Take a quick glance at the photographs and even the most avid of Toughbook laptop-spotters would have trouble noticing any revolutionary changes, but as Panasonic were keen to stress, the new models show the all the hallmarks of a subtle, careful evolution.

In fact, the most novel addition is a new variant of the semi-ruggedized CF-52 laptop. While the existing model sports a 15.4in, 1,280 x 800 pixel screen, Panasonic has gone back to the drawing board – at the behest of the MOD no less – and come back with a model with a 13.3in touchscreen.

The 13.3in display’s 1,024 x 768 resoution might come as a bit of a disappointment, but like the other models in the range it finds its vital statistics bolstered by LED backlighting and an impressive 1000nit brightness rating. And that modest resolution begins to make a great deal more sense when you consider that it now also boasts a pressure sensitive touchscreen, a choice which precludes the need for a dedicated stylus – although there is one mounted in the wide screen bezel if you need it – and allows users to navigate Windows with the prod of a finger. Other notable features include a spillproof keyboard, the ability to survive a 76cm fall and optional HSDPA. On sale from mid-February, the CF-52 demands an equally resilient bank balance, as it will be retailing at a hefty £1,851 excluding the VAT.

Turn your atttention to the CF-19 and CF-30 models and the chassis’ are as impressively stout as ever, with build quality that makes the average laptop feel distinctly delicate. However, Panasonic has also made them stronger than ever; redesigned corners improving rigidity and damage resistance over previous models. Like their semi-ruggedised compatriot, the CF-52 mk2, they too now share LED backlit screens with 1000nit brightness ratings, but the CF-30 mk3 adds an improved polarizing filter – a measure which allows the screen to remain legible in the most extreme of lighting conditions.

Look past the laptops armour-plated exterior and the Centrino 2 platform has now spread across the entire range, bringing low-voltage Core 2 Duo SU9300 processors to the CF-19 and CF-30 laptops along with Intel WiFi Link wireless modules. Single platter hard drives maximise shock resistance while claimed battery life figures have swelled thanks to the better energy-efficiency of the LED-backlit panels.

If you’re in the market for a hard-knock portable then stay tuned for the forthcoming PC Pro review. Rest assured we’ll be unleashing the full fury of our most heavy-handed staff members (Yes, I’m looking at you, Mike) to make sure we give them a suitably rough and tumble stay in PC Pro’s labs.

Panasonic has today unveiled the latest refresh of its Toughbook range. Three models have been launched – the 12.1in CF-W8 and CF-T8 models and the all-new 14.1in CF-F8.

They don’t just look tough, however. All the Toughbooks boast the usual 76cm drop resistance, and are rated to cope with 100kg of weight bearing down on their lids. Meanwhile, the keyboards and trackpads are designed to withstand accidental water spillages thanks to a neat drainage system which funnels water away from the delicate components.

The 1.28kg W8 and 1.39kg T8 share the same 12.1in display but while they look startlingly similar, the T8 does away with the optical drive and opts for a touchscreen instead. There’s the full complement of Centrino 2 hardware with both models sharing low-voltage Core 2 Duo SU9300 processors, 3GB of DDR2 memory and a mechanical 120GB hard disk.

Draft-n and Bluetooth are accompanied by optional HSDPA and security is equally comprehensive with fingerprint readers and TPM 1.2 chips coming as standard.

But, although the lack of an SSD seems a curious omission, the Toughbooks boast the usual semi-ruggedised features. The hard disk is buffered by a refined damper system which Panasonic claims is more effective than the previous 7-series, and the whole build feels just that bit more reassuringly burly.

In our time with the various models we found that the magnesium chassis’ felt noticeably stiffer than that of its predecessors.

But, the real star of the show is the new CF-F8. It’s the first compact widescreen model in Panasonic’s range, yet despite a generous 14.1in display it weighs in at an impressive 1.6kg. That’s no match for the likes of Sony’s astoundingly light Z-Series, nor the recently announced TT-range for that matter, but it has a few tricks up its sleeve.

The integrated handle combines with the F8’s semi-ruggedised chassis to allow you to do away with a laptop bag altogether, and the  wide, comfy handle makes it feel much lighter than the 1.6kg figure suggests.

Battery life only stretches to a somewhat underwhelming six hours, but Panasonic claims that its battery technology allows the six-cell batteries boast two to three year life cycles – a figure which they claim is significantly ahead of their competition.

The CF-F8 also boasts an improved specification over its stablemates. The Core 2 Duo SP9300 processor is matched with 3GB of DDR2 memory and a 160GB hard drive. It also shares its siblings’ wireless and security features, with Draft-n, Bluetooth, a fingerprint reader and TPM 1.2 chip all present and correct.

Pricing is typically extravagant across the entire 8-series, with the CF-W8 costing £1,435; the CF-T8 £1,530 and the F8 cruising to a cool £1,628. That’s excluding VAT in case you were wondering.

The range won’t be on sale until late November, but Panasonic have promised us a handful of pre-production models in the next couple of weeks. Until then, keep a close eye on our latest reviews  for the full lowdown.