Today Panasonic announced a new product which will be available in eary 2016. The Toughbook 20 is a laptop which can be removed from the keyboard and made into a tablet. The tablet can be inserted facing backwards for a "presentation mode" or just used by itself. We're very excited to learn more about this product, so check back for updates later this month!

Here's an excerpt from Panasonic's press release:

"Panasonic Announces Toughbook 20

World’s First Fully Rugged Detachable Laptop

Most valuable laptop and tablet functionality in a single device; designed for mobile workers in the

most demanding and mission critical environments

NEWARK, NJ, November 9, 2015 – Panasonic, an industry leader in exceptionally reliable and

innovative mobile computers, today announced the world’s first fully rugged detachable laptop. The

Toughbook® 20 delivers the durability, reliability and performance Panasonic is known for, while adding

the increased level of flexibility and functionality customers want in a single fully rugged computer.

Combining the best features of a laptop and tablet, the new device is ideal for field workers that need a

highly mobile computing solution and the ability to reliably capture large amounts of data. The Toughbook

20 is purpose-built for challenging environments, including field services, utilities, oil and gas,

transportation and logistics, healthcare, insurance, public safety and defense.

“Our customers are constantly pushing the boundaries of how and where our devices are used,” said Jan

Ruderman, Vice President, Business Mobility Group, Panasonic System Communications Company of

North America. “As a truly customer-driven solution, the Toughbook 20 delivers what many of our

customers are looking for – a single rugged device that delivers all the advantages of a fully functioning

laptop and tablet.”

Because mobile workers are charged with completing increasingly complex tasks in the field, the

Toughbook 20 features the power required to get the job done, including a 6th Generation Intel® CoreTM

vProTM processor technology, 128GB SSD, 8GB RAM and choice of Windows 10 Pro or Windows 7

Professional (available through downgrade rights from Windows 10 Pro).

An extremely flexible solution, the Panasonic Toughbook 20 offers six usage modes, making it ideal for

any situation or environment. Besides being used as a traditional laptop, tablet can be detached and used

by itself or flipped 180-degrees to show content in presentation mode. The convertible mode allows users

to see the display with the keyboard attached and ready when it is needed. Using the built-in handle, the

device can operate in carry mode or hanging on a wall, while vehicle mode provides full functionality and

operation of the device when on the move.

Continuing to set the standard for ruggedness and reliability, the Toughbook 20 is designed to meet MILSTD-461F

for electromagentic interference and MIL-STD-810G for drop, shock, vibration, explosive

atmosphere, temperature, humidity, rain and sand, as well as waterproof and dustproof ingress (IP65).

The device features a magnesium alloy case, fanless design, locking port covers, raised bezel, Solid State

Drive (SSD) heater and a built-in handle for ease of use, which also serves as a kickstand for desktop

stability and enables use while hung.

“While relatively easy to design from a consumer perspective, the stresses a detachable laptop will

endure in the environments in which our customers operate created serious design challenges. A

significant amount of engineering went into this device to ensure it would deliver the reliability the

Toughbook brand is known for,” continued Ruderman.

The fully rugged detachable laptop is purpose-built for mobile workers, delivering features that enable

productivity both in and out of doors, including a 10.1” sunlight-viewable 800 nit IPS display with gloved

multi touch capabilities, a waterproof stylus pen and a backlit keyboard that is 16 percent larger than the

Toughbook® 19. The standard 2MP webcam and optional 8MP rear camera expand communications

options for field workers. The device’s optional bridge battery allows for continuous operation and the

optional second battery (located in keyboard dock) doubles battery life and can also be swapped between

the tablet and keyboard dock.

Optional features include a true serial port, magstripe reader, 1D/2D capable barcode reader, dedicated

GPS or 4G LTE multi carrier modem to ensure the Toughbook 20 provides the versatility needed to

complete any task in the field. At a mere 3.9 pounds (2.1 lbs. for the tablet only), the device is

exceptionally portable.

The Toughbook 20 comes with all of the advanced security features users expect from Windows devices

and 6th Generation Intel® Core™ vPro™ processor technology, plus integrated options such as insertable

or contactless SmartCard readers, fingerprint readers for maximum flexibility for dual factor

authentication. The device also includes dual Kensington lock slots - one that secures the tablet and the

keyboard and a second for the keyboard dock only.

The Toughbook 20 is supported by a broad selection of accessories, including a desktop dock, vehicle

docks, rotating hand strap, 4-bay battery charger, vehicle charger, carrying cases and replacement items

such as waterproof stylus pens for digitizers, tethers, protective screen films, batteries and AC adapters.

Panasonic Toughbook 20: Key Features

Turbo Boost Technology).

an option in the keyboard dock

flexibility including USB (including one high powered 1.5A USB), SDXC, HDMI, VGA, Serial, Ethernet,

Wireless: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Dual Pass Antenna, optional 4G LTE multi carrier or Dedicated

GPS.

Some integrated options are mutually exclusive. For detailed information on the Toughbook 20, including

a detailed spec sheet, please visit us.panasonic.com/toughbook/20

Pricing and Availability

The Panasonic Toughbook 20 will be available in February 2016 from authorized Panasonic resellers at

an estimated street price starting around $3,099, and will include a standard three-year limited warranty. "

Call for more information about the release of the Toughbook 20, or keep an eye on http://www.telrepco.com/panasonic-toughbook-20/ for the product to be posted!