Panasonic Upgrades Semi-Rugged Toughbook 52 With Increased Processor Speeds, Memory, And Gobi™ 2000

Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, manufacturer of durable, reliable Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computers, today announced upgrades to its Panasonic Toughbook 52 semi-rugged notebook. The Toughbook 52 now runs on the Intel® Core i5 (up to 2.53GHz) processor and includes 2GB RAM (expandable up to 8GB) and up to a 250GB shock-mounted hard drive with quick release.

The upgraded Toughbook 52 also includes a range of new embedded wireless options, including Gobi™ 2000 mobile broadband technology from Qualcomm. Gobi 2000 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 A-GPS capabilities for easy integration with mapping software. Additionally the device has been upgraded with the latest Intel Wi-Fi chipset and Bluetooth® 2.1. The Toughbook 52 is designed so Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G mobile broadband, GPS and, in the near future, WiMax modules can be embedded in the same unit, permitting a high level of flexibility for mobile data access.

Panasonic Toughbook 52

The Toughbook 52 has been drop and spill-tested and features a magnesium alloy case. Also still available is a P8400 model offering a touchscreen option with an integrated stylus holder and a 1,000 nit anti-glare (AG) and anti-reflective (AR) screen for exceptional sunlight viewability. For use in dark or low-light operating conditions, the touchscreen model also comes with an adjustable dual overhead keyboard light with four brightness levels allowing users to regulate the lighting to fit the environment.

“These upgrades to the Toughbook 52 are part of Panasonic’s goal to offer the most functional, connected and portable device for today’s mobile worker,” said Kyp Walls, director, product management, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. “One size does not fit all when it comes to mobile computing solutions. The Toughbook 52 is ideal for mobile workers in industries such as insurance, construction and route sales, where a typical commercial-grade laptop does not provide the required reliability.”

Panasonic Toughbook 52 Updated Features and Specifications

The Toughbook 52 comes in four basic configurations; three versions of the standard (non-touchscreen) model and also a touchscreen version.

• Intel® Core™ i5-540M 2.53GHz
  • vPro™ technology
  • 3MB L3 Cache
  • 15.4" widescreen 1920 x 1200 WUXGA LCD
  • ATI Radeon™ HD 5650, 512MB dedicated VRAM
• Intel® Core™ i5-520M 2.4 GHz
  • vPro™ technology
  • 3MB L3 Cache
  • 15.4" widescreen 1280 x 800 WXGA LCD
  • Intel® QM57 video controller, max. 1024MB UMA VRAM on XP
• Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8400 2.26 GHz
  • vPro™ technology
  • 3MB L2 Cache
  • 1066 MHz FSB
  • 15.4" widescreen 1280 x 800 WXGA LCD
  • 13.3" 1024 x 768 XGA sunlight-viewable 1000 nit touchscreen LCD with integrated stylus holder & adjustable dual overhead keyboard light
  • Intel® GM45 video controller, max. 1024MB UMA VRAM on XP1
• 2048MB SDRAM standard, expandable to 8192MB
  • DDR3 (i5 CPU models)
  • DDR2 (P8400 CPU models)
• 160GB – 250GB Hard Drive (shock-mounted flex connect with quick-release)
• Optional integrated Gobi 2000 mobile broadband(WWAN) with A-GPS (on Core i5 models)
• Bluetooth® v2.1 + EDR (Class 1)—optional on i5 models (v.2.0 on P8400 CPU)
• Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 802.11a/b/g/n on Core i5 CPU models
• 7.2 lbs. or 7.5 ( 7.6 or 7.9 lbs. with optional touchscreen)

Additional Features

• Anti-glare, anti-reflective screen treatments
• Battery operation: approximately 4 hours (540M CPU) and 8-9 hours (520M and P8400 CPU)
• 3-year limited warranty, parts and labor
• Lifetime technical support

Pricing and Availability

The updated Toughbook 52 is available at an estimated street price starting at $1,999. The touchscreen Toughbook 52 is available at an estimated street price starting at $2,899. These and other Toughbook notebooks are available exclusively through authorized Panasonic Toughbook resellers nationwide.