UPGRADING RUGGED PC

The new model is developed for professional users in defence, critical public services, construction industry and other sectors that require equipment that can withstand rough handling.

Stefan Lindau, Country Manager at Panasonic Connect in the Nordics, says the launch is important precisely because the company does not launch new models often.

– We do not launch products so often, because lifespan is a key factor for us. Accessories should always be backward compatible, so that customers feel secure, and Toughbook 56 should be available and updated at least until 2030, says Lindau to the trade magazine Elektronikkbransjen.

We meet him at the launch event held in Stockholm on 12 March. Travel and accommodation for the trade magazine Elektronikkbransjen are paid for by Panasonic.

Built for field use

– The customer should know that we keep the product alive for five to six years ahead. The form factor remains identical, but the inside is updated with new Intel chipsets, so that the operating system and performance keep up with the times, says Lindau.

Panasonic introduced its first Toughbook in 1996, and Lindau says it is important for the company that they offer predictability for businesses that invest in large fleets of machines.

Panasonic Connect is a pure B2B company, and the Toughbook 56 is primarily developed for users working outside traditional office environments.

– We build products for people working in the field, such as service engineers, inspectors, and warehouse workers. You will find us in the emergency services, and in Norway, Locus Solutions in Sandefjord uses our devices in 95 percent of the country's fire stations. They combine our systems with their own software, says Lindau.

He adds that ambulance areas in Norway are also major users and says the defence sector is rapidly growing as a market.

– We see strong growth both among end users in the defence sector and among manufacturers within this segment. At the same time, we are careful about who we sell to, says Lindau.

Panasonic Let's Note

Panasonic Connect primarily works indirectly.

– We sell little directly. Distributors like Tech Data cover the entire Nordics for us, says Lindau.

The company also collaborates with large system integrators like Dustin and Atea, as well as specialised software partners like Locus.

– We are a reliable platform for their solutions, as we offer predictability and long-term stability, says Lindau.

In Japan, Panasonic has a product concept called Let's Note, where consumer-oriented laptops have elements of Toughbook technology for more everyday use.

– In Japan, Let’s Note has around 85 percent market share in the 'business rugged' segment. We are bringing this concept to Europe and the Nordics this autumn, says Lindau.

Mechanical robustness

The Panasonic Toughbook 56 is designed to withstand drops, knocks, vibrations, water splashes, and dust, combining mechanical robustness with modern performance. The Toughbook 56 features Intel AI Boost for local data processing without cloud connectivity and supports three simultaneous wired networks at 1, 2.5, and 10 Gbit/s. With the 10 Gbit/s module, it can transfer an 80 GB file in 95 seconds. The 14-inch touchscreen ranges from 1 to 1000 cd/m² for use in everything from darkness to bright sunlight. The device is offered with Windows 11 Pro, upgradable RAM and SSD, and AMD Radeon W7500M as an option.

Product manager Dirk Weigelt says the Toughbook 56 has undergone a number of ergonomic improvements.

– We have innovation based on experience dating back to 1996. Feedback from users in everything from hot regions in Southern Europe to cold in Finland shows that the handle can become slippery. Therefore, we have redesigned the texture and increased the diameter, says Weigelt during the launch event in Stockholm.

New locking mechanism

The goal is to ensure a good grip even with gloves or sweaty hands. Longer carrying distances, such as during wind turbine inspections, should be experienced as more comfortable.

– This is based on Panasonic-patented technology, says Weigelt.

Toughbook 56 has a new locking mechanism for the screen.

– Many wanted to remove the lock in the middle. With gloves, it is cumbersome to open the screen, says Weigelt.

The new solution makes it possible to open the device from multiple positions without the hinges weakening over time.

– We have put a lot of work into the hinges so that they do not wear out, even after five years.

The operation of the mouse buttons has also been improved.

– Most laptops have buttons at the same level as the touchpad. We have made recessed buttons so that the user can feel the difference even in the dark, says Weigelt.

Larger screen and better readability

The screen format increases from 16:9 to 16:10, which increases the height from 1080 to 1200 pixels.

– This provides more than five percent larger screen area and less scrolling in documents, says Weigelt.

The screen is designed for use in both bright sunlight and dark situations, such as night work and emergency services. The brightness can be reduced to 1 cd/m².

Toughbook 56 automatically recognises whether the user is pressing with a finger, glove, or pen.

– The worker should not think about technology. The screen adapts, says Weigelt.

Toughbook 56 uses an Intel Core Ultra H processor with up to 28 watts, 16 GB RAM, and 512 GB SSD.

– The customer can upgrade the RAM to 64 GB themselves with a simple screwdriver operation. This provides a long lifespan, even five years into the future, says Weigelt.

The SSD has OPAL encryption, where the key is in the controller.

30 per cent better performance

– For field workers where data can be worth millions, this provides higher security, he says.

For tasks that require graphics power, such as CAD drawings, the machine can be equipped with AMD Radeon Pro W7500M.

– It delivers around 30 per cent better performance than its predecessor Toughbook 55, says Weigelt.

Toughbook 56 uses the same batteries as 55, which provides advantages for existing users.

– We have increased the battery life from 10 to 12 hours per battery thanks to better motherboard design and Panasonic cells, says Weigelt.

With two batteries, the user can work a whole day without charging.

– A field worker can practically charge once a week, says Weigelt.