Matsushita plans waterproof laptop

The new laptop from Matsushita Electric, famous for its Panasonic brand, is unlikely to break even if water is spilled onto its keyboard, the Japanese electronics maker said Monday.

The new Let's Note CF-Y5 features a waterproof sheet and special drainage system that protects the hard drive and circuit board from light water damage, Matsushita said in a statement.

The CF-Y5 can withstand a force equivalent to a maximum 220 pounds — offering extra protection in packed commuter trains — the Osaka-based maker said.

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The laptop is expected to hit Japanese stores on May 19 with a price tag of around 265,000 yen (US$2,300; euro1,860.09).

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Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. is among the many Japanese electronics makers that have struggled in recent years amid tough competition from rivals in South Korea, China and Taiwan.

But the company posted a rise in profits and raised its earnings projections earler this year, thanks to robust sales in flat panel TVs, digital cameras, personal computers, computer chips and batteries.