Jan/Feb 2006

Our impression

Not sure whether your field operations require a conventional ruggedised notebook or a tablet PC? The Panasonic CF-18 could be the solution. Externally, it may look like its brothers in the Toughbook ruggedised laptop range, but it harbours a secret. The 10.4in, high-visibility XGA display panel flips over and then closes again, face-up, on top of the unit's keyboard, converting the device into a fully functional touchscreen tablet PC.

The hard drive and display panel are insulated from impacts (the LCD screen is protected in a smart magnesium case) and there is a solid clasp securing the clamshell. Sliding the release button beneath the screen enables you to swivel it around and, hey presto, it becomes a tablet.

It's a very neat idea. As well as obviating the need for you to compromise on functionality, it gives field staff the flexibility to work in the way that best suits them or the task in hand.

As a tablet, it is easy to hold in one hand (it weighs just 2kg), leaving the other hand free to tap in data or just do something as mundane as opening a door. So in mobile applications it's highly versatile. There is handwriting-to-text conversion, enabling you to take notes, sketch diagrams and annotate existing reports and documents by hand.

We were sceptical at first about the handwriting recognition feature, but were pleasantly surprised. The screen is very reactive to the stylus, with minimal delay between writing and display. Users can select one of three character thicknesses. The handwriting feature is faster than trying to use an on-screen keyboard to make quick notes on the tablet.

You save the text or hand-drawn diagram in its displayed format, then convert it to editable text later. This is useful, since it means you always have a snapshot of the original note, should the character recognition software fail to interpret your scrawl.

The transflective LCD screen automatically balances sunlight and system backlight, so the screen is bright in most environments. When you're using it as a conventional notebook there is a QWERTY keyboard with keys large enough not to be irritating to pick out. The touch pad is water-resistant and pressure-sensitive; we were able to control it when wearing thick woollen gloves. The data pen is attached securely to the Toughbook screen with a stretchy cord to prevent its getting lost.

As you'd expect with a Toughbook, this one is designed to cope with demanding conditions. For instance, flaps help protect ports from moisture, water and dust ingress.We didn't quite dare throw it on the floor or submerge it in water, but neither did we treat it with the sort of tender care you would give an ordinary notebook. We slung it over shoulders, risking, knocks and bumps, while it was turned on as well as off, and never once did it throw a tantrum and shut down.

Our verdict

Even without its dual personality, the compactness of the CF-18 should guarantee its appeal for mobile working. There was no difficulty reading data on the LCD screen even in bright sunlight. The fact that the data pen is captive means there is less risk of losing it, but the downside is that even though the cord is short, it can sometimes get caught on other objects. But that's just a tiny niggle in a very attractive product.

PANSONIC CF-18 TOUGH BOOK

Specification

Processor/memory Intel Pentium 1.2GHZ ultra low-voltage 753 processor; 60GB hard drive; 512 MB DDR 2-SDRAM expandable to 1.5GB. 2MB of Level 2 on-die cache

Operating system Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2; or XP Tablet PC 2005

Screen 10.4in anti-reflective, daylight-readable Active Matrix TFT colour LCD screen. Magnesium alloy screen cabinet

Size 271mm x 49mm x 216mm (10.3inx1.93inx8.5in)

Weight 2.1kg (4.7lb)

Power 7.4V (7.65Ah) lithium-ion battery; approx 8.5 hours life. 4 hours charging time. Standby and hibernation functions. AC adapter.

Input interfaces Keyboard, touch screen; touch pad; digitiser. Serial 9-pin port. External 15-pin port; mini headphone and microphone jacks' 2 4-pin USB 2 slots. RJ1 modem jack; RJ45 LAN jack; 100-pin port replicator

Expansion slots 2 type II PCMCIA PC card slots; 1 SD card slot; optional SO-DIMM RAM module.

Interfaces USB slots; 1.2 integrated Bluetooth

Communications Smartcard reader. Bluetooth class 1; 802.11b LAN; CDMA 2000 RTT; 100Base TX/10 BaseT wired LAN support; 56kbps V90 fax/modem. Optional: integrated GSM/GPRS\Edge\GPS

Environmental/ruggedness

Exceeds MIL STD 810F water an dust resistance, IPX4 for water resistance and IPX5 for dust resistance. Gravity drop resistance from 90cm to MIL Std 810F; vibration tested to MIL STD 810F category 24

Accessories 512MB and 1GB RAM modules; battery pack; battery charger; car mount; port replicator; USB combo-drive; AC adapter