Note The Toughness
Newcastle Herald
Monday July 16, 2001
NOTEBOOK computers might be designed for life on the road, but that doesn't mean they can withstand everything a travelling worker can throw at them.
They don't like jolts, for example. Or spills. And they really don't like to be dropped.
Enter Panasonic's new Toughbook range of notebooks, which are aimed at users who need a computer that will put up with some rugged handling.
The toughest of the new range is the Toughbook 28, with a Pentium III 600Mhz chip, 20Gb hard drive, 128Mb of RAM and a `multimedia pocket' for floppy or optical drives.
The Toughbook 28, which Panasonic says would suit utility and construction workers, farmers and the emergency services, has been drop-tested from a height of 90cm.
It has a magnesium alloy chassis with elastomer coating, is vibration, water and dust resistant and has a shock-damped hard drive.
The screen, keyboard, touch pad, ports and hinges are all sealed and connection terminals have aluminium covers and rubber seals.
Two screen options are available, including a 13.3-inch XGA DayBrite anti-reflective active matrix LCD and a 12.1-inch SVGA transreflective display that adjusts itself to suit outdoor conditions such as strong sunlight.
The notebook has an internal modem and options for wireless GSM and LAN will be available later this year.
Special corner protectors allow the Toughbook 28 to be used on the bonnet of a car, for example, without scratching. The pointing device can be used with wet hands or while wearing gloves.
Security features include a key lock on the power switch and a lock on the hard drive/battery cover. A lock accessed in the setup utility can also prevent anyone from reading or writing data by taking the drive and installing it in another computer.
The Toughbook 28 sells for $9800, including GST. The Toughbook range also includes the 72, aimed at mobile professionals, for $7999 and the lightweight model 37, for $7399.
Telephone 132-600.
© 2001 Newcastle Herald
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