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The new Panasonic Toughbook C1: lighter, faster, tougher (VIDEO)

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Panasonic has refreshed their Toughbook Tablet PC line with the C1, which they claim is the world’s lightest 12.1″ convertible Tablet PC at 3.2 pounds, yet it remains tough enough to be called a “Toughbook”. On top of that, it packs an Intel Core i5 2.4GHz processor and optional multi-touch screen that works with gloved hands, perfect for field workers.

Full press release is below and Xavier will have a video of it in action soon has video of it in action. Hot specs include two digitizer options: multi-touch + active pen digitizer or gloved multi-touch for those people who get their hands dirty for a living. Both run under a 12.1″ WXGA 1280 x 800 display with LED backlight and anti-glare treatment.

Mobile power is via twin hot-swappable batteries, offering up to 5 hours of battery life each (second battery adds half a pound to the weight). Wireless connectivity includes 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 and optional Gobi2000 mobile broadband to be certified for Sprint and Verizon. And of course, it is tough, tough, tough. All that ain’t cheap, pricing starts at $2499, but you only have to drop a notebook once to appreciate the value of rugged design. Full specs after the video.

PANASONIC INTRODUCES THE TOUGHBOOK® C1 – WORLD’S LIGHTEST 12.1” CONVERTIBLE TABLET PC

Innovative design and exceptional performance ideal for professionals in healthcare and other highly mobile markets

Secaucus, NJ, March 2, 2010 – Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, manufacturer of durable, reliable Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computers, today introduced the Panasonic Toughbook C1, the world’s lightest 12.1” convertible tablet PC. The new device delivers up to 10 hours of battery life, a 30” (to base) drop rating, optional Gobi2000 mobile broadband and a host of other features designed to maximize return on investment and reduce the total cost of ownership. Powered by the Intel® Core™ i5 processor and weighing only 3.2 pounds with one battery (3.7 lbs with two), the Toughbook C1 offers desktop-class performance in a lightweight, convertible tablet form factor that is ideal for road warriors and mobile workers in a variety of markets, including healthcare, field service, sales and education.

Innovative Design

The Toughbook C1 is one of the first laptops to support multi-touch and digitizers, offering the input of a finger, gesture or an electronic stylus pen for handwriting recognition and greater precision. By leveraging Panasonic’s advanced battery technology, the Toughbook C1 delivers up to ten hours of battery life, enabled by a twin hot-swappable battery design that allows for continuous use, pushing productivity in the field to a new level. The Toughbook C1 also features a shock-mounted, flex-connect 250GB hard drive with quick-release for enhanced data protection.

The Toughbook C1 is the first convertible to employ a unique triple hinge design – one set of hinges for opening and closing the screen and another hinge for rotating the screen to tablet mode. The Toughbook C1’s triple hinge design significantly reduces hinge failures (a common problem with current generation convertible tablets) by separating the two actions normally required of a single hinge. Toughbook C1 also offers an ergonomic strap and dome hand support system that cradles the hand for comfortable long term use as well as providing a natural keyboard tilt.

Meets Needs of Medical Professionals

“One of the main markets for the Toughbook C1 is healthcare,” said Greg Davidson, healthcare senior business development manager, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. “We have been working with our healthcare customers to design a convertible tablet that truly addressed their needs. To date, the market has been making do with tablets that fail to offer the light weight, ergonomics and battery life needed by healthcare professionals. We believe the new Toughbook C1 addresses all these issues, while offering the additional benefits of excellent performance and durability.”

Desktop Performance

The Toughbook C1 is powered by the Intel® Core™ i5 (2.4GHz) processor, giving the device desktop performance in a light weight and highly mobile form factor.

“The Toughbook C1 is an example of a convertible tablet PC that has been designed for a mobile workforce,” said Erik Reid, mobile client marketing director, Intel Corporation. “Intel® Core™ i5 with Intel® vPro™ technology makes the Toughbook C1 more valuable by helping to address remote management and security issues. This creates a compelling solution for organizations that want the most out of their mobile employees.”

Real World Durability

In order to withstand the demands of a highly mobile work environment, The Toughbook C1 has been designed to endure drops, bumps and spills. The Toughbook C1 successfully survived drops of 12” from any angle for the unit itself and from 30” for the shock-mounted, flex-connect hard drive. Additionally, the Toughbook C1 survived a 30” (just over the typical height of a desk or table) drop to the base of the unit while operating. The unique Panasonic spill-resistant keyboard design protects against liquid spills of about 6 ounces (200 cc), and both the lid and base of the notebook are designed to withstand more than 225 lbs (102 Kg) of pressure. In addition, Panasonic’s commitment to quality—at both the component and finished goods level—results in a total of more than 500 checks and tests during and after production. “An exceptional level of engineering has gone into the Toughbook C1,” said Kyp Walls, director of product management, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. “The unique triple hinge design, the hotswappable twin batteries, integrated hand strap and quick-release hard drive exemplify our commitment to go beyond ‘good-enough’ and delivering products that map to how our customers use them. The Toughbook C1 sets the standard for what an enterprise convertible tablet should be.”

Embedded Wireless Connectivity

The Toughbook C1 offers a variety of embedded wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth® 2.1 and optional Gobi2000 mobile broadband technology from Qualcomm. Gobi simplifies complex multi-carrier wireless deployments for IT departments and allows mobile employees improved connectivity options while traveling at home or abroad. The Toughbook C1 is also designed so Wi-Fi, WiMAX and 3G mobile broadband modules can be embedded in the same unit, while allowing exceptional reception and flexibility for data access on the go. The Toughbook C1 will be certified on the Sprint and Verizon Wireless networks, allowing workers to stay connected at all times. Other wireless carrier certifications will be announced soon.

Integrated Features

To enable advanced communication and collaboration, the Toughbook C1 offers integrated features, such as an optional webcam for mobile video conferencing and a standard built-in dual array microphone for superior speech recognition. Multiple security features are also available, including options for SmartCard and fingerprint readers, to ensure sensitive data is kept secure and private.

Panasonic Toughbook® C1: Select Features and Specifications

  • Genuine Windows 7® (with XP downgrade option)
  • Intel® Core™ i5-520 processor (2.4GHz)
  • 250GB shock-mounted flex-connect hard drive with quick-release
  • 2GB RAM (DDR3-800), expandable to 6GB
  • Choice of two 12.1” WXGA (1280 x 800) displays with LED backlighting
    • Multi-touch + digitizer screen allowing input via finger, gestures and electronic stylus pen
    • Gloved multi-touch screen allowing input via finger and gestures (available Fall 2010)
  • Anti-glare screen treatment
  • 6 backlit tablet buttons (5 user-definable)
  • Hot-swappable twin batteries
    • 5 hour battery life (with one battery); 10 hour battery life (with two batteries)
    • 3.2 lbs (with one battery); 3.7 lbs (with two batteries)
  • Optional webcam
  • Built-in dual array microphone
  • Business-rugged
    • 30″ operating drop (to base only)
    • 26 sides 12” drop (non-operating)
    • 225 lb pressurized vibration
    • Magnesium alloy case
    • Spill-resistant keyboard (protects against 6 ounces spills)
    • Triple hinge design with screen rotation lock
    • Ergonomic strap and dome hand support
  • Embedded Connectivity
    • Optional integrated WWAN / Gobi2000™ mobile broadband (EV-DO and HSPA)
    • Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 802.11a/b/g/n
    • Bluetooth® v2.1 + EDR (class 2)
  • Security Features:
    • Fingerprint reader
    • SmartCard reader
  • 11.8” (H) x 8.9” (W) x 1.2-1.7” (D)
  • Optional desktop dock with DVD multi-drive
  • Optional 4-bay battery charger

Pricing and Availability

The Panasonic Toughbook C1 will be available worldwide starting June 2010. In the United States, the Toughbook C1 is expected to be available at an estimated street price of $2499 from authorized Panasonic resellers and distributors. The Toughbook C1 includes a standard three-year limited warranty.

Follow the Toughbook Brand

The Panasonic Toughbook brand can be followed on various social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr and Toughbloggers.com.

8 Comments

8 Comments

  1. Stuart

    03/02/2010 at 9:26 am

    Finally a real convertible tablet. It might not be as pretty as some might want, but toughbooks are reliable and this one has all the features anyone could ask for. And not that much more expensive than the HP and Lenovo tablets.

    • Brett Gilbertson

      03/03/2010 at 8:15 pm

      From this information the C1 looks to be at about the same level of ruggedness as the HP 2730p (and probably the 2740p) and the Lenovo X200t / X201t. I beleive tha they both have 3 foot drop test ratings and spill proof keyboards too. Think the new HP and Lenovo will have better specs though.

      It is interesting to see panasonic entering this market. They seem to love that handle! I find it annoying (especially if you try and work in portrait). Other than that I think this is an interesting Tablet PC.

  2. Shogmaster

    03/02/2010 at 12:53 pm

    Ladies and gentlemen, my dream tablet has arrived. Excused me while I go out and buy some lotto tickets…

  3. JimInSF

    03/02/2010 at 10:14 pm

    I’d buy this right now if it were being sold before June!

  4. double-o-don

    03/03/2010 at 7:25 pm

    1280 x 800 ….. arghhhh.

    Any resolution you want…. as long as its 1280 x 800….

    So close to a great machine….

  5. Vend1a

    03/06/2010 at 4:20 pm

    @Brett Gilbertson

    Panasonic have not entered the market just recently. google it and you’ll see.

    With best regards.
    V

  6. Mike Reilly

    03/08/2010 at 10:21 pm

    The Panasonic C1 has a lot of what I need. I like the handle and the weight is tolerable. They fell down, though, by not including a camera. It has a webcam, but it also needs a camera on the opposite side, like the Motion C5/F5, where you can hold it up, see the image on screen, and take a picture of something (in my case building construction, sites, etc.).
    Mike Reilly, Architect

  7. Katie Sutton

    07/14/2013 at 6:52 pm

    I wonder how they can do these kind of gadgets. Panasonic toughbooks are really great. :)

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