Panasonic - Rugged Laptop Solutions

Industries working in tough environments need hardware that can withstand the elements. Panasonic Toughbooks combine cutting-edge technology with robust design.

Panasonic Toughbooks are designed for people who need to take their laptop into inhospitable environments, offering varying levels of ruggedness for different requirements. People working in the airline industry need reliable notebooks that can survive shocks and vibrations, temperature extremes as well as dirt, grease and water.

TOUGH ON THE GROUND

Icelandair is the latest company to turn to Panasonic to fulfil its mobile computing requirements. It has decided that its aeroplane maintenance teams on the taxiway will use the Toughbook CF-29.

In its search for a notebook that can meet the requirements of its maintenance crew, Icelandair was dissatisfied with the screens and cases offered by other laptop manufacturers. As the main tool for trouble-shooting and guidance, the notebook used for maintenance jobs has to offer reliability while protecting from dirt, moisture and oil.

Elvar Gottsk‡lksson, business and administration manager of ITS Icelandair technical services, explains the challenge: 'The notebooks have to guarantee high technical standards, especially in the field of line maintenance. Thermal resistance is at least as important as resistance to motor fuels and vibrations. The CF-29 is the most optimal solution for us.'

QUALITY PERFORMANCE IN ANY CONDITIONS

The CF-29 features outstanding resistance to heat, cold, humidity, water, dust and dirt. Its magnesium alloy casing offers maximum protection for highly sensitive elements such as the display or interior components and assemblies.

A 13.3in XGA touchscreen ensures readability even in direct sunlight, and its shock-resistant removable hard drive is protected against impact and vibrations.

Approximately 50% of all damage to notebooks is the result of accidents that occur while they are being transported, such as being dropped and other knocks, so the CF-29 comes with a carrying handle to reduce the risk of damage.

The display, casing and hard drive are most frequently affected when a laptop is dropped, so the Toughbook casings are made of magnesium alloy, making them much stronger than standard plastic cases. This makes the Toughbook so strong that it can be dropped from approximately 90cm and even withstand tools being dropped on it.

Using flexible suspensions and magnesium alloy thickener on all displays protects the screen and absorbs any impact. The hard drives are embedded in a newly developed material, offering first-class impact and shock resistance.

The CF-29 also has the benefit of weighing just 3.62kg while delivering premium computing performance, thanks to the latest Intel® Centrino® mobile technology. It also features an integrated WLAN function and internal power management. A fully charged battery enables about eight hours of use.

Gottsk‡lksson is confident that Panasonic can meet Icelandair's needs: 'Our equipment has to be state of the art. We can't trust in luck; we rely on technology. The Toughbook fulfils all the key requirements for the field of aviation and maintenance.'