Panasonic Announces Toughbook SX2

By Wolfgang Gruener
published

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.

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Wolfgang Gruener
16 Comments Comment from the forums
  • kitsunestarwind
    Call me when it can survive a couple of meters fall
    Reply
  • A Bad Day
    If there were rugged smartphones or tablets...
    Reply
  • pliskin1
    A Bad DayIf there were rugged smartphones or tablets...There ARE rugged smartphones and tablets. Samsung Rugby and Casio G'zOne are two rugged phones. The Pantech Element is semi-rugged tablet.
    Reply
  • abbadon_34
    they have two classes, one for semi-rugged for business (like a housing contractor) and one fully rugged (approved for military used in BFE)

    smartphone and tablet they got, but it'a easiest cheapest just to get a case or cover
    Reply
  • southernshark
    Have a plastic gateway laptop that survived a 2 meter fall onto concrete. I am glad that it was not made out of aluminum, the plastic did a much better job of absorbing the impact.
    Reply
  • spookie
    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.
    Prices start at $2,649.
    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...
    Reply
  • assasin32
    Spookie it's designed to take a beating and if I remember a lot more abuse than whats listed on this article and for a very small market so there is markup since they aren't selling in volume, but off hand I think they are probably the only major supplier of rugged notebooks like this.
    Reply
  • greghome
    spookieAt 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
    Reply
  • icemunk
    I think should have an SSD. One of the first thing that goes on laptops, are their hard drives.
    Reply
  • anonymous_user
    12.1-inch AND 1600 x 900? Why can't bigger notebooks have such nice resolutions? Its hard enough finding a 14-inch with that resolution.
    Reply