Panasonic is rolling out its next generation of Toughbooks, which feature Intel Core Duo processors, and a surprising resistance to water.  Specifically, the Letsnote CF-Y5 features a 1.5 GHz Intel L2300 Core Duo processor, a 14.1-inch 1,400 by 1,050 pixel display, up to 1 GB of RAM, 802.11a/b/g wireless networking, up to 60 GB of hard disk storage, built-in Ethernet, a DVD burner, a PCMCIA slot, SD expansion, and VGA output.  Since this is a Toughbook, Panasonic claims that the notebook can withstand an impact of up to 220 pounds, and features a water proof sheet which protects several key system components from small amounts of water or other liquids.  This impressive little notebook is only available in Japan right now, but we should see some of these features made available in American Toughbooks pretty soon.  The CF-Y5 retails for ¥265,000 which is about $2,300 US.  It is interesting to see stock features that help protect against “accidents,” and might help to make up for the more expensive price tag on this notebook.

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