Panasonic adds Windows 8, Android tablets to Toughpad range
updated 04:29 pm EST, Wed January 9, 2013
Protected 10.1-inch slate joined by 7-inch Android tablet
Panasonic has updated its Toughpad range of tablets with a pair of ruggedized offerings. The Toughpad FZ-G1, aimed at outdoor and vehicle-based users, is the company's first to run Windows 8 Pro, while the Toughpad JT-B1 is a heavily protected 7-inch Android tablet for use by mobile workers in public-facing and heavy-duty industries.
The 10.1-inch FZ-G1 has two-way touch input, via 10-point multitouch or by an active stylus, and a 1920x1200-resolution screen coated with an anti-reflective layer. Processing is provided by a third-generation Intel Core i5 processor running at 1.9GHz, 4GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD for storage upgradable to 256GB. A 720p front-facing webcam and 3-megapixel rear camera with double flash, USB 2.0 ports, MicroSD, True Serial port, Ethernet, GPS, HDMI connection, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi are also built into the slate, which is said to be able to run for 16 hours from one charge. It is also capable of surviving four-foot drops and received an IP65 protection rating for resistance to dust and water.
The JT-B1 uses a Texas Instruments OMAP 4460 dual-core processor running at 1.5GHz, with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of flash storage. The 1024x600 7-inch screen offers four-point multitouch, and an ambient light sensor for automatic brightness adjustments. The rear 13-megapixel camera with autofocus and LED light is complimented by a 1.3-megapixel front-facing webcam, while connectivity options include Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, NFC, and is able to access a 3G phone network. The tablet has also received an IP65 ingress protection rating for water and dust resistance, can survive drops from a height of five feet, and could be used in temperatures ranging from -148 Fahrenheit to 932 Fahrenheit.
Both are confirmed to go on sale globally in the coming months. Current prices in the United Kingdom place the Toughpad FZ-G1 at £1,600 ($$2,560), the 3G version of the JT-B1 at £700 ($1,100) and the standard Wi-Fi model for £600 ($960).
