The name Toughbook 01 is no misnomer. This is one tough device. A customizable, wireless handheld PC, it's a computer enclosed in a scratch and moisture-resistant case, including sealed port and connector covers and a drop shock-resistant design. The outside was tested using MIL-STD-810F procedures.

The inside was designed with something else in mind: functionality. The Toughbook 01 runs on a 206 MHz Intel StrongARM SA-1110 microprocessor, sufficient to execute the Windows CE 3.0 operating system that is natively installed. Software packages are customizable for whatever the user needs, so the operating system is the only software that comes standard. The Toughbook has 23 MB SDRAM and 32 MB Flash for ample storage and memory.

Also standard with the Toughbook 01 is wireless connectivity. Integrated wireless communications options include CDPD, DataTAC, Mobitex, and GSM/GPRS. An integrated CompactFlash Card will add GPS functionality to the Toughbook 01, so should you get lost you can use satellite technology to find out where you are. And if you're outside, viewing your screen won't be a problem. The Toughbook's 3.5 inch 240 x 320 reflective TFT active matrix color display will make your location perfectly clear.

But what Panasonic is particularly proud of on the Toughbook is the ability to use either a keyboard or the touchscreen LCD to input data. The 38-key keyboard has a backlight for use in darker conditions, and a stylus is built-in to interact with the touchscreen. Other device interfaces include a Multimedia Card/Secure Digital card slot, IrDA, a RS-232C serial port, and a USB host.

The Toughbook measures 1.6 x 3.9 x 6.8 inches and weighs merely a pound.

Pricing and Availability

The Toughbook 01 will be available soon at an estimated street price of $999.

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