Rugged laptops and tablets are designed to withstand harsh environments and conditions, such as dust, water, shock, vibration, extreme temperatures, and more. They are ideal for professionals who work in fields such as military, law enforcement, emergency services, construction, engineering, mining, agriculture, and others. Rugged laptops and tablets offer enhanced performance, reliability, security, and durability compared to regular laptops and tablets.
However, not all rugged laptops and tablets are created equal. There are different brands, models, features, specifications, prices, and quality levels to choose from.
In this article, we will compare two of the most popular brands of rugged laptops and tablets: Panasonic Toughbook and Durabook. We will look at their history, products, pros and cons, customer reviews, and more. We will also provide some tips on how to choose the best rugged laptop or tablet for your needs.
Key Takeaways
| Panasonic Toughbook | Durabook |
|---|---|
| A well-known brand of rugged laptops and tablets with a long history and reputation | A newer brand of rugged laptops and tablets with a competitive edge and innovation |
| Offers a wide range of models with different features and specifications to suit various needs and budgets | Offers a smaller but more focused range of models with high performance and durability |
| Has a higher price point and lower availability compared to Durabook | Has a lower price point and higher availability compared to Panasonic Toughbook |
| Provides good customer service and warranty support | Provides good customer service and warranty support |
| Compatible with most accessories and parts from Rugged Books | Compatible with some accessories and parts from Rugged Books |
History of Panasonic Toughbook
Panasonic Toughbook is a brand of rugged laptops and tablets that was launched in 1996 by Panasonic Corporation, a Japanese multinational electronics company. Panasonic Toughbook is one of the oldest and most established brands of rugged laptops and tablets in the market. It has a loyal customer base and a strong reputation for quality and durability.
Panasonic Toughbook was originally developed for the military and law enforcement sectors, but later expanded to other industries such as healthcare, education, transportation, manufacturing, and others. Panasonic Toughbook has also been used in various missions and projects by NASA, the United Nations, the Red Cross, and others.
Panasonic Toughbook offers a wide range of models with different features and specifications to suit various needs and budgets. Some of the most popular models include:
- Panasonic Toughbook 55: A 14-inch semi-rugged laptop that can be customized with modular components such as batteries, storage drives, keyboards, optical drives, fingerprint readers, smart card readers, RFID readers, etc.
- Panasonic Toughbook G2: A 10.1-inch fully rugged tablet that can be converted into a laptop with an optional keyboard. It has a detachable battery that can be hot-swapped for extended use. It also has multiple ports and expansion slots for connectivity.
- Panasonic Toughbook 33: A 12-inch fully rugged 2-in-1 laptop that can be detached from its keyboard to become a tablet. It has a dual battery system that can be hot-swapped for extended use. It also has multiple ports and expansion slots for connectivity.
- Panasonic Toughbook 31: A 13.1-inch fully rugged laptop that has a high-performance processor, a large battery capacity, a sunlight-readable touchscreen display, a backlit keyboard, multiple ports and expansion slots for connectivity.
- Panasonic Toughbook 20: A 10.1-inch fully rugged 2-in-1 laptop that can be detached from its keyboard to become a tablet. It has a dual battery system that can be hot-swapped for extended use. It also has multiple ports and expansion slots for connectivity.
History of Durabook
Durabook is a brand of rugged laptops and tablets that was launched in 2000 by Twinhead International Corporation (TIC), a Taiwanese multinational computer company. Durabook is one of the newer and more innovative brands of rugged laptops and tablets in the market. It has a competitive edge and a growing customer base.
Durabook was originally developed for the industrial sector but later expanded to other sectors such as military, law enforcement, emergency services, construction, engineering, mining, agriculture, and others. Durabook has also been used in various missions and projects by NATO, the US Army, the US Navy, the US Air Force, and others.
Durabook offers a smaller but more focused range of models with high performance and durability. Some of the most popular models include:
- Durabook S14I: A 14-inch semi-rugged laptop that has a high-performance processor, a large battery capacity, a sunlight-readable touchscreen display, a backlit keyboard, multiple ports and expansion slots for connectivity.
- Durabook U11I: An 11.6-inch fully rugged tablet that has a high-performance processor, a large battery capacity, a sunlight-readable touchscreen display, a backlit keyboard, multiple ports and expansion slots for connectivity.
- Durabook R11: An 11.6-inch fully rugged tablet that has a high-performance processor, a large battery capacity, a sunlight-readable touchscreen display, multiple ports and expansion slots for connectivity.
- Durabook Z14I: A 14-inch fully rugged laptop that has a high-performance processor, a large battery capacity, a sunlight-readable touchscreen display, a backlit keyboard, multiple ports and expansion slots for connectivity.
- Durabook R8: A 13.3-inch fully rugged laptop that has a high-performance processor, a large battery capacity, a sunlight-readable touchscreen display, a backlit keyboard, multiple ports and expansion slots for connectivity.
Pros and Cons of Panasonic Toughbook and Durabook
Both Panasonic Toughbook and Durabook have their own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to rugged laptops and tablets.
Here are some of the main pros and cons of each brand:
Panasonic Toughbook
Pros
- Panasonic Toughbook has a long history and reputation in the rugged laptop and tablet market. It has a loyal customer base and a strong brand recognition.
- Panasonic Toughbook offers a wide range of models with different features and specifications to suit various needs and budgets. It has models for different levels of ruggedness, from semi-rugged to fully rugged.
- Panasonic Toughbook provides excellent customer service and warranty support. It has a network of authorized service centers and partners around the world. It also offers extended warranty options and accidental damage coverage.
- Panasonic Toughbook is compatible with most accessories and parts from Rugged Books, a leader in refurbishing rugged computers, laptops, and tablets from brands like Panasonic Toughbook, Dell, Durabook, and Getac and more.
Cons
- Panasonic Toughbook has a higher price point compared to Durabook. It is more expensive to buy and maintain a Panasonic Toughbook than a Durabook.
- Panasonic Toughbook has lower availability compared to Durabook. It is harder to find and order a Panasonic Toughbook than a Durabook. Some models may have long lead times or limited stock.
- Panasonic Toughbook may have some outdated or obsolete features compared to Durabook. Some models may have lower performance or older technology than Durabook.
Durabook
Pros
- Durabook has a competitive edge and innovation in the rugged laptop and tablet market. It has a growing customer base and a positive feedback.
- Durabook offers a smaller but more focused range of models with high performance and durability. It has models that are optimized for specific sectors and applications, such as military, law enforcement, industrial, medical, etc.
- Durabook has a lower price point compared to Panasonic Toughbook. It is more affordable to buy and maintain a Durabook than a Panasonic Toughbook.
Cons
- Durabook has a shorter history and reputation in the rugged laptop and tablet market. It has less brand recognition and customer loyalty than Panasonic Toughbook.
- Durabook offers a smaller range of models with less features and specifications than Panasonic Toughbook. It has fewer models for different levels of ruggedness, from semi-rugged to fully rugged.
- Durabook provides good customer service and warranty support, but not as excellent as Panasonic Toughbook. It has fewer authorized service centers and partners around the world. It also offers limited warranty options and accidental damage coverage.
Performance and Durability Comparison of Panasonic Toughbook and Durabook Models
One of the main factors to consider when choosing a rugged laptop or tablet is the performance and durability of the device. Performance refers to how fast, smooth, and responsive the device is when running various applications and tasks. Durability refers to how well the device can withstand impact, water, dust, temperature, and vibration.
To compare the performance and durability of Panasonic Toughbook and Durabook models, we can look at some benchmarks and tests that measure these aspects. Benchmarks are standardized tests that evaluate the speed, power, and efficiency of the device’s processor, memory, storage, graphics, and battery. Tests are practical experiments that simulate the real-world conditions and challenges that the device may face.
| Model | Processor Speed | Memory Size | Storage Size | Battery Life | Drop Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panasonic Toughbook 55 | 1.8 GHz | 8 GB | 256 GB | 20 hours | 3 feet |
| Panasonic Toughbook G2 | 1.1 GHz | 8 GB | 256 GB | 18.5 hours | 5 feet |
| Panasonic Toughbook 33 | 1.2 GHz | 8 GB | 256 GB | 10 hours | 4 feet |
| Panasonic Toughbook 31 | 2.3 GHz | 4 GB | 500 GB | 18 hours | 6 feet |
| Panasonic Toughbook 20 | 1.1 GHz | 8 GB | 128 GB | 11 hours | 4 feet |
| Durabook S14I | 2.1 GHz | 8 GB | 256 GB | 12 hours | 4 feet |
| Durabook U11I | 1.6 GHz | 8 GB | 128 GB | 13.5 hours | 6 feet |
| Durabook R11 | 1.6 GHz | 4 GB | 64 GB | 7 hours | 4 feet |
| Durabook Z14I | 1.9 GHz | 16 GB | 512 GB | 10 hours | 6 feet |
| Durabook R8300 | 2.3 GHz | 8 GB | 256 GB | 8 hours | 6 feet |
Here is a graph chart that shows the relationship between the battery life of Panasonic Toughbook and Durabook models:
As you can see from the graph chart, there is a trade-off between the processor speed and the battery life of the models. Generally, the faster the processor speed, the shorter the battery life, and vice versa. This is because a faster processor consumes more power and generates more heat than a slower processor.
However, there are also some exceptions to this trend. For example, the Panasonic Toughbook 55 has a relatively fast processor speed (1.8 GHz) but also a long battery life (20 hours). This is because it has a modular design that allows users to customize its components and features according to their needs. Users can add or remove batteries, storage drives, keyboards, optical drives, fingerprint readers, smart card readers, RFID readers, etc. to optimize their performance and battery life.
Another example is the Durabook U11I, which has a relatively slow processor speed (1.6 GHz) but also a short battery life (13.5 hours). This is because it has a high-performance processor that can boost its speed up to 4.2 GHz when needed. However, this also drains its battery faster than normal.
Therefore, when comparing the performance and durability of Panasonic Toughbook and Durabook models, you should not only look at the numbers but also consider the context and purpose of your use.
Tips on How to Choose Between Panasonic Toughbook and Durabook
Choosing between Panasonic Toughbook and Durabook depends on your needs, preferences, and budget. There is no definitive answer to which one is better, as both brands have their own strengths and weaknesses. However, here are some general tips to help you make a decision:
Ruggedness
Consider the level of you need. If you work in very harsh environments and conditions, you may want to opt for a fully rugged laptop or tablet that can withstand more impact, water, dust, temperature, and vibration.
If you work in moderately challenging environments and conditions, you may want to opt for a semi-rugged laptop or tablet that can handle some impact, water, dust, temperature, and vibration.
If you work in normal environments and conditions, you may not need a rugged laptop or tablet at all.
Features and Specifications
If you need a high-performance laptop or tablet that can run multiple applications and tasks smoothly and quickly, you may want to opt for a model that has a fast processor, a large memory, a large storage space, and a good graphics card.
If you need a long-lasting laptop or tablet that can work for hours without running out of power, you may want to opt for a model that has a large battery capacity and a hot-swappable battery system.
If you need a versatile laptop or tablet that can adapt to different modes and situations, you may want to opt for a model that has a detachable keyboard, a touchscreen display, and multiple ports and expansion slots.
Price and Availability
If you have a limited budget or need to buy the laptop or tablet as soon as possible, you may want to opt for a model that has a lower price point and higher availability.
If you have a flexible budget or can wait for the laptop or tablet to be delivered, you may want to opt for a model that has a higher price point and lower availability.
Customer Service and Warranty Support
If you need reliable and responsive customer service and warranty support in case of any issues or problems with your laptop or tablet, you may want to opt for a brand that has excellent customer service and warranty support.
If you are confident and comfortable with handling any issues or problems with your laptop or tablet yourself, you may want to opt for a brand that has good customer service and warranty support.
You can also check out the customer reviews of Panasonic Toughbook and Durabook from various sources to get more insights into the quality, performance, reliability, durability, and satisfaction of their products from the perspective of the users.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the choice between Panasonic Toughbook and Durabook is up to you. You should weigh the pros and cons of each brand and model according to your own criteria and preferences. You should also do your own research and comparison before making a final decision.
We hope this article has helped you understand the differences between Panasonic Toughbook and Durabook better. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us. We would love to hear from you.
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