Message #32 From:
Stock News Bot Date: December 19, 2006 04:25:00 AM
MC News Panasonic(R) Toughbook(R) Business-Rugged W5 and T5 Notebooks Certified to Deliver Embedded Sprint Mobile Broadband Service
SECAUCUS, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Panasonic Computer Solutions Company (PCSC), the leading provider of
durable, reliable wireless mobile PCs, and Sprint (NYSE:S) today
announced that the business-rugged Toughbook W5 and T5 notebooks will
now feature built-in support for Sprint Mobile Broadband services,
including its upgraded EV-DO Revision A service where available. With
this certification, Panasonic now offers the broadest range of
Sprint-enabled reliable PCs for all mobile environments, from extreme to
mainstream, including rugged, semi-rugged and business-rugged mobile
computers.
The ultraportable and reliable W5 and T5 join other 3G enabled
Toughbooks, including the fully-rugged CF-29 notebook, CF-18 convertible
tablet and semi-rugged CF-74, as part of Panasonic’s
portfolio of mobile broadband enabled notebooks. With this
certification, users will have the option to access Sprint Mobile
Broadband service running on the Sprint Power Vision Network in more
than 220 communities (with a population of more than 100,000) and 725
airports across the US, a coverage area that encompasses more than 180
million people.
“Sprint and Panasonic have had a longstanding
relationship based on the belief that the promise of seamless
connectivity requires a notebook designed to stand up to the test of
mobility,” said Victoria Obenshain, director
of wireless strategy, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. “Lightweight,
durable business-rugged notebooks—with
exceptionally long battery life—are the
perfect fit for today’s mobile business user
and complement our existing family of Sprint-enabled rugged and
semi-rugged Toughbooks. Now, Toughbook users—from
the extreme to the mainstream—can access
Sprint’s next generation mobile broadband
service wherever their work takes them.”
“Combining the innovation and capabilities of
the Sprint Power Vision Network with rugged and reliable Panasonic
notebooks demonstrates an unmatched value for mobile users,”
said Danny Bowman, vice president of customer equipment for Sprint. “With
the EV-DO Rev. A-equipped W5 and T5, Sprint and Toughbook customers have
a complete solution that combines real-time, access on the go with a
lightweight, reliable form factor so customers have the power to do more.”
Both the W5 and T5 Toughbooks feature the Wireless PCI Express Mini Card
Embedded Module from Sierra Wireless, giving Toughbook customers a
top-of-the-line wireless broadband computing experience. With this
technology users can take advantage of Sprint’s
advanced mobile broadband services (EV-DO Rev. A), where available, to
access the Internet or e-mail, download large files and attachments, and
run hosted business applications. With Rev. A enhancements, users can
anticipate average download speeds of 450 to 800 kbps and upload speeds
of 300 to 400 kbps. The notebooks will also operate on the Sprint Power
Vision Network where the EV-DO Revision A upgrade is not yet available.
The ultraportable Panasonic Toughbook W5, with its integrated DVD/CD-RW
combo drive, 12.1 inch anti-glare LCD, and weight of just 3.1 pounds, is
ideal for mobile professionals who demand the standard features found in
larger notebooks at a decreased size and weight. The W5 also offers an
exceptional battery life of eight hours.
The Toughbook T5 is an ultraportable tablet alternative notebook with a
12.1 inch touch-screen display, 10 hour battery life, ergonomic hand
strap, and weight of just 3.5 pounds. It is ideal for professionals who
want the flexibility to enter information with a stylus or using the
keyboard.
Pricing and Availability
The Panasonic Toughbook W5 and T5 with embedded Sprint Mobile Broadband
will be available next month at an estimated street price of $2,249.00.
These and other Toughbooks are available through authorized Panasonic
Toughbook resellers, including Panasonic authorized Sprint Business
Solutions partners, and, online, via “Buy Now”
partners found at http://www.panasonic.com/business/toughbook/purchase.asp.
Please visit www.panasonic.com/toughbook
for more information.
About Panasonic Computer Solutions Company
Panasonic Computer Solutions Company empowers the mobile workforce. The
company is a unit of Panasonic Corporation of North America, which is
the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric
Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC). Panasonic has delivered reliable,
durable mobile solutions through its Toughbook®
line of notebook computers for thirteen years and has expanded the
boundaries of wireless technology through a broad portfolio of products,
ranging from fully rugged, industrial strength notebook computers and
tablet PCs to thin and light semi-rugged notebooks. A core manufacturer,
Matsushita and its subsidiaries control the entire process of design,
manufacture, quality assurance, service and support. As a result,
Panasonic Toughbooks are known for having the lowest failure rates in
the industry. Government, industrial, and commercial users—from
Fortune 1,000 companies to small businesses—rely
on solutions from Panasonic, wherever their work takes them.
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.
