On July 21, 2021, the Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America introduced the Windows 10-based 10.1-inch TOUGHBOOK G2. The G2, which had already been announced weeks ago in other parts of the world, is a fully rugged 2-in-1 detachable tablet with optional keyboard that features a modular design and the type of user-removable expansion packs — xPAKs — pioneered in the semi-rugged TOUGHBOOK 55 a couple of years ago.
Followers of Panasonic's storied quarter of a century track record with rugged laptops and tablets will likely have a few questions.
First of all, the "G2" designation suggests that this is Panasonic's follow-up and replacement of the Toughpad G1 (see our review) that was first introduced in 2013 and underwent a series of tech updates over the years.
On the other hand, the new Toughbook G2 looks an awful lot like the TOUGHBOOK 20 that Panasonic introduced in 2015 as sort of a 2-in-1 successor to the company's TOUGHBOOK 19 convertible notebook which had featured a rotating display hinge. So what we're likely seeing here is a merging of two product lines, and Panasonic says as much in its press release by describing the new G2 as "an evolution of the TOUGHBOOK G1 tablet and TOUGHBOOK 20 laptop."
So there. The issue then becomes whether the new G2 is more of a tablet or more of a laptop. Panasonic always described the TOUGHBOOK 20 as a laptop, whereas the G2 press release states right away that this is a tablet with an optional keyboard. And that's really the issue/question with all 2-in-1 designs. They are by nature a compromise. Why? Because for a tablet to be functional as a stand-alone device, it must include not just the screen but also the computer, battery and connectivity. Which generally makes it thick and heavy enough to make the tablet/keyboard combo top-heavy.
The trick then becomes adding enough functionality into an optional, but dedicated keyboard part to make its purchase attractive and worthwhile. That could mean extra battery, extra ports, and just generally everything that makes the combo feel like a "real" laptop.
Then there is yet another issue: if more functionality is needed, why not just use the USB-C port for it? The TOUGHBOOK G2 has one. The specs say it can transmit data as fast as 10Gbps and supports power delivery, so it's likely USB 3.2 Gen 2. That means the port can be used for down- and upstream charging as well as for connecting to mini docks for hooking up a mouse, keyboard, a screen or whatever else is desired.
But then why did Panasonic go with Intel 10th generation chips instead of 11th generation Core processors that already include a Thunderbolt 4 controller and thus all that extra Thunderbolt 4 functionality? Maybe because its primary competitor in this class, the Getac UX10, is also still at the 10th generation. But with a brand new design, wouldn't Panasonic want to be a step ahead of the competition?
As is, image below shows the TOUGHBOOK G2 from the front and all four sides:
From the looks of it, the TOUGHBOOK G2 resembles the TOUGHBOOK 20 more than the old G1. That makes sense as the 20 was a newer design than the G1. For wired connectivity, the G2 offers a USB-A, a USB-C port and an RJ45 LAN jack. A second USB-A port and a D-sub 9 port for a true serial COM port dongle are optional. The optional keyboard has an additional USB-A and USB-C port.
The G2 display measures 10.1 inches diagonally and offers 1920 x 1200 pixels resolution for a 16:10 aspect ratio and 224 ppi. The capacitive and glove-capable multi-touch display uses direct bonding and anti reflective treatment, and there is a digitizer pen.
For RAM, there's up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM. For mass storage there is ultra-fast 512GB or 1TB of quick-release ultra-fast OPAL NVMe solid state disk. There's dual-band Intel Wi-Fi 6, Class 1 Bluetooth 5.1, and optional 4G LTE wireless broadband. Dedicated u-blox NE M8N GNSS is optional. There is a 2mp webcam and a 8mp rear cameras with auto-focus and LED flash.
As stated above, at a time where Intel is redefining mobile processing with its 11th gen mobile Core processors, it's interesting that Panasonic chose to stay with a couple of 10th generation CPUs. These will doubtlessly generate good performance, but without 11th gen chips, the TOUGHBOOK G2 foregoes Thunderbolt 4 and parity with some of the rugged laptop competition.
We like Panasonic bringing the modular design and user-installable and -removable xPAK expansion packs of the TOUGHBOOK 55 to the G2. Panasonic used that approach in the TOUGHBOOK 55 laptop to address situations where even offering several different versions of a product can't meet ALL customer requirements. With replaceable modules there are more possible permutations, and customers are not locked into configurations. The module choices for the G2 are more limited than for the big TOUGHBOOK 55, but there still are three expansion areas to customize the tablet. The top expansion area offers a choice of barcode reader, thermal camera, the serial dongle port, or a second USB-A or LAN port. The rear expansion area is for an insertable or contactless SmartCard. The SSD expansion area is really just for the size of mass storage.
On the battery side, the G2 has a hefty 68 watt-hour Li-ion battery good for up to 18.5 hours. An optional bridge battery allows hot-swapping batteries.
What makes the G2 a fully rugged TOUGHBOOK? That would be the fortified industrial design and construction Panasonic has specialized in since releasing its first Toughbook computers back in the mid 1990s. Consumer tablets are sleek, elegant, but very fragile. The TOUGHBOOK G2 is also an attractive machine, but it definitely isn't fragile. Sealing is at the IP65 level, where the "6" means it's completely dustproof, and the "5" means it's protected against low pressure water jets from all directions. The specs, unfortunately, do not list much ruggedness testing information other than a generic "designed to meet MIL-STD-810H" mention.
How much does it all cost? That would be US$2,999 for starters. That's high, but such is the world of rugged computing where the initial purchase price is less relevant than how well a product holds up out there in the field, and how long it will last. And Panasonic has all the stats that show its stuff lasts a long, long time.
When the original TOUGHPAD G1 was introduced in 2013, Panasonic aimed for a 50% marketshare in rugged tablets by 2015. We're not sure if that ever happened. As is, Panasonic offers 7" and 10" Android tablets and now two 2-in-1s, the existing 12-inch TOUGHBOOK 33 and the new 10-inch TOUGHBOOK G2. -- Conrad Blickenstorfer, July 2021
