ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Panasonic’s ToughBook 55 is a rugged laptop computer that may stand up to the trials of out of doors environments plus it provides quick speeds as a result of its satellite tv for pc connectivity.
- The mannequin’s modular design permits customers to swap out sure items of {hardware} for one thing else, resembling exchanging a battery for a fingerprint reader.
- It’s, nonetheless, not for everybody: The Toughbook 55 could be very costly, heavy, and does not have the nicest show.
Rugged laptops are a singular classification of laptops that I wager most individuals are unfamiliar with. They’re designed to be exceptionally robust — able to withstanding harsh environments and surviving being dropped from a number of toes within the air. One thing like this is not actually meant for most people; however in the fitting arms, it may be a complete life changer.
This brings us to Panasonic’s new Toughbook 55 The corporate’s newest rugged laptop computer has a rare modular design. Homeowners can take away sure parts often called xPaks and substitute them with one thing else. For my assessment construct of the ToughBook 55, I used to be capable of come out the additional battery and set up a fingerprint reader. Then I exchanged the Blu-Ray participant for one which reads normal DVDs.
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The method of swapping xPaks could be very easy. On the underside of the laptop computer — subsequent to swappable components — is a latch with a lock icon on it. Pushing the latch unlocks the xPak, which may then be eliminated just by pulling on a built-in deal with. I feel that is an ingenious strategy to enable prospects to construct a laptop computer that completely meets their wants. It is not one thing you see fairly often within the tech business — other than the Framework laptops — and it is a sort of tech I want we might see extra typically. I am an enormous fan of modularity. Understand that you may solely swap out a number of components. You may’t connect a brand new show or something like that.
Going again to the battery, my unit got here with two separate batteries that, in keeping with Panasonic, enable the unit to final 20 full hours. I attempted testing the battery by working my common take a look at of taking part in a YouTube dwell stream at 720p nonstop and with the battery saver turned off. In my testing, the batteries lasted about 12 hours — not so long as the corporate claims, however nonetheless a good quantity. Plus, you should purchase different battery xPaks and set up these to increase the laptop computer’s longevity.
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Panasonic ToughBook 55
The rugged Panasonic Toughbook 55 is a perfect way of taking the internet with you when you’re far from home thanks to its support of satellite connectivity among other features.
Subsequent, I wish to go over the design as a result of it’s by far the Toughbook 55’s most eye-catching side.
It’s thick. The laptop computer measures practically an inch and a half thick when closed and clocks in at virtually 5 kilos, making it one of many heaviest laptops that I’ve ever used. Main parts, just like the display screen, are surrounded by thick bezels for cover. It is also made out of a sturdy magnesium alloy chassis. Nearly as good because the safety could also be, it does come at the price of consolation. The trackpad is small — taking on solely a small portion of the wrist relaxation — and doesn’t have any haptic suggestions. Urgent down on it does not register a click on like on different laptops. To make up for this, there are a few buttons under the trackpad serving because the mouse.
What’s extra, I’ve some points with the display screen as a result of sure options conflict with others. You see, the ToughBook 55’s show has an anti-reflective coating, which is nice to have if you’re utilizing the laptop computer exterior beneath direct daylight. You may see content material simply high-quality because of this function. Nonetheless, it is also a touchscreen, which implies it smears simply. The glass attracts fingerprints like a magnet. The smears aren’t very noticeable within the shade, however out within the solar, it is all you may see.
Moreover, the show does not take up the total measurement of the display screen due to these thick bezels nor can it output a brilliant excessive decision because it peaks at 1080p. That is a good decision though nothing nice.
In fact, it isn’t all unhealthy. I loved typing on the keyboard. It was a snug expertise. I do not imagine the keys have any particular options like a low journey distance. Every cap looks like they’re made with the identical hardy materials because the Toughbook 55 however smoother. I feel the laptop computer’s hardy development lends itself properly to the keyboard’s consolation. Plus the backlighting is nice to have when typing at evening.
Efficiency-wise, the Toughbook 55 runs fairly properly because of its Thirteenth-Gen Intel i7 processor and 32 GB of RAM. I did not expertise any drops in efficiency at any time. The default storage measurement is 450GB. That is smaller than I’d’ve preferred, however you may at all times develop it with an xPak. This does converse to one of many predominant points affecting the Toughbook 55. It is already an costly product; to construct it to your liking, you will have to spend so much extra. So if you happen to plan to buy, you will have to be prepared to speculate lots into it.
ZDNET’s Shopping for Recommendation
The Panasonic Toughbook 55 will not be meant for the on a regular basis person or as a predominant laptop computer. Understand that it is a area of interest product meant for a distinct segment viewers. It is cumbersome, it is heavy, it is sophisticated to make use of; this machine will not be for everybody. That mentioned, if you’re the viewers – resembling an outdoorsman or skilled seeking to keep related removed from an workplace – then this could possibly be the laptop computer for you. I actually do not assume you are able to do higher than this pc. The Toughbook 55 is such a singular machine that it is in its personal class.
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The Toughbook 55 is at the moment accessible for buy with an “estimated road value beginning at $2,399”, in keeping with Panasonic. Particular person xPAKs begin at $89 though the worth tag will fluctuate relying on what you need.
Take into account this is not a laptop computer you may go to Greatest Purchase and decide off the shelf. You’ll have to contact Panasonic’s gross sales crew if you wish to purchase a unit. In case you choose a smaller machine, the corporate does promote the smaller Toughbook 33, a 2-in-1 laptop computer/pill hybrid.