The Toughbook has always been a tough sell. It’s always looked like a cross between a robot turd and the chest-plate for dirt-bike armor. It looks like they’ve improved this design considerably this time, offering a 1.7GHz Intel Core i5 processor with 2GB RAM and 160 GB hard drive with an optional 128GB SSD. → Read More
Panasonic announced [JP] two new models from their TOUGHBOOK series of extra-sturdy and durable notebooks today. And both the CF31 from the TOUGHBOOK 31 series and the CF19 from the TOUGHBOOK 19 series boast some pretty impressive specs. → Read More
Panasonic is rolling out the F9, the latest in its Toughbook series of ruggedized laptops. The 14.1″ laptop features a spill resistant keyboard, can survive a drop from one foot to a “non-yielding surface” while off, as well as drops from 30″ (a little over the height of an office desk) while running. It packs an Intel Core i5 processor, integrated DVD drive, and 320GB hard disk. Also included are WiFi, Bluetooth, and optional WiMax or 3G mobile communications. All that in 3.6 pounds! → Read More
While the rest of the world is going nuts trying to make the next MacBook, Panasonic keeps chugging away, releasing laptops that look for all the world like computing devices designed for Robocop to use in the bathroom. And that’s a good thing. Let’s say hello to the Panasonic CF-T8 (above) and the CF-52 (below) Toughbooks. The CF-52 is a i5-based laptop has 2GB RAM and 250GB hard drive in a shock-mounted case. Both have special straps so you can hold them in multiple positions and it even as A-GPS, 3G Mobile capability. The CF-T8 has a 12-inch touchscreen LCD. → Read More
Pretend you’re Gordon Freeman. Who am I kidding, you’ve been doing that for years — so this should be easy. The lab is self-destructing around you, a resonance cascade has just torn open a hole in the universe, and there are soldiers everywhere with orders to kill you on sight. You need a tablet, but what with the rocket launcher and seven other weapons, your HEV suit can only fit one. Before you are an iPad and a Toughbook H1 Field.
What do you do? → Read More
Panasonic’s Let’s Note (aka Toughbook) series is the favorite choice among many Japanese hackers. And today the company announced [JP] two new notebooks from the series with Windows 7 on board. Panasonic says their 16 hours of battery life is unmatched in the industry. → Read More
Panasonic approached us a few weeks ago offering a Toughbook CF-30 to test in any way we saw fit. Rather than a lot of fancy lab tested, we decided to run over the laptop with a Toyota RAV4.
The laptop, surprisingly, survived almost unscathed.
These laptops are huge. The model we received is built like a tank. All of the ports are protected by waterproof flaps and the case itself locks with an affirming click when you slap it shut. This is a touchscreen model and comes with a small pen but also works with a tap of your finger. → Read More
Who says that the zoo is boring? I would pay money to see a tiger play with a Panasonic Toughbook. Good money, I tell ya. [PSGallery=7l0ia10grlf] → Read More
Panasonic’s Toughbooks have legendary strength but I doubt any of us ever considered them tough enough to survive a white tiger or Asian elephant. I didn’t. The last “durable notebook” I tested failed with a 4 foot drop. But the Panasonic Toughbook that Forbes tested took a .22 bullet and still booted after being used as a chew toy. Impressive. → Read More
Panasonic has announced a new Toughbook today [JP], a special version of its W8 notebook, which is also on the sale in the US. The new Japanese premium edition has no release date for overseas markets yet, however. → Read More
Panasonic has upgraded their Toughbook 52 series of semi-rugged notebooks. And like you may know, these aren’t much competition for the usual crop of 15.4 inch laptops. But when it comes to surviving in hospitals or braving the battlefield, they are unparalleled. → Read More
Panasonic announced today the launch of the Toughbook 52, which replaces their venerable Toughbook S1 of year’s past. As with previous Toughbooks, it’s designed to withstand spillage and droppage — this one can take drops of up to 2.5 feet on all sides without cracking a crack. However, this one improves over the last-gen by giving you some Santa Rosa chip action, a built-in carrying handle, a wider screen and optional built-in 3G wireless (courtesy of Verizon EV-DO). Buy it in July for $1,699 (standard config) or $2,499 if you want it “optimized for improved video and Vista performance.” Panasonic Toughbooks → Read More
months of rough treatment, but it keeps on going. My iPod has the same story, as does my Powerbook, now a year old. But I take it relatively easy on my gear compared to some of you, those working construction jobs, who are on the road half the time, or are in scientific labs where anything can happen. Panasonic’s got your back with new upgrades to its Toughbooks. Many pros swear by these rough-and-tumble notebooks, and Panasonic has just unveiled upgrades to the wireless functionalities in two of its models: the W5 and T5 notebooks can now connect to Sprint’s EV-DO Revision A network where available. No card is needed, the wireless broadband modems are built-in. These models have had access to Verizon’s EV-DO and Cigular’s UMTS network for awhile now, but this marks the first time these notebooks can take advantage of the higher speeds Rev. A offers. Users will need a data plan from Sprint to access the Rev. A network, but the pricing is just a little more than standard home broadband, making it attractive to those who spend time on the road. These tough, slim lappies are being billed as “Business-rugged”, and we believe the hype. Toughtbooks have a well-deserved reputation behind the name, and making them slimmer and more connected can only make them more appealing. Business Rugged [Panasonic] → Read More
This is a bit long, but Vincenct from Slashgear was nice enough to film me talking with the folks at Panasonic Toughbooks. Check out my double chin! → Read More
Just got a good look at the Toughbook line from Panasonic. I’ve always liked these things – nice round touchpad, great materials, excellent battery life – but take a look at this monster. This is the T5 ($1,899), an ultralight toughbook with touchscreen and – get this – a hand strap. You hold it like a book and rather than having a swivel screen, you just tap on the 12-inch TFT. Best of all, like all in the new series (T5, W5, and the Y5), it has embedded WAN from Cingular, Sprint, or Verizon. The W5 is a 3-pound thin and light with built-in optical, similar to the previous Toughbook models. The Y5 is a bit bigger with a 14-inch screen. We’ll have video of all three momentarily. → Read More
