Oct/Nov 2006

Panasonic is one of the first ruggedised laptop computer manufacturers to announce the availability of embedded HSDPA wireless technology, or what mobile network operators have started calling "3G broadband" connectivity (m.logistics, last issue, page 6).

Panasonic has added this capability through an arrangement to incorporate the Expedite EU740 PCI Express mini-card embedded module from Novatel Wireless in its ToughBook CF-18 computers.

HSDPA stands for High-Speed Downlink Packet Access, and is now being rolled out in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. It offers data download speeds roughly three to ten times faster than ordinary 3G. Vodafone was the first company to announce UK availability, offering it in London, Glasgow, Sheffield, Greater Manchester and Tyneside.

Other laptops in the Panasonic range are also due to have the Novatel HSDPA capability incorporated, including the CF-30 and CF-74 ruggedised laptops, and ToughBook "light" models T5/W5/Y5.