Panasonic says that the tablet is perfect for mobile GIS and CAD users and can be used to run diagnostic tools as well. The machine has 2GB of RAM and can be fitted with up to 8GB of RAM. It has a 160GB HDD standard for storage and an optional 128GB SSD. The tablet is designed for users that need to multitask when holding the device with one hand.

It weighs 1.58kg, has a fanless design, and can be purchased with a dual touch screen with a digitizer and touchscreen as well. The screen is 10.1-inches wide and uses Panasonic Transreflective tech that allows it to operate with no backlight in bright environments. It can also be fitted with an optional 2MP camera. The rig has a battery good for 6.5 hours and the battery is hot swappable. The tablet will launch this month starting at €2119.

The new Toughbook C1 gets a speed and performance boost with a new Intel Core i5 2520M vPro processor, a 2.5GHz CPU with Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz. Hard drive storage has been bumped up to 320GB, RAM is 2GB and expandable to 8GB, while battery life is now up to 12 hours with the use of an optional second battery. Also, boot up time is now 30 percent faster than before.

Other features include Bluetooth 2.1 support, Wi-Fi, and optional 3G connectivity. The new Toughbook C1 weighs only 3.28lbs and has a special triple-hinge design along with a hands-free ergonomic strap and dome cradle. It can withstand drops from 30″ off the ground and has a spill-resistant keyboard that protects again up to 6 ounces of liquids. The 12.1-inch widescreen is WXGA 1280 x 800 resolution that’s available in multi-touch and digitizer screen or gloved multi-touch. Anti-glare treatment is also available.

The new Toughbook C1 will be availabe in July with a price starting at $2,599. It comes with a full three-year limited warranty including parts and labor.

The standard battery is good for 11 hours of use according to Panasonic. The screen of the machine is a 12.1-inch unit with a resolution of 1280 x 800 and has LED backlighting. The screen has anti-glare treatment and the optical drive is a DVD super multi unit.

Other features include HDMI and VGA outputs along with 2GB of RAM, 320GB of storage, and Windows 7 with an XP downgrade option. The CPU for the machine is a Core i5-520M at 2.4GHz. The keyboard is spill resistant and the case of the notebook is made from magnesium alloy. The machine can be purchased right now for $2499.

Inside, you’ll find a 64GB Solid State Drive (SSD), and 2GB of memory. The processor is an Intel Atom Z530, clocked at 1.6GHz. Panasonic has gone with Windows 7 as the Operating System of choice. Panasonic has also made sure that you can see what you’re doing, courtesy of the TransflectivePlus feature, which offers up to 6000 nit viewability while in the sun on the 5.6-inch WSVGA display. Panasonic says that your battery life should be an estimated 9 hours while on the go. And the whole thing weighs 2.3lbs, with the strap and batteries installed.

Panasonic says that you can drop the Toughbook U1 Ultra from up to six feet off the ground, and from any angle, and it will remain in tact and function. They also based the new portable on a fanless design, which makes it water and dust resistant. The U1 Ultra is available right now through participating Panasonic retailers, and you can pick one up for $2,799.

Press Release

SECAUCUS, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Panasonic Solutions Company, provider of collaboration, information-sharing and decision-support solutions for government and commercial enterprises, today announced the newest member of its Toughbook® U1 ultra-mobile PC product family, the Toughbook U1 Ultra. All Toughbook U1 products combine the portability of a handheld computer, the benefits of a full Windows OS, the durability needed for enterprise applications and a suite of available integrated features. The new Toughbook U1 Ultra is equipped with a TransflectivePlus display for up to 6000 nit viewability in direct sunlight, 64GB solid state hard drive, 2GB of memory, an Intel® Atom Processor (Z530 1.6Ghz) and Windows 7®. The device is ideal for highly mobile jobs such as direct store delivery (DSD), eCitation and vegetation management in markets like supply chain management, public safety and utilities.

The Toughbook U1 family of handheld replacement computers has also undergone a number of usability and navigation enhancements, including enlarged screen icons, programmable “right click” onscreen button, a larger soft keyboard, a “zoom and pan” mode – allowing users to simply navigate robust content and a soft “Ctrl-Alt-Del” button for log-on access.

The optional 2 megapixel camera features updated software to offer faster auto-focus and improved white balancing, while the optional barcode reader has been improved with new software that allows for onboard, data and symbology configuration.

Companies can also take advantage of the optional embedded features available for the Toughbook U1, including GPS, barcode readers (1D, 1D/2D), fingerprint reader and mobile broadband to drive greater levels of productivity.

Besides being able to run the latest Windows 7 software, the Toughbook U1 Ultra is ideally suited to run legacy mobile device applications, with solutions available to run Windows Mobile and Windows CE software in the Windows 7 environment. The solution, tWinrunner™ by Clearview Software International, allows companies to maximize their legacy handheld device software investment while creating a migration path to a full Windows OS device.

“The ability to provide your mobile workforce with a reliable, powerful and adaptable handheld computer running a full Windows OS is critical for organizations attempting to stay ahead of the competition,” said Kyp Walls, director of product management, Panasonic Solutions Company. “Relying on a single-purpose device that runs a pared-down or proprietary OS is no longer acceptable in environments where information is critical and computing solutions must deliver a clear ROI. The Toughbook U1 Ultra, running Windows 7 and incorporating an impressive list of available integrated features, is the ideal handheld mobile computing solution for companies with an eye on future success.”

Most Rugged Toughbook

The Toughbook U1 line up is certified by an independent third-party test lab to meet MIL-STD-810G and IP65 standards for environmental conditions. The device can withstand a drop of 6 feet from any angle, and its fanless design keeps out water and dust while reducing weight and eliminating a common point of failure.

Embedded Wireless Connectivity

The Toughbook U1 family includes a variety of embedded wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth® 2.1 and optional Gobi2000™ mobile broadband technology from Qualcomm. Gobi simplifies complex multi-carrier wireless deployments for IT departments and allows mobile employees improved connectivity options while traveling at home or abroad. The Toughbook U1 will be certified on the Verizon Wireless, Sprint and AT&T Wireless networks, allowing workers to stay connected at all times.

“The market for field mobility solutions is currently at a crossroads where field mobile workers are being tasked with an ever expanding list of requirements,” said David Krebs, director of the mobile and wireless practice at VDC Research. “As a result the mobile computers deployed to support these work flows need to be designed to not only maximize performance but also to be delivered in a highly ergonomic and portable package. Panasonic’s next generation U1 handheld device – including its full Windows OS and its myriad integrated I/O and communications options – addresses these requirements with a functionality and performance optimized design.”

Panasonic Toughbook U1 Ultra: Select Features and Specifications

Genuine Windows 7® (with XP downgrade option)
Intel® Atom™ processor Z530 (1.6GHz)
2GB RAM
64 GB Solid State Drive SSD
5.6” WSVGA sunlight-viewable touchscreen using TransflectivePlus technology with up to 6000 nit viewability
Circular polarizer with anti-glare and anti-reflective screen treatments
LED backlighting
Up to 9 hour battery life
Twin hot-swappable batteries
2.3lbs. (with both batteries and strap)
Fully-Rugged
Magnesium alloy chassis – encased in polycarbonate
MIL-STD-810G certified (6 foot drop)
IP65 certified sealed all-weather design
UL1604 (Class 1, Div 2) certified model
Reinforced flex-connect Solid State Drive (SSD)
Embedded Connectivity
Optional integrated WWAN / Gobi2000™ mobile broadband (EV-DO and HSPA)
Intel® Wi-Fi Link 5100 802.11a/b/g/n
Bluetooth® v2.1 + EDR
Integrated Options
Global positioning system (GPS) receiver
1D barcode reader
2D barcode reader (also 1D capable)
Fingerprint reader
2.0 megapixel auto-focus camera with dual LED lights
Numeric keypad with large buttons including navigation
2.2” (H) x 7.2” (W) x 5.9” (D)
Toughbook U1 Product Family

With the introduction of the Toughbook U1 Ultra, the product family now includes two devices to meet varying mobile workforce needs. The Toughbook U1 Essential (original Toughbook U1) features the Windows XP OS, up to 32GB SSD, 1GB RAM, a 300nit transmisive display and an Intel Atom (Z520/1.33GHz) processor. The Toughbook U1 Essential is suited for basic mobile computing needs and is an ideal alternative to Windows Mobile ruggedized PDAs and handheld devices.

The new Toughbook U1 Ultra features the Windows 7 OS, 64GB SSD, 2GB RAM a TransflectivePlus (up to 6000nit) direct sunlight viewable display and an Intel Atom (Z530/1.6GHz) processor. The Toughbook U1 Ultra is designed for highly mobile outdoor applications, including direct store delivery (DSD), eCitation and vegetation management. For more details on the Toughbook U1 family of products, go to: http://www.toughbook.com

Optional Numeric Keypad

The Toughbook U1 Ultra is also available with an optional 29-key numeric keypad for quick data entry and easy navigation. The numeric keypad also has a single “Ctrl-Alt-Del” button, making one finger operation simple while on the move. The numeric keypad is ideal for warehousing and forklift-like applications where high volume quantity input is useful and for other users that find the QWERTY keyboard unnecessary.

Pricing and Availability

The Toughbook U1 Ultra is available in the United States starting at an estimated street price of $2,799. The Toughbook U1 Essential is available in the United States at an estimated street price of 1899. Both devices can be purchased through authorized Panasonic resellers and distributors. All Toughbook mobile computers include a standard three-year limited warranty.

Panasonic has upgraded the computer and it now offers a 12.1-inch sunlight-viewable screen with 2 to 1600nit LED backlighting. The machine also has dual integrated speakers, touchscreen capability, and five programmable function keys.

The new LCD is 40% brighter than previous versions making it easier to read in direct sunlight. The keyboard is now backlit as well making typing at night easier. The newly updated machine sells at a starting price of $2,279.

The new Toughbook 52 now included an optional 13.3-inch XGA touchscreen display that’s capable of 1,000 nits brightness, and the screen is built to battle direct sunlight viewing ability with an anti-glare (AG) and anti-reflective (AR) technology.

Additional upgrades to the Toughbook 52 included an integrated stylus holder, an adjustable dual overhead keyboard light with four brightness levels, expanded memory capabilities and battery life, as well as an improved security and remote management with Intel Centrino 2 vPro technology.

The Toughbook 52 is available at an estimated street price starting at $1,699, and $2,549 with touchscreen option.

Secaucus, NJ, February 4, 2009 – Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, manufacturer of durable, reliable Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computers, today introduced upgrades to its Panasonic Toughbook 52 semi-rugged notebook. The updated Toughbook 52 now includes a touchscreen option with an integrated stylus holder and a 1,000 nit anti-glare (AG) and anti-reflective (AR) screen for exceptional sunlight viewability. For use in dark or low-light operating conditions, the touchscreen model also comes with an adjustable dual overhead keyboard light with four brightness levels allowing users to adjust the illumination to fit the environment. The red LED overhead keyboard light also minimizes night blindness. Additional upgrades to the Toughbook 52 include improved security and remote management thanks to Intel® Centrino® 2 with vPro™ technology, expanded memory capabilities and longer battery life.

“The new touchscreen Toughbook 52 is designed to meet the growing need for touchscreen laptops,” said Kyp Walls, director, product management, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. “The new device offers the ideal mix of exceptionally low failure rates, long battery life, connectivity, portability, functionality and affordability. The award winning Toughbook 52 is well suited for mobile professionals like insurance claims adjusters, health workers and others working in data driven environments. The 1,000 nit touchscreen improves usability for mobile workers regularly tasked with conducting business outdoors or in other locations where bright sunlight can make screen viewability difficult.”

Ideal for a mobile workforce that does not want to worry about a carrying case, the semi-rugged Toughbook 52 is a drop- and spill-tested notebook featuring a magnesium alloy case, flexible internal connectors, shock-mounted hard drive and LCDs and a spill-resistant keyboard. These features contribute to Panasonic’s reputation for producing the industry’s most reliable notebooks, with in-warranty reliability rates multiple times better than the estimated industry average for notebooks. In fact, more than 500 checks and tests are completed before, during and after production, on every Toughbook® unit built.

Panasonic Toughbook 52 Laptop: Select Features and Specifications

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8600 2.4GHz
– Intel® Centrino® 2 with vPro™ technology
– 3MB L2 Cache
– 1066 MHz FSB
– 15.4″ widescreen 1920 x 1200 WUXGA LCD
– ATI Radeon™ HD 3650, 512MB dedicated VRAM

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8400 2.26GHz
– Intel® Centrino® 2 with vPro™ technology
– 3MB L2 Cache
– 1066 MHz FSB
– 15.4″ widescreen 1280 x 800 WXGA LCD
– Optional 13.3″ 1024 x 768 XGA sunlight-viewable 1000 nit touchscreen LCD
– With integrated stylus holder & adjustable dual overhead keyboard light
– Intel® GM45 (GMA 4500MHD video controller), max. 797MB UMA VRAM on Vista

2-4GB DDR2 RAM
160GB Hard Drive (shock-mounted with quick-release)
Anti-glare, anti-reflective screen treatments
Optional integrated GobiTM 3G global mobile Internet (WWAN)
Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 5100 802.11a/b/g/draft-n
Bluetooth® v2.0 + EDR (Class 1)—optional on models with P8400 CPU
Battery operation: approximately 4 hours (P8600 CPU), 7 hours (P8400 CPU), 8 hours (touchscreen)
3-year limited warranty, parts and labor
7.5 lbs. (7.9 lbs. with optional touchscreen)

Both Toughbooks are also getting hardware updates with the Intel Centrino 2 vPro technology, offers larger memory capabilities, 40 percent longer battery life and larger hard drives with optional 320GB of SSD drive. A new security feature was introduced by Panasonic, the “conceled mode” when push, can kill all lights on the machine instantly.

The 13-inch Toughbook 30 is available at an estimated street price starting at $3,649 while the convertible tablet 19 has an estimated street price starting at $3,749. The manufacturer is now offering new financing terms which include fair market value leases, deferral programs, lease back financing and step payments.

Panasonic Toughbook 30 Clamshell Laptop: Select Features and Specifications

• Intel® Core™ 2 Duo SL9300 1.6GHz
• Intel® Centrino® 2 with vPro™ technology
• 6MB L2 Cache
• 1066 MHz FSB
• 2-4GB DDR2 RAM (667 MHz)
• Intel® GS45 (GMA 4500MHD) video adapter
• 13.3” display
• Circular polarization, anti-glare and anti-reflective screen treatments
• 9 to 1000 nit LCD brightness (touchscreen model)
• Concealed Mode
• Intel Wireless WiFi Link 5100
• 802.11 a/b/g/draft-n
• Gobi 3G Global Mobile Internet (HSPA, EV-DO Rev. A)
• 160GB SATA (shock-mounted & quick-release) hard drive
• Optional 32GB SSD
• Up to 10 hour battery life (14 hours including optional 2nd battery)

Panasonic Toughbook 19 Convertible Tablet PC: Select Features and Specifications

• Intel® Core™ 2 Duo SL9300 1.2GHz
• Intel® Centrino® 2 with vPro™ technology
• 3MB L2 Cache
• 800 MHz FSB
• 2-4GB DDR2 RAM (667 MHz)
• 10.4” LED backlit display
• Circular polarization
• 4 to 1000 nit LCD brightness (touchscreen model)
• Concealed Mode
• Intel Wireless WiFi Link 5100
• 802.11 a/b/g/draft-n
• Gobi 3G Global Mobile Internet (HSPA, EV-DO Rev. A)
• 160GB SATA (shock-mounted & quick-release) hard drive
• Optional 32GB SSD
• Up to 10 hour battery life

The much compact and convertible tablet PC CF-19 featured an 10.4-inch XGA panel, upgraded LED-backlit LCD with twice the brightness from previous model; boasted a 1000 nits of brightness display and a Core 2 Duo SU9300 at 1.2GHz speed.

The larger 13.3-inch CF-30, on the other hand, featured a new circular polarizing film to reduce reflectivity, and improve its usage in direct sunlight environment. It has a Core 2 Duo SL9300 processor runs at 1.6GHz speed.

Panasonic will ship both models by February 13 for Japan market. No words on Pricing information, or other countries releases out of Japan.

[Panasonic via Akihabaranews]

Full gallery & video demos of the Panasonic Toughbook CF-H1 after the cut

We say “primary” because there are other methods of input: a barcode reader, for instance, that allows medical professionals to scan medication, a contactless smartcard reader and fingerprint scanner for employee identification and an RFID reader. There’s also a GPS receiver, WiFi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR and a 2-megapixel camera with dual-LED lights. EVDO and HSPA 3G WWAN is an option.

Panasonic are claiming 6hr battery life, and the power pack is hot-swappable meaning minimal downtime.  The slate weighs 3.4lbs and measures 10.4 x 10.6 x 1.3-2.3 inches, complete with a carry-handle and hand-strap.  It’ll be available worldwide in January 2009, priced from $2,999.

Official H1 Video:

H1 Product Overview:

H1 Cleaning:

H1 Drop Test:

Press Release:

Panasonic Unveils the Toughbook® H1 mobile CLINICAL ASSISTANT for MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

Delivers category firsts in durability, battery life, ergonomics, connectivity, warranty and ease of sanitization

Secaucus, NJ, November 4, 2008 – To better serve the growing demand for mobility in the healthcare environment, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, manufacturer of durable, reliable Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computers, today announced the Panasonic Toughbook H1, the first fully-rugged mobile clinical assistant (MCA) and the first device of its kind to integrate the low power Intel® Atom™ processor. The new Toughbook H1 redefines performance and functionality for the MCA category with six hour battery life, dual hot–swappable batteries, standard daylight viewable screen and integrated Gobi™ technology in a sealed and easily-sanitized package.

Engineered for the Medical Professional

The Toughbook H1 is based on Panasonic’s innovative engineering, resulting from its own proprietary global healthcare industry research and Intel’s mobile clinical assistant (MCA) reference design. The company visited clinicians around the world to solicit feedback for the product. The resulting device improves workflow and eases clinical loads for doctors and nurses, allowing them to access patient records at the point of care and document a patient’s condition in real time. The workflow advantages offered by the H1 can help healthcare organizations maximize efficiency, which is critical as the market faces an aging population, increased demand for healthcare services and a shortage of nurses.

“At Panasonic we listen closely to our healthcare customers in an effort to create solutions that improve both patient care and bottom line performance,” said Rance M. Poehler, president, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. “Our customers require a family of reliable mobile computing products to meet their needs, not a one-size-fits-all solution. The Toughbook H1 joins a fleet of proven reliable mobile healthcare products from Panasonic, including cart-based solutions to fully-rugged UMPCs and convertible tablets, designed by Panasonic to satisfy the varying requirements of most healthcare environments.”

The Toughbook H1 MCA can help to reduce medication administration errors while helping clinicians deliver faster, safer care. With integrated RFID reader, 2.0 megapixel auto-focus camera with dual LED lights, a barcode reader, contactless smart card reader and fingerprint readers, the new Toughbook H1 MCA is a secure and intuitive platform for barcode medication administration (BCMA), vitals capture and electronic medical records (EMR) capture and review.

“Intel developed the MCA reference based on significant ethnographic research, workflow studies and conversations with healthcare professionals worldwide,” said Louis Burns, vice president and general manager of Intel’s Digital Health Group. “By putting innovative technologies such as the Toughbook H1 MCA in the hands of clinicians, we are providing them with the tools they need to have the right information at the point of decision. Intel is committed to collaborating with companies such as Panasonic to help enable high quality, economical, and accessible healthcare.”

Maximum Performance Delivers ROI

By leveraging Panasonic’s advanced battery technology and a low-power Intel Atom processor, the H1 offers a category-leading six hours of battery life, complemented by dual hot-swappable batteries that deliver extended life, allowing non-stop computing while on the move. This virtually eliminates down time, maximizing return on investment.

Clean Design

The Toughbook® H1 has been designed for easy disinfection, reducing the risk of germs being spread from patient to patient. The device is the first MCA to offer a fanless design – limiting the opportunity for germs to be transported by the device – and also features a smooth surface with sealed buttons, a gapless LCD screen and no exposed ports.

To further aid in disinfection, a Panasonic-designed software utility can be programmed to remind users to wipe the unit down at defined intervals. The utility automatically records a successful cleaning for the hospital’s permanent records.

Inside-Out Durability; Outside-in Solutions

Panasonic is focused on delivering the industry’s most reliable mobile solutions, ensuring that practitioners and administrators can depend on their technology along the entire continuum of care.

Panasonic’s commitment to quality results in a total of more than 500 checks and tests before, during and after production, on every Toughbook unit built. The rugged H1 is MIL-STD-810F tested and is capable of withstanding three foot drops – similar to the height of a patient’s bed – while operational. The sealed unit is IP54 compliant for water-, rain- and dust-resistance and can easily handle being repeatedly sprayed and wiped with disinfectant.

The highly durable H1 is the first MCA device to be backed with a 3-year standard warranty.

In addition, Panasonic is using Intel’s MCA platform, together with the freely available Intel MCA Software Development Kit (SDK), to accelerate time-to-market for application developers by providing a development environment that is hardware agnostic. The company also offers dedicated developer support and sales training for its partners.

Improved Ergonomics and Connectivity

Customers provided significant input into the design of the H1. With its light weight, 3.4 pound design, low heat production, integrated hand strap and barcode reader placement, the Toughbook H1 offers improved ergonomics over first-generation MCA devices.

To meet the needs for mobility in both facilities and in-home health environments, the H1 offers a range of embedded wireless options including 802.11a/b/g/draft-n and Bluetooth® 2.0. The device can also ship with Qualcomm’s new Gobi™ technology, simplifying complex multi-carrier wireless deployments for IT departments. The H1 will be certified on all major networks in the US, allowing workers to stay connected regardless of their geography.

The H1 also comes with optional, next generation GPS technology allowing for location awareness with improved accuracy, faster satellite acquisition time and lower power consumption.

Panasonic Toughbook® H1: Select Features and Specifications

· Genuine Windows Vista® Business with Service Pack 1 (with Windows XP Tablet downgrade option)

· Intel® Atom™ processor (1.86GHz) Z540 with 533MHz FSB, 512KB L2 cache

· 1GB standard RAM configuration

· 80 GB 1.8-inch shock mounted hard drive

· 10.4” XGA sunlight viewable 500 NIT Dual Touch LCD screen (1024 x 768 resolution)

· Anti-reflective screen treatment

· Integrated 2.0 megapixel auto-focus camera with dual LED lights

· Fingerprint scanner

· Contactless smartcard reader

· RFID reader

· Fully rugged

o MIL-STD-810F and IP54 compliant

o 3 foot drop approved

o Magnesium alloy chassis

o Sealed all-weather design

o Rain-, spill-, dust- and vibration-resistant

· Intel® WiFi Link 5100 802.11a/b/g/draft-n

· Bluetooth® v2.0 + EDR

· Integrated docking connector

· Integrated options:

o Optional integrated WWAN / Gobi™-enabled mobile broadband (EV-DO and HSPA)

o Global position system (GPS) receiver

o 2D barcode reader (also reads 1D barcodes)

· 6 hour battery life

· Hot-swappable batteries

· 3.4 lbs (with batteries)

· 10.4” (W) x 10.6” (H) x 1.3” – 2.3” (D)

Pricing and Availability

The Panasonic Toughbook H1 will be available worldwide in January of 2009. In the United States, the base H1 model is expected to be available at an estimated street price of $2,999 from authorized Panasonic resellers and distributors.

Today’s announcement included the Panasonic Toughbook F8, which possesses a 14.1-inch display, weighs just 3.7 pounds, has an internal optical drive, has a handle for easy carrying and is 3G-ready. Other specs include an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of RAM and a 160GB shock-mounted hard drive. It’s seriously portable and offers serious flexibility for those that are a little rougher on their computers than most.

The rest of the 8-Series received an update as well, with the W8 and T8 models getting embedded Gobi 3G technology, making for the ultimate in connectivity with mobile broadband (WWAN) from Qualcomm. The 8-Series Panasonic Toughbook notebooks will be available starting in November. The W8 and T8 are expected to cost $2,900 and the F8 is slightly pricier at $2,499.

Fitting into Panasonic’s Toughbook range, a series of mobile devices that are semi-ruggedized for outdoor use or use in potentially hazardous environments, the slate is another of Intel’s favorite Mobile Clinical Assistants.  The company first suggested a similar concept back in 2006, which went on to be the Motion C5.

No word on specs or availability details as yet; presumably Intel will be announcing that today.  It seems an odd product to use as a teaser, however; most IDF attendees would be more interested in a new Classmate PC, for instance.

In fact, the U1 was promising 3hrs of battery life, with WiFi on, with a single battery pack attached.  When the second was added that jumped to 8hrs.  Together the battery packs add up to 20Wh, and since the whole system is fanless and uses solid-state storage (16GB or 32GB) it’s silent, too.

Considering the $2,499 sticker price, not many consumers are going to get their hands on the U1.  Hopefully Panasonic recognise the desire for some of the features it offers, however, and include them in a mainstream UMPC.

Each Toughbook will now come with a 160GB hard-drive, mounted in a shock-resistant caddy, as well as draft-N WiFi.  Both already have magnesium alloy cases, flexible internal connectors, shock-mounted LCDs and spill-resistant keyboards. The CF-52 has a 15.4-inch widescreen LCD, while the smaller CF-74 has an outdoor-viewable 13.3-inch display.

Both updated models will be available in August. The Toughbook CF-52 will come in two configurations, value (with an estimated street price of $1,949) or premium for improved video and system performance (estimated street price of $2,849). The Toughbook CF-74 will have an estimated street price of $3,199.

Connectivity is via Intel’s 5100-Series WiFi card, offering a, g and draft-n, together with standard Bluetooth 2.0+EDR.  There’s also optional 3G WWAN and GPS.  The two provided batteries are rated for a combined life of 9hrs, and the whole system is fanless.

Further options include a 2-megapixel webcam, fingerprint scanner, barcode or RFID readers and, later in the year, a magnetic stripe reader and serial/ethernet/smartcard module.  The OS is Windows Vista, with a downgrade to XP on offer.  Weighing 2.3lbs complete with both batteries and webbing straps, the Toughbook CF-U1 measures a chunky 2.2 x 7.2 x 5.9-inches.   

Panasonic say the CF-U1 will be available in August, priced at $2,499.

[via Crave]

In fact the ToughBook UMPC promises to be water, dust, and shock resistant, as with the rest of the ToughBook range.  It has a fiendish-looking split thumb-board keypad underneath the 5.6-inch display, with the QWERTY keys separated by a numeric pad. 

Not exactly the most usable of keyboards we’ve ever seen, but likely to be handy if you’re wearing (thin) gloves and the spacing between the two halves should let users grip the UMPC with their fingers and type with their thumbs.    It was previewed back in March, but Panasonic are apparently set to announce full details of the device this coming Wednesday.

[via GottaBeMobile; pictures via Akihabara]

Panasonic also doubled the ToughBook 19 memory to total of 1GB and expandable to 4GB. As for storage, the ToughBook 19 gets additional 20GB space from previous revision to 80GB.

The Toughbook 19F is available now for retail price of $3,199 without integrated camera, and $3,699 with the integrated camera.

Panasonic Toughbook 19 Convertible Tablet PC: Select Features and Specifications

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor U7500 (2MB L2 cache), Processor speed 1.06GHz, 533MHz FSB
80GB HDD (shock-mounted and user-removable)
1 GB SDRAM standard, expandable to 4 GB
Optional external USB Combo Drive
Full magnesium alloy case with hand strap
Touchscreen Display version: 10.4″ 1024 x 768 (XGA) transmissive, 500 nit daylight-readable TFT Active Matrix Color LCD
Tablet Display version: 10.4″ 1024 x 768 (XGA) transmissive, 550 nit daylight-readable TFT Active Matrix Color LCD with Digitizer
Dimensions: 1.9″ (H) x 10.7″ (W) x 8.5″ (D)
Weight: 5.1 lbs.
Battery Life: 7 hours, depending on use conditions
Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 4965AG 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth v2.0+EDR
Optional integrated WWAN (EV-DO Rev. A or HSDPA)
Optional integrated GPS receiver
Optional integrated 2MP camera with 5 ft. LED flash
Security features include: wireless on/off switch; Password Security: Supervisor, User; Hard Disk Lock; Cable lock slot; Trusted Platform Module (TPM) v.1.2 security chip; Computrace theft protection agent in BIOS; optional fingerprint scanner; optional SmartCard reader
Genuine Windows Vista® Business (with XP downgrade option), Setup, Diagnostics, DMI Viewer, Online Reference Manual, Adobe® Reader, Panasonic Handwriting (with signature capture on Tablet PC version), Software Keyboard, Display Rotation Tool, Hard Disk Data Erase Utility, Recovery DVD
3-year limited warranty, parts & labor

Three models make up the 7 Series Toughbook range: the Y7, a thin-and-light 3.7lb notebook with 14.1-inch display and the highest computing specs of the bunch; the W7, its ultraportable sibling which sheds 0.7lbs and has a 12.1-inch TFT; and the T7, which has a 12.1-inch touchscreen. All three are based around Intel’s U7500 CPU, the Y7 having a 1.60GHz processor while the W7 and T7 have 1.06GHz, and are supplied with 1GB of RAM (expandable to 2GB). Both the Y7 and W7 have DVD Multi-Drives, and all three have SD slots; networking is a combination of standard a/b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0 and optional WWAN in the form of EV-DO or HSDPA. There’s also the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 across the range, and optional biometric fingerprint security.

Of course, the specifications of each Toughbook is only part of the story: users are buying them for their resilience rather than their bleeding-edge functionality. Magnesium alloy casings and chassis, shock-mounted hard-drives and LCDs and flexible internal connections (such as to the motherboard) all add up to laptops capable of withstanding relatively extreme conditions.

Pleasingly, though, there’s still room in there for decent batteries; up to 5, 7 and 8 hours for the Y7, W7 and T7 respectively. At the end of the day, though, it’s the – in some cases military standard – toughness that’ll sell the 7 Series. Each can survive 6.7-oz of liquid spilled directly onto the laptop, each can be squashed by up to 220lbs in weight, and should you be trekking through an electrical storm they’ll happily survive 8Kv of air-borne electrostatic discharge. Screen hinges are flexed over 50,000 test cycles, while the keyboard is similarly battered.

If all else fails, Panasonic are hoping their 3-year standard warranty and lifetime call center support will sweeten the deal and put your mind at rest; you can also practice your foreign language skills, as you can contact their US-based team from over 150 countries. The warranty covers free air shipping and priority parts exchange, so hopefully you won’t be left in the jungle without a laptop for too long.

The Panasonic 7 Series Toughbook range goes on sale with the range starting from $2100

Panasonic

They have announced that several of their notebooks, including the Toughbook 20 and Toughbook 19 among others have been certified on the Verizon Wireless EV-DO Revision A service. This will allow anyone who subscribes to the service to stay connected virtually anywhere with these rugged notebooks.

All of the notebooks equipped with this feature can now be purchased through authorized Panasonic resellers nationwide.

Panasonic and Verizon Wireless Announce Embedded EV-DO Revision A Certifications on Full Line of Reliable Toughbook Notebook Computers [via SlashPhone]

Their new Toughbook 52 is based on the same idea of taking just about anything you can throw at it, including drops from 2.5 feet in the air. You’ll also get a widescreen, a Santa Rosa chip and a Verizon EV-DO 3G wireless card built-in.

These will be available starting in July for $1699.

Panasonic Toughbooks Get Upgrade [via crunchgear]

One of the problems I have always found with the Toughbook line is their bulk. They’ve really been working on that in recent times, and the CF-08 weighs in at an impressive 2.6 pounds. That’s not bad for a tablet that can really take a beating. One of the features that I like is the inclusion of a built-in strap on the back to help you keep your grip.

They haven’t released a lot of details just yet, but we know that it’s going to include WiFi, and Bluetooth. The battery is expected to last you about 4.5 hours. No word yet on pricing, but it is due to release in Japan on May 15th.

New Panasonic Toughbook In Tablet Form [via bornrich]

With Rev. A enhancements, users can anticipate average download speeds of 450 to 800 kbps and upload speeds of 300 to 400 kbps. The notebooks will also operate on the Sprint Power Vision Network where the EV-DO Revision A upgrade is not yet available.

The ultraportable Panasonic Toughbook W5, with its integrated DVD/CD-RW combo drive, 12.1-inch anti-glare LCD, and weight of just 3.1-pounds, is ideal for mobile professionals who demand the standard features found in larger notebooks at a decreased size and weight. The W5 also offers an exceptional battery life of eight hours.

The Toughbook T5 is an ultraportable tablet alternative notebook with a 12.1-inch touch-screen display, 10-hour battery life, ergonomic hand strap, and weight of just 3.5-pounds. It is ideal for professionals who want the flexibility to enter information with a stylus or using the keyboard.

The Panasonic Toughbook W5 and T5 with embedded Sprint Mobile Broadband will be available next month at an estimated street price of $2,249.00.

Related: SlashGear Exclusive – Sprint’s U720 EVDO Rev.A USB adaptor

Thanks Jenni! [Panasonic]

Panasonic ToughBook CF-30 and CF-19 Announced – Brightest Notebook Screens Ever [Via: NotebookReview]