Panasonic ToughBook 40 Review

If you’re looking for a powerful laptop with exceptional performance in the toughest conditions, Panasonic ToughBook 40 is the way to go. This device offers an innovative modular design with expansion packs that allow you to customize it as you please, ensuring it suits your needs.

Here, we’ll provide a detailed review of this laptop.

• Ranking
• Pricing
• Pros and Cons
• Operation System and Programs
• How to Purchase
• Markets and Applications
• Review
• Power and Batteries
• Accessories and Addons
• Talk to an Expert

Product Ranking

Due to its innovative design, ruggedness, and high performance, the Panasonic ToughBook 40 rates 9.6/10. We highly recommend this laptop for everyone who wants to improve productivity, streamline day-to-day operations, and enjoy flexibility. 

Product Pricing

The average price of the Panasonic ToughBook 40 ranges between $4,500 and $6,000, depending on the configuration. Keep in mind that this powerful device is highly-customizable. If you aren’t sure about the best configuration for your needs, reach out to our experts at Energy Electronics. Our team can help you select the best components and offer excellent prices for this laptop. If you decide to purchase in bulk, you can get even better deals.

Pros and Cons

The Panasonic ToughBook 40 is a state-of-the-art laptop with high performance and exceptional design.

It’s made of high-quality materials that offer ultimate durability and resistance. The laptop features a magnesium alloy chassis, latched port covers, and corner bumpers. Thanks to these, this powerful device can survive six-foot drops without a scratch.

Different certificates confirm the laptop’s ruggedness. For example, the device features an ingress protection (IP) rating of 66. This high rating ensures that the laptop is resistant to dust, water, and high-pressure water jets. Moreover, the Panasonic ToughBook 40 has the MIL-STD-810H and the MIL-STD-461G U.S. military certificates. The former proves that the device has undergone various tests establishing its resistance to wind, shocks, vibrations, high and low pressure, humidity, sand, dust, and other elements. The latter confirms that the laptop has passed electromagnetic compatibility tests.

One of the best things about the Panasonic ToughBook 40 is its versatility. Many people who have purchased this device claim it’s one of the most customizable laptops they’ve ever had. The laptop supports up to four removable xPAK modular accessories simultaneously. These cards are located on the left, right, and rear edges, as well as under the right palm rest. Here, you can place a second SSD, Blu-ray and DVD drives, fingerprint, and SmartCard readers, and a wide range of ports (HDMI, Ethernet, VGA, etc.).

Keep in mind that the xPAK slots come in different sizes and shapes, so they’re not interchangeable. The first slot, located on the rear edge, supports ports like VGA, USB-A, LAN, serial, and HDMI. The second slot is located on the left edge and fits barcode scanners, SmartCard readers, optical drives, and secondary SSDs. The third slot, placed along the laptop’s right edge, accepts secondary batteries and SmartCard readers. The fourth slot under the palm rest is for security features like fingerprint scanners. Replacing the components is quick and easy, even for those who aren’t tech-savvy. There are also four other modular components you can swap with ease: battery, storage, memory, and keyboard. Panasonic claims that this customizability allows you to create a whopping 6,048 combinations of different components and configure a device that matches your needs perfectly.

Another advantage of the Panasonic ToughBook 40 is its sound quality. Thanks to top-facing integrated speakers with a maximum of 95dB, you’ll always be able to hear the sound from the laptop, even in noisy environments. This is another reason this powerful device is suitable for a wide range of industries, from warehouses and construction sites to retail and factories.

We can’t forget to mention the laptop’s high-quality keyboard. It features four levels of color-selectable backlight brightness, allowing you to see what you’re typing regardless of the lighting conditions. You can use four programmable shortcut keys to launch a desired program, the settings utility, or set up a concealed mode, which blanks the display and the LEDs. The red F11 key is especially useful for emergency response teams and law enforcement. It can be programmed to notify dispatchers that an officer is in trouble. As you can expect from a rugged laptop, the touchpad is glove-friendly.

The Panasonic ToughBook 40 features an Intel Core i5-1145G7 vPro processor that lets you multitask and run the most demanding apps and progress with ease. You can also get an Intel Core i7-1185G7 vPro processor if you want more power. The RAM is user-upgradeable up to 64GB.

While the Panasonic ToughBook 40 has many advantages, it’s important to mention that the device isn’t perfect. Some people don’t like the laptop’s weight; at 7.4 pounds, the device is quite heavy and may not be the best choice if you’re looking for portability.

Moreover, one of the main drawbacks of this laptop is its higher price tag. But, considering the incredible features, exceptional ruggedness, and high customizability, many people agree that the device is worth the investment.

Display, Cameras, and Scanners

The Panasonic ToughBook 40 features a 14-inch FHD display with a 1920 x 1080-pixel resolution. Since it’s a touch screen, you can use your fingers to access different settings and programs. The screen is also glove-friendly and can be used in wet conditions without difficulty.

As far as quality goes, this display offers extra brightness, high-contrast well-saturated colors, wide viewing angles, and sharp details. Thanks to the display’s anti-reflective screen treatment, you can use it even in direct sunlight or poor lighting conditions.

The Panasonic ToughBook 40 has a 5MP webcam with a sliding privacy cover. The camera features face recognition, so you can use it for Windows Hello and get instant access to your laptop. Although a 5MP camera doesn’t sound very impressive in this day and age, users are quite pleased with it. It can produce bright and sharp images up to 2560 x 1920 pixels. The colors are vivid, with minimal static and noise.

This powerful laptop doesn’t come with an integrated barcode scanner. However, if you need it, you can always add it to the left expansion area. The Panasonic barcode reader xPAK (FZ-VBR401M) can scan 1D and 2D barcodes. It’s useful in different industries like retail, hospitality, healthcare, factories, warehouses, and many more.

Operation System and Programs

The Panasonic ToughBook 40 operates on Windows 11 and is free of bloatware. The manufacturer sells the laptop with a handful of work-related utilities like asset tags and barcode entry apps, and GPS.

Windows 11 offers high security, incredible customization features, and improved stability, so it’s no surprise Panasonic chose this operating system.

When it comes to programs and apps, you can install on your Panasonic ToughBook 40; your options are endless. Besides the integrated apps, you can download apps from different sources depending on your needs.

How to Purchase Panasonic ToughBook 40

One of the biggest advantages of the Panasonic ToughBook 40 is its customizability. You can create thousands of configurations with different parts and components. While this is incredible, it can also be quite confusing. Considering the device carries a higher price tag, you don’t want to end up with a device that doesn’t suit your requirements. If you want to purchase a Panasonic ToughBook 40 and fully take advantage of its power, you should contact the experts from Energy Electronics. Our team has years of experience in the industry and can help you create the best combination to suit your needs. We can also offer excellent prices and valuable tips on integrating your Panasonic ToughBook 40 into daily operations.

Markets and Applications

Due to its customizability, the Panasonic ToughBook 40 can be used in a wide range of industries. Here are some of them:

• First responders – First responders often work in rough conditions and environments. For them, speed is essential. The Panasonic ToughBook 40 can be an ideal option for first responders for several reasons. First, it lets them add the desired components to fully take advantage of the system’s capabilities. Second, the laptop is rugged and can resist the most extreme conditions. Third, the device allows fast and easy communication with dispatchers and supports dozens of apps and programs first responders need.
• Construction workers – Whether they’re working in industry-specific programs, communicating with their coworkers and superiors, or scanning barcodes, construction workers love the Panasonic ToughBook 40. Since the device can’t be damaged due to awkward falls, moisture, vibrations, noise, or dust, it’s a perfect choice for construction sites. Plus, the touchpad and the display are glove-friendly, which adds to the laptop’s ease of use.
• Field workers – Individuals who spend their days working in the field can benefit from this laptop. The Panasonic ToughBook 40 can be used for analyzing soil, monitoring watering systems, programming planting, and sowing patterns, and much more. Since the laptop’s screen features an anti-reflective glare treatment, one can easily read it in direct sunlight. Plus, the device is resistant to high temperatures, so there’s no need to worry about malfunctions.

Panasonic ToughBook 40 Reviews

One of the best ways to learn whether a product is worth your money and time is through online reviews. Here’s what people have to say about the Panasonic ToughBook 40:

“I was hesitant to purchase the Panasonic because of its higher price. Ultimately, I decided to get it, and I couldn’t be happier. Its performance doesn’t cease to impress me, even after months of use. There’s nothing this laptop can’t handle, from multitasking to running demanding apps and programs. Sure, you can purchase a lighter, more affordable laptop. But, I guarantee, it can’t hold a candle to this device.”

“I work at a construction site and decided to purchase this laptop primarily due to its customizability and functionality. Since I switch between projects, I wanted a device that allows me to configure it as I please. I got exactly what I hoped for a versatile laptop with easy-to-switch components, a familiar interface, and ease of use. While I knew the device was tough (it’s one of the reasons I chose it), I was surprised by its resistance. I’ve dropped the laptop more times than I can remember, and there isn’t a single scratch on it. You can be 100% sure the device can survive anything, from rain and wind to high pressure and extreme temperatures. I agree its price is high, but believe me, it’s worth it.”

“As a first responder, I’m always on the go and need a reliable laptop with exceptional features. My previous laptop was much lighter and slimmer, but it also broke into pieces after an awkward drop. I didn’t want to take any chances this time, so I invested in the Panasonic ToughBook 40. I absolutely love it! The device can easily resist drops, water, vibrations, shocks, and low and high temperatures and still provide high performance. This laptop is definitely not for average users. But, I think it’s the perfect option for construction workers, fellow first responders, military personnel, agricultural workers, and others who often work in rough environments.”

“If you work in an office, the Panasonic ToughBook 40 probably isn’t the best choice because its amazing capabilities would be wasted. This device is designed for the extreme and can withstand almost anything. I agree the laptop is a bit bulkier, but I honestly don’t mind it. If you want a high-performing beast with great customization options, this is it.”

Power and Batteries

The Panasonic ToughBook 40 is powered by a Li-Ion battery of 10.8V and 6,500 mAh. If you need more power, you can set up a second battery in the slot on the laptop’s right edge. The batteries are hot-swapped, meaning you can disconnect and reconnect them without turning off your device. Thanks to this, you can reduce downtime and improve efficiency.

While the battery on the Panasonic ToughBook 40 is impressive, there’s a potential drawback to keep in mind regarding the recharge rate. Namely, the system charges only one battery at a time. Since it takes roughly 2.5-3 hours to charge one battery, you’ll need around 5-6 hours for both.

Accessories and Add-ons

The Panasonic ToughBook 40 is by itself a powerful device. But, you can make it even more powerful with different accessories and add-ons. Here’s what you can use to turn your laptop into a real beast:

• Panasonic 512GB Opal SSD – This user-replaceable SSD drive gives you more space.
• Panasonic emissive keyboard – This keyboard replacement gives you the quality and functionality Panasonic accessories are known for.
• Panasonic barcode reader xPAK – It allows you to scan 1D and 2D barcodes for easier inventory tracking, ordering supplies, shift handovers, etc.
• Panasonic fingerprint reader – It fits into the palm rest extension area and gives you extra security.
• Panasonic standard battery – It can be used as a standard battery or an optional replacement battery, depending on your needs.
• Panasonic shoulder strap – It allows you to carry your laptop with ease.
• Panasonic screen protector – It provides additional protection to the laptop’s screen.

Talk to an Expert

Since the Panasonic ToughBook 40 has many customization options that can make a huge difference, it’s always a good idea to consult industry experts to make the most informed decision. Our team at Energy Electronics will be glad to give you more information about the device and its features and components, ensuring you’re getting exactly what you need.

Reach out to us, and one of our employees will get back to you within one business hour.