Panasonic expands ultrabook line with rugged Toughbook model

Panasonic has added a new ultrabook model to its Toughbook rugged notebook lineup.

The company said that the CF-AX2 notebook, which is slated to arrive in the UK in January, would be designed for mobile sales staff and other employees who work in mobile and high stress environments. The convertible system can function as both a conventional notebook system or folded down and used as touchscreen tablet.

The base configuration for the 11.6in CF-AX2 will include an Intel Core i5 processor with 4GB RAM and a 128GB solid state hard drive. The system will also be equipped with an eight-hour hot-swappable battery.

Other hardware features will include three USB ports, SD-XC card ports and both VGA and HDMI display connections.

Panasonic said that the CF-AX2 would be designed for high-stress environments. The system has been tested to withstand drops of up to 76cm.

"This latest Toughbook is the new benchmark for business ultrabook," said Panasonic computer product head of European marketing Jan Kaempfer.

"By utilising business interfaces, security options, hot swappable batteries, an innovative strengthened 360 degree flip over hinge and its business rugged design, the CF-AX2 is designed to ideally match the needs of the busy mobile executive."

Panasonic's release comes in the midst of what has been a tough time for the ultrabook space. Analysts recently said that a tepid market and weak marketing efforts have caused ultrabook sales to fall short of initial expectations.