TOUGHBOOK 55 and G2 setup guide: batteries, Windows, xPAKs

This guide takes a TOUGHBOOK 55 mk3 laptop or a TOUGHBOOK G2 mk3 tablet from the box to a ready-to-use work device.

Before you start

Know your model

Both devices we sell are the third generation (mk3) and run Windows 11 Pro. Panasonic marks the generation in the model number: FZ-55G and FZ-55J are the 55 mk3, FZ-G2N and FZ-G2P are the G2 mk3. In Panasonic's driver lists, a B in the second-to-last position marks a multilingual (MUI) Windows image, as on both our models.

Screen, mobile broadband and keyboard layout of each model are on the product page. Comparing the two? See TOUGHBOOK 55 vs G2.

Check the box

Panasonic lists the AC adapter, power cord and user manual for both models. The 55 with a Full-HD touch screen also comes with a capacitive pen. The G2 ships with its battery already fitted, an IP55 digitiser pen with a tether, and (per Panasonic Europe) a display cleaning cloth. Contact us if anything is missing.

Insert and charge the battery

1. 55: turn the laptop over, slide the battery in until it clicks and check that the latch is locked. G2: the battery is fitted at the factory; check that the detach lock is in the locked position.
2. Connect the AC adapter. On the G2, open the cover over the DC-IN jack first. Charging starts automatically.
3. The battery ships uncharged; charge it fully before use. Charging takes about 3 hours per battery on the 55, and about 2.5 hours (standard) or 3 hours (extended battery) on the G2.
4. Keep the AC adapter connected and other devices unplugged until Windows setup is complete.

Panasonic recommends charging at 10–30 °C. The 55 mk3 runs about 10 hours on one battery and about 20 hours with the optional second battery (MobileMark 25). For the G2 mk3, Panasonic lists a standard battery (50 Wh, about 11 hours) and an extended battery (68 Wh, about 15 hours). Some G2 battery series don't fit every G2, so order spares by the battery model number on the pack.

Start Windows for the first time

1. Open the lid (55) or hold the tablet (G2). Press and hold the power switch until the power light comes on.
2. Follow Windows setup (it needs a network connection). Choose the keyboard layout that matches your keys. The device may restart several times; don't touch it meanwhile.
3. When asked, set up Windows Hello face sign-in. Both models have an infrared front camera with a privacy shutter.

Install updates and Panasonic tools

1. Open Settings › Windows Update and install all updates, then restart.
2. The 55 mk3 ships with Panasonic PC Settings Utility, PC Backlit Keyboard Settings Utility and PC Day Night Mode Utility. The G2 mk3 uses Panasonic PC Hub for Panasonic settings and tools. PC Hub is also available for the 55 mk3 (Microsoft Store) and replaces PC Settings Utility and Day Night Mode Utility; install it with AC power connected and a fully charged battery.
3. For drivers and BIOS updates, use Panasonic's TOUGHBOOK support download page and search for FZ-55[G/J] (mk3) or FZ-G2[N/P] (mk3).

Set up hot swapping

TOUGHBOOK 55

Fit the second battery in the right-hand Front Expansion Slot. You can then change one battery without shutting down, provided the other has enough charge or the AC adapter is connected.

1. Turn the laptop over and slide the latch of the battery you want to change.
2. Check the battery replacement light: green means you can swap now; flashing red means you must shut down first.
3. Pull out the battery, slide the charged one in until it clicks, and check that the latch is locked.

TOUGHBOOK G2

Hot swapping on the G2 mk3 needs a model with Panasonic's built-in bridge battery. Unlock the detach lock, slide the battery latch and check the light: if it is green, finish the swap within one minute. Otherwise shut down first, and never remove the battery during sleep.

Add xPAKs or expansion modules

Each area holds one module at a time.

1. Turn the device off completely: open Settings › System › Recovery, select Restart now next to Advanced startup, then Turn off your PC. Disconnect the AC adapter and remove the battery (and the second battery on the 55).
2. On the 55, the Universal Bay and Front Expansion Slot modules release with a latch; the rear modules are held by four Phillips PH1 screws, and the fingerprint reader by a Torx T8 screw. On the G2, top bay modules use four PH1 screws; rear bay modules use a latch (plus one PH0 screw on the standard model).
3. Fit the new module until it clicks or sits flush, refit any screws, insert the battery and start Windows.

The 55's 5G module needs BIOS V3.00L17 and EC V3.00L11 or later; update before fitting it.

Set up the keyboard, touch screen and pen

TOUGHBOOK 55

The 55 mk3 has a replaceable 82-key backlit keyboard with four programmable keys (A1 to A4). Press Fn + F12 to step through four brightness levels and off, and Fn + 4 to change the colour.

On Full-HD touch models, open Panasonic PC Settings Utility › Settings › Touchscreen and choose a Touchscreen Mode: Touch, Touch (Glove), Pen or Pen/Touch. Don't touch the screen while the mode switches. The Full-HD screen reaches up to 1,000 cd/m², and Day/Night mode changes screen and keyboard lighting by schedule or ambient light (Fn + 3 switches it in Manual mode).

TOUGHBOOK G2

Panasonic lists glove, pen and rain touch modes for the G2 mk3; the G2 Reference Manual doesn't describe switching them, so ask us if needed. Attach the pen with its tether so it doesn't get lost.

Panasonic's IP65 backlit keyboard for the G2 (FZ-VEKG21L*) adds a USB-A and a USB-C port; models with the hard handle don't support it. To attach the tablet, work on a flat, dry surface:

1. Wipe the tablet's connector terminals with a dry cloth.
2. Insert the tablet into the keyboard base.
3. While pressing the tablet down, slide the release lever to the DOCK mark, then raise the detach lock to the locked position. The orange markings next to the lever and lock must no longer be visible.
4. Close the tablet and turn the display latch to lock it. Choose the keyboard layout in Windows if it differs from the default.

Connect to Wi-Fi and mobile data

1. Select the network icon on the taskbar, choose your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.
2. For mobile data (4G or 5G models), insert a nano-SIM or add an eSIM. The nano-SIM slot sits behind a screwed cover: shut down, disconnect the AC adapter and remove the battery first (on a G2 with bridge battery, wait about 3 minutes).
3. Only one SIM is active at a time. Open Settings › Network & internet › Cellular and choose SIM 1 (nano-SIM) or SIM 2 (eSIM) under "Use this SIM for cellular data". If your operator needs an APN, add it under Mobile operator settings › Add APN with APN type Internet and attach.
4. If the wireless icons stay grey, turn off airplane mode with Fn + F10 or in quick settings.

Set up the barcode reader (if fitted)

The G2 takes an optional 2D barcode reader in the top bay. Panasonic's 55 manual lists a barcode reader for the Universal Bay for North America only; ask us about availability.

1. Check that Panasonic PC 2D Barcode Key Emulator is installed. It types scanned data into the active text field.
2. For a beep on each scan, select the Key Emulator icon in the system tray and choose Connection to Barcode (Always-On).
3. Open a text editor, aim the reader and press the A3 button (the default trigger on the G2). A red light marks the reading area. Wait about 3 seconds between scans.

Full instructions: TOUGHBOOK 55 mk3 Reference Manual and TOUGHBOOK G2 mk3 Reference Manual. If something doesn't work, see TOUGHBOOK 55 and G2 troubleshooting. All guides for each model: TOUGHBOOK 55 · TOUGHBOOK G2.