A Road Less Traveled - Please Help!

It started with the Sony SZ160. I was very impressed with the machine... for the first week. Then I began to have problems with the software (hibernation/standby) and I began to become very sensitive to its blemishes (flexing keyboard, plastic hingers, etc). After three SZ's with similiar problems I moved on to...

The Thinkpad "Z" series. A very nice machine, indeed. However, wanting the core duo, means I will have to wait and wait and wait. Also, the screen - even if a SWGA+ becomes an option for the 14 inch "t" - is not as bright as I would ideally like. In addition, there have been complaints about the ABS plastic body.

That brings me to the just introduced Panasonic CF-74. I discovered this model when one of this site's readers mentioned Panasoinc offers a 500 nit laptop!

This model offers core duo and a 460 nit, touch pad screen. From the pictures I was very impressed. It is a most unusual, very cool looking piece of hardware. Adding to the mystique is the fact that although I live in LA it has been impossible to find a unit (the CF73 included) to see in person. I have spoken to five people around the country who have used the CF series and all agree this is one high quailty laptop. By the way, Panasonic told me thier failure rate is less than 5% compared to 30% with other manufacturers.

I know the weight is close to 6 pounds but all the folks I have spoken with claim that because of its built in handle the CF73 feels as light as a 3 pound laptop (and you do not need a case!)

My laptop will be used for general purpose only. I want a laptop that is as disinctive as a porsche and built like an SUV.

If anyone has any knowledge of this line please post. I want as much information before ordering this VERY coslty laptop (with blue tooth and 1 gig it will run about $3500). But don't forget they, like porsche, keep the same design for several years at a time.

Thanks!

 

I saw this one today actually. Panny makes a very solid notebook, some of the most durable on the market. You're going to pay for it, but if that's not a problem, I don't see any reason to avoid them.

 

Hi Brian:

First, I was hoping you would reply. Thanks.

Second, could you please share your initial impressions as to the screen (super bright and clear?), keyboard (no flex?)... and the overall "cool" factor.

One other question - I am not familiar with the graphics card - Mobile Intel 945GM Express Chipset, DVMT up to 128MB. My kids asked me to ask you if it was powerful enough to play the latest games?

Your opinion means a great deal.

 

Sorry to dissapoint the kids, but not a chance. I believe that chipset sports the integrated Intel Graphics Media Acclerator (GMA) 950, which shares the system memory. DVMT refers to "Dyamic Video Memory Technology", a feature of Intel's graphics drivers that regulates the amount of memory used given the task currently being run. Great for business use, lousy for games.

Unfortunately when you make a notebook that has a mostly closed case to make it dust and water resistant, there is less opportunity to engineer a solution to effectively exhaust the heat the machine is inevitably going to produce. So sacrifices have to be made, including leaving out a graphics processor that produces more horsepower and thus more heat.

 

Why not a T60 which has the Core Duo and better gaming options like the x1400. It also has the best laptop keyboard known to man.

 

And is pretty tough in it's own right, as well.

 

Thanks for the feedback on the video card and T60 - it's people like you that make this site such a fantastic resource!

I know it's just me - but I am not crazy about the T60 (even thugh the world sings it praises). I much prefer the feel of the Z60t.

The game issue is not a deal breaker for me - the kids will have to play their games on their hardware!

By the way - have either of you seen the CF 74 (or 73) in person?

I think Brian is one of the few people on earth that has put his hands on this new lappy...

 

I have not, and I think you're going to have a tough time finding anyone who has who hasn't actually purchased it because Panasonic does not seem to do much selling (if any) through brick and mortar retailers like Circuit City, CompUSA, etc. For some reason they just don't seem to market their computer business in North America as heavily as they do some other countries.

 

Germans have medicine for your problem.

Simply buy Porsche Cayenne V8 turbo.

Hamman tuned...
http://www.sportbilen.se/bilder/bilder/hamannporsche.jpg

or in my opinion "Uber alles"...

http://automobile.2405.com/automobi...speed_EDAG_Chopster/10_Rinspeed_Edag_2405.jpg