Panasonic Debuts World's First 'Sonoma' Platform Rugged Notebook; Next Generation Toughbook Boasts More Speed, Ultra-Versatile Wireless, Enhanced Graphics.

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, the leading provider of ruggedized portable computers in the U.S., today introduced the industry's first rugged notebook to fully implement Intel Corporation's revolutionary new Intel Centrino(TM) mobile technology (formerly codenamed Sonoma) platform.

"Our ability to embrace the latest Intel(R) Centrino(TM) mobile technology for notebook PCs and deliver it to our customers so quickly is directly related to our position as the only core manufacturer in the rugged notebook market," said Panasonic Computer Solutions Company president Rance Poehler. "With the new upgraded Centrino(TM) mobile technology (formerly codenamed Sonoma) platform, Intel(R) has once again raised the bar in virtually every phase of portable computer versatility and performance.

"Re-designing our best-selling Toughbook(R) CF-73 to incorporate Intel's latest Centrino(TM) mobile technology was not a matter of simply inserting a faster CPU or a different circuit board. The new platform is based on stronger CPUs, faster RAM, more robust system chipsets and more efficient power consumption curves than anything we've seen before. It uses entirely new graphics and sound engines, enhanced hard-drive technology, and upgraded Wireless LAN support," Poehler added.

"You can't pick up the phone, call a third party computer assembler in Taiwan or China and order a couple of container loads of ruggedized Sonoma portables," he said. "You need your own world-class engineers, component factories, and assembly plants to build computers this advanced. Panasonic has the engineers, the factories, the plants and the product. Our competitors have none of the above."

The new Toughbook(R) CF-73 features Intel's latest Intel(R) Pentium(R) M processor 750 1.86GHz CPU with a 533MHz front-side bus, Dual-Channel lower-power DDR2 memory, Enhanced Intel(R) SpeedStep Technology, the Mobile Intel 915 Express chipset family (formerly codenamed Alviso) , an Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 900 graphics core, PCI Express Giga Bit Ethernet, USB/PCI I/O support, and Intel PRO/Wireless 2915ABG integrated wireless chips.

Implementation of the new Intel(R) Centrino(TM) mobile technology has resulted in significant, measurable performance advantages over similarly featured portables based on Intel's original Centrino(TM) mobile technology. The new CF-73's power-optimized 533MHz processor-system bus provides up to 33% faster transfer rates than similar models from competitors. Other advances include a 60 percent improvement in peak bandwidth, enhanced wireless LAN security, significantly reduced screen backlight power consumption with minimal visual impact, and 2X I/O bandwidth for improved system, application, and multimedia performance.

Other features include a shock-and-intrusion hardened 13.3-inch daylight readable, anti-reflective, transmissive touchscreen with XGA (1024x768 pixel) true-color resolution and external video support up to 2048x1536 pixels at 4 billion colors, integrated DVD/CDRW drive, and integrated 802.11abg Wireless WAN, wired LAN, analog modem, and GSM/GPRS support.

Like all Toughbooks, the CF-73 used a rugged magnesium-alloy case designed and cast in Panasonic's own state-of-the-art fabrication facility. Two models are available, the CF-73SCUTSBM with 256MB of standard RAM (expandable to 1280MB) and a proprietary shock-and-vibration resistant 60GB hard drive, and the CF-73SCVTSBM, with 512MB RAM (expandable to 1536MB) and a ruggedized 80GB HDD.

Both models ship with Windows(R) XP SP2 pre-installed, weigh under 5.7 pounds and achieve battery runtime of up to 4 hours.

Full 3 Year Warranty

The Toughbook(R) CF-73 comes standard with a 3 year limited warranty including parts and labor and free overnight in/out shipping.

Pricing and Configurations

CF-73SCUTSBM Pentium(R) M 750-1.86GHz (Centrino(TM)), 13.3" Transmissive Touch XGA, 256MB RAM,60GB HDD, Intel 802.11a+b+g, DVD/CDRW, WIN XP SP2 Estimated street price $3500

CF-73SCVTSBM Pentium(R) M 750-1.86GHz (Centrino(TM)), 13.3" Transmissive Touch XGA, 512MB RAM,80GB HDD, Intel 802.11a+b+g, DVD/CDRW, WIN XP SP2 Estimated street price $3750

Panasonic Personal Computer Company

Panasonic Computer Solutions Company is the leading provider of ruggedized notebook PCs for mobile professionals in the USA. The company is a unit of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. of Japan (NYSE: MC), which recorded annual sales of $71.30 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 3,000 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