Gaming laptops let you stage virtual fights or mount epic fantasy adventures, but good luck straying far from a power outlet (or into an actual punishing desert sandstorm) with one.
For such IRL quests, what you need instead is a fully rugged, modular 2-in-1 detachable laptop like the Toughbook G2 that Panasonic unveiled today. This first-of-its-kind machine adapts user-swappable components from previous Toughbook designs, including the Toughbook 55, into a tablet form factor.
The resulting product, Panasonic says, is the ultimate in “mobility for mission-critical enterprise customers.” The Toughbook G2 is designed for settings in which a conventional rugged laptop is too big, like in a forward tactical operations center, but where you still need a decently sized screen and an external keyboard. To that end, the Toughbook G2 looks vaguely familiar to anyone who has used a Microsoft Surface Pro tablet. It runs Windows, and the main portion consists primarily of a 10.1-inch touch screen you can tap with your fingers or draw on with a digital stylus. But connect the Toughbook G2 to the optional keyboard with its proprietary 24-pin docking connector, and the tablet is transformed into a laptop that can withstand punishing outdoor conditions.
Swap the Thermal Camera for a Barcode Scanner
Panasonic has made rugged Toughbook tablets running Windows and Android before, including the second-generation Toughbook 33 launched earlier this year. But what sets the Toughbook G2 apart from the rest is the fact that users can easily customize its physical capabilities on the fly while they’re in the field.
Using a design similar to Apple’s MagSafe accessories for the iPhone 12, you can swap attachments to create one of 36 different configurations using two expansion bays on the back of the Toughbook G2. Unlike on the iPhone, the G2 attachments are held securely into place with screws and locking connectors. Among the highlights are a barcode scanner (which Panasonic has offered before) and a thermal imaging camera (the Flir Lepton 3.5, which is new for the Toughbook G2).
In addition to military operation centers, Panasonic also sees the Toughbook G2 as ideal for aircraft mechanics, who can quickly scan a problem part and diagnose how to fix it once they’re back at their desks to make use of the Gigabit LAN adapter.
Will Its Battery Last? Can You Afford It?
One of the main downsides to any Windows tablet, ruggedized or not, is that its small chassis typically has less room for a battery than a conventional laptop does. This often translates into disappointing battery life. Panasonic claims that the Toughbook G2 can last up to 18.5 hours on a single charge, which rivals the battery life of some of the longest-lasting laptops PC Labs has tested.
If you need even more battery life, the Toughbook G2 can be fitted with an optional bridge battery that enables hot-swapping of the main battery for continuous use. We'll be sure to test these claims when we get a Toughbook G2 unit in for review.
The optional battery and other components are likely to be quite pricey, and that’s not even taking into account the high prices of the Toughbook G2 by itself. Panasonic, which markets Toughbooks mainly to commercial and government customers, lists the G2’s starting retail price at $3,000, for a version with an Intel Core i5. We expect that a reasonably well-equipped model, with a Core i7 processor, a keyboard, and several swap-in modules, will cost at least $5,000.
Panasonic's Toughbook G2 Is a Windows 10 Tablet for the Actual Battlefield - PCMag India
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