Customers for rugged notebooks often work under demanding conditions or in remote areas with minimal support. Now they have nothing to despair. Their prayers for a dependable notebook and reliable wireless link with no downtime have been answered. Panasonic is out with its Panasonic Toughbook with built-in access to Sprint’s EV-DO and CDMA 1X networks. Three variations are put on the market: the fully rugged CF-18 and CF-29 notebook computers, and the semi-rugged CF-73 notebook computer.

They have been embedding wireless capabilities for six years. Panasonic Computer Solution is the first notebook vendor to integrate and ship embedded EV-DO laptops on the Sprint network. By delivering next-generation mobile computing solutions, Panasonic continues to meet the demands of its customers to achieve the fastest, highest quality data speeds, promoting reliable access to email, critical information and software applications. Panasonic is enabling EV-DO connectivity through the embedded Sierra Wireless EM5625 OEM module.

Its integrated wireless solutions are designed, developed and manufactured with embedded OEM modules and retractable built-in antennas to provide the most advanced performance in the industry. Panasonic notebooks now provide access to all the current technologies: Wi-Fi, CDMA 1x, GSM/GPRS, EDGE and EV-DO.

The fully rugged and durable Panasonic Toughbook CF-18 and CF-29 are designed using MIL-STD-810F environmental testing procedures. Both models are encased in magnesium alloy and feature a shock-mounted removable hard-drive in a stainless steel case. With one quick swivel, CF-18 transforms from a fully rugged maximum-performance notebook PC to a fully rugged handwriting-friendly tablet PC.

The dual-band Sierra Wireless EM5625 offers voice, data, and messaging functionality at typical data speeds of 400-700 kbps, with bursts up to 2.4 Mbps. The EM5625 complies with new European Union directives on RoHS (Restrictions on Hazardous Substances).