Panasonic updates Japanese Toughbook notebooks
updated 10:30 am EST, Mon January 25, 2010
Panasonic adds Intel Core CPUs to Toughbook PCs
Panasonic on Monday announced several key updates to its range of Let's Note rugged notebooks in Japan, which are known as the Toughbooks in the North American market. The changes include replacing their Intel Core 2 Duo chips with the new i5 and i7 processors, as well as shipping with Windows 7 Professional. The range includes the 14.1-inch F9, 12.1-inch S9 and N9, and the 10.4-inch R9.
The R9 contains a low-voltage 1.06GHz Core i7 along with Intel's QM57 Express video graphics chipset; the chip can operate at up to 2.13GHz in Turbo Boost mode. There is otherwise 2GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive and an increasingly rare 1024x768 screen. Battery life is rated at 7.5 hours. Options will include Bluetooth, a 500GB hard drive and a 128GB solid state drive.
The 14.1-inch F9 can be had with one of two LED-backlit displays, including 1280x800 or 1440x900 resolutions. It's powered by a 2.4GHz Core i5 chip that can operate at up to 2.93GHz. Intel's QM57 Express graphics chipset is part of the specs as well. The F9's other features are similar to the R9's, though its integrated WiMAX module is unique. Battery life is rated at 9 hours.
The Let's Note S9 has a smaller 12.1-inch screen and very similar specs as the above two PCs, but adds an HDMI output. There is also a WiMAX radio, while battery life is rated at an extremely high 14 hours. A standout option is the 256GB solid state drive. It will be available in black or silver.
The N9 gets the same 2.4GHz Core i5 chip, WiMAX, HDMI and the same large 14-hour battery life rating and basic specs as the other models.
The F9 and S9 will cost the equivalent of about $2,200 in base trim. All will be released in Japan in mid-February. If or when these redesigned models come to North America is unknown, though likely for at least some of the PCs. [via Impress]
Panasonic Let's Note F9
Panasonic Let's Note N9
Panasonic Let's Note S9
Panasonic Let's Note R9
