Superb business-rugged ultra-light with optical drive gets yet another tech upgrade
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

Panasonic's T and W Series of semi-rugged ultralights are remarkable achievements, and clearly the choice of those who value compact size and weight above all else. For those who want more, specifically in the display department where larger always seems to be better, well, the Y-Series is the answer. It has a larger 14.1-inch display with stunning picture quality and very high 1400 x 1050 pixel resolution. It also has an optical drive, yet the machine remains very compact and very light.

The Y7 continues the Y-Series tradition (and Panasonic's tradition of incrementing the number in the name with each new update) and there aren't many changes. The switch was primarily necessitated by moving from an older 1.66GHz Core DUo L2400 chip to a newer 1.6GHz Core 2 Duo L7500 processor. In the process, Panasonic also added memory. The base configuration now comes with a gigabyte of PC2-4200 memory and RAM can now be upgraded to 2GB. Battery capacity remains at a generous 61 watt-hours, so despite the more powerful Core 2 Duo chip expect about 5.5 hours running time between charges, just a half hour less than the Y5 offered. The hard disk increased from 60 to 80GB, you now get gigabit LAN, and, best of all, you also get a DVD MULTI drive with dual layer capability. Weight remains the same at just 3.7 pounds.

The price remains on the high side among today's ever less costly notebooks, but the Y7 with its super hi-res display and integarted optical drive in a very compact and light machine is worth it.

With the introduction of the Toughbook F8 in September 2008, the "Y" Series may well have come to an end.