Panasonic Shows Off Windows 10, Android Toughpad Tablets

The new Toughpad FZ series handheld tablets feature 4.7-inch HD displays and are water-resistant and ruggedized for business users.

Both the Toughpad FZ-F1 (pictured on left) and the Toughpad FZ-N1 machines include quad-core Qualcomm MSM8974AB 2.3GHz processors, 2GB of memory, 16GB of eMMC storage and an SD slot that accepts cards with up to 2GB of additional storage.

Though both handheld tablets are equipped with the same 4.7-inch HD and 1,280-by-720 touch-screen displays, the Toughpad FZ-N1 runs on the Android 5.1.1 Lollipop operating system. Both models also include a full HD 5-megapixel Webcam, as well as a full HD 8MP rear camera with LED flash.

For businesses using Microsoft Windows, Panasonic offers the Toughpad FZ-F1, which runs on Microsoft Windows 10 Embedded. Adding flexibility for users are integrated microphones, twin speakers, and noise-suppression and echo-cancellation capabilities. Both devices also include user-definable buttons for custom operations.

Both the FZ-N1 and the FZ-F1 are equipped with rear-mounted combination 1D and 2D barcode scanners to read barcodes in the workplace. The integrated scanners are ergonomically designed and angled so they can be used by workers with fewer elbow or wrist movements to prevent strains.

The Toughpad FZ series machines also feature dual SIM card capabilities and multi-carrier support, along with 4G LTE cellular, Bluetooth 4.0 and WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac connectivity. The machines weigh about 0.61 pounds each with a standard battery and are 6.12 inches long, 2.92 inches wide and about 0.64 inches thick. Both handhelds include a three-year warranty and Panasonic business-class support.

Both new Toughpads include quick-charging 3,200mAh Li-Ion battery packs, which can be warm-swapped with optional 6,200mAh extended life battery packs by workers on-the-fly. Optional stylus pens are available to allow users to operate the devices with varying input methods, while an optional magnetic-stripe reader, holster belts, charging docks and other accessories are also available.

The FZ handhelds are built to be rugged for use in a wide range of hostile environments. Both are MIL-STD-810G compliant to resist shock, vibration, rain, dust, sand, altitude, freezing and thawing, humidity, and high or low temperatures. They are also built with sealed designs to comply with IP65 and IP67 standards. They are resistant to 6-foot drops on concrete and are tested to withstand some 2,000 consecutive tumbles from 3.3 feet. The devices include sealing covers on all external ports and a raised bezel to protect the display from impacts.