Ultimate Guide to Field Work Laptops and Tablets

What is the Best Laptop or Tablet for Field Service Work?

Mooring Tech Inc., also known as Buy Tough, knows how important it is for field service workers to have a fully rugged or semi rugged laptop when working outdoors. But there are so many choices, it can be a challenge to choose the best laptop for field service.


Panasonic has a proven range of amazingly rugged, high performance, lightweight laptops that are ideal for field service workers. We have compiled this ultimate guide to help you decide which one will meet your daily challenges. We have singled out four models and have listed the unique features, benefits, and ideal user profile of each:

 

 

PANASONIC TOUGHBOOK 55

Lighweight And Powerful Field Service Laptop

The Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 55 is a hardy, semi rugged laptop designed to meet the most demanding conditions field service workers face. Its award-winning modular design, light weight, and small size offer unrivaled flexibility.

Unique Features

Featuring state of the art technology, its innovative, modular design, and unparalleled customization options top the unique features of this model. With two weight options, both under 5 lbs, it is the world’s lightest and thinnest semi-rugged laptop.

There is a choice between a brightly lit touch screen or the less expensive matte display that doesn’t have a touch screen. You can choose between an Intel Core i5 or a Core i7 processor as well as various storage and memory options. There are also display and graphics options. Units with two memory cards come with Intel Iris Xe graphics rather than the usual Intel UHD graphics card.  

Released in 2019, it has a nifty built-in handle and is the only one of these four models with an IP53-certified magnesium alloy design.

Benefits

The 55 has loads of benefits including ingress protection and compliance with the toughest military standards - MIL-STD-810H - that are even more stringent than the previous MIL-STD-810G. It is incredibly durable and like all TOUGHBOOKS, comes with a replaceable tempered glass screen protector that hasn’t been treated chemically like Gorilla Glass.

It offers instant access to high-speed 4G networks, which is a critical benefit for all field service workers. Its unprecedented battery life of up to 38 hours with an optional second battery, is another great benefit. Backward compatibility with earlier vehicle and desktop docks is a feature that protects customer investment.  

Ideal User Profile

This field service laptop is ideal for any field workers who are constantly on the move in all weather conditions, particularly:

First responders

Law enforcement officers

Maintenance and service technicians in the telecommunications industry

Click To Customize Your Toughbook 55 Today

 

PANASONIC TOUGHBOOK G2

A Longlasting and Secure Tablet for Field Service Work

Launched mid-2021, the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK G2 is described as the ultimate mobile device for workers on the move. A fully rugged next-generation tablet, it incorporates the benefits of all the latest technologies and is highly versatile.  

Unique Features

The ground-breaking modular design of the G2 embraces a combination of successful legacy systems and revolutionary new mobile device technology. It features a rear and a front camera and future-proofed capabilities for wireless communications. These devices even have a heater for their solid state drives.

It has three expansion areas that offer 36 combinations and a full set of interfaces that offer customizable options to meet every possible field service need.  

Security features have been stepped up, making it the most secure model for field service work.

Benefits

Based on two highly successful Panasonic mobile devices, the TOUGHBOOK G1 tablet and the detachable, hybrid TOUGHBOOK 20, this innovative tablet has an optional keyboard that transforms it into a 2-in-1 design.

The G2 comes with a single 18.5-hour battery and optional bridge battery that lets users do a hot-swap for continuous use.

It is backward compatible with most TOUGHBOOK G1 and 20 docks.

Ideal User Profile

Aimed at professionals who need a versatile rugged device that is secure and easy-to-handle, Water and dust-resistant, the G2 appeals to the full range of field workers including:

Police

Military

Emergency service providers

Click To Customize Your Toughbook G2 Today

 

PANASONIC TOUGHBOOK 33

Designed For The Toughest Field Service Applications

This TOUGHBOOK 33 is a mission-critical 2-in-1 laptop and tablet combination that was launched in mid-2017. It is a robust, full-hybrid mobile device with a bunch of integrated options. Even though it is the oldest model on our list, it has features that are ideal for those working in the field.

Unique Features

The 33 was the first fully rugged TOUGHBOOK to incorporate a 3:2 screen that meets the demands of a wide range of mobile professionals.

It offers a highly customizable package with integrated options ranging from fingerprint, barcode, serial port, and insertable and contactless SmartCard readers to optional FirstNet Ready broadband. You decide what you need.

Benefits

The fully rugged TOUGHBOOK 33 was designed to meet the stringent military standard, MIL-STD-810G. It’s exceptionally tough and heavier than any of the other models featured here. But it will take a beating without any significant ill effects. It’s easy to carry and works incredibly well for anyone who needs to take notes while on the move.

The 12-inch screen is 15% bigger than other comparable mobile devices and it is 50% brighter. The 33’s twin-battery design enables users to hot-swap batteries without having to stop work.

This model is compatible with previous vehicle docks.  

Ideal User Profile

The TOUGHBOOK 33 was designed and developed for mobile workers and it is the ideal choice for those who operate in mission-critical environments. They include:

Police

Military

Healthcare workers

Those responsible for stock-taking in inhospitable and inaccessible environments

Click To Customize Your Toughbook 33 Today

 

PANASONIC TOUGHBOOK A3

Versatile and Light Field Service Tablet

The most powerful android tablet Panasonic produces, the TOUGHBOOK A3 tablet is light, small, rugged, powerful, and incredibly flexible.

Unique Features

Certified to the latest MIL-STD-810H military standards, this rugged 10.1-inch tablet is as light as they come, weighing in under 2 lbs. with its dual batteries installed. It is FirstNet Ready.

Like the G2, the A3 has a heater for its solid state drives. Like the 33, it has an optional integrated barcode reader as well as an insertable smart card reader.

Benefits

The A3 utilizes the same battery as the L1 and T1, so if you have one of these older models, you can use the same battery type for all of them. The battery life is approximately 9 hours, extending to 15.5 hours with two of them in use.

It is highly durable, dust and water-resistant, and drop resistant to 6 feet. The device also features a dual hot-swap design.

Ideal User Profile

Designed for use in industries that rely on warehousing, logistics, and transportation, the A3 has everything you need to enable you to work in mission-critical retail and federal enterprise applications. Its outdoor-viewable display and rain and glove-touch functionality make it a top choice for anyone working outdoors.

Click To Customize Your Toughbook A3 Today

Considerations When Buying Field Service Laptop

Is a tablet or laptop better for field service work?

 

In some ways the answer to this question can be simply personal preference as both devices are popular with our field service customers. Field Service techs and personnel who prefer a traditional clamshell style laptop and who might also rely on a significant amount of typing and data entry will likely gravitate towards the TOUGHBOOK 55. Despite being a “semi-rugged” device, it is still substantially more durable and rugged than a normal laptop and performs well in a field service application. For those end-users who value portability and size above all else, then the TOUGHBOOK G2 as a right-sized tablet will make the most sense. Finally, why not have the best of both worlds? Add a keyboard to the TOUGHBOOK G2 or keyboard to the TOUGHBOOK 33 and essentially eliminate this question altogether!

 

Can i mount my field service laptop in my vehicle?

 

Yes, all Panasonic TOUGHBOOK laptops, tablets and 2-in-1 devices can be mounted in a variety of ways in your vehicle. Mooring Tech offers a wide range of vehicle mounting solutions from Havis, Gamber-Johnson and RAM-Mount that in-turn offer varying functionality at different price points.

 

Does Panasonic offer their best warranty on field service laptops?

 

It is absolutely true that at first glance, Panasonic TOUGHBOOK solutions appear significantly higher-priced than more consumer-centric brands and devices. However, we strongly believe that initial impression can be misleading when considering the true cost of ownership over the life of a product. A significant value that isn’t hugely obvious at first with a field service solution that centers around a Panasonic TOUGHBOOK device is both the standard and potentially upgrade warranty and service ecosystem that Panasonic offers. The standard warranty on any TOUGHBOOK is robust and for 3-years. But depending on use-case and circumstances, customers will want to consider an upgraded accidental damage warranty to ensure the value of their TOUGHBOOK solution is truly realized. Panasonic’s Protection Plus and Ultimate Care Warranty options will cover just about anything you might accidentally do to your device. The Ultimate Care version will repair or replace your device and UNLIMITED number of times throughout the warranty period. That is without question the absolutely top of the line offering in the mobile device industry.

 

Learn About The Future Of Field Work Mobility

Field Service Mobility White Paper

Choosing the Best Laptop for Field Service

 

Ultimately, you know what you want and what you need. MooringTech is a trusted TOUGHBOOK dealer that stocks the full range of fully and semi rugged laptop models from Panasonic. If our ultimate guide hasn’t helped you decide which field service laptop is right for you, contact us and we’ll help guide you through the selection process.

 

TOUGHBOOK Models For Field Service Workers and Technicians

Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 55

Toughbook 55
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Panasonic TOUGHBOOK G2

TOUGHBOOK G2
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Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 33

TOUGHBOOK 33
Learn More

Panasonic TOUGHBOOK A3

TOUGHBOOK A3
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