14 DAY TRIAL // Quite a number of tablets have been previewed over the past few months but most of them have been revealed to run a version of Android, which means that running Windows 7 is an extra reason to mention Panasonic's Toughbook U1, which already stands out through its ruggedness.
Though most media slates have a similar build as far as the outer design is concerned, Panasonic went ahead and made his own model a but more sturdy.
The main thing that will jump into view when looking at it is the magnesium alloy chassis that actually makes the newcomer capable of surviving falls of up to 6 feet.
The internal hardware is also different form that of many slates, as it is centered around the Intel platform, not an ARM chip like Tegra or Snapdragon.
The processor that lies at the heart of it all is the Intel Atom Z530, which runs at 1.6 GHz and is, in this case, paired with 2GB of RAM.
The tablet also features a solid state drive with a capacity of 64 GB, as well as a 5.6-inch WSVGA touchscreen whose nit viewability is of up to 6000.
What's more, the Toughbook U1 boasts a fingerprint reader, two hot-swappable batteries and a life of up to 9 hours, even while featuring the full range of connectivity and I/O options.
The list includes 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, optional GPS and a 2.0 megapixel webcam, among other things.
"The ability to provide your mobile workforce with a reliable, powerful and adaptable handheld computer running a full Windows OS is critical for organizations attempting to stay ahead of the competition," said Kyp Walls, director of product management, Panasonic Solutions Company.
"Relying on a single-purpose device that runs a pared-down or proprietary OS is no longer acceptable in environments where information is critical and computing solutions must deliver a clear ROI,” Walls added.
“The Toughbook U1 Ultra, running Windows 7 and incorporating an impressive list of available integrated features, is the ideal handheld mobile computing solution for companies with an eye on future success," Walls went on to saying.
With a starting price of $2,799, the Panasonic Toughbook U1 is already shipping in the US.