Panasonic introduces the world’s first fully rugged detachable notebook Toughbook CF-20 for business

Combined rugged tablet and notebook delivers unrivaled versatility for mobile workers

BRACKNELL, UK. 11TH NOVEMBER 2015 Panasonic today delivered a new level of unrivalled versatility for mobile business computing with the introduction of the first fully rugged detachable notebook. The Toughbook CF-20 offers the best of all worlds for mobile workers – a fully rugged notebook with detachable tablet that can be used in 6 different modes to meet every business need.

An evolution of the best selling Panasonic Toughbook CF-19, this latest detachable device offers the richest set of business interfaces with additional customisable options to meet a worker’s needs. It is the first fully rugged Toughbook to ship with Windows 10 Pro and the first Toughbook to be powered by 6th Generation Intel® Core™ vPro™ processor technology. With its glove-enabled touchscreen, and purpose-built Vehicle Mount and Desktop Port Replicator, the Panasonic Toughbook CF-20 is an unrivalled mobile business machine.

Zurich Engineering, part of the global insurance-based financial services provider Zurich Group, is a member of the Panasonic Toughbook Early Adopter Programme and has provided feedback during the development of the Panasonic Toughbook CF-20.

“As soon as we saw the concept, we thought this is the rugged mobile device for the future,” said Paul Barker, of Zurich Engineering. “The ability to be able to detach the tablet from the notebook means that users have the ultimate flexibility they need to work in any environment with the confidence that the device is easier to use, lighter than ever before and as rugged as always. We have been part of a development process that has helped make this latest Toughbook a device that can meet the needs in almost any outdoor scenario with the functionality to satisfy the latest generation of tablet users.”

Ultimate versatility
With its 6 different operating modes, the Panasonic Toughbook CF-20 has a wide range of business uses. The tablet can be detached. It can operate as a regular notebook and in presentation mode. Using the in-built handle, the device can operate hanging on a wall, on the arm or whilst being carried. Finally, vehicle mode allows full functionality use of the device when on the move.

Target industries for the device include insurance assessors, fleet management and car hire, field workers, maintenance and service technicians in utilities and telecommunications, as well as government agencies, defence and the emergency services.

An important element of the Panasonic Toughbook notebook’s versatility is its comprehensive range of industry ports and customisable options giving maximum flexibility however the device is used.

Crystal clarity
Designed for outdoor use from bright sunlight to heavy rain, the Panasonic Toughbook CF-20 has a 10.1", 10-finger capacitive multi-touch WUXGA screen (1920 x 1200 pixels). Suitable for workers that need to operate touchscreens with gloves, the device uses the latest IPS Panel technology providing a new level of viewing quality for tablet users working outside with its 800cd/m² brightness. In addition, there is the option of an IP55 Digitizer pen for workers that need the highest levels of touchscreen accuracy, writing or drawing in the toughest of weather conditions.

Prime performance
The Panasonic Toughpad CF-20 is powered by the very latest technology to ensure performance for the length of its life. It includes Intel® Core™ m5-6Y57 vPro™ processor technology (4MB cache, 1.1GHz up to 2.8 GHz with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology) with fanless design, Intel® HD Graphics 515, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD and full Windows 10 Pro operating system with option to downgrade to Windows 7.

Continuous operation
With hot swap capabilities, allowing the batteries to be switched by the user whilst in operation, the Panasonic Toughbook CF-20 has the ability to work throughout a shift. There is a battery powering the tablet and another optional battery that can be inserted into the keyboard base unit to provide double the battery capacity. The batteries can also be hot swapped between the tablet and base unit.

Ultimate communicator
To ensure mobile workers are always connected to the business, the Panasonic Toughbook CF-20 is equipped with a 2MP webcam with stereo microphones and 8MP documentation rear camera. There is a 4G LTE option for connection to the office and workforce management systems and the option for the latest U-Blox 8 GPS for precise navigation.

Supporting ecosystem
Available at launch, the Panasonic Toughbook CF-20 has a full array of support peripherals to maximise a mobile workers productivity whether on the road or in the office.

The device’s slim, purpose-built vehicle dock comes with antenna pass-through for the strongest communications signal whilst in the vehicle, and full port replication to provide users with the full functionality of the device when docked. The tablet is removable when the keyboard base is in the dock. The device can also be locked in storage mode to keep the CF-20 secure and is lockable when in convertible mode to allow for job routing and access to the GPS functionality.

The sleek Desktop Port Replicator allows the Panasonic Toughbook CF-20 to be used as a high performance desktop device. The four bay battery charger is ideal for large organisations where the ability to charge multiple batteries can reduce work downtime.

Rugged yet user-friendly
The Panasonic Toughbook CF-20 draws upon its heritage for ruggedness with a magnesium and IP65 and MIL-STD 810G rated design making it ideal for all outdoor usage. But this latest generation of Toughbook is more mobile than ever before weighing just 1.76kg in notebook mode - with the detachable tablet weighing 950g – well below the 2kg industry standard for a device of this kind.

With its integrated handle, which makes additional carrying solutions obsolete, the device is easy and stable to use with 16% larger keys than the previous generation device for easy data input.

Pricing and availability
The Panasonic Toughbook CF-20 notebook comes with a standard 3 year warranty and will be available from January 2016, priced at £2218 + vat.

Press contact:
Michael Bartley
+ 44 (0) 118 949 7750
[email protected]