Panasonic Sets a Higher Standard for Reliable Mobile and Wireless Computing with Upgraded Line of Business-Rugged Toughbook(R) Notebooks
Introduces the world's lightest 3G-ready notebook with a 14.1 inch
wide display and internal optical drive, the Toughbook F8; All 8
Series Toughbook notebooks now offered with embedded Gobi(TM) 3G
technology, allowing seamless global access to mobile broadband
networks
SECAUCUS, N.J.--(Business Wire)--
Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, manufacturer of durable,
reliable Panasonic Toughbook(R) mobile computers, today announced
major updates to its business-rugged notebook computer line with the
introduction of the thin-and-light F8 and upgrades to the tablet
alternative T8 and the ultraportable W8 for road warriors, walking
workers and mobile executives. 8 Series Toughbook mobile computers
will also include the Gobi 3G mobile broadband (WWAN) solution from
Qualcomm Inc. that allows connection to high-speed mobile Internet
services offered by leading network operators virtually anywhere in
the world.
These innovative business computing solutions are based on
Panasonic's more than fifteen years of engineering and manufacturing
robust notebook computers that deliver the durability, reliability and
connectivity essential to keeping government and business
professionals working wherever and whenever they need to.
"The growing trend of portability in computers-lighter weight,
longer battery life, advanced wireless capabilities-needs to be
balanced by true durability," said Daniel Longfield, industry analyst,
mobile and wireless, Frost & Sullivan. "Highly mobile government,
enterprise and small business users need reliable connectivity to
drive continued productivity. Panasonic's proven business-rugged
notebooks enabled with Gobi address this requirement."
The Panasonic Toughbook F8
Adding to the business-rugged basic concept of delivering
lightweight and durable systems with long battery life, the new
Toughbook(R) F8 is the world's lightest 3G-ready notebook with a 14.1
inch wide display and an internal optical drive. Weighing 3.7 pounds,
the Toughbook F8 has an integrated handle for maximum portability. The
handle is tested to the same standard as the flagship rugged Toughbook
30 handle, which is used in the most extreme computing environments.
With the Intel (R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor, up to 4GB of RAM, bright
widescreen LCD and a 160GB shock-mounted hard drive, the new F8 is the
ideal tool for the road warrior who needs both an extremely portable
and high performance PC.
"Panasonic Toughbook business-rugged notebooks are engineered for
the truly mobile professional. We have designed these notebooks to
offer industry-leading portability, durability and wireless
connectivity-a necessary combination for today's workers on the move,"
said Kyp Walls, director of product management, Panasonic Computer
Solutions Company. "Reliability is an issue that is coming into the
mainstream with a lot of talk about computers being 'rugged'. While
many vendors appear to be making moves in the direction of improved
durability, most business notebooks are still seeing annual failure
rates in the double digits."
"We believe users with demanding jobs should demand more from
their PCs," added Walls. "Panasonic leads the industry in reliability
by engineering and building our notebooks to be durable from the
inside-out. We add to that a three-year warranty and an
around-the-clock US-based support team to give the highest possible
return on investment and lowest total cost of ownership."
A New Level of Performance and Wireless Flexibility
Built with the real-world challenges of today's mobile user in
mind, the Intel (R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor W8, T8 and F8 notebooks
offer an ideal combination of the latest computing power, light weight
(from 3. to 3.7 lbs) and long battery life--all protected by proven
durability that is engineered throughout. Like all Toughbook
notebooks, the business-rugged 8 Series notebooks have strong
magnesium alloy cases and chassis, shock-mounted hard drives and LCDs,
spill-resistant keyboards and flexible internal connectors for
additional protection.
In addition, the 8 Series business-rugged products offer a range
of embedded wireless options for anytime, anywhere connectivity,
including 802.11a/b/g/draft-n and Bluetooth 2.0. The 8 Series will
ship with optional embedded Gobi(TM) 3G technology. Gobi-enabled
products, along with Panasonic's Carrier Selection Application (CSA)
software and more than a decade of experience embedding wireless
antennas in notebooks, allow seamless selection between mobile
broadband carriers and simplified international roaming within a
single embedded device. The Panasonic Toughbook 8 Series will be
certified on all major networks worldwide, allowing workers to stay
connected regardless of network availability in their current location
and whether the network is using CDMA2000 EV-DO or HSPA/UMTS/GPRS
technologies.
The Panasonic CSA will allow IT administrators maximum flexibility
in the management of wireless notebooks. Gobi is designed to lower IT
procurement, qualification, support and management costs.
Advanced Power Management
In order to optimally run the more powerful Intel processors in
the small and lightweight 8 Series mobile PCs, engineers from
Panasonic and Intel developed a proprietary implementation of Dynamic
Power Performance Management technology, which dynamically controls
key devices operation to find optimal balance between thermal limits
and performance. The Hybrid Cooling System within the 8 Series
incorporates a compact fan design as well as a user-adjustable fan
utility to help manage fan speed based on ambient conditions and the
performance required.
Real World Testing
In addition to performance, people on the go need a mobile
computer that can survive the drops, bumps and spills associated with
constant travel. The vast majority of business notebooks lack the
brawn to survive a hectic travel schedule.
The new business-rugged Toughbook(R) notebooks are more durable
than any other business notebook. The Mil-spec methodology outlines a
procedure by which units are dropped onto plywood on 26 different
sides, to test rugged performance on every corner, edge and surface.
The 8 Series business-rugged Toughbook notebooks successfully survived
drops of 12" for the unit itself and 30" for the shock-mounted hard
drive. Additional Panasonic drop-testing requires that 8 Series
notebooks survive a 30" (just over the typical height of a desk or
table) drop to the base of the unit while it is operating.
The unique Panasonic spill-resistant keyboard design protects
against liquid spills of about 6 ounces (200 cc), and both the lid and
base of the notebooks are designed to withstand more than 220 lbs (100
Kg) of pressure. 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.
Business-Rugged Panasonic Toughbook Notebooks
Toughbook F8: Desktop Computer Capabilities in an Extremely
Portable Package
The world's lightest 3G-ready computer with a 14.1 inch wide
display and internal optical drive, featuring an integrated handle,
the Panasonic Toughbook F8 thin-and-light notebook weighs 3.7 pounds
and delivers approximately 6 hours of battery life. The Toughbook F8
notebook includes a built-in DVD Multi drive, Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo
standard voltage processor, 1 GB SDRAM (expandable to 4GB) and 160 GB
hard drive. The F8's larger widescreen makes it suitable for
presenting to small groups while still being portable enough for road
warriors.
Panasonic Toughbook W8: Ultraportable Notebook for the Mobile
Professional
The ultraportable Panasonic Toughbook W8 notebook, with its
integrated DVD Multi drive, 12.1 inch anti-glare LCD, and weight of
approximately 3 pounds, is ideal for mobile professionals. Equipped
with an ultra-low voltage Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor, 1 GB
SDRAM (expandable), 120 GB hard disk, and battery life of
approximately 7 hours, the W8 is as useful on an airline tray table as
it is in the board room.
Panasonic Toughbook T8: A lightweight Tablet PC Alternative
Designed with input from "walking workers," the Toughbook T8
notebook is a tablet-alternative notebook with a touch screen, stylus
and screen rotating software. The system features a 12.1 inch
touch-screen LCD and convenient rubber hand strap. Equipped with an
ultra-low voltage Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor, the 3.3 pound T8
provides an 120GB hard drive and 1 GB SDRAM (expandable) and delivers
up to 7 hours of battery life, depending on operating environment.
Security Options Vital for Mission-Critical Computing
The Panasonic Toughbook 8 Series notebooks all provide significant
data security features including trusted platform module (TPM)
security chip v. 1.2, the Computrace theft protection agent in the
BIOS, a cable lock slot, password security and an optional fingerprint
scanner. The T8 was designed without an optical drive, enhancing data
security in highly sensitive environments such as healthcare.
Superior Warranty, Support and Professional Services
Every Panasonic Toughbook notebook includes a standard three-year
limited warranty and free access to 24/7/365 U.S.-based phone support
for the entire life of the product. The Panasonic call center hold
time averages less than one minute. In addition, in the unlikely event
of a hardware-related failure, Panasonic covers the cost of overnight
shipping to and from its national service center, where the average
turnaround time for repairs is less than two days. Panasonic also
offers a full range of professional services to support customers
during and after deployment.
Pricing and Availability
The 8 Series Panasonic Toughbook notebooks will be available
beginning in November 2008 at an estimated base street price of $2,099
(W8 and T8) and $2,499 (F8). All Toughbook notebooks can be purchased
from authorized Panasonic Toughbook resellers nationwide. Please visit
www.panasonic.com/toughbook for more information.
Detailed Product Features and Specifications*
Panasonic Toughbook F8
-- Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor SP9300, 2.26 GHz (6MB L2
cache, 1066 MHz FSB)
-- 1GB DDR2 SDRAM standard, expandable to 4GB
-- 160GB HDD, shock-mounted
-- Integrated DVD Multi Drive
-- 14.1" 1280 x 800 WXGA anti-glare TFT active matrix color LCD
-- TPM Security Chip, v1.2
-- Intel(R) WiFi Link 5100 802.11a/b/g/draft-n
-- Genuine Windows Vista(TM) Business (with XP downgrade option)
-- Dimensions: 9.9"(L) x 12.8"(W) x 1.0"/1.9" front/rear (H)
(without protrusion)
-- Weight: Approximately 3.7 lbs
-- Battery life: Approximately 6 hours
-- Wireless on-off switch (WWAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)
-- Bluetooth(R) v2.0 + EDR
-- Optional integrated Gobi(TM) 3G global mobile Internet (EV-DO
and HSPA)
Panasonic Toughbook W8
-- Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor SU9300, 1.20 GHz (3MB L2
cache, 800 MHz FSB)
-- 1GB DDR2 SDRAM standard, expandable to 4GB
-- 120GB HDD, shock-mounted
-- Integrated DVD Multi drive
-- 12.1" 1024 x 768 XGA anti-glare TFT active matrix color LCD
-- TPM Security Chip v1.2
-- Intel(R) WiFi Link 5100 802.11a/b/g/draft-n
-- Genuine Windows Vista(TM) Business (with XP downgrade option)
-- Dimensions: 8.4"(L) x 10.7" (W) x 1.4"/1.9" front/rear (H)
-- Weight: Approximately 3.0 lbs
-- Battery life: Approximately 7 hours
-- Wireless on-off switch (WWAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)
-- Bluetooth(R) v2.0 + EDR
-- Optional integrated Gobi(TM) 3G global mobile Internet (EV-DO
and HSPA)
Panasonic Toughbook T8
-- Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor SU9300, 1.20 GHz (3MB L2
cache, 800 MHz FSB)
-- 1GB DDR2 SDRAM standard, expandable to 4GB
-- 120GB HDD, shock-mounted
-- 12.1" 1024 x 768 XGA anti-glare TFT active matrix color LCD
with touchscreen
-- TPM Security Chip v1.2
-- Intel(R) WiFi Link 5100 802.11a/b/g/draft-n
-- Genuine Windows Vista(TM) Business (with XP downgrade option)
-- Display Image Rotation software
-- Dimensions: 8.4"(L) x 10.7" (W) x 1.4"/1.9" front/rear (H)
-- Ergonomic rubber hand strap
-- Weight: Approximately 3.3 lbs
-- Battery life: Approximately 7 hours
-- Wireless on-off switch (WWAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)
-- Bluetooth(R) v2.0 + EDR
-- Optional integrated Gobi(TM) 3G global mobile Internet (EV-DO
and HSPA)
*Specifications are subject to change without notice.
** Correct as of date of release - September 25, 2008
About Panasonic Computer Solutions Company
Panasonic Computer Solutions Company empowers the mobile
workforce. The company is a unit of Panasonic Corporation of North
America, which is the principal North American subsidiary of
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC). Panasonic has
delivered reliable, durable mobile solutions through its Toughbook(R)
line of notebook computers for fifteen years and has expanded the
boundaries of wireless communications technology through a broad
portfolio of products, ranging from fully rugged, industrial strength
notebook computers and tablet PCs to business-rugged thin and light
and ultraportable notebooks. A core manufacturer, Matsushita and its
subsidiaries control the entire process of design, manufacture,
quality assurance, service and support. As a result, Panasonic
Toughbooks are known for having the lowest failure rates in the
industry. Government, industrial, and commercial users--from Fortune
1,000 companies to small businesses--rely on solutions from Panasonic,
wherever their work takes them.
All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered
trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject
to change without notice. Information on Panasonic's full line of
notebook PCs for the mobile professional can be obtained by calling
800-662-3537 or at http://www.panasonic.com/toughbook.
Cohn & Wolfe
for Panasonic Computer Solutions Company
Aida Causevic, 415-365-8537 direct
aida.causevic@cohnwolfe.com
Toughbook-PRTeam@cohnwolfe.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
