Panasonic's latest performance-focused Toughpad has thesame 4K resolution we've seen in other models, but offers some serious horsepower under the hood, with an updated processor, better graphics and high-end storage options. At 20 inches, it's a huge tablet, and like previous models, is aimed squarely at professionals.
The device's 20-inch display has a 15:10 aspect ratio, with a 3,840 x 2,560 resolution, which comes out to a sharp (for a screen this size) 230 pixels per inch.
This FZ-Y1 Performance is the first model in the Toughpad lineup to ship with Windows 10 Pro, but it also has some impressive hardware under the hood. It's powered by an Intel Core i7-5600U processor, paired with a whopping 16 GB RAM, AMD FirePro M5100 dedicated graphics and a choice of 256 GB or 512 GB of solid state storage. That's a significant bump up from last year's equally performance-focused UT-MA6 Toughpad model, which ships with an older Core i7 chip, a much lower-end graphics solution and no higher capacity storage option.
The new system's connectivity isn't bad, with a gigabit LAN port, Mini DisplayPort out, HDMI-in (which lets it serve as a monitor for other devices), and one USB 3.0 port. There's also an optional Electronic Touch Pen active stylus available, which communicates with the tablet via Bluetooth, and offers 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity.
The system is aimed specifically at CAD designers, architects and engineers, and comes certified to work with the 3D CAD application SOLIDWORKS. If you're not a fan of Microsoft's recent OS efforts, or your business isn't quite ready for Windows 10, there's also the option to downgrade to Windows 7 Professional.
Internally, the FZ-Y1 Performance looks to live up to its name, but Panasonic hasn't skimped on the durability either. A glass fiber case covers the device's magnesium frame, and the tablet is built to withstand falls from heights up to 76 cm (30 inches).
The Toughpad FZ-Y1 Performance will be available in December. As you might expect from a professional slate with these kind of specs, its pricing is far beyond consumer-level tablets, starting at £3,180 (around US$4,900) before taxes.
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