Panasonic is releasing a new Toughbook CF-54 this month. The CF-54 is a 14” semi-rugged notebook that runs an i5 processor. It offers a broad range of customization and good specs. It’s a semi-rugged device aimed towards users that need the field protection and are on the move. Panasonic states the CF-54 is 50% lighter and 25% thinner than competing devices.
Semi-rugged notebooks are not bulletproof, but they offer significantly more protection than a standard notebook. The protection listed by Panasonic on the CF-54 includes “magnesium plating used on all four sides, full keyboard, and display area spill protection, and a honeycomb-style bonnet to provide maximum protection from impacts.”
To make it easier for users on the move, the CF-54 comes with a docking connector that can be used to dock to vehicles and desktops. For internet connection on the move, it has an option for 4G LTE. It also has a dual pass-through the antenna.
The CF-54 has quite a few features that make it more suitable for mobile workers. It, comes with a backlit keyboard, has an option for a fingerprint scanner, and also has a touchscreen variant.
There is an option configuration area that allows users to choose between different options, but users cannot select every option. Customers can choose between a DVD drive or a second battery or a PC card slot or a USB key or a smart card reader. Users can also elect to have a separate configuration port and choose a port for a second LAN, Rugged USB, dedicated GPS or fourth USB 2.0.
The CF-54 has a long list of connections including LAN, VGA, HDMI, True Serial port, USB 3.0, USB 2.0 and SD though some of those are optional. It also supports wireless LAN and Bluetooth 4.0
The CF-54 has hot switching for batteries that allow users to swap batteries without having to turn off the device. Alternatively users can choose a variant that runs two batteries that ups the battery life advertised to potentially 18 hours. Panasonic lists standard battery life as 11 hours.
Here’s a quick run through of some of the number based specs.
- 14” display with options for HD, Full HD, and Full HD with a multi-touch touchscreen
- AMD FirePro™ M5100 graphics
- 500GB HDD standard for the HD model and 128SSD standard for the FullHD model
- 2 megapixel webcam
Here is a price list. Prices are listed in Pounds and have VAT listed as an additional cost.
- Toughbook CF-54 HD Model (with 500GB HDD) – £ 1142 + VAT
- Toughbook CF-54 FullHD Model (with 128GB SSD) – £ 1325 + VAT
- Toughbook CF-54 FullHD with Touchscreen Model (with 128GB SSD) – £ 1662 + VAT
