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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.
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PANASONIC INTRODUCES TOUGHBOOK F9 BUSINESS-RUGGED LAPTOP

World's Lightest 14" Class Laptop Delivers Desktop Performance with Intel Core i5 Processor


Secaucus, NJ, June 9, 2010 – Panasonic Solutions Company, provider of collaboration, information-sharing and decision-support solutions for government and commercial enterprises, today introduced the thin-and-light Toughbook F9 business-rugged laptop. The new device weighs in at a mere 3.6 pounds, making it the industry's lightest 14" class laptop. The Toughbook F9 features an Intel® Core™ i5 processor, 320GB HDD, high resolution (1440 x 900) widescreen display, optional Qualcomm Gobi2000™ mobile broadband and an integrated handle. Highly mobile professionals will also benefit from the Toughbook brand's legendary reliability.

Core i5 Performance

The Toughbook F9 includes a standard voltage 2.40GHz Intel Core i5-520M vPro™ processor with Turbo Boost Technology (delivering speeds up to 2.93GHz) and has Intel Anti-theft and vPro technologies to improve hardware-assisted security and manageability capabilities that enhance IT's ability to maintain, manage, discover, heal and protect networked computing assets.

The new device, which delivers up to seven hours of battery life, also features a high resolution (1440 x 900) 14.1" WXGA+ widescreen display with LED backlighting and a DVD multi-drive.

Embedded Mobile Broadband Options

The Toughbook F9, like all Toughbook mobile computers, helps maximize mobile productivity through a variety of embedded wireless technologies. The device combines the latest Intel WiFi chipset (Intel Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 AGN) and Bluetooth® v2.1 +EDR, with an option for WiMAX (4G) or Gobi2000™ (3G) mobile broadband technology from Qualcomm. Gobi2000 simplifies multi-carrier wireless deployments for IT departments and allows a company's mobile workforce improved connectivity options while traveling at home or abroad and adds GPS capabilities for easy integration with mapping software.

"Mobile workforces need the type of desktop-class performance offered by Intel's Core i5 processors to maximize productivity," said Kyp Walls, director of product management, Panasonic Solutions Company. "But performance is useless if your laptop can't survive the bumps, drops and spills experienced by highly mobile professionals. The Toughbook F9 marries a high performance Intel processor with industry-leading light weight, long battery life, mobile connectivity and unrivaled reliability to deliver a best-in-class mobile computing solution."

Business-Rugged Reliability

The new Toughbook® F9 business-rugged notebook successfully survived drops of 30" (just over the typical height of a desk or table) to the base of the unit while operating. Further, using Mil-Spec methodology, the device also survived 26 drops (to every side, corner and face) from 12" to a non-yielding surface.

The unique Panasonic spill-resistant keyboard design protects against liquid spills of nearly 7 ounces (200 cc), and both the lid and base of the device are designed to withstand more than 220 lbs (100 Kg) of compression. In addition, Panasonic's commitment to quality-at both the component and finished goods level-results in a total of more than 500 checks and tests during and after production plus 100% burn-in testing.

Panasonic Toughbook F9: Select Features and Specifications

· Genuine Windows 7® (with XP downgrade option)

· Intel® Core™ i5-520M vPro™ Processor (2.4 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.93 GHz)

· 320GB shock-mounted, flex-connect, removable HDD

· 2GB RAM (DDR3-1066MHz), expandable to 6GB

· 14.1" widescreen (1440 x 900) WXGA+ LCD with LED backlighting

· Anti-glare screen treatment

· DVD Super MULTI Drive with Dual Layer Support

· Up to 7 hour battery life

· 3.6lbs

· Business-rugged

o 30" operating drop (to base only)

o 26 sides 12" drop (non-operating)

o 220 lb pressurized vibration

o Magnesium alloy case

o Spill-resistant keyboard (protects against 7 ounces spills)

· Embedded Connectivity

o Optional integrated WWAN / Gobi2000™ mobile broadband

o Optional WiMAX

o Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 802.11a/b/g/n

o Bluetooth® v2.1 + EDR (class 1)

· Optional Integrated Security Features:

o Fingerprint reader

o SmartCard reader

· 9.9"(L) x 12.8"(W) x 1.0"/1.9"(H) front/rear

Pricing, Availability and Support

The Panasonic Toughbook® F9 will be available in the United States beginning July 1, 2010. The device will be available starting at an estimated street price of $2,899 from authorized Panasonic resellers.

Every Panasonic Toughbook notebook includes a standard three-year limited warranty and free access to U.S.-based phone support for the entire life of the product.

For more information on the Toughbook F9 and other Toughbook mobile computers, go to www.toughbook.com.

Follow the Toughbook Brand

The Panasonic Toughbook brand can be followed on various social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr and Toughbloggers.com.

About Panasonic Solutions Company

Panasonic Solutions Company empowers people whose jobs depend on reliable technology. Panasonic Solutions delivers collaboration, information-sharing and decision-support solutions for customers in government, healthcare, education and a wide variety of commercial enterprises. Products and services within the company's portfolio include Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computing solutions, projectors, professional displays (including both plasma and LCD), and HD video acquisition and production solutions. As a result of its commitment to R&D, manufacturing and quality control, Panasonic is known for the reliability and longevity of its products. Panasonic Solutions Company is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, which is the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC).

All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice.

Information on Panasonic Solutions Company's full line of products can be obtained by calling 877- 803-8492 or at www.panasonic.com/business-solutions.