The latest model in the Panasonic Toughbook mobile computer lineup is the semi-rugged, wireless-ready Toughbook 52, a All Toughbook notebooks incorporate a wireless-ready design that allows customers to initially purchase, or later upgrade to, embedded access to next-generation data networks. Integrated WLAN and Bluetooth also ensure that users stay connected, wherever their work takes them.

Every Toughbook is sold with a standard three-year limited warranty which includes around-the-clock U.S.-based phone support for the entire life of the product. Panasonic says average call center hold time is less than a minute. In addition, in the unlikely event of a hardware-related failure, Panasonic covers the cost of overnight shipping to and from its national service center, where the average turnaround time for repairs is less than two days.

The wireless-ready semi-rugged Toughbook 52 is available now in two configurations, standard (estimated street price of US$1699) or optimized for improved video and Vista-performance, including a faster CPU, 512MB dedicated VRAM and a larger 120GB hard drive (estimated street price of US$2499). The former weighs 7.3 lb, the latter 7.4. Standard processor is an Intel Core 2 Duo.