(EMAILWIRE.COM, February 25, 2003 ) Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, the leading provider of ruggedized portable computers, today elevated the bar of both notebook and tablet computing with the introduction of two convertible Toughbook® CF-18 notebook/pen tablet PC models.
Utilizing an advanced mobility platform and technology for maximum performance with minimal battery drain, the CF-18 features a tilting-and-swiveling 10.4-inch high-visibility XGA display panel that flips and closes over the unit's keyboard to become a fully functional, rugged Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Professional or Windows® XP Professional Touchscreen PC tablet, or--in the digitized-screen variant--a state-of-the-art Windows® XP TabletPC.

"The Toughbook 18 is quite simply in a class by itself," said Rance Poehler, president of Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. "It will redefine the tablet PC category while setting new standards for versatility in notebook computing. Panasonic has leveraged its years of experience and engineering to design a tablet PC which provides the durability demands for both white and blue collar applications. The 'convertible' nature of the Toughbook 18 makes it ideal for use from claims adjusters to hospital nurses while also being able to withstand the pounding from Panasonic's Military and Public Safety customers. The Toughbook 18 can be carried up a latter, hung on a wall as a tablet, or mounted in a vehicle like a standard notebook," notes Poehler.

"It also offers our customers--some of whom regularly find themselves in situations where reliable communication is literally a life and death matter--more simultaneous connectivity options than any other computer in its class, notebook or tablet PC. No longer does a Department head or IT manager have to decide between wireless LAN, Bluetooth, CDMA, or GPS access. Now a company can have many options working simultaneously, in an under-four-pound computer that they can depend on to keep them connected in even the most unforgiving operating environments.

As a provider of portable computing systems to some of the most demanding industrial, public service and military organizations in the world, we have always defined ourselves by our ability to deliver high-performance, rugged computers for use anywhere, anytime, under any conditions," comments Poehler. "Typical retail notebook computers have failure rates as high as 20 percent, according to Gartner. In my opinion, retail plastic tablet computers with no ruggedization, will experience even higher failure rates than notebook PCs. Carrying into the field a plastic tablet PC with an unprotected glass LCD display is an accident waiting to happen and will present its user with a costly learning experience," further notes Poehler.

Resetting the Baseline of Portable Performance & Power Management

The Toughbook® CF-18's advanced system micro-architecture incorporates numerous specialized circuits designed to streamline operations, increase real-word computing efficiency and prolong battery life. Predictive analysis is used to pre-load instructions based on past program behavior for smoother, faster transitions between operations; a "merge" circuit combines diverse operations into a single executable instruction; power-optimization enhancements minimize voltage swing and eliminate battery drain by idle components; and internal tracking technology allows the processor to execute program instructions without interruption.

Communications enhancements include the ability to move from a wired to a wireless LAN connection without exiting applications and improved data throughput, operating range, and responsiveness on BluetoothTM networks.

Full Pen Tablet Functionality With Maximum OS Flexibility

The Toughbook CF-18 Convertible is available in two models; a Windows® 2000 Professional or Windows® XP Professional Touchscreen PC notebook that converts to a tablet using standard pen extensions or proprietary Windows-compatible applications and a Windows® XP TabletPC Edition-based notebook with a magnetically digitized display that converts to a 100-percent TabletPC-compliant pen tablet.

The digitized screen in the Windows® XP TabletPC Edition model allows users to incorporate handwritten input into Microsoft® Office applications, annotate documents imported from a server or other computer, instantly change screen views from portrait to landscape mode and use pen "gestures" to perform such functions as pointing, clicking, selecting and dragging. Other features integrated into the CF-18 TabletPC Edition include handwriting-to-text conversion, speech recognition (English, Japanese and simplified Chinese), and Microsoft® ClearType® technology for maximum text readability.

Innovative LCDs Make Everything Clear Day Or Night

Screen readability, a determinant factor in the usefulness of all portable computers, is especially critical in tablet applications where the user must be able see well enough to write, draw and complete forms on the screen rather than just read text. An optional, transflective LCD display on the CF-18 Touchscreen PC delivers extraordinary brightness in all operating environments by automatically balancing ambient light and system backlight, while the TabletPC Edition's magnetically digitized display is precision engineered to optimize handwriting recognition, drafting and other freehand data-entry tasks.

As Notebook Or Tablet This Convertible Is Mil-Spec Tough

From the bottom of its cast-magnesium-alloy case--manufactured by Panasonic in its own state-of-the-art metal fabrication facility--to the top of its screen, the CF-18 has been designed to provide the durability standards that Toughbook® customers have come to expect. Both the screen and hard drive are impact isolated and the entire computer has been designed for compliance with MIL STD 810F requirements for four-corner and flat-side shock and vibration absorption, and liquid, dirt and dust ingress protection in extreme operating environments.

Newest Member Of The Industry's First Family Of Rugged Computers

The Toughbook CF-18 is the newest model in the industry's most complete line of rugged, portable computers for vertical applications. In addition to a full line of notebook computers ranging from the rugged, big-screen Pentium 4-powered CF-50, to the battle-hardened full-size CF-28, to the high-durability ultra-portable CF-T1, Panasonic offers such specialized models as the Permanent Display Removable Computer (PDRC) for police car mounting, the Toughbook® 07 MDWD wireless "wearable" computer, and the Toughbook 01 handheld terminal.

An Array of Wireless & Wired Network Protocols

The Toughbook CF-18 offers integrated BluetoothTM Class 1, IEEE 802.11b, CDMA 2000 RTT and GPRS Class 8 wireless connectivity options, an integrated Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver, 100Base TX/10 BaseT wired LAN support and a 56K V90-compliant modem. Other I/Os include two Type II PC Card slots (or one Type II/ one Smart Card slot), serial port, ext. video port, USB 2.0 (x2) inputs, and audio input and output.

Pricing & Configuration

CF-18BDKZZMM XP TabletPC Edition version $3200 esp
CF-18BHKZZDM Touchscreen PC version $3200 esp

Accessories

DVD/CD-RW Combo drive CF-VDRRT1M
FDD CF-VFDU03W
Battery CF-VZSU30U
Battery Charger CF-VCBTB1U
External Combo drive CF-VDRRT1M
AC Adaptor CF-AA1625AM
Car Charger CF-AAV1601AU

Panasonic Computer Solutions Company

Panasonic Computer Solutions Company is the leading provider of ruggedized notebook PCs for mobile professionals in the USA. The company is a unit company of Matsushita Electric Corporation of America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. of Japan (NYSE: MC), which recorded annual sales of $51.70 billion in the most recent fiscal year. Matsushita Electric is one of the only manufacturers today that 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 its divisions. The products, people and business of Panasonic Computer Solutions Company are entirely dedicated to the needs of the professional user, including Fortune 1000 business and government professionals. Panasonic also supplies mobile computing solutions to over 2,000 police departments in the United States.

Note to Editors:
All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice.

Information on Panasonic's full line of notebook PCs for the mobile professional can be obtained by calling 800 662 3537 or at http://www.panasonic.com/toughbook

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Produced for Panasonic Computer Solutions Company

CONTACT:
Jeffrey Ayers
Tel 516 609 9500
jayers@p2c2.com

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Panasonic
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