL-spec ratings as its bigger sibling, but weighs half as much. The JT-B1 features a 7” touchscreen with a resolution of 1024x600, a front and rear camera, and a micro USB port on the outside. Internally, the JT-B1 tablet includes a dual core TI OMAP 4660 (similar to the SoC used in Amazon’s Kindle HD tablets) running at 1.5GHz, 1GB of RAM, 16GB ROM for storage, and Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular radios.
The Panasonic JT-B1 will run Android 4.0 and has a starting price of $1,199 making it only viable for the specialized industries that need such a ruggedized device--it is no Nexus 7 (but that’s a good thing for certain jobs).
| Processor | TI OMAP 4460 @ 1.5GHz (dual core) |
| Memory | 1GB |
| Storage | 16GB ROM |
| Display | 7" touchscreen @ 1024x600 |
| IO | Micro USB, Front 1.3MP webcam, rear 13MP autofocus camera with LED flash |
| Wireless | 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, optional 4G LTE and 3G |
| Dimensions | 8.7"x 5.1" x 0.7" |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs |
| OS | Android 4.0 |
| Rugged | MIL-STD-810G, 5' drop, IP65, 14° to 122°F (operational temp range) |
Both of the Panasonic Toughpads will be available later this year. The FZ-G1 will be available in March for $2,899 and the JT-B1 will be available in February for $1,199. You can find the full press release over at Engadget.
| Tablet | Pricing (base) | Availability |
| Panasonic FZ-G1 | $2,899 | March |
| Panasonic JT-B1 | $1,199 | February |
PC Perspective's CES 2013 coverage is sponsored by AMD.
Follow all of our coverage of the show at http://pcper.com/ces!
Storage Visions - The Panasonic DataArchiver - 108TB of Blu-Ray Archival Storage in a 6U Chassis
Subject: Storage, Shows and Expos | January 6, 2013 - 09:59 PM | Allyn Malventano
Tagged: Panasonic, ces 2013, CES, bluray
At Storage Visions I came across a clever device from Panasonic. The DataArchiver:
This is a 6U rack-mount chasses, capable of being filled with 108TB of Blu-Ray discs. Several stacks of 12-disc cartridges load into two drawers. A handler rides between the two drawers, fetching cartridges as needed, and loading the discs into the 12 installed Blu-Ray drives:
This system provides excellent long-term archival storage of Blu-Ray discs (when handled properly - as it does), and for the extra cautious, the system can even mount and access the discs as RAID-5 or 6 volumes, allowing for single or double protection from faulty discs / disc sectors. The DataArchiver also implements AES256 across all discs in the array. Certainly an interesting piece of archival technology.
PC Perspective's CES 2013 coverage is sponsored by AMD.
Follow all of our coverage of the show at http://pcper.com/ces!
Panasonic, NHK Show Off 145” 8K Plasma Television
Subject: General Tech | April 30, 2012 - 09:46 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: UHD, tv, plasma, Panasonic, nhk, 8k, ultra hdtv
Over the weekend I saw a post over at Tom’s Hardware that made my jaw drop. Panasonic and Japanese TV broadcaster NHK have managed to create a 145” plasma with an 8K resolution(!). The massive television’s 7,680 x 4,320 pixel resolution conforms to the Ultra High Definition specification.
Other specifications of the TV include an RGB vertical stripe phosphor array, 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio, and 60Hz refresh rate. Pixel pitch is .417mm horizontal and .417mm vertical. In a video demonstration by DigInfo (seen below), the companies reported that the TV uses a new method for updating the pixels that eliminates flickering. Such flicker would be caused by the TV updating the picture at 60Hz and having to update 4,320 vertical lines of pixels! Panasonic has developed a new way of driving the pixels that scans and updates multiple lines in each frame at a time.
Panasonic will be showing off the 8K plasma at the SID International Symposium from June 3 to June 8, and Institute of Technology from May 24 to May 27. Consumers have heavily invested in 1080p televisions and now 4K is starting to be common on the content side of things. This 8K resolution is a neat proof of concept but it will likely be quite a while before content creators move to recording in 8K and consumers get their hands on it. Even so, that doesn’t stop me from drooling over this TV (and dreading how much the video card that can drive such a display at native resolution will cost)!
Panasonic Launches Ruggedized ToughPad A1 and B1 Tablets
Subject: Mobile | January 10, 2012 - 11:52 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: toughpad, tablet, ruggedized, Panasonic, mobile, CES, Android
Panasonic dropped a new tablet on us at CES. Literally, they dropped the tablet on stage to show just how tough their new ruggedized ToughPad really is. The A1 and B1 ToughPad tablets are Android powered 10" and 7" tablets rated to be dust and water resistant. Both tablets are MIL-STD-810G and IP65 rated and ready to perform in very extreme work environments.
The ToughPad A1 is Panasonic's 10" Android tablet and brings some decent hardware to bear. On the outside, the ruggedized exterior and rubberized edges absorb shock and keep dust and water out. The front of the tablet includes a 10" multi-touch display with a resolution of 1024 x 768 and 500 nit brightness. The touchscreen can be used by either finger gestures or an included digitizer. Further, the front of the tablet houses a 2 megapixel front camera as well as microphone, ambient light, accelerometer, and digital compass sensors. The tablet internals include a 1.2 GHz Marvell dual core processor, 1 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal memory, Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR, and optional 3G or 4G modems. A lithium Ion battery rated at 7.4 volts, 4690 mAh is also nestled inside. A microSDHC card slot, micro USB 2.0, and micro-HDMI connector as well as a stylus holder are also present. The device runs Android 3.2 and supports TPM chips and hardware encryption. It weighs 2.1 pounds (the price of going rugged, I suppose) and has an MSRP of $1200 USD.
The B1 model is the 7" version and will be available in the fall. Exact specifications on this model are not yet known; however, expect it to follow closely in line with it's bigger sibling's dual core processor, 1 GB of RAM, ruggedized exterior, and hefty price tag.
Unfortunately, all I can think about when looking at this tablet is how the heck Panasonic expects to sell this for $1200 bucks. This is definitely not a consumer tablet and moreso something businesses will invest in for workers in harsh (to electronics anyway) environments.
PC Perspective's CES 2012 coverage is sponsored by MSI Computer.
Follow all of our coverage of the show at http://pcper.com/ces!
Panasonic Updates Toughbook 19 Tablet With New Internals
Subject: Mobile | June 10, 2011 - 04:30 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: Toughbook, tablet, Panasonic, fully-rugged
Panasonic recently announced a series of upgrades to its Toughbook 19 convertible tablet, including new Intel Sandy Bridget processors, increased RAM and hard drive space, and a brighter LCD screen. After being on the market for five years, the Toughbook 19 and its ruggedized chassis is ideal for military usage or anyone needing a portable computer that is likely to be subjected to extreme operating conditions.
As the first time Panasonic has used a standard voltage Intel CPU, the upgraded Toughbook has gained decreased boot-up time and faster overall system performance compared to its predecessors. Despite the standard voltage processor, Panasonic has been able to maintain the computer’s fan-less design which is important for reliability in harsh operating conditions such as when used around water and sand. The new model comes standard with an Intel Core i5 2520M at 2.5GHz, 4GB of RAM (upgradeable to 8GB), either the 32 or 64 bit version of Windows 7 Pro, and either a 320GB 7200 RPM hard drive or a 128GB SSD (upgradeable to 256GB).
Further, an SDXC card reader, ExpressCard slot, Intel WiFi chip supporting 802.11 b/g/n, 3G, GPS, Bluetooth, and optional 4G LTE modem that will be available later this year. Numerous security features and a dual-touch touchscreen (including stylus). The new Toughbook fits into the same chassis as the older models, enabling users to upgrade the device and continue to use it with existing expansion and vehicle docks. The LCD has also receive an upgrade. The 10.1” XGA touchscreen uses Panasonic’s TransreflectivePlus technology, which features and adjustable LED backlight as well as an internal reflective layer that uses reflected sunlight to help illuminate the screen. Panasonic claims that the screen is capable of 6000 nit of brightness.
Panasonic expects that the new Toughbooks will be available in September 2011, and will start at an estimated street price of $3,349 USD from authorized retailers. A standard three-year limited parts and labor warranty. You can read more about the new rugged convertible tablets on Panasonic’s website.
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