Most laptops would prefer you treat them like fragile little rectangles. Panasonic’s newest TOUGHBOOKs apparently did not get that memo. The company has launched the TOUGHBOOK 34 and TOUGHBOOK G3, two fully rugged 2-in-1 computers designed for people working in conditions in which a normal laptop might have a very bad day. Can you imagine a laptop surviving drops of up to 6 feet? This one can, when used in tablet mode.
These laptops are built for rough jobs
The new TOUGHBOOKs are aimed at workers in public safety, utilities, federal agencies, warehouses, automotive services, and other environments where computers are expected to deal with more than a desk and a coffee cup. The TOUGHBOOK 34 meets IP66 standards, while the G3 is currently certified to IP65 with IP66 testing in progress. Both are tested to MIL-STD-810H/461G standards and can operate in temperatures ranging from 14°F to 122°F.
Of the two, the TOUGHBOOK 34 is the larger option, with a 12.4-inch FHD+ display rated at 1,000 nits. The smaller TOUGHBOOK G3 has a 10.1-inch WUXGA screen and is designed for workers who need something easier to carry around. Both use Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and support touch and pen input.
The six-foot drop feature and more
The devices can withstand a 5-foot drop with the keyboard attached and up to 6 feet in tablet mode. The TOUGHBOOK 34 also gets an auto-detect touchscreen that can recognize fingers or gloved hands, which makes sense for workers who are not exactly sitting at a clean desk all day.
There is also a choice of hot-swappable batteries, with the G3 offering battery configurations ranging from 35Wh to 99Wh. According to Panasonic, the G3 can reach up to 23 hours with its largest battery.
Some serious hardware inside too
Under all that armor, these surely aren’t ancient industrial computers. The TOUGHBOOK 34 uses an Intel Core Ultra 5 335H, while the G3 can be configured with an Intel Core Ultra X7 368H. Both can be configured with up to 64GB of RAM and up to 2TB of storage.
Connectivity is equally loaded, with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 and 5G options, including support for networks such as Verizon, AT&T, FirstNet, and T-Mobile. The devices also have optional GPS, a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 5.2-megapixel IR front camera.
The rugged stuff with a purpose
The TOUGHBOOKs aren’t designed to impress people who just want a laptop for Netflix. A utility worker could use one to manage repairs and inspect equipment in the field. A police or emergency response team could use it for dispatch and incident information. Warehouse workers can use optional barcode and RFID capabilities for inventory.
The computers can also serve as diagnostic hubs for automotive technicians, while federal and government users can deploy them for field operations and even unmanned-system control.
The TOUGHBOOK 34 has four modular expansion areas, while the G3 has two. That lets organizations configure ports and other hardware around specific jobs instead of buying a completely different computer for every workflow.
The security pitch
Panasonic is also pitching these machines heavily on security. Both support features including TPM, OPAL SSDs, and optional smart-card and fingerprint authentication. The TOUGHBOOK 34 also has a quick-release SSD designed to help with data isolation.
The devices support Windows 11 Pro or Windows IoT, while the TOUGHBOOK 34 is certified for Red Hat Device Edge. Certification for the G3 is still in progress.