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Panasonic Debuts Centrino Sub-Note With Integrated DVD/CD-RW Drive; New Toughbook Elevates Ultra-Portable Durability, Performance & Functionality Bars

Posted on: Wednesday, 25 June 2003, 06:00 CDT

SECAUCUS, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 25, 2003--Panasonic Computer Solutions Company:

Editor's Summary:

-- Under-three-pound CF-W2 Toughbook(R) is world's first fully

Centrino(TM)-compliant rugged sub-notebook computer.

-- 1.6" thick CF-W2 is world's thinnest, lightest

industrial-grade rugged computer with internal DVD-ROM/CD-RW

combo drive and up to seven hours of battery runtime.

-- Features Intel(R) ultra-low-voltage 900MHz Pentium(R) M

processor with enhanced SpeedStep(R) technology, 1MB on-die L2

cache, 256MB DDR-SDRAM (512 max.) and Intel 855GM system

architecture.

-- Integrated Intel(R) Pro/Wireless 2100 802.11b, 100Base-TX/10

BaseT wired LAN and 56K V90 analog modem capability.

-- Ruggedized 12.1-inch XGA TFT low-power/high-output

active-matrix LCD, Thin-Glass-technology brightness

enhancement, anti-glare coating, Intel(R) video subsystem with

64MB high-speed shared RAM.

-- Shock-mounted 40GB UDMA (100MB-transfer rate) HDD.

-- Secure Digital Memory Card, dual USB 2.0 ports.

-- 85-key keyboard with 19mm pitch and 2mm stroke

-- CF-W2: 1.1"/1.7"(H) x 8.3"(D) x 10.6" (W), 2.87 lbs. w/battery

Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, world's leading provider of ruggedized portable computers, today announced the introduction of a high-style slim line ultra-portable uniting legendary Toughbook(R) durability with the unprecedented processing prowess, wireless connectivity, and energy efficiency of Intel's advanced Centrino(TM) mobility platform.

"Introducing our first CEO-To-Go-styled ultra-portables last year, I described them as a reaffirmation of Panasonic's commitment to offer its customers a one-stop portable-computer solution," said Panasonic Computer Solutions Company president Rance Poehler. "Consider the new Toughbook(R) W2 a reaffirmation of our determination to provide the highest attainable levels of performance, technological innovation, and durability throughout the entire Toughbook(R) line." Poehler noted that the new sub-notebook has been totally re-engineered for maximum integration with Intel's state-of-the-art Centrino mobile technology. "Adapting Centrino's architecture to this form factor has enabled us to offer advanced features previously available only in full-size notebooks with hot, heavy, ultra-capacity power cells," Poehler added. "I am particularly proud of the job our engineers did integrating a DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive into W2 without taking any hit whatsoever in battery runtime, cooling efficiency, portability or ruggedization.

"Fact is the W2's seven-hour runtime is outstanding even among sub-notebooks without integrated multimedia drives and the addition of the drive adds only a tenth of an inch and six ounces to the W2's profile."

Uncompromised Performance

The new W2 Toughbook is powered by 900MHz ultra-low-voltage Intel(R) Pentium(R) M CPUs with 1MB on-die L2 cache, 256MB PC2100 DDR RAM (expandable to 512MB) and a 40MB high-speed UDMA hard drive.

Advanced system and chipset architecture gives the W2 unparalleled performance in executing instruction sets, transitioning between operations and responding to component power demands.

Bright And Beautiful

The W2 employs the latest iteration of the revolutionary thin-glass display technology first introduced in the Toughbook(R) CF-R1, a 12.1-inch XGA TFT active-matrix LCD almost 25 percent lighter than same-size conventional panels. The thin-glass display's compact light path and low-power, high-output backlight result in a class-leading brightness/battery drain ratio. Maximum resolution is 1024 x 768 pixels at 16M colors on the internal LCD and 1280 x 1024 pixels at 16M colors on an external monitor.

Wireless DVD Viewing And CD Burning

The Toughbook W-2's integrated Combo Drive specifications are as follows:

Read: DVD-8x, CD-24x, Write: CD/R-6x, CD/RW- 4x. Height: 9.5mm.

Toughbooks To The Bone

Durability is a primary consideration in the engineering of every Toughbook(R) regardless of form factor and feature set. Hard drive and LCD shock-absorbers, reinforced screen case edges, stainless steel hinges and a bonded scuff-and-scratch-resistant outer coating round out the ruggedization package.

Wireless Access

Intel(R) Centrino(TM) mobile technology communications enhancements include the Intel(R) PRO/Wireless Network Connection 802.11b WLAN support and advanced encryption and security technology for Virtual Private Networks. In addition, a 56K V90 analog modem provides added communications capability.

Pricing and Configuration

Toughbook(R) W2 CF-T2AWAZZKM Intel(R) 900MHz ULV PentiumM CPU, Centrino(TM) system architecture, 12.1" XGA TFT Active-Matrix Display, 40GB HDD, 256MB RAM, internal DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive, 100BASE-TX/10 BASE-T wired LAN, 56K analog modem. Estimated Street Price: $ 2,250

Accessories

FDD CF-VFDU03W $179

Optional Battery CF-VZSU27U(for W2) $233

256MB RAM CF-BAT0256U TBA

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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