Panasonic Toughbook CF-W8 NEW w/3-yr warranty for $402 shipped!

Great portable machine. Not exactly current specs, but roughly $300 less than anywhere else. New, not refurbed. 3-year warranty.

https://www.toughonline.com/busines...4963,bx1869,bx1871,bx1874,cb12720?item=389481

Shows as $899. Use coupon code TBW8F&F

Comes with XP Pro installed + Vista Business CD.



Vid:

YouTube - panasonic w8 amazing notebook

Review:

Review Panasonic Toughbook CF-W8 Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

Specs:

The Panasonic Toughbook W8.

The World’s Lightest 12/1” Laptop with DVD Burner.

The business-rugged Toughbook W8 is built to handle up to a 30" drop, as well as the bangs and bumps of a hectic day. And it’s well equipped with Wi-Fi and optional embedded GobiTM 3G global mobile Internet (WWAN) that connects just about anywhere your cell phone can. Add to that increased processing power and a spill-resistant keyboard and touchpad, and you get a laptop that lets you do more than you ever expected. And not just at your desk.

SOFTWARE
•Genuine Windows XP Pro SP2(with Windows Vista Business upgrade option)
•Setup, Diagnostics, DMI Viewer, Online Reference Manual, Adobe Reader, Hard Disk Data Erase Utility, Recovery DVD, WinDVD 8, Easy Media Creator 10
CPU
•Intel Core 2 Duo Processor SU9300
–3MB L2 cache
–Processor speed 1.20GHz
–800MHz FSB
STORAGE & MEMORY
•2GB SDRAM (DDR2-533) standard
•160GB hard drive (shock-mounted and removable
•DVD Super MULTI Drive with Dual Layer Support
DISPLAY
•12.1" 1024 x 768 XGA TFT active matrix color LCD
•External video support up to 1920 x 1200 at 16.7 million colors
•Intel GS45 (GMA 4500MHD video controller), max. 285MB (UMA) VRAM
•Anti-glare coating
AUDIO
•Analog Devices AD1883 compliant audio codec
•Intel high-definition audio compliant
•Integrated speaker
•Convenient keyboard volume controls (Fn+F5/F6 keys)
EXPANSION SLOTS
•PC card type II x 1
•SD card (SDHC)
KEYBOARD & INPUT
•83-key with dedicated Windows Key
•Electrostatic touchpad with circular scrolling
INTERFACE
•Mini dock box replicator 50-pin
•External video D-sub 15-pin
•Headphones/speaker Mini-jack stereo
•Microphone/line in Mini-jack stereo
•USB 2.0 (x 3) 4-pin
•10/100/1000 Ethernet RJ-45
•56K Modem RJ-11
WIRELESS
•Optional integrated Gobi 3G global mobile Internet (WWAN)
•Intel Wireless WiFi Link 5100 802.11a/b/g/draft-n
•Bluetooth v.2.0 + EDR (Class 1); not available with fingerprint scanner
•Security
–Authentication: LEAP, WPA, 802.1x, EAP-TLS, EAP-FAST, PEAP
–Encryption: CKIP, TKIP, 128-bit and 64-bit WEP, Hardware AES
•Slide on/off switch
POWER SUPPLY
•Lithium ion battery pack (10.8V, 5800mAh)
•Battery operation: approximately 7 hours
•Battery charging time: TBD
•AC Adapter: AC 100V-240V 50/60Hz, auto sensing/switching worldwide power supply
•Pop-up, on-screen battery status reporting
POWER MANAGEMENT
•Suspend/Resume Function, Hibernation, Standby, ACPI BIOS
•Economy mode
SECURITY FEATURES
•Password Security: Supervisor, User, Hard Disk Lock
•Cable lock slot
•Trusted platform module (TPM) security chip v.1.2
•Computrace theft protection agent
•Optional fingerprint scanner available at future date (eliminates Bluetooth)
WARRANTY
•3-year limited warranty, parts and labor
DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT
•8.4"(L) x 10.7"(W) x 1.4"-1.9"(H)
•Approximately 3.0 lbs.
INTEGRATED OPTIONS
•Global Mobile Broadband Internet –Gobi TM Technology (EV-DO Rev. A., HSPA)

 

Wow. I think I may have to return my Dell Mini netbook I just got and opt for this beast. The netbook cost ~$240 shipped. But this is actually probably more powerful with the SU9300 over the Atom N450, not to mention the durability. Dimensions are a little bigger in this panasonic, but same weight. $160 more. Not to mention I always wanted to try a toughbook.

 

I'm eyeing your "FireFly"

 

That's really the only reason I bought one. It's not like I *need* another laptop in any way, but they've got a good rep and at this price point it's good experimentation fodder.

The RAM appears to be easily accessible, but I'm not so sure about the HDD, nor am I sure of the HDD interface or form factor. Would be interesting to see what both the performance and battery life are like with an SSD swapped in.

 

Yeah. I'll probably just use it "as-is" for a while. It'll be a fun toy more or less. Let my kids try to destroy it, or at least learn to use a computer. Would much rather put Win 7 on it though.

Firefly isn't going anywhere.

 

Interesting way to implement an optical drive.

 

Well, top-load does have obvious advantages in the durability department.

 

Wow, a current modern day 4:3 aspect ratio computer... Haven't seen those since 2006!

 

it takes micro ram dims.

 

i do believe i see an express slot on it which would you mean you could hook it up to a diy video card thing.

 

I certainly didn't mean to imply it's bad. Just unusual that's all. Btw from that review.... that thing is 5cm thick? Talk about rugged laptop. :My M17x is thinner!

 

Tell me how it goes when if you accidentally knock your laptop off a 3 ft tall desk with an initial horizontal velocity...

 

i wonder if its possible to swap out the odd for another hdd

 

Yeah that's definitely what I do daily with my laptop. Oh wait...

 

I bet this uses the zif thing hdds that are so slow. the old school ipod size hdds.


if it doesnt, then i bet it uses the mini sata hdds which max out at 250 gb. which would be cool.

 

Apparently not. Looks to be standard 2.5" SATA interface. See below.

 

Looks like standard DDR2 as well.

 

Intel X25 SDD was one of the upgrade options on this notebook (not on this website but through panasonic directly) so it looks like any 2.5" SATA SDD will work. Memory upgrade is a single 2GB DDR2 5300 or 6400 stick according to crucial memory finder. Anyone know what kind of chipset this has? Is FSB 800 or 667 mHz?

 

SU9300 datasheet says it's an 800MHz processor and GS45 supports up to 800MHz DDR2, so I'm assuming 800MHz. But you never know.

 

Memory timing is controlled by chipset, not CPU.

 

Sheesh, let me finish my thought will ya!?

Either way if CPU was only 667MHz then chances are memory wouldn't run at 800MHz.

 

Sweet little laptop, at a very tempting, hard to beat price! Nice alternative to a netbook. Sooo tempting.

Does anyone know how many memory slots there are? 1 or 2. In doing some reading I found that some of these sold thru other vendors came with 3gb of RAM which would indicate 2 slots with one slot either being hidden and one upgradeable.

 

Based on what heavyharmonies posted, looks like a single RAM slot unless there's another hidden inside somewhere.

 

according to this post http://forum.notebookreview.com/7159844-post14.html it can handle 4gb, so that is good. I'm soooo tempted, as it would be a great knock around replacement for my old dell d600.

 

1 GB soldered on the motherboard and 1 open slot that can handle up to 2 gb

 

I want one.

Id like to sell my acer does someone want it? 150

 

Anyone get charged or confirmation of shipment yet? Running quickly into the 14 days...

 

Just remember guys this is not one of there Fully Rugged units. This unit WILL handle 100% more than any typical laptop sold at BB that's for sure.

This is a awesome deal. I just ran across it myself and was shocked. I own nothing but the Fully Rugged models and it would be nice to play around with one of these.

The main reason why Panasonic does not install the latest, greatest technology or hardware is that 95% of there buyers/users hold onto these units forever and "typically" are not running high end software programs on them. Panasonic builds these things for one reason mainly, and that is to be dependable. In 10 years from now it will be working, the power inlet won't be broken off the Motherboard because it's not even on the Motherboard. Get my drift........ Check us out over at the Toughbook section and you can ask away until you have had enough!

 

Is the aspect ratio non wide screen? A 12.1" screen with 1024x768 resolution doesn't sound like wide screen.

I hate wide screens and if this Panny isn't wide screen i'd pick one up if it were available.

 

Not widescreen. It's the "old" 4:3 1024x768.

I know these aren't fully rugged, but I want something for my little boys to play with. Will most likely be plugged into an old 1024x768 15" monitor I have, but at least I know if they drop it on the floor or spill crap on it, it's a lot more likely to keep on ticking. Just hoping there is no issue with finding Windows 7 drivers for it.

 

No it is not. One of my models has the same graphics setup as this one. On an external monitor set at 1386 X 866 (I think) it is perfectly crisp and picture perfect. My son has a Lenovo T410 with the Intel 5 Series, pretty well equipped model with very good graphic specs. My external monitor display picture is much better than his, using the exact same monitor for testing.

If I could please add this one bit of advice to anybody that is going to get a Toughbook computer. USE the Panasonic drivers, you will be a much happier camper There hardware may seem like the same as on another computer but Panasonic themselves or has the manufacture change it to there specs. Intel for example. It sort of all works in conjunction with each other, an dif you mess that up it will not run as fast or well for you. They are very good at getting the maximum performance out of some hardware. BTW, they design and make all the parts in house themselves with a few exceptions of course.

You will get a full set of Recovery CD's of Vista and XP Professional. A huge benefit these days. You get 3 years of warranty. If you were to have a problem they will pay to overnight it in and back. You will have it back on the 3rd day. You can't beat that!

 

Well, I'm certain Panasonic uses the stock drivers, especially for a machine like this unless Panasonic tuned certain hardware specifically for the machine. And the widescreen 16:9 resolution would be 1366x768.

 

Yeah maybe i'm wrong but if you hook up an external monitor the drivers should detect it's aspect ratio and resolution so that would change but a 12.1" monitor at 1024x768 should be non wide screen.

 

Right. My comments were two separate issues. Hooking an external monitor has no bearing on drivers, well, except video to detect the external monitor. Video drivers should be able to run at any resolution that the monitor supports (up to a certain maximum pixels).

 

That is my whole point. They do not use the stock Intel drivers and such. Panasonic will take a driver, let's say Intel for example, and tweak it to there specs. When I run the Intel Driver Utility it will come back with " The drivers for this machine are not supported by Intel" Then it goes on to say that I need to get the drivers from Panasonic blah blah blah. If I were to load the basic driver from Intel for the Wireless card, or for the Chipset it will not operate properly. The Fn/Hotkeys will be all messed up, the wireless performance drops big time. Using the proper drivers my WLAN will detect and connect before the rest of the desktop functions are finished when booting up. If I use the stock intel drivers it will take a considerable amount of time, and it will not connect coming out of sleep or hibernation. These are just examples. Panasonic makes it very easy to get there drivers, don't get me wrong. If you are doing a clean install they have a PDF that will explain exactly what order you install the drivers and such. They actually make it very easy for you, the only thing is that it is picky about the order of install and such. Once you get used to how they do things it's very easy.

I am just simply trying to give you guys my perspective on the Toughbooks. They are a different breed for sure. Absolutley no bloatware at all. You get there software programs and some you don't even have to use, Adobe, TPM, Toshiba BT Stack and a couple of others but that's it. You only get what you need, no more, no less. They have a great battery recalibration program for example that is very useful.

Good luck to anybody that get's one. You will become addicted very quickly to the Toughbook. Come on over to our section, we have some awesome Toughbook guys over there that have done some amazing things to these machines. There are even a couple of guys that work for Panasonic Toughbook that hang out witn us sometimes.

 

Thanks. They do have Windows 7 drivers available at their website. One huge package 623MB. Downloading now. Still haven't heard about shipping of this laptop though.

 

There has been allot of mix ups about the orders on this lappy. There is a good thread over on slickdeals about it. Panasonic Toughbook CF-W8: Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 CPU, 2GB DDR2, 160GB HD, DVDRW, 12.1" (1024 x 768) LCD, WiFi N, 3 Yr warranty, Win XP $402 - Slickdeals.net Looks like BizCo may have oversold some. I wish I had jumped on the deal myself, had it in cart a few times but always backed out. It really is a nice little machine even for being a couple of years old tech.

 

You're not kidding. The company in question was clearly out of their league with respect to handling something of this quantity.

I ended up not receiving one, yet people who ordered after I did got theirs. Bizco/toughonline clearly did not use a FIFO queue with respect to order processing.

Yes, they sold a lot of units, but they also generated a lot of ill will...

 

Great, so sound like I won't be getting this lappy then. I ordered on the 12th and responded to their email on the 12th and haven't heard anything yet. I mean how hard can it be to handle. If they can't deliver then they at least need to respond with an email stating as such.

 

What a load of crap. I ordered 2/12 and based on other deals sites many people ordered after that and got theirs. I emailed them inquiring about my order and here's the response I got:

If your card has NOT already been charged, your order will NOT be processed. We have committed all of our w8 inventory and we are not able to take additional orders. If you have an outstanding order that has NOT been charged to your card already, that order will be automatically cancelled.

As we clearly outlined in the terms of this program, we reserve the right to cancel any order for any reason. We would like to fulfill each and every order, however, due to the limited availability of this product, we will be unable to fulfill all of the demand.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. If you have additional interest in Panasonic Toughbook products, please visit our website at Tough Online | Welcome

Thanks again!

The Direct Sales Team

Now, " we reserved the right to cancel any order for any reason" is a complete cop out for a poorly handled situation. Sure you can cancel for any reason but you need to provide the reason. And just because isn't a valid reason. They just screwed up.

 

Any luck htwingnut??

 

Nope. I wrote a nastygram to "Bizco" though. They responded pretty quickly, but said they didn't have my response to their "terms and conditions" email. I forwarded my email as an attachment showing I responded 30 minutes after they sent it to me. Then he said they'd see if they could expedite my order. Haven't heard back since.

Not only that, expedite my order? It's been 3 weeks!