Gourt Home::Gourt :: Toughbook
Toughbook is the trademarked brand name owned by Matsushita Electric Industrial and marketed by their international brand name Panasonic. Toughbook refers to its line of semi-rugged and rugged laptop computers. In 2005, Panasonic added the Toughbook Arbitrator mobile digital camera and mobile digital video recorder (DVR) system to their line. Toughbooks are commonly used by public safety (police), utilities, field service, construction, and military personnel.
Overview
The notebooks are designed to withstand vibrations, drops, spills, extreme temperature, and other rough handling. Many law enforcement agencies use these laptops in their patrol cars to run computer-assisted dispatch software. Utility companies similarly dispatch field workers, print work orders, and conduct inspections and repairs using these devices. They are often connected by WiFi Wireless LAN, cellular wide area network (WAN), or via satellite to a dispatch center for real time records checks and report taking. Toughbook models 18,29, and 74 can have CDMA 1X-EVDO, EDGE, or HSPDA country-wide WAN capabilities built into the laptop. GPS is also offered internally in the Toughbook 18 and 29.
Panasonic markets the Toughbook series in several configurations ranging from semi-rugged to fully rugged and laptop or Tablet PC configurations, as well as several specialty designs. Some models, such as the lightweight W2, are rebranded versions of consumer laptops sold in Japan under the Let's Note name. Panasonic markets itself as one of the only remaining core manufacturers of laptop computers, meaning that Panasonic manufacturers most of the parts used in the laptop and assembles the laptop itself. This is opposed to the practice of outsourcing the parts and assembly to a third party manufacturer.
All models have a full or partial Magnesium alloy case which is 20 times stronger than the ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic commonly used in laptop construction. Many models have LCD panels designed specifically for visibility during daylight use. Other design elements include a shock-mounted hard drive and, on many models, a moisture and dust-resistant LCD, keyboard and touchpad. Available options include touchscreens, digitizers and illuminated keyboards. Several third-party accessories enable vehicle mounting in cars, trucks, ships and airplanes.
Use in EMS and Fire Service
Many Emergency Medical Services providers also use these books for point-of-care reporting and computer aided dispatch. The use of third-party software by Zoll, Skyscape, and other medical software providers increases efficiency of EMTs and Paramedics in the field, as well as allows rapid entry of patient data which may be passed on quickly to definitive care providers. These notebooks are preferred to other companies due to their survivability in rugged conditions, and the ease in which their metallic shells can be decontaminated in the event of contact with blood or body fluids.
Use In Vehicle
Many field forces deploy the Toughbook line with their fleet of vehicles. This requires the unit to be anchored to the vehicle for driver safety, device security, and user ergonomics. The Toughbook lines are rated for severe vibration associated with large service vehicles and off-road driving, and harsh environmental conidtions of constant professional use such as in ems, fire and public saftey.
Other elements that enables the unit to function in vehicle:
- Operating Temperature: The Toughbooks ability to operate in temperature extremes from -20F to +140F (fully rugged models 18 and 29 - based on independant study by SRI Group and by Panasonic R&D).
- Daylight, or sunlight readbility: The Toughbook have screen glare shield integrated into their screens and run at unusually high brightness that sets the brightness based on the ambient light. The 29, for example, runs at 540 Nit LCD brightness (non-touchscreen models), 500 Nit (touchscreen models) (see spec sheets listed below).
- Touchscreens: These enable users to easily interact with the units in the field without removing gloves, or being concerned about wet conditions.
Several specialized manufacturers such as Gamber Johnson and LedCo build mounts for the specific Toughbook models and for specific vehicles. The mounts are built to withstand the harsh conditions and support the specific Toughbook.
Specialized installation companies such as USAT Corp. and TouchStar Pacific specialize in architecting the mount design, assembling the proper parts, and installing them in a safe and consistent manner away from airbags, vehicle HVAC controls, and driver controls. Frequently installations will include a WAN modem, power conditioning equipment, and a WAN, WLAN, and GPS antenna mounted external to the vehicle.
Wireless WAN Capable Models (Internal)
External links
"Toughbook"