Panasonic is rolling out the F9, the latest in its Toughbook series of ruggedized laptops. The 14.1″ laptop features a spill resistant keyboard and 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, 2GB RAM, 320 GB hard drive, and internal DVD drive. Also included are WiFi, Bluetooth, and optional WiMax or 3G mobile communications. All that in 3.6 pounds!
Here’s the full press release.
PANASONIC INTRODUCES TOUGHBOOK F9 BUSINESS-RUGGED LAPTOP
World’s Lightest 14” Class Laptop Delivers Desktop Performance with Intel Core i5 Processor
Secaucus, NJ, June 9, 2010 – Panasonic Solutions Company, provider of collaboration, information-sharing and decision-support solutions for government and commercial enterprises, today introduced the thin-and-light Toughbook F9 business-rugged laptop. The new device weighs in at a mere 3.6 pounds, making it the industry’s lightest 14” class laptop. The Toughbook F9 features an Intel® Core™ i5 processor, 320GB HDD, high resolution (1440 x 900) widescreen display, optional Qualcomm Gobi2000™ mobile broadband and an integrated handle. Highly mobile professionals will also benefit from the Toughbook brand’s legendary reliability.
Core i5 Performance
The Toughbook F9 includes a standard voltage 2.40GHz Intel Core i5-520M vPro™ processor with Turbo Boost Technology (delivering speeds up to 2.93GHz) and has Intel Anti-theft and vPro technologies to improve hardware-assisted security and manageability capabilities that enhance IT’s ability to maintain, manage, discover, heal and protect networked computing assets.The new device, which delivers up to seven hours of battery life, also features a high resolution (1440 x 900) 14.1” WXGA+ widescreen display with LED backlighting and a DVD multi-drive.
Embedded Mobile Broadband Options
The Toughbook F9, like all Toughbook mobile computers, helps maximize mobile productivity through a variety of embedded wireless technologies. The device combines the latest Intel WiFi chipset (Intel Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 AGN) and Bluetooth® v2.1 +EDR, with an option for WiMAX (4G) or Gobi2000™ (3G) mobile broadband technology from Qualcomm. Gobi2000 simplifies multi-carrier wireless deployments for IT departments and allows a company’s mobile workforce improved connectivity options while traveling at home or abroad and adds GPS capabilities for easy integration with mapping software.“Mobile workforces need the type of desktop-class performance offered by Intel’s Core i5 processors to maximize productivity,” said Kyp Walls, director of product management, Panasonic Solutions Company. “But performance is useless if your laptop can’t survive the bumps, drops and spills experienced by highly mobile professionals. The Toughbook F9 marries a high performance Intel processor with industry-leading light weight, long battery life, mobile connectivity and unrivaled reliability to deliver a best-in-class mobile computing solution.”
Business-Rugged Reliability
The new Toughbook® F9 business-rugged notebook successfully survived drops of 30” (just over the typical height of a desk or table) to the base of the unit while operating. Further, using Mil-Spec methodology, the device also survived 26 drops (to every side, corner and face) from 12” to a non-yielding surface.The unique Panasonic spill-resistant keyboard design protects against liquid spills of nearly 7 ounces (200 cc), and both the lid and base of the device are designed to withstand more than 220 lbs (100 Kg) of compression. In addition, Panasonic’s commitment to quality—at both the component and finished goods level—results in a total of more than 500 checks and tests during and after production plus 100% burn-in testing.
Panasonic Toughbook F9: Select Features and Specifications
- Genuine Windows 7® (with XP downgrade option)
- Intel® Core™ i5-520M vPro™ Processor (2.4 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.93 GHz)
- 320GB shock-mounted, flex-connect, removable HDD
- 2GB RAM (DDR3-1066MHz), expandable to 6GB
- 14.1” widescreen (1440 x 900) WXGA+ LCD with LED backlighting
- Anti-glare screen treatment
- DVD Super MULTI Drive with Dual Layer Support
- Up to 7 hour battery life
- 3.6lbs
- Business-rugged
- 30” operating drop (to base only)
- 26 sides 12” drop (non-operating)
- 220 lb pressurized vibration
- Magnesium alloy case
- Spill-resistant keyboard (protects against 7 ounces spills)
- Embedded Connectivity
- Optional integrated WWAN / Gobi2000™ mobile broadband
- Optional WiMAX
- Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 802.11a/b/g/n
- Bluetooth® v2.1 + EDR (class 1)
- Optional Integrated Security Features:
- Fingerprint reader
- SmartCard reader
- 9.9″(L) x 12.8″(W) x 1.0″/1.9″(H) front/rear
Pricing, Availability and Support
The Panasonic Toughbook® F9 will be available in the United States beginning July 1, 2010. The device will be available starting at an estimated street price of $2,899 from authorized Panasonic resellers.Every Panasonic Toughbook notebook includes a standard three-year limited warranty and free access to U.S.-based phone support for the entire life of the product.
For more information on the Toughbook F9 and other Toughbook mobile computers, go to www.toughbook.com.