Over the years, we've refurbished and sold plenty of FZ-G1 tablets. These tablets are tough, but that's not to say they don't also have their fair share of flaws. We've compiled a list of the most common problems that users may experience when owning and operating a Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1.
With this in mind, the FZ-G1 is still a top-of-the-line option for rugged computing on the move. But before you order one, it may benefit you to be aware of its shortcomings. Now, let's get started!
Replacing The USB & HDMI Port Cover On The FZ-G1
While the FZ-G1's USB/HDMI port cover is strong enough to keep your ports safe, it tends to break after consistent and repeated use. While the plastic is flexible, it's also fragile and prone to snapping off after extended use, leaving your ports vulnerable to dust, debris, and water ingress.
This tendency to break is prevalent in an FZ-G1's daily experience. It's not an easy problem to avoid either, as it can happen without warning and with little you can do to prevent it.
The Design Of The Panasonic FZ-G1 Programmable Buttons
The next issue with the Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1 concerns its programmable tablet buttons. Setting these buttons up is no easy feat. While they can open many different programs and applications, programming the buttons isn't as straightforward as you would expect for the average user. Another minor problem with these buttons is relevant only if you have the barcode reader upgrade. The barcode reader defaults to activating when pressing the A2 button, which ties up one of the two programmable buttons on your FZ-G1.
Problems With the FZ-G1 SIM Card Slot;
The SIM card slot on the Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1 has always had a learning curve to it. First, it is located in an inconvenient spot on the Toughpad. It is not accessible while the tablet is battery-powered. The Toughpad has its SIM slot under the battery on a plate that guards the port. There are two screws holding the plate on, and once removed, the SIM card can then be installed.
The second issue regarding the SIM card slot comes down to user error. Many of our customers have given us a call after inserting a SIM card too small for the FZ-G1 to handle. The FZ-G1 MK1 through MK4 each take the mini SIM card size, which is not to be confused with the standard SIM card, which is very rarely used in today's technology. The MK5 FZ-G1 takes the nano SIM card, which is smaller than both the mini SIM and micro SIM cards.
Trying to place a SIM card larger than the slot allows may damage the slot. Inserting a SIM that is smaller than the slot requires may cause your SIM card to get stuck inside the slot, and you may damage the slot trying to remove it. The SIM card slot is soldered to the board, so you definitely don't want to break yours.
Rubber Bumpers Expanding On The FZ-G1
Something else you may want to watch out for is the rubber bumpers and rubber trim around the FZ-G1. These are more prone to wear and tear than the rest of the tablet. The beauty of the FZ-G1 is its premium rubber bumpers; however, depending on how rough you are with the tablet, the trim can separate from the magnesium alloy casing. The bumpers are crucial to protecting the tablet and are perfect for absorbing damage if you were to drop it.
This expansion, in turn, compromises the integrity of the laptop's ruggedness. The rubber trim is a core part of the tablet, but it also becomes a potential problem that you may face in the future.
The FZ-G1 Toughpad Cooling
The FZ-G1 has a single cooling fan in its chassis. On the later versions, this isn't a problem, but the earlier versions get hot. The more RAM the machine has, the higher the chance that the FZ-G1 will get hot. Although the temperature runs hot, the FZ-G1 can handle it and never usually overheats.
Bonus Issue: One Upgrade Slot Toughpad On The FZ-G1
Finally, we wanted to cover an additional issue with the FZ-G1 that is outside the scope of repairing the tablet. The FZ-G1 can have an extra USB port, barcode reader, serial port, ethernet port, thermal sensor, micro SD slot, or GPS. Unfortunately, you may have a choice to install these options, but only one option may fit in the FZ-G1 at a time as it only has one upgrade bay. The upgrades are not hot-swappable or easily installed, so swapping out the parts when you need them isn't feasible.
Why Choose The Panasonic G1?
These problems are fairly trivial and should not deter you from purchasing an FZ-G1. The tablet itself is sturdy, reliable, and easy to use. The idea behind this review was to let anyone interested in this tablet know of the potential issues you could run into after frequent use.
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