Dropped computers are a common cause of hard disk failures and broken LCD displays. Toughbook® mobile computers are tested to ensure they can survive falls as well as sudden high-force impacts to any part of the product's casing.

Drop tests are performed in accordance with MIL-STD-810F, Method 516.5, Procedure IV (Transit Drop Test). The Toughbook mobile computer is sequentially dropped in non-operating mode, onto each face, edge and corner for a total of 26 drops. The drop surface is two-inch-thick plywood over a steel plate over concrete. After each drop, Toughbook computers are visually inspected and a functional check (boot-up into Windows) is performed.

Business-rugged Panasonic Toughbook laptops are tested to 12” drops (for both the unit and hard drive), and 30” when it lands flat on its bottom side, where it needs protection the most. Fully-rugged Toughbook computers are MIL-STD-810F-rated to 36” drops (for both the unit and the hard drive). The ultra-mobile-rugged Toughbook U1 is MIL-STD-810F-rated to 72” drops. Panasonic's internal testing process goes beyond MIL-STD requirements. Technicians subject Toughbook computers to drop tests while the units are operating. Moreover, the units are dropped onto a harder surface than what is used for MIL-STD tests.

Learn about MIL-STD-810F certifications