Weighing up the differences between the offerings from Panasonic and Getac brands is common. Both are reputable rugged technology brands that are used in harsh conditions around the world. Getac released its B360 to go head-to-head against Panasonic’s FZ40. Both are comparable rugged laptops. We’ll analyse the pros and cons of the two brands to help you decide which device best suits your requirements.
Rugged Laptops - Which One is Best?
Choose between the Panasonic FZ-40 and the Getac B360 Pro - two of the hardest working rugged laptops available.
Panasonic Toughbook FZ40
The Panasonic Toughbook 40 is a powerful 11th Generation i7 or i5 vPro processor and its 64GB memory makes it ideal for running powerful software programs and capturing video footage. The large 14-inch fully rugged notebook has four expansion areas with different PAKS for barcode reader, optical drives, authentication readers, batteries, and storage. And for graphics, you’ll have the Integrated Iris Xe Graphics G7. The fully customisable device means it can be designed to suit the type of work you do now and serve you well into the future.
Protected by its magnesium alloy case, this Toughbook is drop resistant up to six feet. The ingress rating of IP66 and MIL-STD 810H means it’s waterproof and can operate in harsh conditions in Australia and overseas. The 1920x1080 pixel display offers glove support, making it suitable for most workers. It’s a weighty rugged device at 3.35kg but the handle allows it to be carried like a briefcase. The dimensions are 353 x 302 x 53mm.
Enhanced identity protection and hardware encryption make it one of the most secure Windows PCs on the market. It’s known for less downtime and repairs compared to other laptops. And you can accessorise your device with more memory, a barcode reader, smart care, fingerprint reader, shoulder strap, and desktop or vehicle docks.
The Panasonic FZ-40 gives you the choice of a 4G or 5G modem. The 4G modem supports LTE, LTE-A with a speed of up to 2 Gps, while the 5G supports LTE, LTE-A, 5G (Sub6, C-band, mmWave) with a speed of up to 5.5 Gps.
The Toughbook 40 is ideal for a range of industries including police, utilities, and the public sector.
Pros and Cons of Panasonic Toughbook FZ-40
Pros
Besides all the mentioned features, the Toughbook also includes;
- Modular design with expansion packs for customising,
- Fastest embedded 4G modem,
- Full flexibility
Cons
- Heavy at 3.35 kg
- Wi-Fi 6 rather than 6E
- 1200 nits brightness is slightly less than others
Getac B360 Pro
The Getac B360 Pro uses 10th Generation Intel® CoreTM processor and Intel UHD graphics to provide the fastest response time. Getac made sure it can cope with the harshest conditions, making it suitable to use in a range of industries including utilities and manufacturing. Smooth streaming, fast mobile connectivity, and fewer dropped connections are available, in addition to Bluetooth 5.2, Intel® Wi-Fi AX200, and optional 4G LTE and integrated GPS.
The B360 Pro is certified MIL-STD-810H and MIL-STD-416G. The ingress protection IP66 certification means the unit can withstand temperatures from -29℃ to 63℃ and a 6 foot drop while operating. For hazardous locations, the B360 meets ANSI/ISA 12.12.01 standards for Class 1 Division 2. While it’s a rugged laptop, Getac has kept the weight to 2.32 kg so it can be carried around. The unit makes an easy transition between being docked in a vehicle and field operation. The LumiBond 2.0 Technology means you can choose between finger, pen, or glove on the touchscreen display. And you can get a clear view of the screen whether it’s at night or in direct sunlight at various outdoor light levels.
Getac has ensured the unit can protect your data. Sign-in using one of the B360’s multi-factor authentications, including HF RFID reader, smart card reader, and face-authentication via Windows Hello.
If you need to plug in diagnostic instruments in the field, there’s versatile I/O ports including a serial port, smart card reader, headphone-out/mic-in combo, and an optional 1D/2D barcode reader and USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C. The ports are protected by hinged covers with rubber seals.
The dual battery with hot-swapping technology means there is no need to power down to change the batteries. The battery combined with Windows 10 Pro means you can do more tasks simultaneously without slowing down.
Pros and Cons of Getac B360 Pro
Pros
Besides all the mentioned features, the B360 Pro also includes;
- 1400nits makes it one of the brightest multi-touch screens on the market,
- Ability to cope with Australia’s hottest environments up to 63℃,
- Getac’s 3 Year Bumper to Bumper warranty,
- Weight of 2.32kg
Cons
- Small touchpad
- Keys with side-to-side movement making them feel loose
Rugged Laptops or Tablets - Which Should You Choose?
Rugged tablets are similar to rugged laptops. The main difference between the two is their mobility. A tablet is easier to carry around during an entire shift because it’s slimmer and lighter than a rugged laptop. A laptop has a keyboard that’s permanently attached while a tablet has the option of adding a detachable keyboard. Tablets are also ideal if you need scanning and camera functions. In the end, more than one being a better option than the other, it's a matter of which one is more suitable for your job and daily activities.
For more details on the best tablet to suit your requirements, see our article The Best Android Rugged Tablets in 2021.
If you want any advice on which rugged laptop suits your needs best, speak to one of our experts at Roaming Technologies by calling 1300 131 933 or contact us online.