New Notebook: Panasonic Announces Sophisticated Ruggedization; The Toughbook 71. New Magnesium-Cased Notebook PC for Mobile Executives Debuts

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, June 15, 1998

Accessories:

24X (max.) CD-ROM Drive                     CF-VCD711

Super Disk Drive LS 120 Drive               CF-VFS711

Port Replicator                             CF-VEB711

Memory Cards                                 32MB

                                             64MB

                                            128MB

Editor's Summary: o Intel Mobile PentiumII 266MHz processor o 4.0GB Ultra ATA Hard Disk Drive o 32MB SDRAM, expandable to 160MB o Sophisticated "Business Ruggedized" design with full Magnesium Alloy cabinet and carry handle o Brilliant 12.1" TFT Active Matrix Color LCD o Rugged features include Magnesium case, moisture-resistant keyboard, gel-mounted HDD o Swappable FDD & 24X CD-ROM (option), LS 120 Super Drive (FDD/120MB cartridge) (option) o 6.4 lbs., 1.7" (H) x 9.5" (D) x 11.7" (W)

Panasonic Personal Computer Company announced Tuesday the Toughbook 71, a new "business ruggedized" notebook PC for mobile professionals who demand the ultimate in performance, features and durability.

Featuring an elegant Magnesium-encased design that incorporates the latest Intel Mobile PentiumII 266MHz processor, the Toughbook 71 addresses the issue of notebook PC durability in a slim, 6.4 lb. package that will appeal to both traveling executives and field users of notebook PCs.

The introduction of the Toughbook 71 follows the recent announcement of new research from International Data Corporation (IDC) which examines the state of notebook PC damage among corporate users. This study identified damage rates as high as 18% and an average cost to companies of $1,200 per incident, adding up a total industry-wide cost that approaches $700 million dollars annually. The IDC research recommends a number of solutions to the problem, including attention to portable PCs with the highest levels of construction, fit and finish, and overall durability.

"The Panasonic Toughbook 71 represents a unique synergy of elegance, performance and durable features," comments John Harris, Director of Marketing for Panasonic Personal Computer Company. "No other leading notebook offers such a combination of processor speed and storage, magnesium-cased protection, at a weight of just over 6 pounds. Given the perils of spills, jolts and drops that every mobile executive faces, the Toughbook 71 answers a real need among business professionals."

Rugged Features The Toughbook 71 employs a full Magnesium Alloy cabinet providing structural integrity and maximum protection of the LCD and all internal components. The hard disk drive is mounted in the same polymer gel material as that of Panasonic's renowned Toughbook 25 ruggedized notebook PC, to protect critical data from vibration and shock. The keyboard and touchpad are moisture resistant to protect against many of the spills that IDC has identified as the second largest cause of notebook PC downtime. High Performance

The Toughbook 71 utilizes Intel's Mobile Pentium II 266MHz processor for optimum performance, combined with 32 MB of SDRAM, expandable to 160MB. The graphics system features NeoMagic's NM2160 chipset with 2MB EDO RAM video memory, while storage offers a fast 4GB Ultra ATA hard drive with 33.3MB/sec data transfer rate. In addition to the standard FDD, optional storage devices include a 24x (max.) CD-ROM drive, and an LS-120 Super Disk Drive with removable 120MB storage capacity and standard FDD compatibility.

Brilliant LCD Display The Toughbook 71's 800 x 600 TFT Active Matrix Color LCD is one of the brightest available making it ideal for high-quality multimedia business presentations and providing excellent outdoor viewability.

The Toughbook 71's features include: o Magnesium Alloy case, Gel-Mounted HDD, moisture-resistant keyboard & touchpad o Intel Pentium II 266MHz processor o 512KB L2 Burst SRAM Cache o 32MB SDRAM, expandable to 160MB o 12.1" TFT Active Matrix Color, non-glare LCD, 800 x 600 SVGA resolution o NeoMagic video controller, 2MB EDO RAM video memory o Touchpad pressure sensitive (Pen input support) pointing device o Optional Signature Input o DMI & ACPI support o 2 Type II or 1 Type III PC Card slots with ZV Port & CardBus Support o Dimensions: 1.7" (H) x 9.5" (D) x 11.7" (W), 6.4lbs Full 3 Year Warranty

As with all Panasonic Notebook Computers, the Toughbook 71 comes standard with a 3 year limited warranty including parts and labor and free overnight in/out shipping. Pricing & Configuration:

Toughbook CF-71DJ48AAM : Intel PentiumII 266MHz processor, 4GB HDD, 32MB RAM, 12.1" 800 x 600 SVGA TFT Active Matrix Color LCD ESP: $3,499

The products, people and business of Panasonic Personal Computer Company are entirely dedicated to the needs of the professional user, including Fortune 1000 business and government mobile professionals. Panasonic Personal Computer Company is a unit of Matsushita Electric Corporation of America, whose parent company is the Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. of Japan with sales of $59.8 billion in FY 1997.

Panasonic, in contrast to many manufacturers, directly controls the process of design, manufacture and quality assurance of its notebook PCs. Many key components including LCD panels, Lithium Ion batteries, DVD and CD-ROM drives and board-level electronics are the products of Panasonic's own leading-edge manufacturing divisions. FMI: http://www.panasonic.com/Toughbook