Panasonic Rolls Out New Toughbook Notebooks

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Panasonic Computer Solutions Company has introduced three new business-rugged notebook computers designed to meet the demands of mobile executives, walking workers and road warriors: the ultraportable W7, the tablet alternative T7, and the thin-and-light Y7. Built with the real-world challenges of today's on-the-go user in mind, the Intel Core 2 Duo-based W7, T7 and Y7 notebooks offer a combination of the latest computing power, extremely light weight (from 3.0 to 3.7 lbs) and long battery life — all protected by proven durability that is engineered from the inside-out. Like all Toughbook notebooks, the business-rugged 7 series notebooks are drop- and spill-resistant, have strong magnesium alloy cases and chassis, shock-mounted hard drives and LCDs, and internal flexible connectors for additional protection.

In addition, the 7 Series business-rugged products offer a range of embedded wireless options for anytime, anywhere connectivity, including 802.11, Bluetooth 2.0 and optional high-performance built-in 3G mobile broadband solutions from AT&T (HSDPA), Sprint or Verizon Wireless (EV-DO Rev. A).

In order to optimally run the more powerful Intel Santa Rosa processors in the small and lightweight 7 Series mobile PCs, engineers from Panasonic and Intel created a proprietary implementation of Dynamic Power Performance Management technology, designed to continually fine tune CPU usage based on system load and the tasks being performed. A new Hybrid Cooling System incorporates a compact fan design as well as a user-defined fan utility to help manage fan speed based on ambient conditions and the performance required. Combined, these new technologies help optimize system performance while preventing case overheating and extending battery life.

The new business-rugged Toughbook notebooks are also more durable than any other business notebook. They are drop-tested using both the MIL-STD-810F methodology common to rugged notebooks as well as additional Panasonic factory drop tests. Commonly misunderstood, mil-spec testing does not prescribe a specific drop height. Rather, it outlines a method by which units are dropped a total of 26 times, on every axis, onto plywood over steel over concrete. Fully-rugged Panasonic Toughbook notebooks are mil-spec rated to 36" (for both the unit and the hard drive), while the 7 series business-rugged Toughbook notebooks are mil-spec rated to 12" for the unit itself and 30" for the shock-mounted hard drive. An additional Panasonic drop-test requires that 7 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-through keyboard design protects against liquid spills of more than 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, Toughbook notebook hinges are required to pass 50,000 cycles and keyboards are tested to withstand 25 million keystrokes. Panasonic's commitment to quality — at both the component and finished goods level — results in a total of more than 500 checks and tests before, during and after production.

Toughbook W7

The ultraportable Panasonic Toughbook W7 notebook, with its integrated DVD MULTI drive, 12.1 inch anti-glare LCD, and weight of 3 pounds, is suited for mobile professionals. Equipped with an ultra-low voltage Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 1 GB SDRAM (expandable), 80 GB hard disk, and battery life of approximately 7 hours, the W7 is as useful on an airline tray table as it is in the board room.

Toughbook T7

Designed with input from "walking workers" such as nurses and home care professionals, the Toughbook T7 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 hand strap. Equipped with an ultra-low voltage Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, the 3.3 pound T7 provides an 80GB hard drive and 1 GB SDRAM (expandable) and delivers up to 9 hours of battery life, depending on operating environment.

Toughbook Y7

The world's lightest laptop with a 14.1 inch display, the Panasonic Toughbook Y7 thin-and-light notebook weighs only 3.7 pounds and delivers five hours of battery life. The Toughbook Y7 notebook includes a built-in DVD MULTI drive, Intel Core 2 Duo low voltage processor, 1 GB SDRAM (expandable) and 80 GB hard drive. The Y7's larger screen makes it suitable for presenting to small groups while still being portable enough for professional road warriors.

The Panasonic Toughbook 7 Series notebooks all provide significant data security features including trusted platform module 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 T7's lack of an optical drive is by design, enhancing data security in highly regulated environments such as healthcare.

Detailed Product Features and Specifications

Panasonic Toughbook W7:
- Intel Core 2 Duo Processor ULV U7500, 1.06 GHz;
- 1 GB DDR2-533 SDRAM standard, expandable to 2 GB;
- 80GB HDD, shock-mounted;
- Integrated DVD Super MULTI drive;
- 12.1" 1024 x 768 XGA anti-glare TFT active matrix color LCD;
- TPM Security Chip v1.2;
- Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AG 802.11a/b/g;
- Genuine Windows Vista Business (with XP downgrade option);
- Dimensions: 1.4"/2.0" (H) x 10.7" (W) x 8.5"(D);
- Weight: 3.0 lbs;
- Battery life: 7 hours;
- Mini Dock Box Replicator (accessory);
- Wireless on-off switch (WWAN, WLAN, Bluetooth);
- Bluetooth v2.0 + EDR;
- Optional integrated WWAN / mobile broadband (EV-DO or HSDPA).

Panasonic Toughbook T7:
- Intel Core 2 Duo Processor ULV U7500, 1.06 GHz;
- 1 GB DDR2-533 SDRAM standard, expandable to 2 GB;
- 80GB HDD, shock-mounted;
- 12.1" 1024 x 768 XGA anti-glare TFT active matrix color LCD with touchscreen;
- TPM Security Chip v1.2;
- Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AG 802.11a/b/g;
- Genuine Windows Vista Business (with XP downgrade option);
- Display Image Rotation software;
- Dimensions: 1.5"/2.3" (H) x 10.7" (W) x 8.5" (D) (including hand strap);
- Ergonomic hand strap;
- Weight: 3.3 lbs;
- Battery life: 5-9 hours;
- Mini Dock Box Replicator (accessory);
- Wireless on-off switch (WWAN, WLAN, Bluetooth);
- Bluetooth v2.0 + EDR;
- Optional integrated WWAN / mobile broadband (EV-DO or HSDPA).

Panasonic Toughbook Y7:
- Intel Core 2 Duo Processor L7500, 1.6 GHz;
- 1 GB DDR2-533 SDRAM standard, expandable to 2 GB;
- 80GB HDD, shock-mounted;
- Integrated DVD Super MULTI drive;
- 14.1" 1400 x 1050 SXGA+ anti-glare TFT active matrix color LCD;
- TPM Security Chip, v1.2;
- Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AG 802.11a/b/g;
- Genuine Windows Vista Business (with XP downgrade option);
- Dimensions: 1.4"/1.8" (H) x 12.2" (W) x 10.0" (D);
- Weight: 3.7 lbs;
- Battery life: 5 hours;
- Mini Dock Box Replicator (accessory);
- Wireless on-off switch (WWAN, WLAN, Bluetooth);
- Bluetooth v2.0 + EDR;
- Optional integrated WWAN / mobile broadband (EV-DO or HSDPA).

The Panasonic Toughbook Y7 is available now, and the mobile broadband-ready Panasonic Toughbook W7 and Toughbook T7 will be available in December, 2007.

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