TOUGHBOOK Displays Overview
With many different budgets and needs specific to a range of rugged computer options, there are a few different available screen options. The main two options of displays available in the Toughbook catalog are HD (High Definition) and FHD (Full High Definition.) The HD displays on Toughbook computers are 1366 x 768 pixels and up to 600 nits of brightness while the FHD displays are 1920 x 1080 and significantly brighter with maximum brightness ranging from 1,000 to 1,200 nits (depending on model.) The FHD displays also come with touchscreen capabilities and are considered sunlight viewable (able to operate and use even in direct sunlight.) While some TOUGHBOOK models and form factors have multiple screen options, all tablets (or 2-in-1 computers) - such as the FZ-G2 or the CF-33 Toughbook - feature Panasonic's FHD gloved multi-touch display.
Capacitive vs Resistive Touch
Touchscreen interaction was initially developed utilizing resistive engagement. Reisistive touchscreens operate by detecting pressure between two flexible panels. When the conductive panels are pressed together, the contact is interpretated by the computer and the cursor is moved or screen clicked. While resistive touchscreens are typically more durable than capacitive, it suffers from lower clarity, brightness and accuracry. Capacitive touchscreens utilize electrostatic fields to register when a human finger alters the field and engages the screen. Capacitive touch enables multi-touch and can achieve higher clarity, brightness and accuracy. While some older TOUGHBOOK models such as the CF-31 utilized only resistive touch technology, as of the time of this writing all modern TOUGHBOOK configurations utilize a blend of resistive and capacitive touch.
TOUGHBOOK Touch Options
Panasonic has created a touch screen that blends both the benefits of capacitive and resistive touchscreens. Because of the hybrid technology, Panasonic has been able to provide rugged laptops and rugged tablets with multiple touch settings and options. Considered "gloved multi-touch", a TOUGHBOOK display can be used with gloves, in the rain, with a stylus or with multiple fingertips. With versatile options, a modern rugged computer is no longer purpose built for mutually exclusive parameters but now includes the best of both worlds.