Panasonic CF-18 Toughbook Tablet PC Review
Pocket Lint has reviewed Panasonic CF-18 Toughbook Tablet PC. The armoured-body measures 271mm wide, by 216mm long by 49mm deep and weighs in at 2.1kg. To keep the weight down, the outer shell is constructed from a magnesium alloy, 20 times harder that standard ABS plastic.
All the standard ports are sealed with rubber-bung style plugs to prevent the dust and moisture from the outside, getting inside. The larger doors, that cover the 6.5hour battery, PCMCIA and SD slots and removable hard drive have a locking mechanisms that would sub-mariners envious and extra work has gone into the construction of the high stress areas of the tablets screen hinge and main release catch, both looking like they’ve been designed with roadies in mind.
Toughbook also offer an GPS package, so once in great outdoors users can not only tell you exactly what the situation is, but exactly where they are as well. Panasonic have also opted to add an SD media slot, next to the two PCMCIA slots, located under the locking door on the left hand side, presumably as the many other devices in the range use this type of removable media.
VERDICT Overall I can see why the CF-18 is the professionals’ choice. The hardened outer shell, shock-proof drive and dust and water resistant casing makes it idea for people on the move with difficult job to do, who their computer to function in any and all circumstances. The price and the lack of supplied combo-drive make it less attractive to the wider market but the smallish keyboard may also preclude news staff from selecting the CF-18 as the computer they take to the frontlines, which is a shame as the larger, 13.3inch Toughbook C-29, is 1.6kg heavier.
Rating:8/10
http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/review.php?reviewId=1523