There’s something to think of when you’re buying a Toughbook or similarly ruggedized computer. You’re taking these things, I can only assume, to places like the middle of the desert or into the crater of Mt. St. Helens; do you really think you’re going to get any wi-fi there? Probably not. And somehow I doubt that 3G dongle you brought with you is as rugged as the laptop. What a do?
Lucky you! Panasonic is partnering up with Qualcomm to offer built-in 3G access through Gobi, which partners with providers all over the world (like AT&T, for instance) to let you hook up on the go. I doubt it’s quite as simple as they make it out to be, and I’m thinking it probably costs a small fortune as well, but it would be a cool thing to have… in the coming Zombie Apocalypse.