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-inch 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 inches (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 inches to a non-yielding surface.

The unique Panasonic spill-resistant keyboard design protects against liquid spills of nearly seven ounces (200 cc), and both the lid and base of the device are designed to withstand more than 220 pounds (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.

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.