News
Panasonic introduces Toughbooks with Intel’s Menlow platform
13 March 2008
Panasonic introduced two new Toughbook models at the CeBIT computer
trade show in Germany last week. These were a mobile clinical assistant
(MCA) device purpose-built for the healthcare market, and an
extremely-rugged handheld ultra mobile PC (UMPC) for field-use (see
photo below).
Both devices will use Intel’s Menlow platform based on its new
low-power architecture — consisting of the Silverthorne processor and
the Poulsbo chipset. Intel announced in January that the first shipments
of the Menlow platform would be made in the first half of 2008.
The Panasonic UMPC
The new computing devices, which are currently under development, are
aimed at healthcare, government, military, and commercial applications.
They are expected to be on the market during 2008-2009.
Panasonic claims the MCA is the first of its type in the world to use
the Menlow platform. Designed for hand-held use, it is is a lightweight,
spill-resistant, drop-tolerant and easily disinfected mobile device,
that meets the highest demands for mobility and networking within an
existing IT landscape. The MCA will allow wireless connection to
hospital IT systems, giving mobile access to patient records and
enhancing clinical workflow.
“I consider the development of the MCA is extremely important. I am
delighted that Panasonic valued the contribution of nurses, where 100
nurses met with their design team to develop hardware which supports
nurses in their practice. Technology will continue to evolve and I am
confident the continual involvement of Nurses at design and
implementation is essential — after all they will be the people to use
it,” said Barbara Stuttle CBE, National Clinical Lead for Nursing.
The UMPC is aimed at customers within the PDA/handheld market who
have a high demand for extremely-rugged PCs. It will offer a combination
of concept, technology and ergonomics designed to give computer and
network access to field-based professionals. It is designed for those
working in areas such as public safety, telecoms and utility company
field services, healthcare and construction.
“Panasonic and Intel have had a history of innovation in developing
ruggedized mobile devices, and the Panasonic UMPC and MCA are the latest
examples of that tradition. Intel’s Menlow platform based on our new low
power Intel architecture, combined with Panasonic’s leadership position
in the rugged mobile market, is delivering devices that offer the best
experience in innovative form factors,” said Anand Chandrasekher, Intel
senior vice president and general manager of the company Ultra Mobility
Group.
|