Doctors are increasingly incorporating tablets into their daily routines. To take advantage of the opportunity, Panasonic has released the Toughbook H2 tablet, which runs the Windows 7 operating system.
Panasonic designed the Toughbook H2 specifically for medical applications. The device has no exposed ports or fan vents, which prevents microorganisms from hitching a ride and traveling from one patient to another.
To make doctors' jobs easier, the device also incorporates a barcode reader, fingerprint analysis and either insertable or contactless SmartCard/RFID readers. Medical providers can use the device for barcode medication administration (BCMA), vitals capture and electronic medical record viewing and data capture.
A doctor sometimes works in a tough environment. The aptly named "Toughbook" has a polycarbonate-encased magnesium alloy chassis and is IP65 certified to survive any type of weather. The tablet can survive drops of up to six feet, temperature shocks, humidity, rain, dust, sand, altitude and even explosive atmospheres.
Panasonic also designed the screen for both daytime and nighttime use. The screen can be adjusted up to 6,000 Nits for use in direct sunlight and down to one Nit for use in dark conditions. The lower brightness makes the tablet good for military and public safety applications because it means that the tablet stays concealed in dangerous environments.
The Toughbook H2 features Ethernet, serial and USB 3.0 ports. It can connect via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as well as over 4G LTE and 3G Gobi networks. The device also offers dedicated GPS.
Processing and memory have also undergone updates. The Toughbook H2 uses an Intel i5-3427U processor with Intel Turbo Boost Technology for a speed of up to 2.8GHz. The hard drive is flex-connected and shock-mounted for durability and has its own dedicated heater. The capacity of the hard drive is 500GB 7200rpm with optional 128GB SSD.
While the Toughbook is being marketed toward doctors, the device has applications for a number of different work environments. "With its versatility, portability and sheer toughness, the Toughbook H2 is a critical tool for workers in diverse industries," said Kyp Walls, director of product management, Panasonic System Communications Company of North America.
Edited by
Alisen Downey
