Panasonic Toughbook CF-W2

The story was much the same in 3D, as the CF-W2 uses Intel's on-board 855 graphics chip. This was only enough for 1,190 in 3DMark2001 SE at 1,024 x 768, 32-bit colour depth. The screen doesn't shine when playing games either, and the viewing angles are weak in relation to the competition. In its defence, though, it's pretty sharp and bright, and looks great in everyday apps like Word and Excel.

And to be fair to Panasonic, these are the sort of applications people will be using the Toughbook for most of the time. If you're looking for a solidly built, compact notebook that will last for much of a working day before conking out, the Toughbook is a fine option. When you add ruggedness and stylish design to the equation, it makes an even more appealing buy, despite the high price.

Author: Mark Walsh