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.
Kronic
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 11:12 AM“$43799 Toughbook CF-H2 Field Tablet”
Surely it doesn’t cost quite that much?
Alex Kidman
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 11:20 AMIndeed; a typo — thanks for spotting. Fixed now.
Brave
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 11:18 AM$43799 for a tough book?
I’d prefer a car thanks.
Curtis
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 12:16 PMBit late there dude.
jeremy
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 1:00 PMI have a mate who took one of these to everest base camp to do video editing, they are seriously tough :-)
David
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 2:50 PMSold many to clients in the mining/surveying areas…they get covered in sand, mud, food, drink…
All going strong still!
Terry
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 4:05 PMI repair them for a living.
They are indeed pretty tough, but they still don’t like getting wet guys! They are NOT waterproof but they are water resistant to some extent.
The CF-19s are by far the toughest ones.
Non warranty replacement parts are ridiculously expensive though. Try maybe $500 or so just for a replacement HDD from Panasonic themselves, and about $2000 (yes 2k) for a replacement LCD panel.
yikes!