Panasonic Toughbook 54 Officially "Semi-Rugged"

It's time to bring heat to the "semi-rugged" laptop environment with the Panasonic Toughbook 54. So suggests Panasonic this week as they unveil this laptop that they also suggest is the thinnest and lightest in its class. This machine works with a 5th-gen Intel Core i5 vPro professor, a battery that they say will last 11 hours, and the option for a replaceable battery that'll last 18 hours. This Toughbook 54 laptop is made for mobile workers – people in the field with construction, field service, utilities, and video production.

And what is this "semi-rugged" business? It's a term that Panasonic loves to use. They suggest their line of products "created and continues to define the semi-rugged category."

To make this semi-rugged device a reality, they've gone ahead and dispensed with the same "rugged" claims that some of their slightly more hardcore notebooks come with. Instead, this device is only slightly more rugged than your average laptop.

The Toughbook 54 works with a full MIL-STD-810G and IP5x magnesium alloy case with a handle. This notebook works with resistance to spills and drops as well.

Four unique versions of the Toughbook 54 will be made available: Lite, Prime, Gloved Multi Touch and Performance.

Inside you'll find Intel HD Graphics 5500 for most models as well as AMD FirePro M5100 graphics for the performance model.

There's an optional 1000 nit touchscreen with 10-point multi-touch model as well. The "Gloved" edition works with touch in a way that requires no de-gloving to operate.

The Panasonic Toughbook 54 will be available through your favorite Panasonic retailer for "an estimated street price" of $1,499 USD. Each unit comes with a standard 3-year warranty.