Panasonic Toughbook F8 - Core 2 Duo SP9300 2.26 GHz - 14.1" TFT

Description: This configuration of the Panasonic ToughBook F8 is a 3.7-pound, thin-and-light notebook computer.Compared to other thin-and-light notebooks on the market, it is expensive at around $2,720.The 14.1 inch widescreen has a native resolution of 1280 x 800, which is fairly standard among laptops.Built around the Intel Core 2 Duo chip.This configuration includes a 160GB hard disk and 3 GB of memory.

Pros: The built in Bluetooth connectivity will let you pair headphones or sync your mobile contacts.An anti-theft security tether can be fastened into the built-in lock slot.

Cons: Has only a 160GB hard drive.This is not out of line with the product's price, but is smaller than the average notebook on the market today.Graphics-intensive applications (such as texture-rich games, DVD playback, and video editing) will hinder performance on a system that relies on shared video memory.

Suitability: A thin-and-light notebook, suited for business computing.The sturdy frame and other features are part of this system's rugged design which make it more suitable for outdoor or industrial settings.If you have a wireless network at home, wirelessly browse the Web from any room in your house with this Wi-Fi enabled notebook.The excellent battery performance will keep your laptop running longer without plugging in.Comes with a DVD burner, allowing you to convert home movies from your digital camcorder onto DVDs.

Value: Overall, this notebook's price seems hard to justify, with respect to its features.

Suggestions: (1) Given this device's Wi-Fi capability, you may want to get a wireless access point for your home, so that you can browse the Web more conveniently from any room.(2) To get the most out of this computer's Bluetooth capability, you could have a Bluetooth-enabled headset, smartphone or other device, and be able to link it wirelessly to your computer within a range of 20-or-so feet inside the same room.

CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.

• Manufacturer: Panasonic
• Part Number: CF-F8EWDZZAM

• General

• Platform Technology Intel Centrino 2 with vPro Technology
• Built-in Devices Stereo speakers, Bluetooth antenna, Wireless LAN antenna
• Embedded Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 1.2) Security Chip
• Rugged Design Yes
• Width 12.8 in
• Depth 9.9 in
• Height 1.9 in
• Weight 3.7 lbs
• Notebook type Ultraportable (Under 4 lbs.), Rugged
• Screen type Widescreen
• Wireless capabilities IEEE 802.11 n (draft), Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b

• Processor

• Processor Intel Core 2 Duo SP9300 / 2.26 GHz
• Multi-Core processor technology Dual-Core
• 64-bit processor Yes
• Data bus speed 1066 MHz
• Chipset type Mobile Intel GS45 Express

• Cache Memory

• Type L2 cache
• Cache size 6 MB

• RAM

• Installed Size 3 GB
• Technology DDR2 SDRAM - 667 MHz
• Memory specification compliance PC2-5300
• RAM configuration features 1 x 1 GB + 1 x 2 GB

• Environmental Parameters

• Environmental standards EPEAT silver, EPEAT Silver

• Storage

• Floppy Drive None
• Hard Drive 160 GB
• Storage Removable None
• Hard drive type Portable

• Optical Storage

• Type DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM

• Optical Storage (2nd)

• 2nd optical storage type None

• Card Reader

• Card reader type Card reader
• Supported flash memory cards SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card

• Display

• Display Type 14.1 in TFT active matrix
• Max Resolution 1280 x 800 ( WXGA )
• Widescreen Display Yes
• Features Anti-glare

• Video

• Graphics Processor / Vendor Intel GMA 4500MHD Dynamic Video Memory Technology 5.0
• Video Memory VRAM
• Max Allocated RAM Size 285 MB

• Audio

• Audio output type Sound card
• Audio codec AD1883
• Audio output compliant standards High Definition Audio

• Input Device(s)

• Input device type Keyboard, Touchpad

• Telecom

• Modem Fax / modem
• Max transfer rate 56 Kbps

• Networking

• Networking Network adapter
• Networking / Wireless LAN Supported Yes
• Wireless NIC Intel WiFi Link 5100
• Data link protocol Ethernet, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, IEEE 802.11n (draft)
• Networking standards IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.0, IEEE 802.11n (draft)

• Expansion / Connectivity

• Expansion Slots Total (Free) 1 ( 1 ) x PC Card - Type II
• Interfaces 1 x Docking / port replicator - 78 pin docking, 1 x Display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 1 x Audio - Line-out/headphones - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x Audio - Line-in/microphone - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 3 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A, 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - RJ-45, 1 x Modem - Phone line - RJ-11

• Miscellaneous

• Features System password, Hard drive password, Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
• Compliant Standards ACPI

• Power

• Power device form factor External
• Voltage Required AC 120/230 V

• Battery

• Technology Lithium ion
• Installed Qty 1
• Battery capacity 5800 mAh
• Mfr estimated battery life 6 hour(s)

• Operating System / Software

• OS Provided Microsoft Windows Vista Business / XP Professional downgrade
• Software DMI Viewer, Adobe Reader, Recovery DVD, Roxio Creator LJB, InterVideo WinDVD 8, Hard Disk Data Erase Utility

• Manufacturer Warranty

• Service & Support 3 years warranty
• Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 3 years

• Sustainability

• EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Silver
• Greenpeace policy rating (Sept 2009) 4.9

Panasonic

Manufacturer profile

• Website: http://www.panasonic.com/
• Address: Matsushita Electric Corporation of America, Secaucus, NJ. 07094
• Phone: 800/662-3537