Loading...Panasonic has come out with its first Android tablet, the Panasonic Toughpad A1. It has a dual-core processor and has not disappointed to this point. The Toughpad B1 is set to release in the Fall of 2012, but it is just a smaller scale version of its predecessor. Both of these Toughpad devices are designed to handle demanding commercial and industrial environments. It is designed to protect against dust, water and shocks. The main goal of the Toughpad is durability.
Durability may be the most appealing part of the Toughpad, but it won’t be the only thing to attract customers. With 16GB of internal storage and a microSD slot, it proves to be a versatile tablet. The A1 has WiFi, Bluetooth connection and GPS, as well as 3G and 4G capabilities. There is a USB connector and microHDMI socket also.
Both the A1 and B1 present many reasons to buy them. The A1 is bigger (10 inches), and the more ‘rugged’ of the two, as Panasonic describes it. It is probably best for someone who is actually “in the field” and needs a tablet during work. One could also make the case that it is better for someone who is more stationary because it may be a pain to carry out around because of its size. Either way, the versatility of this tablet cannot be ignored. The storage memory it provides is sufficient for almost any business and it has a sleek look to it as well.
The B1 is smaller (7 inches) and won’t be out until the Fall of 2012, but it is better for those who are constantly on the run. It makes more sense for anybody who isn’t looking to carry their tablet around in a case of some sort; it is compact enough to carry by itself. It is also cheaper than the A1 even though it provides many of the same features.
Both tablets prevent the extra spending of money on expensive cases. The cases are where most companies really turn a profit. They convince you that you absolutely need one to protect the tablet you just spent so much money on. The Toughpad is its own protective case, validating its marketing phrase of a ‘rugged’ tablet.
Whether you wait for the smaller, more compact B1 in the Fall or you just can’t wait and go with the bigger A1, neither would be a bad choice.