CES 2013: Panasonic intros new Windows 8 Pro, Android Toughpads

Panasonic has launched two of its Toughpads at the CES today, one of which runs Windows 8 Pro. The Toughpads are designed to do exactly what the name suggests – be tough and rugged. The 10-inch version FZ-G1 runs Windows 8 Pro, while the 7-inch JT-B1 runs Android Ice Cream Sandwich.

The FZ-G1 Windows machine features 1.9GHz Ivy Bridge Intel Core i5-3437U vPro CPU, a 128GB SSD (upgradeable to 256GB) processor, up to 8GB RAM and a 10-inch 1920 x 1200 display. The battery, according to Panasonic, can run up to eight hours and the Toughpad also has an optional microSD slot. The device weighs four pounds and has USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports, Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11 Wi-Fi a/b/g/n and optional Verizon LTE or 3G.

Tough and efficient

The JT-B1, on the other hand, features a TI OMAP4460 1.5GHz Dual core processor, 1GB RAM and 16GB storage capacity along with an inbuilt Micro SD slot. It has a 13MP rear camera and a 1.3MP front facing one. The Ice Cream Sandwich running JT-B1 can also run for eight hours with its 5,720mAh battery. It has a 1024 x 600 display on its 7-inch screen.

Panasonic says that the Toughpad tablets are designed for mission-critical and highly mobile workers in fields such as the military, construction, healthcare etc. The FZ-G1 will be available in March and will cost $2,900 (Rs. 159,500 approx.), while the JT-B1 will arrive in February and will cost $1,300 (Rs. 71,500 approx.)

Panasonic has put its tablets to the forefront this CES, with the company having revealed a massive 20-inch Windows 8 tablet with 4K resolution in the company’s keynote speech. The tablet will use a stylus for precise designing for professionals and the 4K resolution will add a cherry to the cake for anyone wanting to use the tablet professionally. There isn’t anything known about the release or pricing of the 20-inch tablet yet.