Panasonic Releases Rugged Notebooks and Tablet PC with Built-in CDMA EVDO
Posted on 23-SEP-2005 10:38.
| Filed under: News
: Notebooks.
Panasonic is making the Panasonic Toughbook rugged CF-18 and CF-29 notebook computers, and the semi-rugged CF-73 notebook computer available with built-in access to Sprint's EV-DO and CDMA 1X networks.
Panasonic first offered its notebooks with integrated and embedded EV-DO on the Sprint network, starting in August 2005. The company is enabling EV-DO connectivity through the embedded Sierra Wireless EM5625 OEM module.
The fully rugged and durable Panasonic Toughbook CF-18 and CF-29 are designed using MIL-STD-810F environmental testing procedures for drops, shocks, altitude, vibration, and dust, water and extreme temperature resistance. Both models are encased in magnesium alloy and feature a shock-mounted removable hard-drive in a stainless steel case. With a swivel, the Toughbook CF-18 transforms from a fully rugged maximum-performance notebook PC to a fully rugged Tablet PC.
The dual-band Sierra Wireless EM5625 embedded module provides a wireless platform that can be integrated into a wide variety of mobile devices. It offers voice, data, and messaging functionality at typical data speeds of 400-700 kbps, with bursts up to 2.4 Mbps. The EM5625 complies with new European Union directives on RoHS (Restrictions on Hazardous Substances).
I can't help but wonder with the current state of CDMA (not allowing imported devices on a local network) how effective these will be for travelers.
Roaming rates, while they have come down recently for selected destinations are still unattractive generally. I guess that high-end business won't have any problems footing the bill.
I guess thats why I'm sticking to GSM at the moment. I'd rather have the choice of choosing what provider (or whether I roam) using my handset overseas.
Remember that Telecom New Zealand is the first operator to actually offer CDMA EV-DO roaming (to Australia), but it looks like data roaming will be come more common on this type of networks.
Also, if a US visitor comes here with one of these new laptops with built-in CDMA (Lenovo, Dell, HP, Panasonic all announced something in this area) then there's no problem connecting to CDMA 1xRTT (and possibly EVDO in the future).
The problem is if you purchase this overseas and want it connected in your country of origin - CDMA operators don't do this.
But if the market is really good then those laptop manufacturers will offer the devices for certification and perhaps overcome these problems by supplying the local market directly.
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