Are ToughPads and ToughBooks good ThinkPad replacements?

I heard that modern Panasonic laptops are built better than modern ThinkPads. Can anyone who owns newer models (2012+) from both sides comment on that?

 

This should be an interesting thread.....

 

Toughbooks are designed to be rugged and are fully certified for military use. Thinkpads have passed some of the certification tests (8, I believe), but not all. So Toughbooks should be more durable when used in extreme conditions.

Of course, if you're choosing between a Toughbook or a Thinkpad, there are other considerations aside from durability. For instance, Toughbooks are considerably more expensive and typically underpowered compared to Thinkpads. And if you're not going to be using the system in extreme conditions, either system will likely be durable enough. Also, from what I've read, Lenovo support is better than Panasonic support. So I'd only recommend a Toughbook if you really need THE most durable system out there, whereas Thinkpads are easier to recommend for a wide range of situations.

 

There are different "levels" or styles of toughbooks to consider also. Fully rugged, semi rugged and business class machines. I don't think it would be a fair comparison a fully rugged model to a standard thinkpad.

My newest models are under the 2012 mark so I can't really give you a comparisson between the newest two. I know we have had some problems with the company owned thinkpads at work. Most of that has been user inflected. (dropped, virus, IT dept thinking they are fixing it when all they did was bandaid patch it.

 

It's a Tough call...

On a business level, Panasonic support is second to none. I've maintained a fleet of 800+ units at one time, and these guys were terrific to work with. Then again, my employer happens to be a rather large customer, so I guess we were treated with kid gloves.

That might have changed, but I haven't heard any complaints from the team that handles the same task now.

Panasonic doesn't have an answer to a workstation-class unit like W5*0, because neither CF-52 nor CF-53 will compare favourably to it in benchmarks.

Having said that, my personal *work* machine is a CF-52, while my "personal personal" laptops are still ThinkPads.

I've seen the guts of just about every ThinkPad built in '97 or later, as well as the inside of quite a few Panasonics, included non-rugged Let's Note models.

ThinkPads are a joy to work on, Panasonics are sheer hell when compared to them, but there's a reason for it. Always.

However, if you know how to inspect and check small details for proper QC, Panasonics win hands down.

My point being, there's really no fair comparison between the two. One's priorities will dictate the eventual purchase, presuming that the funds are not a problem.

My $0.02 only...

 

iPADs, ThinkPADs, whatever... I would never depend on anything for rugged service named after a feminine hygiene product!

 

Well I have 2 new one's. a CF-53mk1 and a CF-52MK4 and I DON'T OWN A THINKPAN . I like to be able to use my laptop anywhere and not worry about it. ThinkPads are made for the desk, if you take them out you need to pack it up in a padded case. A Toughbook you just grab and go. Are Toughbooks under powered...well mine are fast but can a ThinkPad run on battery for 6-8 hours, my Toughbook can. I could go on for hours like this... dude just get a Toughbook. You will thank me

 

Hmmm..... I would never consider "I" "THINK" to be feminine...........

Sorry to any ladies out there............
Sometimes it's just too easy to pass up

 

I'd love to have one of these...

 

The answer is yes... Toughbooks are more reliable than any other laptop! Panasonic Toughbooks have a failure rate of just 3.7% while Lenovo and Dell are up in the 10% - 15% category. Combine that with their durability and you have a hands-down winner!

I started modding Toughbooks back in 2007... While experimenting on different mods I can't tell you how many times I shorted the wrong thing or backwards wired something in an effort to learn more about it. After flogging myself for doing something stupid... I'd boot it up and prepare for the worst. They boot right back up! The only time I ever did any type of damage to a Toughbook by modding was to blow a screen fuse on a CF-28... It was easily replaced.

If you want speed... Just pop in a SSD, do some tweaking and move on!

 

I re read the OP..The question was ask if Toughbooks are built better. It does not mention speed. Built better is a relative term.
Which is built better? A Military tank or a Ferrari formula 1 car? Both are built very good for their intended design.
How important is easy serviceability? If it's important then a Toughbook may not be a good choice. If crazy high durability rates are important, then a Toughbook is the choice.
What software needs to be run? What is the working environment? Very seldom do we actually NEED the fastest computer available. Nor do we need (or are able to afford)the latest software. 64bit Windows 7 is a perfect example. Unless you have at least 8gb of ram 64bit is a waste of time right from the start. A 64 bit OS is useless without a program that actually takes advantage of it. It's 64bit envy....
Does anyone need the latest I7 with 16gb ram and 64bit OS to use check email with Outlook, run Firefox and crop snapshots of the grandkids?

 

In my limited experience with a cf-19mk5 it is the best build laptop I've seen so far. It is not the most esthetic pleasing, not the most-i-designy-thing, but I had to open it up to add a finger print scanner (which is great!!!) and I really have to say this thing is not just water resistant or dust proof, it is build like an industrial machine. Build like an industrial machine is to say that a broken or malfunctioning part can be exchanged and the machine as a whole be repaired. My Macbook Air 11" 2012 model that had a crack in the Mobo got an exchange of the Mobo, HDD(SSD), CPU, GPU, speakers, everything except the case and the keyboard!

The acer of my brother in law looked inside like a dust bag from a vacuum cleaner and when I removed all the dust (one year old machine!) it was a collection of wires, mylar tape, rattling PCB's and a HDD that was fixed with one screw. Not that there weren't 4 screw holes, but there was just 1 screw in place. The others where rattling loose inside.

On my fully rugged Toughbook there is enough space between parts, there is shielding and separation of components. The back is screwed in place with no less then 13 screws. Identical screws!
It's just like someone did his best (and succeeded!!!) to make a mechanical sound machine as well as nice electronics and not an amateurs DIY electronics project with lots of glue and tape.

I'm just a simple mechanical engineer, not a hot shot laptop engineer. But I can recognize a "meisterstück" when I see one. My Toughbook was build with a few specific demands:
- make it usable in real (outdoor & field) work situations;
- make it tough and long lasting;
- make it repairable;
- do not cut corners for the sake of $0,01 savings.

To get back on your original question; is it better build than a Lenovo?
I'm not sure because I haven't opened a Lenovo before.
But I can tell you it is build to last, (ab)use and repair if needed.

 

Holy !#$%&!! :

Google "meisterstück"

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Bob

 

I will add in my .02 here. Physically, I think Panasonics are some of the EASIEST machines to physically work on out there. As mentioned elsewhere in this thread, every little detail is well thought out. Keeping track of the screws is usually simple and obvious. The fully ruggedized ones have room inside them to spare. It isn't too hard to sneak other bits inside of them.

The flipside, Panasonics are a serious pita to get drivers installed in the correct order, software sorted, and the like.

And then there is this website. TONS of resources available for internal mods, and software mods.

 

Huh...having to rip an entire CF-R4 in order to swap a hard drive is not my idea of "easy" but I guess I'm just spoiled...

 

I love how a guy that knows NOTHING about Toughbooks chimes in and says they're "underpowered compared to Thinkpads"... LMFAO... apparently he hasn't seen some of the units I have for sale...