Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
1) Ask the seller an actual picture of the item for sale. if it is not listed as actual item. Ask more pictures if you are still not satisfied. Also ask the seller what Mark or model the item listed for sale. There are significant differences between model of a toughbook(MK1, MK2, MK3, MK4 & etc.). The higher the Mark the higher the speed, graphics and chipset. Other seller don't want to list this mark cause this is also one way to fool novice buyer.
2) Make sure the unit has no or free of bios password. If there is, ask the seller If he knows what it is. If not, walk away unless you know what you are doing.
3) Ask the seller how many hours accumulated time on the bios page of the actual unit for sale. It is the most critical point on purchasing the unit mentioned. It will identified how the screen brightness is affected. Unless the unit is seating on the table or dock 24hrs., seven days a week and hibernating but for sure we didn't know where it came from.
a) A unit using a CCFL tube as their backlight like CF-30(all model), CF-52GUN....model and CF-19MK1-Mk2. When the unit hit around 8,000hrs. accumulated time on the bios. The brightness of the screen will be less than a half of what is on the detailed specs sheet. Like a 1,000nit value become only around 500 or less. It will be dim and sooner or later it will start to fail or burned the CCFL tube.
Note: The only solution is to replaced the screen with a good or brand new one or convert it to an LED backlight.
b) A unit using an LED backlight like CF-31(all model). When the unit reaches 10,000hrs. accumulated time on the bios. It has also have their own issues . It has a noticeable rolling effect on the screen like flickering when the unit came from sleep setting even though LED backlight last five time longer than CCFL tube. The problem is not the backlight but within the PWM on the driver component that need to be replaced. It is usually integrated on the LCD screen pcb board or sometimes separate. It depends on the model
Note: The only solution is to replaced the screen with a good or brand new one or the component mentioned above but that is only for the people who has a technical knowledge to accomplished this type of job.
4) CF-31 Toughbook LCD screen(all model): Ask the seller if the screen has no dreaded white spot. This is pretty common issues on this unit even if the unit has only a few hundred hrs. accumulated time or usage. This will identify by looking side way when the LCD is lighted on. It appear either one or multiple spot. If the seller refused to answer this question, walk away because it will be your problem later on.
5) GPS option: This is an option that buyer must be aware off. Some seller has an ability to confused or fooled buyers from their ads. There are two types of integrating a GPS option on the Fully Rugged Toughbook or maybe both of them.
a) Dedicated GPS: This option is the real deal. It has a dedicated GPS receiver that connected directly in to the motherboard and it is coupled with dedicated GPS antenna that can detect satellite directly from the space. There are numerous state of the art GPS receiver module on the market today but I preferred the U-Blox GPS receiver. This is the option that you will find into all of my unit. Even panasonic turned to U-blox module into their latest CF-31(MK5) and CF-19(MK8) toughbook. It can fixed satellite signal instantly so that you can use your Nav. Software or other software that need gps technology.
b) Standalone GPS: This option came from WWAN modem like Gobi2000, Gobi3000 and so on. It is embedded into a modem using a WWAN antenna. Seriously, it is a crap! If you have no idea what you are buying and this is most likely fooled you from other seller. We suspect that this is for advertisement purposes only. My friend has always saying; Maybe you are already on your destination but this thing haven’t yet fixed any single satellite, Lol...
Final Note:
Be very careful. Some seller can easily be fooled you, like on the GPS option. They don’t want to discuss it on detailed because they hide something. Sometimes they offer very cheap on refurbished unit that you almost can't resist. Cheaper unit doesn’t mean you’ve got a good deal or maybe because its "Black, Red, Blue, Yellow or whatever". The big answer is “NO!” Specifically for those unit with third party powder coated machine. Panasonic Toughbook LID cover has rubber sealing component into its siding to prevent entry of any elements. By powder coating this rubber sealing must be taken it off before to place the LID into oven. By not doing so the rubber seal will be burned out and if it will be taken off. There is a 100% chance to screwed it up cause it was held by a high strength adhesive. So, what happened is, it will compromised the entire LCD assembly. Think twice my friend before you pull the trigger. You must first considered the reliability of the unit itself by following my guide above.
Regarding the speed of the unit, sometimes they are exaggerated or go beyond to its normal specs so that to cheat/fool novice buyers. Instead of listing its normal speed, they listed its turbo boost speed on top of the tittle page. I called them a cheap shot by those seller. You must also not just look into its physical condition but also look into its technical detail of the listing. Others offer lifetime warranty and support but that is a BIG "joke!" Look on their feedback. They still charged you even if its only a week old transaction.
For those who already bought a second hand or refurbished unit. Specifically the CF-31 Toughbook, any mark. I challenged you to do this testing. Adjust the brightness into a half position and then set the unit into sleep. When the unit is at sleep, turn it "On" then observe the display screen if it has a rolling effect like flickering. When it does, your in trouble. Return it to your seller because sooner or later it will be obviously noticeable. Also consider guide no. 4
Other components like Harddrive, RAM, CD rom drive can easily be replaced and upgraded. Guide usually available on YUTUBE on how to do it.
If you followed my guide, you will have a unit that will be last for years and years to come but If you do want an adventure and want to learned a hard lesson, never mind my guide. Its your money anyway, Lol..... Good Luck and Happy Hunting.
ohlip/teo
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As usual, you have some good information. Thank you and keep it up!
"When ohlip speaks.....Toughbook owners listen ! "Last edited: Jan 23, 2016 -
This is a very good guide!...I'll add my two cents worth...
1. Seller does not list hours or worse yet the show a picture of the bios and photo shops out the hours!
2. Seller will install Ubuntu or the like or tell you that you have to install the drivers yourself. Believe me with the newer machines this can be up to 50 different drivers and applications that have to be installed in a certain order and manner. This can take most of an evening even IF you know what you are doing.. but when you can get a copy of the discs for $35 from Heartland by TOMORROW!!! it comes across as cheap and also misleading. Toughbooks run best on the OS from restore discs.
3.Painted or bed-linered machines, ie...the "Black Ops Commando Edition"...The paint/bed-liner IS going to chip and wear off. Exceptions are perhaps if they are stripped and then powder coated. Still though you have to break a seal on the machine to do it. I do give a two year "repair,replace or refund" warranty on all my machines, but still take Panasonics lead and void all warranties if the seal has been broken and damage occurs.
Now that being said there are Oem Black Toughbooks. These are primarily Canadian Models and were special ordered by the RCMP...my understanding is you have to order at least fifty to get them in black. (I have some MK5 CF-31's now that are Oem black and some black MK3 CF-19's) Someone here had a black CF-30 a few years back too. It's a great look for a Toughbook and I still have some mint condition black CF-28 MK1's. I even took a 1 gig/1 gig MK3 Board and put it in a Black MK1 body!
You can also get some "Let's Note" machines from Japan in some beautiful colors! I had a candy apple red CF-S10 and a CF-F10 that was silver!
4. Mis categorization. Watch out for machines listed as "Manufactured Refurbished" a lot of these are just refurbished by a certified Microsoft Refurbisher...Also if it has 10 hours on it it is USED...not "New Other"
5. Warranty, as mentioned "Free Customer Support" is usually worth exactly what you paid for it. There are some very knowledgeable and reputable sellers but in my experience only 20 or so independent sellers I would recommend. That being said all Toughbooks have at least a 3 year warranty that starts from date of manufacture (unless you purchase from an "Authorized Panasonic Reseller") The serial number will tell you this...the first number is the year and the next letter is the month. 6B=2016/February
6. Is the deal too good to be true? I have learned the hard way to be sure and call 1 800 Laptop5 and check to see if a machine is stolen. There are two list, be sure and have them check both. Still, this last year a guy kept putting up Mark 2 CF-C2's NIB really cheap...Cheaper than mine I had listed and I kept buying them so it wouldn't undercut my sales. I called and was told they were NOT stolen as far as they knew (not reported) Then I got a call from a detective in Alabama saying the guy had been hired to retro fit the machines with wwan cards and instead just sold them on eBay! Fortunately I still had all of the machines and PayPal of course refunded my money and the owner got their machines back
7. Now the word "Rare" when the machine didn't even come the way it is advertised! The only thing rare is if these sellers actually tell you the truth! As mentioned before there are some truly rare machines and I must admit I have a slight addiction to buying them...
8. Finally, a tire on the lid. Especially on a CF-19??? ;-) lol some of you will get this...
OK Rant over! My best advice is to stick to a new or near new Toughbook and you will be glad you did! It may cost a bit more but it is really worth it in the long run, TravisLast edited by a moderator: Jan 27, 2016 -
soooo ...
the guys that baked the powder coat did not remove that reaaaallly long "O-ring" before sticking it in the oven ?
yessir ... now there's some darwin award material ... if they haven't procreated yet .
Kent T likes this. -
It's a high temp o ring.
“How to buy a realiable refurbished fully rugged toughbook”
Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by ohlip, Dec 30, 2015.
