Panasonic launches new Toughbook

Widescreen, carry handle, new Intel chips and 3G

5 June 2007 9:16 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Panasonic has launched a new model in their Toughbook range – the Toughbook 52.

A semi-rugged, wireless-ready desktop replacement notebook, the new widescreen Panasonic Toughbook 52 has improvements on the previous models with additional security features, a new carrying handle and optional embedded access to next-generation wireless data networks from major wireless carriers.

The shock-mounted hard drive with full magnesium alloy casing is tested to withstand drops of up to 2.5 feet on all six sides. The hard drive itself is tested to withstand a drop of 3 feet while the keyboard and touchpad are spill-resistant.

The new model will be available in the States from July 2007 in two configurations, standard (estimated street price of $1699) or optimized for improved video and Vista-performance, including a faster CPU, 512MB dedicated VRAM and a larger 120GB hard drive (estimated street price of $2499).

UK pricing and availability is yet to be confirmed.