Panasonic has upgraded its Toughbook with Intel's Ivy Bridge processors.
The new SX2 model comes with a 2.6 GHz Core i5-3320M vPro CPU, a 12.1-inch 1600 x 900 pixel display, 4 GB DDR3L-1333 memory, a 320 GB 5400 rpm HDD, as well as a 720p webcam in a 3.1 lbs package.
The manufacturer said that the magnesium alloy design shields the notebook from damage when dropped from a height of 30 inches on the base while on or off and from a height of 12 inches when dropped on all other faces when off. Both the lid and base of the notebook are guaranteed to withstand more than 220 lbs of pressure
The new Toughbook is still a rugged notebook and not exactly as thin as an Ultrabook, but Panasonic said that the SX2 is "approximately 33 percent slimmer than the previous Panasonic business-rugged model." Prices start at $2,649.
There ARE rugged smartphones and tablets. Samsung Rugby and Casio G'zOne are two rugged phones. The Pantech Element is semi-rugged tablet.
smartphone and tablet they got, but it'a easiest cheapest just to get a case or cover
At that price I expect a 14" and a minimum resolution of 1920x1080, and 1tb HDD plus a SSD. 6GB RAM would also be better...
It's a Toughbook, not an alienware.
It's like how a Thinkpad would cost more than your normal laptop. Most of the Engineering goes to making it tough and suitable for the business environment
If there were rugged smartphones or tablets..."
I'm actually writing this from a rugged tablet. Motion Computing F5v.
At these price points, it only occasionally makes sense to get a Toughbook rather than buy multiple laptops and keep replacing them. At the same time, Really? No SSD?
Come on...