Android Tablet: Panasonic Tablet

Panasonic Tablet

The Panasonic Toughbook C1 is the only device in our lineup of tablet PCs that's designated rugged. Subsequently, the device can take a beating, easily withstanding short falls, large amounts of pressure, liquid spills and more. While it delivers decent performance, the system's steep cost makes it a much better fit for corporate professionals and small businesses rather than average consumers.

As with competing Windows units, the Toughbook C1 is relatively easy to use. The capacitive, multitouch screen is properly sensitive and easy to navigate. The device also comes with a digitizer, or stylus, if you prefer to navigate that way. However, the tablet PC's screen does seem to require more pressure than some of the competition's tablets do to register input.

Arguably the best thing about the Panasonic Toughbook C1 is that it is extremely durable but doesn't look or feel like a rugged system. In fact, its silver-magnesium alloy chassis is rather sleek and contemporary. Don't be fooled by its stylish appearance; the system can handily withstand the abuse of daily operations.

With unparalleled durability, it's not surprising that this tablet PC packs some extra girth. It is nearly 1 foot wide, 9 inches deep and 1.2 inches high when the screen is shut. However, it's still surprisingly lightweight, starting at just 3.2 pounds.

The Toughbook C1 has many of the standard features found in similar tablet PC models, including a 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-520M processor, 2GB of DDR3-800 SDRAM (expandable to 6GB) and a decent hard drive size of 250GB. The tablet PC's input and output ports are protected under small, removable plastic coverings and include USB, Ethernet, VGA, a PC ExpressCard Slot, a memory card reader and a convenient audio jack so you can connect headphones or speakers.

There is a built-in microphone and an optional built-in web camera for video chatting and teleconferencing. Unfortunately, the battery life lasts less than five hours, but there is an optional hot swappable feature with a second battery that can double the battery life. As with any upgrade, this one will increase the unit's overall price.