09/29, 1:00pm
Panasonic adds new ToughBook models, Win7
Panasonic on Tuesday morning debuted six new Let's Note models in Japan, which are the equivalent of the maker's ToughBook rugged notebook PCs in North America. There were updated versions of the F8, R8, T8, W8 as well as two new models in the S8 and N8. The main change is the inclusion of 32-bit Windows 7, with some models getting the option to downgrade to Windows XP. The new S8 and N8 PCs also get much more powerful processors, with Intel's 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo, whereas the R8 makes do with a low-power 1.6GHz Core 2 Duo. The main difference between the S8 and N8 is the inclusion of a DVD drive in the S8 and a lack of one in the N8.
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02/04, 10:45pm
ToughBook
Panasonic has updated its semi-rugged Toughbook 52 notebook, adding an option for a 13.3-inch touchscreen LCD. The new display could prove suitable for outdoor use, featuring 1000 nit brightness combined with an anti-glare and anti-reflective surface. The company claims battery life up to 8 hours with the touchscreen, while the standard 15.4-inch variant will provide 7 hours of life with the P8400 CPU or 4 hours running the P8600.
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01/27, 11:35am
ToughBook 19 and 32 Update
Panasonic today updated its most hardened Toughbooks to make them both faster and more usable. The Toughbook 19 tablet and Toughbook 30 notebook are both based on Intel's Centrino 2 platform and use both faster and more efficient low-power Core 2 Duo processors that Panasonic estimates can get up to 10 hours on a single battery. They also get new, much brighter 1,000 nit LCDs with anti-glare, anti-reflection and circular polarizer filters that improve their viewability even in direct sunlight.
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12/15, 3:10pm
Apple Pana Top Help Ranks
A new reliability ranking published today by support firm RESCUECOM cites Apple and Panasonic as the most reliable computer brands. Basing the figures on the number of help calls relative to each company's approximate market share, the company gives Apple a clear lead with a score of 700 for having the fewest number of calls between January and October. Panasonic scored significantly less at 489 but is still considered a standout as its ToughBooks have gained in market share but haven't triggered a proportionate increase in requests for help.
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09/25, 7:50am
Toughbook F8 W8 and T8
Panasonic early today revamped its semi-hardened notebooks with the launch of its 8-series Toughbooks. The 14-inch F8, 12-inch W8 and the similarly-small T8 are all the first in their particular class to carry a Qualcomm Gobi chipset that gives access to 3G cellular Internet access over either EVDO or HSPA with supporting providers. They also take advantage of Intel's newest low-power Core 2 Duo chips and the newer GMA 4500MHD graphics and 802.11n Wi-Fi to match.
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07/16, 2:25pm
Pana Toughbook Centrino 2
Panasonic on Tuesday became the next notebook maker to update its line for Intel's Centrino 2 platform with two new Toughbook models. The semi-rugged, 15.4-inch Toughbook 52 and its matching 13.3-inch Toughbook 74 both get the faster processors, 1,066MHz bus speeds, and faster Intel graphics of Centrino 2 as well as a boost to 802.11n Wi-Fi and 160GB of storage.
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06/25, 8:15am
Panasonic Toughbook CF U1
Panasonic on Wednesday made its promised Japanese and North American introductions of the Toughbook CF-U1. The handheld is the first-ever rugged ultra-mobile PC based on Intel's ultra-efficient Atom processor and uses a 1.33GHz version of the chip to both run Windows Vista Business at reasonable speeds as well as to extend the U1's battery life: a unique twin-battery system gives the Toughbook between six and eight hours of real-world use and lets users hot-swap batteries for even more use without turning off the system.
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06/23, 11:25am
Panasonic Atom Tab This Wk
Panasonic's Atom-based Toughbook mini tablet PC will be formally introduced this week, says one report. Although previewed multiple times, the computer should now be made official and will be the first known tablet to use the ultra-efficient, long battery life processor while also adding a rugged design. The 5.6-inch touchscreen is bordered by a shockproof rubber casing that covers ports that aren't in use and keeps out dust and water.
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03/26, 1:45pm
Panasonic Toughbook 19
Panasonic on Tuesday announced an update to its convertible tablet notebook, the Toughbook 19, that includes a newer chipset and more standard and optional memory. The next generation Toughbook 19F now includes a Core 2 Duo processor at 1.06GHz and twice as much standard memory, at 1GB versus 512MB, as well as a newly optional integrated camera. RAM is also expandable to 4GB, as opposed to 2GB with the earlier version.
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03/05, 11:25am
Panasonic Atom Toughbook
Panasonic is developing an ultra-mobile PC in its Toughbook line based on Intel's new Atom platform, the company revealed today. The handheld will be designed for outdoor travelers and others who need an extremely shock- and weather-resistant device but who need something smaller than today's Toughbook portables. With a 5.6-inch touchscreen, the system will weigh less than 2.2 pounds even with the added protection, the company says. Besides the touch input, the handheld will also have a full QWERTY keyboard and shortcut buttons along the side for launching favorite programs or scrolling through menus.
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