Panasonic Unveils Toughbook H2 Tablet

An Intel Core i5 processor replaces the Intel Atom chip from the previous H1 model, while Windows 7 remains in place. The 10.1-inch H2 has a magnesium alloy case and is rated to withstand a six-foot drop, extreme weather and liquid spills. Design features are geared toward mobile workers in field service, as well as first responders and clinicians, according to Kyp Walls, director of product management at Panasonic Solutions Company.

"The users that we build for are working in mission critical kind of jobs," said Walls. "They can't be concerned about what is going on around them environmentally."

Walls said battery life is particularly important to the 3.5-pound H2 tablet because of the type of work it is used to performing. The H2 has twin hot-swappable batteries with 6.5 hours of battery life. The optional desktop cradle can charge extra batteries while the tablet charges in parallel, which Walls said virtually eliminates downtime.

The tablet does not require a fan, a feature that makes it particularly useful to the healthcare industry, where air circulation can spread pathogens.

Panasonic also made a series of updates to the screen to accommodate users who work outside with the tablet. The H2 uses Panasonic's TransflectivePlus display technology. The goal is to make the screen easy to see inside, where backlighting is required, and outside, where natural light is used to view the screen. When the natural light is strong enough, the backlight will turn off completely, both improving visibility and increasing battery life, according to Walls.

The tablet will cost $3,499 with a three year warranty and is expected to ship in July.