Panasonic Toughbooks - Any Opinions??

[Bg357]

Have any fellow Thinkpad owners used or owned a Toughbook?
I find them a very interesting proposition but am curious as to what kind of computer they actually are? Obviously, they're very rugged, which is why they're interesting, but are they user-friendly?

The fully rugged models I've seen don't seem to have CD/DVD drives. Is that common and if so, why?

I'd be interested in any random opinions from those who've used them.

[pianowizard]

I have never owned or even seen a Toughbook but some of them are AMAZINGLY light for their specs. Most notably, the Y4 and the Y5 have SXGA+ displays and internal DVD burners, but are only 3.4 pounds! The lightest Thinkpads with such specs (the T40, I think) weigh abount 5 lbs.