Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1 Windows 8 Pro, JT-B1 Android tablets launched for the wild

CES 2013: Make a splash

Panasonic has announced two new Toughpad tablets at CES 2013. The Toughpad FZ-G1 and the JT-B1 join the FZ-A1, previously launched, presenting a range of options for those wanting a sturdy tablet for professional use.

The Panasonic Toughpad FT-G1 is a 10.1-inch tablet running Windows 8 Pro. There's an Intel Core i5 processor running the show, 4-8GB of RAM and 128-256GB SSD storage options.

Connections include USB, HDMI, Ethernet and microSD, as well as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and optional GPS and 3G or 4G.

The Toughpad name means it can withstand the rigours of professional use, with MIL-STD-810G and IP65 certification, meaning it will handle drops, water and dust with no problems.

The 10.1-inch display has an 800-nit screen, so it will be visible in bright conditions, with a resolution of 1920 x 800. The battery is rated at 8 hours of use and is replaceable if you want to carry spares.

The FZ-G1 weighs 1.1kg and measures 269 x 187 x 19mm. The Toughpad FZ-G1 will be available in March from $2,899.

The Panasonic Toughpad JT-B1 is a 7-inch Android 4.0 tablet, again with those tough credentials, meaning it's resistant to drops, water and dust.

The display is finished in Corning Gorilla Glass 2 with a resolution of 1024 x 600 and producing 500 nit, so should be bright and sharp.

Sitting at the heart is a Texas Instruments OMAP4460 1.5GHz dual-core processor, with 1GB RAM and 16GB of storage. There's a 13-megapixel autofocus camera on the rear and a 1.3-megapixel camera on the front.

In terms of physical connections you get Micro-USB and a microSD slot, and wireless connections include GPS, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth and optional 4G. Again, the battery is user-replaceable.

As this is a professional device, there will be additional attachments for things such as barcode and magstripe readers.

The Toughpad JT-B1 will be available from February from $1,199.

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