Panasonic unveils new Toughbook

Panasonic today unveiled the latest version of its Toughbook CF-D1 rugged industrial tablet.

Panasonic today unveiled the latest version of its Toughbook CF-D1 rugged industrial tablet. Designed for the world of Engine & Machine Diagnostics, the Toughbook CF-D1 has been updated with the Windows 8.1 Pro operating system and increased performance and communication capabilities to ensure it continues to dominate as a choice rugged tablet .

With this latest upgrade, customers can continue to benefit from the rugged and ergonomic Toughbook platform and its comprehensive range of peripherals, whilst taking advantage of the latest improvements in user functionality and the Enterprise benefits of the Windows 8.1 Pro operating system. In addition, the latest Toughbook CF-D1 has been equipped with a third generation Intel Core i5-3340M vPro (2.7GHz) standard voltage processor with 500GB hard drive (Up from 320GB) and optional 256GB SSD.

Designed for diagnostics

The Toughbook CF-D1 was designed with and for technicians performing diagnostics on engines, automobiles, trucks and machines in either the workshop or field environment, as well as emergency services command and response teams that need large and clear screen visibility to display technical drawings and maps.

With its full shift battery life of 9 hours (Mobile Mark 2007, 60cd/m¬≤) and 13.3‚” widescreen HD LCD display with LED Backlight , the CF-D1 is equipped perfectly to handle today’s intensive diagnostic applications. In addition, the tablet combines all the rugged intensity expected of Toughbook and is built to stand-up to the knocks, falls, liquids, dust and extreme temperatures of the workshop and outdoor environments.

Unrivalled screen clarity

The 13.3‚” widescreen HD LCD display with LED Backlight allows technicians to easily run real-time diagnostic programmes, read telematic data and view schematics and designs. The resistive touchscreen allows for easy data input using fingers, gloves or a pen even in wet condition.

The screen has been specifically built for clarity both inside the workshop and for use outside in bright sunlight. The Automotive model delivers LCD brightness of 400cd/m². The Field version for outdoor display delivers up to 1,000cd/m² with a circular polarizer and anti-reflective coating, providing the best screen visibility on the market.

Triple modular bay designed for customisation

Designed specifically to meet the wide-ranging needs of diagnostic technicians, the device has configurable triple bay ports fully designed for customisation, and able to support all specialist ports for reliable diagnostic data transmission. The ports can be easily configured to meet specific requirements such as a Serial or VGA interface, a second LAN port or up to two rugged USB connectors.

Built for communication

Other improvements ensure the device is optimised for use in the workshop or at the roadside or in the field to diagnose faults, including the latest Gobi 5000 4G module (optional), Bluetooth v4.0, Wireless LAN IEEE802.11a/b/g/n and GPS (optional). The refreshed device also includes 1x USB 3.0 and 2x USB 2.0.

A wide range of security features, including AMT, vPro‚Ñ¢ (optional), Kensington lock, Smartcard reader (optional) and Panasonic security utilities, maintains the highest security requirements for data protection.

The high-resolution rear camera, to capture diagnostic documentation or paper information electronically, has also been upgraded from 3 to 5 megapixels.

Russell Younghusband, General Manager Diagnostic Sales, at Panasonic, said: ‚”The Toughbook CF-D1 was conceived by working closely with the leading vehicle manufacturers to create a tablet for diagnostic technicians that could stand up to their harsh industrial environment and run the high-powered applications they need for their precision work. The device quickly established itself as the de facto standard for the European automotive industry and this latest range of upgrades will ensure customers continue to benefit from the latest, proven technological innovations, in a long-lasting and stable form factor, designed for their business needs.‚”

Built to last and for convenience

The CF-D1 has all the rugged elements expected in a Toughbook. Drop tested to a height of 90cm* and with water and dust protection giving it an impressive IP65* rating.

For convenient use by technicians whatever their environment, the device has been ergonomically designed with semi-mobility in mind. Weighing approx. 2.25kg, the CF-D1 can be carried by the handle, held in one hand for data input using the hand strap or stand alone alongside the technician using extendable legs (Project driven). The device can also be used in a docking cradle with adjustable viewing angle to allow optimized viewing in various scenarios or back at the technician’s desk in the office.

The latest Toughbook CF-D1 Automotive and Field versions, along with a Value device, equipped with an Intel Celeron 1037U (1.8GHz) CPU, will be available from March 2014 and start at £1,827 plus VAT (Automotive version).

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