The Toughbook CR-73SCVTSBM that we evaluated delivered on all of these features, with a 1.86 GHz central processing unit (CPU), 512 MB of RAM, and what the company says are “significant, measurable performance advantages over similarly featured portables” based on the original Centrino technology. Secaucus, N.J.-based Panasonic reports the weight of this unit at an easily-carried 5.7 pounds and a battery runtime of up to four hours.

Our machine easily connected to the Internet via a number of Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) hotspots in our city environment, and in each case the software told you whether the connecting service was secure–a feature that we find commendable in today's porous wireless environment. (Where no hotspots are available, the unit provides for modem connection.)

The display is 13.3 inches and readable in all but the most blinding daylight, but the most interesting feature is the touch screen, which allows you to use a stylus applied to the screen to do your computing. The keyboard is full-sized–a welcome feature in a portable machine that is so light.

This unit offers a “shock-and-vibration-resistant” 80GB (gigabyte) hard drive–plenty of disk space for software applications, documents and photographs (of accident scenes, for example). You also get a DVD drive (maybe you'd like to watch a movie on the plane besides the drivel they usually offer) and CDRW drive.

A hard disk backup function that creates a separate backup storage area on the disk is another useful feature. Such backups can protect you from data loss or from losing work if the computer suddenly goes down. When you purchase the computer, however, this function is disabled and must be subsequently activated.

Another thing we liked about this unit is that it is manufactured in Panasonic's own facilities, rather than by a third-party computer assembler. Third-party assembly is an all-too-common occurrence in today's personal computer market, and having the name brand vendor make its own product is somehow reassuring.

A word of warning about the toughness of the Toughbook: At a trade show last year, I saw a different Toughbook notebook dropped on the floor from at least four feet, and it came up unharmed and working perfectly. The CF-73 series cannot make this claim, however, only being rated for a one-foot drop, according to a Panasonic official. With its strong magnesium-alloy case, it can probably take more punishment than most ordinary notebooks, but I wouldn't be playing Frisbee with it.

Overall, the CF-73 is an easily-toted notebook that gives you a host of useful features that make doing business on the road (or perhaps at a satellite office) much easier. All those features come with a hefty price tag, however, with the street price of the CF-73SCVTSBM estimated at $3,750 by Panasonic. The cost/benefit ratio will be a key determinant for agencies looking for mobile hardware.

Further information is available at http://www.panasonic.com/toughbook.

(caption to accompany manufacturer art)

With its strong magnesium-alloy case, the CF-73 can probably take more punishment than most ordinary notebooks, but I wouldn't be playing Frisbee with it.

Intro Box:

This is the first in a series of articles dealing with technology products for use in the agency environment. The evaluations offered in these articles are based on our experience with and impression of the review units provided by the manufacturer. For in-depth reviews of technical specifications, we recommend consulting technology publications that carry such evaluations.