Panasonic’s Toughbooks are the Volvos of the laptop computing world. They’re boxy, but they’re good, especially if you need a laptop that can take a Rocky-style beating. Panasonic’s just launched six new models in the local market.
You could never call these things beautiful, except perhaps in jest. But having drowned a notebook in a cup of tea, I can appreciate why they’re a necessary evil; human beings are clumsy. The new models encompass three “business rugged” laptops — the $2199 desktop replacement Toughbook CF-53, $2349 mobile Toughbook S10 and the $3299 Tablet Toughbook CF-C1 Mk2. That’s at the top of the pricing spectrum for most notebook buyers, but if you’re working in truly appalling (from a technology perspective) conditions, then the fully rugged models will make even more of a dent in your wallet. There’s the $3799 Toughbook CF-H2 Field Tablet, the $5499 Toughbook CF-19 Mk5 Tablet and the $6099 Toughbook CF-31 Mk2. That’s a lot of dough for a laptop, albeit a near-indestructible laptop.