November 2002

There is a new contender in the burgeoning handheld computer market - Panasonic. The company's first handheld, the ToughBook CF-P1, has just gone on sale in the UK. Alongside the ruggedness for which the Toughbook range is renowned, the CF-P1 design incorporates communications and data input flexibility that allows it to be customised to suit a wide range of operating environments.

Chris Bye, Panasonic's UK marketing manager for PCs, said the company initially believed the emerging handheld computer sector would meet customers' demands for more portability and flexibility. "However, when we looked at what was available on the market, and the direction the industry appeared to be going in, we saw a glaring problem - durability and reliability. We felt that we needed to create a wireless device which would provide the portability required, but we also needed to offer real value."

The Toughbook range is renowned for its ruggedness, and the CF-P1 (or Personal Wireless Assistant as Panasonic also calls it) has a magnesium alloy case that helps protect it against shock and vibration (it can cope with being dropped from 1.2 metres); and it is fully sealed, and so waterproof, not just water resistant. It weighs 453g.

Panasonic says the CF-P1's 3.5in reflective colour LCD gives good visibility outdoors, so will suit field workers including those in construction and utility organisations and the emergency services, as well as logistics. There is even a choice of data input methods - touchscreen (with integrated stylus), cursor control button and integrated keyboard.

 

The CF-PI offers a range of communication options including GPRS/GSM cellular networks, 802.11b wireless LAN, GPS receiver. There is also an optional barcode scanner. List price is a competitive £1,099.