Panasonic Announces Android, Windows 8 Tablets

News
By Zak Islam
published

Toughpad FZ-G1 and JT-B1 unveiled during CES.

Panasonic has announced an Android-powered tablet and one running on Windows 8 during CES 2013.

The Windows 8 Pro version is named the 10.1-inch Toughpad FZ-G1. Weighing 1.1kg, the device sports two-way touch input with a capacitive 10 finger touchscreen and digitiser pen.

As well as strengthened glass, the full HD Windows 8 tablet houses IPSα Panel technology, extra wide viewing angles, a high contrast ratio and 800cd/m2 high brightness with an anti-reflection layer.

Other features consist of a front-facing web camera and a rear camera, as well as customisable application keys, flexible configuration ports and an optional dual external antenna connector. It's powered by an Intel Core i5-3437U vProTM 3MB cache clocking in at 1.9GHz (up to 2.9GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology) and 4 GB of RAM. Also included is a 128 GB SSD, which can be expanded to 256 GB.

The 7-inch Android tablet, meanwhile, is dubbed the JT-B1. Powered by a Ti OMAP 4460 1.5GHz dual core ARM processor, it houses Bluetooth, 3G, wireless LAD and near field communications support, joined by 1 GB of RAM and 16 GB Flash storage.

Weighing 544g and delivering four finger touch, a high visibility and low reflection display sports an an ambient light sensor. The tablet will also launch with a front-facing 1.3-megapixel web camera and a 13-megapixel rear camera with autofocus and LED light.

The Toughpad FZ-G1 will be available in March for $2,899, while the 7-inch Toughpad TJ-B1 will launch during February for $1,199.

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Zak Islam
10 Comments Comment from the forums
  • blazorthon
    Those 4430/4460 OMAPs really got around, huh?
    Reply
  • universal remonster
    whoa, whoa...wait... what is it that I'm missing here?? Surely there is something amazing about these that wasn't stated?? $2899 for a 10" tablet that specs similar to a Surface Pro?? And $1199 for a 7"?? Someone please explain this before I LOL myself to death.
    Reply
  • dthx
    universal remonsterwhoa, whoa...wait... what is it that I'm missing here?? Surely there is something amazing about these that wasn't stated?? $2899 for a 10" tablet that specs similar to a Surface Pro?? And $1199 for a 7"?? Someone please explain this before I LOL myself to death.It's rather common to see Panasonic products at such prices. From the looks of it on the picture, I can bet that this tablet can be dropped on a hard floor, crushed, sandblasted, drown out, ... Panasonic has been quite succesfull already with their Thoughbook range those last years. OK, they don't sell huge volumes, their market is a niche, but they occupy this niche pretty well and with good margins !
    It's a nice tool for many technicians working in bad conditions (the construction sector comes to my mind).
    Reply
  • 128 GB SSD sounded interesting until I saw the price! :D
    Reply
  • Non-Euclidean
    Well the industrial sector better be the only place they are looking because consumers aren't going to pay those prices.
    Reply
  • Caffeinecarl
    dthxIt's rather common to see Panasonic products at such prices. From the looks of it on the picture, I can bet that this tablet can be dropped on a hard floor, crushed, sandblasted, drown out, ... Panasonic has been quite succesfull already with their Thoughbook range those last years. OK, they don't sell huge volumes, their market is a niche, but they occupy this niche pretty well and with good margins !It's a nice tool for many technicians working in bad conditions (the construction sector comes to my mind).You forgot great for people who get pissed off and throw it against the wall or feel like shooting their devices with crossbows, as I've seen people I've met do!
    Reply
  • kyuuketsuki
    Non-EuclideanWell the industrial sector better be the only place they are looking because consumers aren't going to pay those prices.These are the tablet versions of their toughbook laptops. Toughbooks have never been targeted at the general public. If these tablets can really survive tough conditions, they'll be quite popular with people who work in construction and other areas where normal tablets are likely to get destroyed. There are many companies who buy these things for their workers.

    Tell me, what's more cost-efficient: buying $500 tablets that have to be replaced every few months, or buying $1000-$3000 tablets that will last a couple years?
    Reply
  • universal remonster
    Tell me, what's more cost-efficient: buying $500 tablets that have to be replaced every few months, or buying $1000-$3000 tablets that will last a couple years?

    seems like a $500 tablet inside of a $100 Lifeproof case would be better than a $2800 upfront cost. And if a Lifeproof case isn't quite durable enough, it seems that there is an oppertunity to make a case that caters to such a niche market. I think the $2000 extra you pay to be able to drop it is quite excessive.
    Reply
  • sna
    KyuuketsukiThese are the tablet versions of their toughbook laptops. Toughbooks have never been targeted at the general public. If these tablets can really survive tough conditions, they'll be quite popular with people who work in construction and other areas where normal tablets are likely to get destroyed. There are many companies who buy these things for their workers.Tell me, what's more cost-efficient: buying $500 tablets that have to be replaced every few months, or buying $1000-$3000 tablets that will last a couple years?
    500$ coz simply nowadays the life span of a tablet is hardly 1 year ... people bought tablets with 2 cores , 512M ram , no digitizer .. a year later ... it is 4 cores , 2g ram , digitizer , full hd and even better battery and thinner.

    I never buy any ANY PC today with more than 2 years maximum in mind for replacement.

    and for not destroying it? buy a good Case. and it wont be 2000$ case lol ...
    Reply
  • sna
    universal remonsterseems like a $500 tablet inside of a $100 Lifeproof case would be better than a $2800 upfront cost. And if a Lifeproof case isn't quite durable enough, it seems that there is an oppertunity to make a case that caters to such a niche market. I think the $2000 extra you pay to be able to drop it is quite excessive.
    True , it is all rubber and plastic case after all .... 2000$ for that? there is even no R&D costs here

    for the design 500$ max more IMO...
    Reply