VST Platinum Blog

By now, most of us have heard at least a little about high quality, ruggedly built Toughbook computers from Panasonic. These laptops are said to be able to cope with any environment and any rough treatment you can give them. But are they really worth their high price?

It’s perfectly normal to wonder if a laptop computer like this is worth what you’ll pay for it. After all, everyone wants to save as much as possible for their business. Let’s take a look at what a Toughbook can do for you and your company, and see if it’s worth the price.

A Panasonic Toughbook is the computer most likely to make it out of a difficult situation, compared to all the other laptops out there. Available in several different degrees of ruggedness, this computer line has a model for every situation. The toughest are the fully rugged models, with all the features you need to protect your data.

A Toughbook can successfully survive long drops of a meter or more, can be exposed to water, covered in mud, and used in some of the dustiest conditions there are. Vibrating machinery, like cranes and other heavy equipment, would destroy a regular laptop, but a Toughbook can survive it. These computers are routinely used by the US military.

Of course, a Toughbook might be built like a tank, but that doesn’t mean it looks or weighs like one. These notebooks are small and light for their ruggedness - just two and a quarter kilograms, or about five pounds. That makes them a lot easier to carry around.

More recent models have touch screen and stylus options that make working much easier without a keyboard, and have solid metal latches to keep them closed. Equipped with bright screens that help them work under any lighting conditions, these computers are easy to see, even in pitch black or bright sunlight. Displays often rotate, and are built to resist cracks, scratching and more.

Toughbooks also make great data logging devices for people working in the field, and can be custom built for the hardware and software features you need most. There are models that can easily be typed on using gloves and models that make it easier to type in dark conditions. Connectors and ports are sealed against particulates and moisture, making it easier to use a Toughbook wherever you go.

If you’re worried about dropping your Toughbook, don’t be. The magnesium alloy case keeps the outside safe from harm, and shock mounted hard drives prevent internal damage, too. While you’ll be getting a computer with slightly lower performance than the top of the line laptops on the market, you’ll know it’s durable and reliable. Replacement and repair rates for Toughbooks are extremely low.

Add in a computer that has the latest wireless technology included, and a battery that just won’t quit, and you’ll have no problem transmitting data from even remote locations. Don’t worry about not getting access to an outlet - many Toughbooks have up to eight hours of battery life. These computers are definitely built to last, and worth the investment.

Tags: home studios, Technology