Rugged computer manufacturer Panasonic has announced upgrades to the Toughbook H2 handheld tablet PC. The ruggedized device improvements include a faster processor, expanded storage while maintaining the same durability, including the ability to survive a six-foot drop with no damage.
Panasonic has made some upgrades to its catalog of rugged mobile computer systems. The Toughbook 31 notebook now comes with options for Intel Core i5 processors running at up to 3.5GHz, increased touchscreen responsiveness, and a battery claimed to last more than 14 hours on a single charge, along with other improvements.
Panasonic's Toughbook line has joined the ranks of Ivy Bridge-enhanced computers. The improved CF-19 features a 3.3GHz Core i5 processor inside a ruggedized magnesium case, which also protects a 10.1-inch touchscreen with 6000-nit brightness for use in direct sunlight.
Panasonic today unveiled two 12.1-inch notebooks in its home country. The Let's Note SX1 and SX2 offer Intel Core i5 processors in a compact, ruggedized magnesium form factor with batteries that provide up to 16 hours of run-time. Panasonic is also offering the J10, a 10.1-inch laptop targeting business customers.
Panasonic has just added its latest Toughbook with the ultra-portable 12.1-inch S10. The 12-inch ultraportable weighs just three pounds but has a claimed battery life of 12.5 hours. The rugged notebook is powered by a 2.5GHz Intel Core i5 and so can still manage full-size performance even in the small size.
Panasonic has followed up its Toughbook H1 pro tablet from last year with its successor, the Toughbook H2. The new computer retains the same MIL-STD-810G standard for resistance to shock, dust, water and temperature extremes but adds higher-end specs and some more convenience features. Instead of a low-power 1.86GHz Atom processor, for example, the sequel gets a 1.7GHz Core i5 ULV CPU with Intel's vPro tech.
Panasonic officially launched itself into the mobile tablet arena on Thursday by unveiling a Toughbook tablet based on Android. The 10-inch, 1024x768 slate would try to cover a perceived gap by tackling both the durability and security that tablets like the iPad don't have. It would use a matte, outdoor-friendly display, a shock-resistant shell and a pen for shops and others that need handwritten input.
Panasonic on Tuesday introduced the replacement for its Toughbook 52 notebook that is semi-rugged. The 14-inch notebook earns this distinction thanks to its spill-proof keyboard, magnesium alloy case, and a shock-mounted hard drive. It meets MIL-spec 810G standards for drop and shock resistance.
Panasonic on Tuesday brought out what's billed as the lightest ever full-spec 12-inch notebook. The Toughbook S9 has a full-speed, 2.4GHz Core i5 and a built-in DVD burner but weighs just three pounds. Even with the specifications, it can still run for up to 11 hours on a stock battery and is rugged enough to survive a 2.5-foot drop to its base or a one-foot drop from any angle.
Panasonic has added the Toughbook CF-U1 Ultra to its lineup of fully rugged portable PCs. An upgraded version of the existing Toughbook CF-U1, the new device sports a transflective, 5.6-inch 1024x600 touchscreen that has a 6,000-nit brightness for better viewing in direct sunlight. It also gets a faster 1.6GHz Z530 Atom CPU, a 64GB solid-state drive and 2GB of RAM.
Panasonic today boosted the base specifications of its Japanese Toughbook F5, N9 and S9 range to include the 2.66GHz Core i5 560M as standard across the range. A faster 2.8GHz Core i7 640M will also be a build-to-order option, as is the option to boost the RAM from 4GB to 8GB. All models now also offer better battery performance of up to a claimed 14.5 hours and ship with Windows 7 Professional.
Panasonic on Wednesday rolled out its latest Toughbook rugged notebook, the 14-inch F9. It's the lightest in its class, at 3.6lbs, yet has been tested to withstand drops from 30 inches while running onto its base, or onto all surfaces and angles from 12 inches. The PC has a keyboard that can shake off up to 7 ounces of liquid without any ill effects, while its lid and base can withstand more than 220lbs of compression.
Panasonic on Monday introduced the fourth revision of its Toughbook CF-19 convertible tablet notebook. The latest version now utilizes Intel's ultra-low voltage (ULV) Core i5 540UM CPU for a 32 percent increase in performance and nine-hour battery life. Businesses can also take advantage Gobi 2000 components for mobile broadband configuration across several different carriers, while A-GPS integration can be used with mapping software.
Panasonic has introduced its latest rugged notebook, the Toughbook 31. Like other devices in the series, the new notebook features MIL-STD-810G certification for protection from six-foot drops, shock, vibration, dust, rain, sand, altitude, and extreme temperature variations. The magnesium alloy case is fully sealed to protect against water, while the hard drives are shock mounted and still claimed to be easily removable.
Panasonic this week announced it has updated its semi-rugged Toughbook CF-52 and business-rugged Toughbook CF-T8 notebooks in the UK with new hardware. The CF-52 can now be had with either a 2.4GHz or 2.53GHz Intel Core i5 processor as well as 2GB of RAM and shock-mounted, quick release hard drives with up to 250GB in capacity. New options include wireless connection options such as a Gobi 2000 3G modem.
Panasonic claimed to solve one of the major problems of tablet PCs today by adding a new touchscreen Toughbook. The C1 is billed as the lightest convertible tablet with a 12-inch screen and weighs just 3.2 pounds with a regular battery; it only comes closer to rivals when it uses a two-battery pack. The design further brings a dual hinge that puts the opening and twisting motions into separate hinges and cuts down on the likelihood of the hinge breaking in regular use.
Panasonic on Wednesday introduced its ToughBook-branded CF-H1 Mobile Assistant PC meant for use by workers in the field. The rugged device has a 10.4-inch, anti-reflective touchscreen that's viewable in daylight and has a resolution of 1024x768. Processing power is netbook-like and comes from a 1.86GHz Intel Atom and 2GB of RAM, while files are stored on a 64GB solid state drive. Windows 7 is preloaded and allows for two-point multi-touch.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
