Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Panasonic Releases Upgraded Toughbook 20

A new optional magstripe reader will add a much-requested feature to the Toughbook 20’s toolset. For law enforcement officers, this allows for a quick, in-field reading of driver’s licenses, making their work safer and faster than ever before.

February 9, 2018
3 min to read


Panasonic, an industry leading manufacturer of rugged and semi-rugged mobile computing solutions, has announced the U.S. launch of the latest version of its popular 2-in-1 detachable laptop, the Toughbook 20.

Now equipped with a refreshed processor – the Intel Core i5-7Y57 processor with Turbo Boost up to 3.3 GHz, the fully rugged Toughbook 20 laptop is more capable than ever before. And with a 256GB SSD standard on all models – and an option to expand to 512GB – users can store more data and access it with the speed they need.

Ad Loading...

“When we introduced the Toughbook 20, we knew it would redefine what people expect from a fully-rugged device. Mobile, powerful and flexible, this was a device that truly reflected how our customers want to work,” said Brian Rowley, VP of marketing and product management, Panasonic System Communications Company of North America. “Now, with a refreshed processor and even more impressive features, we are excited to show our new and existing customers how the Toughbook 20 will continue to make their jobs simpler and more efficient.”

The revised Toughbook 20 comes standard with Windows 10 Pro, however, Panasonic will continue to offer Windows 7 Professional as an option on models with the Intel Core m5- 6Y57 processor for customers who have not yet made the transition to Windows 10. This ensures compatibility with existing deployments while helping customers plan for a smoother transition to Windows 10.

The improved Toughbook 20 supports an optional second battery that can be inserted into the keyboard to double battery life. Additionally, Toughbook 20 now comes standard with a “bridge battery,” making it possible to hot-swap charged batteries, effectively providing unlimited battery life without the need to shut down or hibernate for our most demanding users.

Toughbook 20 now makes standard several premium features to ensure that customers have the device they need to get the job done. With a growing number of users relying on stylus inputs for signature capture, every Toughbook 20 model is now equipped with not just a touchscreen, but an integrated digitizer as well. Additionally, Toughbook 20 now comes with an infrared webcam and supports Windows Hello applications. Users will enjoy a rear-facing 8MP camera, now standard on all Toughbook 20 models. The Toughbook 20 will also come standard with twice the storage space, using a 256GB SSD drive.

Lastly, a new optional magstripe reader will add a much-requested feature to the Toughbook 20’s toolset. For law enforcement officers, this allows for a quick, in-field reading of driver’s licenses, making their work safer and faster than ever before.

Ad Loading...

Toughbook 20 is ready out-of-the-box to connect to Panasonic’s P.180 connectivity service – a seamless end-to-end platform designed for organizations that rely on connectivity to get work done. Using eSIM technology, Toughbook 20 users can enjoy access to Tier 1 LTE connectivity through networks spanning over 180 countries with pricing predictability and no roaming fees.

Every Toughbook comes with a 3-year warranty covering hardware failures for systems used as designed and a 7-year spare parts guarantee, with an average turnaround time of 48 hours once the device is received at the Panasonic National Service Center. Additional upgraded services are available, including Extended Product Warranty (4th/5th year), Protection Plus (Accidental Damage Warranty), and HDD/SSD Warranty.

The latest Toughbook 20 is available from authorized Panasonic resellers at an estimated street price starting around $3,099.

Sales inquiries for Panasonic Toughbook mobile computers and tablets should be directed to sales.psc@us.panasonic.com or 877-803-8492.

More Technology

Officer smiling with an executive
SponsoredMay 19, 2026

How Patrolfinder Uses Data to Make Streets Safer

Law enforcement agencies have long relied on instinct and routine to optimize patrols. Patrolfinder uses data to help agencies see where officers go — and where they don’t — to improve visibility and maximize coverage.

Read More →
Graphic depicting crime prevention, featuring a shadowed hooded figure against a dark city backdrop with police lights and shield imagery. Text reads: “Crime Prevention Through Remote Guarding with Human Intervention.”
Technologyby Wayne ParhamMay 14, 2026

Crime Prevention by Merging Tech with Human Intervention

Elite Interactive Solutions tackles crime prevention with technology and human intervention, working closely with local police to provide insights when a response is needed. The key is to blend the latest in remote video monitoring, artificial intelligence, and a well-trained agent with eyes on the scene.

Read More →
Close-up of a person holding an Axis body-worn camera toward the viewer. The camera is in sharp focus, while the person wearing a dark uniform appears blurred in the background outdoors.
TechnologyMay 7, 2026

Case Study Details Integration of Body-Worn Cameras with CAD

The Billerica Police Department (Massachusetts) improved transparency and accountability, sharpened evidence management, and reduced manual hours by integrating Axis Communications body-worn cameras with its Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Dark map of downtown Chicago displaying three emergency alerts for reported gunfire near Randolph Street, W Harrison Street, and N Columbus Drive. Blue circular markers indicate locations near Union Park, Clark Art Museum, and Jack Academy High School.
TechnologyMay 7, 2026

ZeroEyes Public Safety Alerts Integrates Samdesk for Real-Time Risk Detection and Awareness

ZeroEyes has integrated Samdesk into its Public Safety Alerts platform to deliver faster, verified intelligence to help organizations understand emerging risks and respond quickly.

Read More →
High-angle view of cars with lights turned on crossing the George Washington Bridge at dusk.
TechnologyMay 7, 2026

NJ Police Department Combines Strong Technology & Public Safety Strategy

The Fort Lee Police Department in New Jersey has modernized with Genetec Security Center, including video management, automatic license plate recognition (ALPR), and Clearance digital evidence management.

Read More →
Graphic with image of crime scene investigator and yellow evidence markers and black box covering the persons idenity and headline Automated Redaction.
TechnologyApril 30, 2026

Pimloc & Dynamic Workflow Solutions Partner to Deliver Data Management and Automated Redaction

The joint redaction solution from Pimloc and Dynamic Workflow Solutions helps agencies reduce FOIA response time and compliance risk by automatically redacting faces, license plates, and other sensitive information from digital evidence.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Fans cheer at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium during a football game at The University of Alabama.
TechnologyApril 23, 2026

The University of Alabama Rolls Out Couter-Drone Technology

The University of Alabama is using D-Fend Solutions as a counter-drone technology supplier for campus and game-day airspace security. The University integrates D-Fend’s EnforceAir into its Emergency Operations Center (EOC), utilizing a unified command framework to collaborate with local, state, and federal partners during major events.

Read More →
Man working in front of multiple computer screens.
TechnologyApril 22, 2026

Motorola Solutions Now Part of the Cyber Threat Alliance

Motorola Solutions is now part of the Cyber Threat Alliance, the first formally organized nonprofit group of cybersecurity practitioners that work together in good faith to share threat information and improve global defenses against advanced cyber adversaries.

Read More →
Bar chart showing what police departments spend budget on for security.
TechnologyApril 22, 2026

Genetec 2026 State of Physical Security Report Reveals Public Safety Priorities & Challenges

Survey results from Genetec’s 2026 State of Physical Security Report highlight the demand for integrated systems that improve response times and reduce investigative workload. Nearly nine in 10 respondents said they use security data to help keep officers safe.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Tinted blue background image of traffic with inset images for an ALPR camera, a police dispatcher, and a logo for Flock Safety.
TechnologyApril 16, 2026

Flock Safety Introduces Audit Assistance, Its Latest Trust & Compliance Tool

Audit Assistance is the latest tool in the Flock Trust & Compliance suite, a first-of-its-kind set of products and services that provides communities with guardrails and customization for accountability, transparency, and responsible use of the Flock platform.

Read More →