After its debut in Japan in April this year new Panasonic LetsNote (known in US as ToughBooks) line of toughest lightweights: The Toughbook CF-T5, CF-Y5, and CF-W5 are announced in US and will be available in October. With these series Panasonic moves to Intel Centrino Duo Mobile platform, which means these notebooks are ready for the latest Intel Core 2 Duo CPUs. But instead, Panasonic uses Intel(R) Core(TM) Duo L2400 and Intel(R) Core(TM) Solo U1400 ultra-low voltage CPUs for extending battery life to more than eight hours.

PCMAG writes about these new series from Panasonic:”Panasonic Toughbooks are known to be hefty laptops with military specifications, but they also make some of the lightest—yet sturdiest—ultraportables in the business. Today, Panasonic will release updates to three of its toughest lightweights: The Toughbook CF-T5, CF-Y5, and CF-W5. All three fall under a new Panasonic line called Business-Rugged Toughbooks, as opposed to the company’s Semi- and Fully-Rugged lines.

A magnesium alloy exterior is one of the elements that make these Toughbooks, well, tough. The Business-Rugged line meets the MIL-SPEC (Military Specification) drop test, which is about a 1-foot drop onto plywood. (The shock-mounted hard drive can withstand a 2.5 foot drop.) The CF-Y5 features a spill-through keyboard, where fluids drain directly through to the bottom instead of being held on a spill tray. The W5, T5, and Y5 will all have options for integrated Wireless WAN. They will debut with Verizon’s and Sprint’s EV-DO service, and eventually offer options for Cingular’s HSDPA service, leap-frogging Cingular’s EDGE network entirely.”

Toughbook W5: Ultraportable Notebook for the Mobile Professional

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. Equipped with an ultra-low voltage Intel Core Solo processor and battery life of more than eight hours, the W5 is as useful on an airline tray table as it is in the board room.

Panasonic Toughbook W5 — Intel(R) Core(TM) Solo U1400, 1.2GHz ULV, — 512MB (DDR2 533) standard, expandable to 1536MB (PC2 4200), — 60GB HDD, shock-mounted and removable, — Integrated combo drive, — 12.1″ 1024 x 768 XGA anti-glare TFT Active Matrix Color LCD, — Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG network connection 802.11a/b/g, — Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Professional SP2, — Dimensions: 1.0″/1.8″ (H) x 10.6″ (W) x 8.3″ (D), — Weight: 3.1 lbs, — Battery life: Approximately 8 hours (MobileMark), — Mini Dock Box Replicator (accessory), — Wireless on-off switch (WWAN, WLAN), — Optional integrated WWAN (EV-DO, HSDPA)

Toughbook T5: A Tablet PC Alternative with Extremely Long Battery Life

Unique to the Panasonic Toughbook T5 is a 12.1 inch touch-screen LCD as well as a durable frame with a sleek, compact design and an ergonomic hand strap. Equipped with an ultra-low voltage processor, the T5 offers increased battery capability which translates into more than ten hours of life while weighing only 3.5 pounds. These features, combined with the touch screen and the included image rotation software, make the T5 ideal for use offsite and in the office.

Panasonic Toughbook T5 — Intel(R) Core(TM) Solo U1400, 1.2GHz ULV, — 512MB (DDR2 533) standard, expandable to 1536MB (PC2 4200), — 60GB HDD, shock-mounted and removable, — 12.1″ 1024 x 768 XGA anti-glare TFT Active Matrix Color LCD with Touchscreen, — Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG network connection 802.11a/b/g, — Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Professional SP2, — Display image rotation software, — Dimensions: 1.1″/2.7″ (H) x 10.6″ (W) x 8.3″ (D), — Ergonomic hand strap, — Weight: 3.5 lbs, — Battery life: Approx. 10 hours (MobileMark), — Mini Dock Box Replicator (accessory), — Wireless on-off switch (WWAN, WLAN), — Optional integrated WWAN (EV-DO, HSDPA)

Toughbook Y5: Desktop Computer Capabilities in an Extremely Lightweight Package

With a 14.1 inch display, the Panasonic Toughbook Y5 weighs only 3.7 pounds and boasts six hours of battery life. The Y5 includes a built-in DVD/CD-RW optical drive, high-speed Intel Core Duo low voltage processor, and multiple wireless connectivity options. Compared to the W5 and T5, the Y5’s larger screen makes it a lightweight desktop replacement alternative that’s suitable for presenting to small groups. In addition to the magnesium alloy case and shock-mounted hard drive, the Y5 includes Panasonic’s unique “spill-through” keyboard, designed to reduce the risks of liquid damage.

Panasonic Toughbook Y5 – Intel(R) Core(TM) Duo L2400, 1.66GHz LV, — 512MB (DDR2 533) standard, expandable to 1536MB (PC2 4200), — 60GB HDD, shock-mounted and removable, — Integrated combo drive, — 14.1″ 1400 x 1050 XGA anti-glare TFT Active Matrix Color LCD, – Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG network connection 802.11a/b/g, — Bluetooth v2.0, — Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Professional SP2, — Dimensions: 1.0″/1.8″ (H) x 10.6″ (W) x 8.3″ (D), — Weight: 3.7 lbs, — Battery life: Approx. 6 hours (MobileMark), — Mini Dock Box Replicator (accessory), — Bluetooth 2.0, — Wireless on-off switch (WWAN, WLAN, Bluetooth), — Optional integrated WWAN (EV-DO, HSDPA)

Pricing and Availability

The Panasonic Toughbook W5 and T5 will be available in October 2006 at a suggested “wireless ready” retail price of $1,899. Available in December 2006, the Toughbook Y5 will be available at a suggested retail price of $2,199. All units are available through authorized Panasonic Toughbook resellers nationwide. Please visit www.panasonic.com/toughbook for more information.

This entry was posted on September 13, 2006 and is filed under Panasonic, News.