Panasonic announced updates to its business-rugged Toughbook notebook computer line with the introduction of the thin-and-light F8 and upgrades to the tablet alternative T8 and the ultraportable W8.

8 Series Toughbook mobile computers will also include the Gobi 3G mobile broadband (WWAN) solution from Qualcomm, which allows connection to high-speed mobile Internet services offered by network operators virtually anywhere in the world.

The new Toughbook F8 has a 14.1-inch-wide display and an internal optical drive. It weighs 3.7 pounds and has an integrated handle for maximum portability. It also has Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 4GB of RAM, bright widescreen LCD and a 160GB shock-mounted hard drive. The Intel Core 2 Duo processor W8, T8 and F8 notebooks offer a combination of the latest computing power and long battery life.

The 8 Series business-rugged products offer a range of embedded wireless options for anytime, anywhere connectivity, including 802.11a/b/g/draft-n and Bluetooth 2.0. The 8 Series will ship with optional embedded Gobi 3G technology. The 8 Series will be certified on all major networks worldwide, allowing workers to stay connected regardless of network availability in their current location and whether the network is using CDMA2000 EV-DO or HSPA/UMTS/GPRS technologies.

The Panasonic CSA will allow IT administrators maximum flexibility in the management of wireless notebooks. Gobi is designed to lower IT procurement, qualification, support and management costs.

More info: www.panasonic.com/toughbook