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Panasonic Toughbook FZ-A3 has one of the best displays we've seen on any rugged tablet

Panasonic Toughbook FZ-A3 has one of the best displays we've seen on any rugged tablet (Image source: Panasonic)
Panasonic Toughbook FZ-A3 has one of the best displays we've seen on any rugged tablet (Image source: Panasonic)
Its 1000-nit glossy touchscreen is almost as crisp as an iPad but in a tougher rugged shell designed for workers or professionals on the field.

Consumer tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab or Apple iPad might have some of the most amazing displays out there, but most owners wouldn't dare to drop them or even use them without some sort of screen protector. Rugged tablets designed for field workers or professionals don't usually have the luxury of crystal-clear touchscreens as their displays must be tough enough to withstand harsher environments that consumer tablets don't have to worry about. As a result, these rugged tablets typically have very grainy matte displays with comparatively poorer colors or grayscale.

The recent 10.1-inch Panasonic Toughbook FZ-A3 rugged tablet bucks the trend of ugly displays by being one of the few in its category with a glossy display that looks much closer to a Samsung Galaxy Tab or iPad. Its RGB layer, for example, is much closer to the surface to create colors that pop whereas other rugged tablets tend to bury the RGB layer under thick touchscreen glass or plastic. It also comes with the same 1000-nit backlight option that many traditional rugged tablets offer for improved outdoor visibility.

The main disadvantage of the Toughbook FZ-A3 display is the prevalence of glare due to the glossy overlay. If you're looking for a rugged Android tablet with one of the crispest displays you can get, however, then the FZ-A3 might be worth a look.

See our full review on the rugged Panasonic tablet here to learn more about its strengths and weaknesses.

Panasonic Toughbook FZ-A3 rugged tablet display captured with a microscope. Note the crisp subpixels for a cleaner overall image
Panasonic Toughbook FZ-A3 rugged tablet display captured with a microscope. Note the crisp subpixels for a cleaner overall image
Durabook R11 rugged tablet display captured with a microscope. The RGB layer is under a thick layer of glass or plastic which obscures the subpixels. Picture quality is grainier as a result
Durabook R11 rugged tablet display captured with a microscope. The RGB layer is under a thick layer of glass or plastic which obscures the subpixels. Picture quality is grainier as a result

NEWARK, NJ – June 24, 2020 – Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America, Division of

Panasonic Corporation of North America has announced productivity+, a suite of Android support

solutions to futureproof rugged mobile deployments for existing and new customers transitioning to the

Android operating system. Productivity+ is a multi-faceted offering that features hardware, software,

and professional services, including from an extensive support partner ecosystem to capitalize on the

modernization and digitization of rugged mobile devices. Adding to this Android offering, Panasonic

announced today the newest addition of the TOUGHBOOK A3 device to the Panasonic family of rugged

devices for AndroidTM, which builds on a long-running history of durability and reliability of the

TOUGHBOOK product family.

Panasonic’s line of Android solutions provides customers across industries – whether existing Android

users, or those considering a replacement for legacy operating systems – the support and services to

future proof their operations by leveraging the capabilities of modern mobile devices. Android, the top

operating system for rugged mobile deployments following Windows CE’s end of life, gets real time

information in the hands of decision makers in the field to drive better business outcomes.

“Panasonic is fully committed to customers transitioning from Windows CE to Android. Whether

enterprise, federal government, public sector, utilities or manufacturing, industries built upon the

support of the mobile workforce likewise need support to modernize mobile devices,” said Magnus

McDermid, Senior Vice President Mobility Solutions, Panasonic System Solutions Company of North

America. “The technology ecosystem that powers these industries is complex, but Panasonic provides

comprehensive support tailored to the needs of our customers and current market demands, which

allows them to seamlessly transition to Android and update their rugged mobile device deployments.”

Designed to address the demands of today’s diverse mobile work environments, the new TOUGBOOK A3

offers features that are tailored to the needs of the mobile workforce, including outdoor viewable

screen and Panasonic’s patented rain-touch functionality. With a 10.1 inch screen and 5 foot drop

rating, the TOUGHBOOK A3 is suited for users across industries to tackle the toughest jobs and mission-

critical applications. The TOUGHBOOK A3 joins Panasonic’s suite of devices for Android – offering

customers a diversity of form factors. The full family of Panasonic TOUGHBOOK rugged mobile devices

for Android include:

 TOUGHBOOK A3 – 10.1” Tablet (new)

 TOUGHBOOK L1 – 7” Tablet

 TOUGHBOOK T1 – 5” Handheld

 TOUGHBOOK N1 – 4.7” Handheld

Panasonic’s productivity+ features software solutions for mobile device development, deployment and

sustainment for customers, whether existing Android users or those considering the transition.

Productivity+ offers the ability to rewrite applications, configure device settings and define user access

for Android devices. The platform supports mobile deployments across industries with features that

enable IT managers to seamlessly configure, deploy and sustain devices, while preserving legacy

applications. Additionally, end-users are able to operate devices securely to protect proprietary data and

ensure devices are always updated and ready for work, wherever and however tough the job may be.

Panasonic’s support partner ecosystem is comprised of highly qualified partners that offer exclusive

support to customers and have been specifically selected for their industry expertise. This network

enables collaboration with independent software vendors, resellers and third-party accessories built to

support a technology stack that brings multiple technologies together to meet customers’ complex

needs. By working with software vendors proactively both pre- and post-deployment, Panasonic creates

value for customers by ensuring software integrates flawlessly with various devices and provides

customized solutions tailored to the mobile workforce’s specific job requirements.

Panasonic ProServices offer the support needed to power Android solutions at every stage of the

customer’s journey. Panasonic’s long-term Android service support also features consultation,

replacement services as well as multi-year, global warranties with expeditious turnaround times. For

complete product details, please visit TOUGHBOOK.com/Android.

Follow the TOUGHBOOK Brand

The Panasonic TOUGHBOOK family of laptop computers, 2-in-1s, tablets and handhelds can be followed

on various social media channels including, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and our blog, Rugged

Mobility for Business. Panasonic System Solutions Company of North America, Division of Panasonic

Corporation of North America, delivers reliable technology solutions for government and commercial

enterprises, nonprofit organizations, creative professionals and SMBs. Learn more at

About Panasonic Corporation of North America

Newark, NJ-based Panasonic Corporation of North America is committed to creating a better life and a

better world by enabling its business-to-business customers through innovations in Sustainable Energy,

Immersive Entertainment, Integrated Supply Chains and Mobility Solutions. The company is the principal

North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation. One of Interbrand’s Top 100

Best Global Brands of 2019, Panasonic is a leading technology partner and integrator to businesses,

government agencies and consumers across the region. Learn more about Panasonic’s ideas and

innovations at www.na.panasonic.com/us.

Connect with Panasonic North America:

Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2020 07 > Panasonic Toughbook FZ-A3 has one of the best displays we've seen on any rugged tablet
Allen Ngo, 2020-07-13 (Update: 2020-07-13)