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    Any USA-based Toughbook retailers w/ physical storefront?

    Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by Core Team, Apr 12, 2011.

  1. Core Team

    Core Team Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is there anywhere in the continental US where I can walk into a store, and demo a few different Toughbook models? And by "a few", I mean pretty much every Panasonic laptop with an i5 processor. I'm having trouble deciding between a CF-52 and a CF-31 and a CF-F9 and a CF-C1 and .... etc

    Aside: Does anyone know when Panasonic is going to put in Sandy Bridge?
     
    Core Team, Apr 12, 2011
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  2. mcompton1973

    mcompton1973 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am not saying there are not any...but I have never heard of one.
     
    mcompton1973, Apr 12, 2011
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  3. Rob

    Rob Toughbook Aficionado

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    Abt Electronics over by me in the Chicagoland region used to (about 1 ago) have CF-52's, CF-T series, and the W series... I'm searching their website and not finding any results now...

    At any rate they never had FULLY RUGGED ones for sale, and at the time the fastest CPU for the CF-52 was a 2.26 Core 2 Duo.

    Aside: Search the forum for "sandy bridge lets notes" ;)
     
    Rob, Apr 12, 2011
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  4. Core Team

    Core Team Notebook Enthusiast

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    I looked at the lets note thread, maybe i'm missing something?

    Does Panasonic usually update their line every 6 months? Dying for the sandy bridge 52 right now
     
    Core Team, Apr 20, 2011
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  5. Rob

    Rob Toughbook Aficionado

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    Also, I have a storefront and will show you more Toughbooks than you'd care to see! :)

    Proton Computers Inc:
    720 S. Main Street
    Lombard, IL 60148

    Have fun! :)
     
    Rob, Apr 20, 2011
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  6. mnementh

    mnementh Crusty Ol' TinkerDwagon

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    Since CompUSA went toes up, I cannot think of any nationwide chain that regularly sells ToughBooks to the retail sector; even then, the selection was usually like 2 models from each primary product line. I NEVER saw more than 7 or 8 models on a showroom floor.

    In this age of $500 name-brand machines, it's pretty hard to sell a $6,000 laptop to Joe Blow off the street; any Joe with that much Blow to blow probably has a personal shopper.

    mnem
    Blew it.
     
    mnementh, Apr 20, 2011
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  7. Comptronic

    Comptronic Notebook Consultant

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    It is rare in the USA. I have never seen one. The only time I have ever seen Toughbooks on display (besides at work :D) is at Trade Shows.

    Also, the CF-53 will be coming out shortly, as well as the Mk 2 CF-31 (so I heard). I am not 100% sure, but I don't know if it will have a Sandy Bridge in it.

    As it is now, I have a CF-52 and love it. I also like the CF-31. I am not a fan of the "business" rugged line.
     
    Comptronic, Apr 21, 2011
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  8. Rob

    Rob Toughbook Aficionado

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    GET IN DA CHOPPA!

    Yeah, because most dumb people can't "justify spending $6000 for a laptop, when the $600 Dull is "better""... !

    It's okay, we all know why we're better than everyone else ;)

    *COUGH*
     
    Rob, Apr 21, 2011
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  9. TopCop1988

    TopCop1988 Toughbook Aficionado

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    I don't remember off-hand if I related this incident in this Forum or not, but here goes:

    Many, MANY moons ago < ;)>, the local Panasonic Military Products rep came to the Texas Army National Guard Armory in North Dallas, demonstrating the Toughbook (time frame: probably a CF-27 or CF-28) to the troops on weekend drill.

    We were in the middle of the main building (a semi-open, concrete floored "parade" area) where he took the running Toughbook, closed the lid, then flung it across the floor; bouncing it off the cinder block wall. :eek:

    He proceeded to pick it up and fling it back towards the center of the area, then ran over the unit with a HUMVEE (a/k/a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or HMMWV); after which he picked up the Toughbook and opened it up to show us that it was, in fact, still operating and relatively undamaged (scratches and tire marks notwithstanding ;)).

    Try that with a $600 Dεll laptop! :rolleyes:
     
    TopCop1988, Apr 21, 2011
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  10. Core Team

    Core Team Notebook Enthusiast

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    I accidentally dropped my Dull (5 yr old e1705) from about 3 ft to the floor a week ago. The left side of the monitor housing cracked open to reveal a plasticky hinge, which managed to break loose from the bottom half of the machine. It's hanging by its last threads. And now it's got the XP "Security Center" virus on top of that.

    I need a CF-53 right now!
     
    Core Team, Apr 21, 2011
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  11. mnementh

    mnementh Crusty Ol' TinkerDwagon

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    I think we've established that there aren't any Joe Blows on this forum; if there were, we'd be seeing them on the Acer boards...

    mnem
    ACER Computer = All Crap Electronics Recycled Computer
     
    mnementh, Apr 21, 2011
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  12. eno801

    eno801 Guest

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    I think Rugged Depot down here in Magnolia, TX has a store front. I have not been it is about 20 minutes away from Houston, but they are fully stocked as I have gotten various parts from them.
     
    eno801, Apr 21, 2011
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  13. TopCop1988

    TopCop1988 Toughbook Aficionado

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    Rugged Depot: "We Don't Do Fragile" ;)
     
    TopCop1988, Apr 21, 2011
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  14. Rob

    Rob Toughbook Aficionado

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    Rugged Depot is a good vendor! Ray took care of me on my CF-31! We buy LOTS of stuff from him in bulk too :)
     
    Rob, Apr 21, 2011
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  15. gijoe4us

    gijoe4us Notebook Consultant

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    I too have used Rugged Depot to purchase parts for my work CF-18 MK II and my personal CF-19 MK IV. Very courteous, prompt, and reasonable. Take a trip if you need to do the hands on thing and write it off for business.
     
    gijoe4us, Apr 28, 2011
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