Panasonic Toughbook Rugged Notebooks Deliver Clear Advantage for Mobile PC Customers through New High-Resolution LCDs

-- Bright 500 NIT Display Addresses Demand for Enhanced Outdoor Visibility in Military, Public Safety and Commercial Applications

-- Units to Be on Display at 112th Annual Conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police in Miami, Florida

Panasonic Computer Solutions Company today announced theavailability of 500 NIT displays in select rugged Panasonic(R)Toughbook(R) notebook computers used in a variety of military, publicsafety, and commercial applications.

Rugged Toughbooks have always used anti-glare and anti-reflectivescreen coatings to improve outdoor screen viewability. Now, buildingon its leadership in mobile computing solutions, Panasonic hasintroduced the 500 NIT LCD, which is 250 to 300 percent brighter thancommercial-grade notebooks.

Available now, this new feature raises the bar for mobile workers.Police, fire and emergency medical professionals, members of the armedforces, field service technicians and mobile workers in all industrieswill benefit, enabling them to work more efficiently in the brightestdaylight conditions.

Panasonic Computer Solutions Company continues to deliver the mostadvanced technologies throughout its semi- and fully-rugged notebookline. In addition to LCD enhancements, Panasonic recently announcednext-generation wireless capabilities, with embedded EV-DO and EDGEnetwork access on all major carriers.

Robert Carlson is Desktop Support Manager for the City ofHollywood, Florida. He installs and supports Panasonic Toughbooks forthe Hollywood Police Department. "The City of Hollywood conducted anextensive laptop evaluation program for public safety. After testingfactors such as portability between vehicle, desktop and field work,communications options, screen viewability, and reliability in harshenvironments, the Toughbook was the clear winner," said Carlson. "Ourexperience with Panasonic before and after purchase confirmed to ustheir reputation in public safety is well deserved."

Today's announcement builds on a fifteen year history of firstsachieved by Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. Among the company'smilestones:

-- First notebook with integrated CD-ROM

-- First magnesium encased LCD

-- First fully rugged notebook in a standard form factor

-- First semi-rugged notebook PC

-- First fully-rugged convertible tablet PC

-- First semi-rugged thin and light with a shock mounted hard drive, magnesium case and integrated DVD-CD/R drive

"Our customers trust us to deliver reliable solutions that canstand up to whatever conditions are thrown their way," said RancePoehler, president, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company. "Whetherthey are saving lives or working to save money by automating andstreamlining paper processes, they know Toughbooks deliver."

Models and Availability

Toughbook CF-29 Rugged Notebook is built to take a beating.MIL-STD-810F-tested for ruggedness, the CF-29 is encased in magnesiumalloy, with durability designed into every seal, hinge and connector.The industry's fastest fully-rugged mobile PC, the CF-29 is usedextensively in military applications, by federal government agencies,public safety professionals and commercial users.

Toughbook CF-18 Rugged Convertible Tablet transforms from afully-rugged maximum-performance notebook PC to a fully-ruggedhandwriting-friendly tablet PC. Used in the utilities, energy,automotive, aviation, insurance and healthcare industries, the CF-18allows users to take handwritten notes, mark and edit documents anddraw diagrams.

These models are available and shipping now. Complete modelinformation, specifications and information on where to buy isavailable on panasonic.com/toughbook. To see the new 500 NIT LCD,visit booth 1075 at the 112th Annual Conference of the InternationalAssociation of Chiefs of Police at the Miami Convention Center, Miami,Florida, September 25-27, 2005.

About Panasonic Computer Solutions Company

Panasonic Computer Solutions Company is the leading provider ofruggedized notebook PCs for mobile professionals in the USA. Thecompany is a unit of Panasonic Corporation of North America, theprincipal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric IndustrialCo., Ltd. of Japan (NYSE: MC), which recorded annual sales of $81.44billion in the most recently reported fiscal year. Matsushita Electricis one of the only manufacturers today that directly controls theprocess of design, manufacture and quality assurance of its notebookPCs. Many key components, including LCD panels, Lithium-Ion batteries,DVD and CD-ROM drives, and board-level electronics are the products ofits divisions. The products, people and business of Panasonic ComputerSolutions Company are entirely dedicated to the needs of theprofessional user, including Fortune 1000 business and governmentprofessionals. Panasonic also supplies mobile computing solutions toover 4,000 police departments in the United States.

All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registeredtrademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subjectto change without notice. Information on Panasonic's full line ofnotebook PCs for the mobile professional can be obtained by calling800-662-3537 or at http://panasonic.com/toughbook.