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Other than the CF-F8, Panasonic offers also the Toughbook CF-W8 business rugged laptop PC. Like the CF-F8, CF-W8 has a durable magnesium alloy case. It is also drop and spill resistant. Toughbook W8 packs a 1.2GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 1GB of RAM, integrated 4500MHD video chipset and a 120GB HDD. You can also find an DVD writer, a 12.1-inch LCD display, and TPM Security Chip. As for wireless connectivity, the W8 supports Bluetooth and WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n, while you can also get the optional Gobi 3G (ED-DO and HSPA) global mobile Internet module.

[Panasonic]

Panasonic announced (PDF link!) its new Toughbook F8 business rugged laptop, which has a Magnesium Alloy Case with Handle. The Toughbook F8 is Drop- and Spill-resistant.

Equipped with a 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor SP9300 CPU, the Toughbook F8 has 1GB of memory (expandable to 4GB), and Intel GMA 4500MHD integrated video chipset. Other than the 160GB HDD, the F8 has an integrated DVD burner.

You can also expect WiFi 802.11 and Bluetooth connectivity. You may also get the optional Gobi 3G global mobile Internet module if you want EV-DO and HSPA connectivity. There is a 14.1-inch LCD screen, and a SD/SDHC memory card slot.

Other than the ToughBook 74, Panasonic is also launching the new ToughBook CF-52. Like the CF-74, the CF-52 gets Centrino 2 technology, offering 160GB hard drive and WiFi 802.11 draft-n connectivity.

The ToughBook 52 is a semi-rugged notebook that is water-resistant and passes 76cm drop-down test. It get an Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 2.4Ghz CPU, 1GB or 2GB of memory, ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650 graphics, a DVD writer, Bluetooth, SD card slot and a 15.4-inch LCD display.

The CF-52 will comes in two configurations,  value version has a estimated street price of $1,949 while the premium version for improved video and system performance has estimated street price of $2,849).

[MarketWatch | Panasonic JP]

Panasonic introduces the upgraded Toughbook CF-74 that gets the Centrino 2 treatment. The new semi-rugged CF-74 get the latest Centrino 2 processor, a 160GB hard drive, and WiFi 802.11n wireless connectivity.

Toughbook 74 comes with a 13.3-inch display, SD card slot and optical drive. Consumers may customize the laptop by adding the optional Bluetooth, EV-DO support, HSDPA support, and fingerprint scanner.

The CF-74 starts at street price of $3,199.

[MarketWatch]

Panasonic’s new ToughBook CF-U1 rugged UMPC has been reviewed by TrustedReviews. The ToughBook U1 features an Intel Atom Z520 1.33GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM, 16/32GB SSD, 5.6-inch touchscreen LCD, WiFi 802.11a/g/n, Bluetooth, integrated 3G, GPS and a 2 megapixel camera.

TrustedReviews‘ Verdict

If you’re a field worker that needs a fully rugged machine, but doesn’t need a fully featured notebook, the CF-U1 will make a perfect companion…. The fully configurable nature also means that you can spec the CF-U1 with exactly what you need to get the job done. Ultimately, if you’ve been put off rolling out fully rugged ToughBooks to your team because of the high cost and heavy, bulky form factor, the CF-U1 is what you’ve been waiting for.

Design: 10/10
Features: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Value: 9/10
Overall: 9/10