ToughbookF9
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Panasonic's 14-inch Toughbook F9 plays both rugged and lightweight cards
Ah, at long last. Panasonic's Toughbook line has long since offered argonauts a critical level of protection on their mobile machines, but the word "mobile" was subject to interpretation. Pretty much across the board, the Toughbook line has always been fat and chunky, but we've been willing to see the beauty on the inside in exchange for being able to toss our machines on the concrete whenever frustrations become too much to stand. But the F9 is a different monster entirely -- in fact, it's being hailed as the planet's lightest 14.1-inch class laptop. The 3.6 pound machine offers a 2.4GHz Core i5-520M vPro processor, a 320GB hard drive, 1,440 x 900 resolution display, optional Qualcomm Gobi2000 mobile broadband module and a built-in carry handle. Users can also grab one with inbuilt Bluetooth 2.1, WiMAX and 2GB of DDR3 memory, not to mention a dual-layer DVD drive, fingerprint reader and a battery good for around seven hours of usage. The real kicker is that this nimble bugger (and its magnesium alloy case) can withstand a 30-inch drop, and the spill-resistant keyboard keeps your keys a-typin' even if your Seagram spirit tips in the wrong direction. Check it this July in the US starting at $2,899. %Gallery-94801%
