Why Toughbooks? CERTIFIED TOUGH!
Panasonic recommends Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional
Test Procedures
- Drop Test - Vibration - Water-Resistance
- Humidity - Dust-Resistance - High Temperature
- Low Temperature - Thermal Shock - Altitude
Test Challenge
Each Panasonic Toughbook® is designed and manufactured to meet a level of durability matched to an intended work environment. The range of Toughbooks cover the ruggedized Toughbook 18, Toughbook 27, Toughbook 29, Toughbook 34, Toughbook 01, Toughbook 07 and MDWD (Mobile Data Wireless Display), and include models with selected durability features like the remaining semi-rugged models.
At the very least, each Toughbook features a magnesium alloy LCD case, 20 times stronger than ABS plastic, to protect this critical and expensive-to-replace component. Other models include full magnesium cases to protect all system components. Hard disk drives are equipped with various degrees of shock insulation to protect mission-critical data from the dangers of shocks, bumps and drops. Some Toughbooks also offer spill-resistant keyboards to provide protection from the spills and splashes that are a frequent part of mobile computing environments.
The key to choosing the right Toughbook is to consider your work environment and your performance and feature needs - your Panasonic representative or reseller will help you understand which Toughbook is the right choice for your particular business requirements.
Reliability
Our most rugged Toughbooks have been designed using MIL-STD-810F test procedures to measure levels of environmental reliability. Created by the U.S. government, the MIL-STD-810F specifications cover a broad range of tests that measure the durability of equipment used under harsh conditions. From the MIL-STD-810F test menu, Panasonic selected those that most closely reflect the challenges that mobile professionals face in the field, on the road, and in the office. These tests include drop-, shock-, moisture-, dust- and vibration-resistance, exposure to extremely low and high temperatures, and many others.
Passed the Test
And even though Panasonic conducts these environmental tests in our own factories with our own equipment, we didn't stop there. After we finished our in-house tests on the ruggedized Toughbook 18 , Toughbook 27 and Toughbook 29, we gave it to one of the leading independent environmental test agencies in the United States to repeat all of the tests again. In the end, the results confirmed our own: the Toughbook 18 , Toughbook 27, Toughbook 28 and Toughbook 29 passed all challenges without failure.
Testing Procedures
And while not every Toughbook is designed to be as ultra-rugged as the Toughbook 18, Toughbook 27, Toughbook 28, Toughbook 29 or Toughbook 34, tests like the MIL-STD-810F help us to understand how to design all of our Toughbooks with the best focus on durability features for the type of user and work conditions. The information below describes the tests we use to measure Toughbook durability.
The following MIL-STD-810F test procedures were performed on the Toughbook 28:
Drop Test
The Drop test was performed in accordance with MIL-STD-810F, Method 516.5, Procedure IV (Transit Drop Test). The Toughbook 28 was sequentially dropped in non-operating mode, onto each face, edge and corner for a total of 26 drops from a height of 36 inches. The drop surface was defined as two-inch-thick plywood over a steel plate over concrete. The Toughbook 28s were visually inspected after each drop and a functional check (boot-up into Windows) was performed after each drop.
Results
The Toughbooks boot Windows® following each drop.
Vibration
The Vibration shall be performed in accordance with MIL-STD-810F, Method 514, Procedure I, Category 24 (Minimum Integrity Test) for the non-operational condition and Category 20 (Ground Vehicles) for the operational condition. The unit should be clamped to an aluminum plate (approximating rigid mounting), and subjects to the following levels of vibration:
Non-Operational (from Figure 514.5C-17 of MIL-STD-810F) 0.04 g2 /Hz at 20-1000 Hz, -6 dB/Octave at 1000-2000 Hz, 1 hour/axis duration.
Operational (Figure 514.5C-1 of MIL-STD-810F) 0.001 g2 /Hz at 12.5 Hz, 0.034 g2 /Hz at 20~40 Hz 5.70E-06 g2 /Hz at 200 Hz, 1 hour/axis duration simulating 1000 miles of transportation.
The hard disk drive was spinning during the operational test. A functional test was performed between each axis of testing, to catch any potential failures. The operational test was conducted using the vertical axis power spectral density (worst case condition for amplitude), as the orientation of the test item during transportation is not known.
Results
All units passed the vibration test without incident.
Water Resistance
The Water Resistance test was performed in accordance with MIL-STD-810F, Method 506.4, Procedure III (Drip). The test items were subjected to this test with the LCD open and the unit operating, but with ports closed. The Toughbooks were opened following testing to inspect for water intrusion.
Results
The Toughbooks continued to operate during and following the 15-minute water drip test. There was no evidence of water intrusion.
Humidity
The Humidity test was performed in accordance with MIL-STD-810F, Method 507.4 (Aggravated). The test items were tested for operation near the conclusion of the fifth and tenth cycles. Each cycle was one day (24 hours) and the entire test was performed over ten days.The temperature was cycled between 86 and 140°F with the relative humidity at 95% constant.
Results
The Toughbooks continued to boot up and operate following each test, and there were no visual anomalies.
Dust Resistance
The Dust Resistance test was performed in accordance with MIL-STD-810F, Method 510.4, Procedure I (Dust). An operating temperature of 140°F was used for this test. The upper non-operating temperature of 140°F was incorporated into the test as this is the "default" temperature given by the MIL-STD-810F guidelines. Silica flour as defined by the test standard was used. Failure was considered to have occurred if moving parts bind or are blocked, or if contacts or relays malfunctioned. The units must have continued to function also.
Results
The Toughbooks continued to operate following dust testing. The keyboards were usable.
High Temperature
High Temperature tests were conducted in accordance with MIL-STD-810F, Method 501.4, Procedures I (Storage) and Procedure II (Operation). Panasonic set the testing parameters as follows: 140°F Operational, 160°F Non-Operational
Results
The Toughbooks continued to operate during the operational test and to boot and operate following the non-operational test. There were no visual anomalies.
Low Temperature
The Low Temperature test was performed according to MIL-STD-810F, Method 502.4, Procedures I (Storage) and II (Operation). Panasonic set the low operating temperature at -20°F and non-operating temperature at -60°F.
Results
The Toughbooks continued to boot and operate following each test, and there were no visual anomalies.
Thermal Shock
The Thermal Shock test was performed in accordance with MIL-STD-810F, Method 503.4. Panasonic set the high temperature non-operating temperature at 205°F and the low temperature non-operating temperature at -60°F. Three cycles were performed (high to low = one cycle).
Results
The Toughbooks continued to operate during the operational test and to boot and operate following the non-operational test. There were no visual anomalies.
The Toughbooks continued to boot up and operate following the test exposure cycles of thermal shock from 205°F to -60°F.
Altitude
The Altitude test was performed in accordance with MIL-STD-810F, Method 500.4, Procedure I (Storage) and II (Operation). The altitude level used for both procedures was 15,000 feet (highest equivalent altitude given within MIL-STD-810F for cargo pressures of military aircraft).
Results
All Toughbooks passed the test without incident.
Full details of each test are contained in a test report that was produced by an independent, internationally recognized test laboratory.
Shown below are some of the tests we perform on Panasonic Toughbooks, and the corresponding challenges that mobile road warriors face in daily business.
test real-life scenarios portfolios
drop fall from desk
airplane overhead container
car seat or hood of car
broken components
crashed hard drives
cracked LCD
vibration use in moving vehicles
- fixed mount
- free mount
keyboard failure
damage to internal electrical components
moisture coffee
water
juice
rain
damage to hard drive and other internal components
dust harsh outdoor work environments
construction sites
storage in car trunk
storage sheds
damage to CD-ROM and floppy disk drive
damage to internal components
temperature outdoor storage
unheated buildings
car trunk during seasonal extremes
damage to electrical components
LCD panel
battery operation
temperature
shock movement from one extreme of temperature to another
stress to all components that could lead to failure or non-performance - battery, LCD and other
