Best and worst things about individual models.

What are the best and worst features, designs on the different toughbook models. I'll start
cf-28 best is the room available to work in
cf-29 love love the lan, usb, on the side with a flip cover unlike the Cf-30 which you have to open a door to access lan/modem.
cf-29 hate the speaker on the bottom, always sounds muffled when on you lap.
all fully rugged models no headphone/speaker jack that is not behind a big door. like a previous poster mentioned put one in front with a little rubber plug or something.

I will try to think of more.

 

CF-27 ..... One of the bad things that I have discovered is that knowing the exact model number means nothing. What I mean is that two Toughbooks with exactly the same model number ie CF-27EJ6K3EE can be totally different. Differences so far include such things as screen size, CPU speed, P2 or P3 CPU and amount of pre-installed non-removable RAM.

 

5teve, Just curious, are you getting those "exactly same model numbers" from the bios or someplace else? You might have noticed that there are a few people who sometimes, not often, change parts on their Toughbooks. If you do have two 27s which show identical numbers in bios and have different processors on the mother board, that would be interesting.
CAP

 

Hi Captain,
I'm only going from recent experience. I bought a CF-27EJ6K3EE with a P2 @ 300 MHz, 128 internal RAM and a 10.75 screen. I then saw a Toughbook for sale on eBay with the same model number but a 10" screen, 64mb of on-board RAM and a P3 CPU running at 500 MHz. If you want to check it out, it's eBay item number 200398467505.

 

Sorry but your model looks fine
Its a E series mK-2 and mk-2's were 300MHz


Alex

 

Tomcat ... What are you sorry about?
I didn't say that there was anything wrong with my CF-27.
What I mean to say is that normally you can give a model number to a repair or tech guy and he/she will know exactly what specs and sizes he's dealing with. Not so with Toughbooks, or so it seems, because the same model can have different specs straight from the factory.
It just seems very odd to me and a bad thing.

 

Isn't it more likely that this seller has simply stated the wrong model number?

 

Mk-3 F series were 333 mHz
Mk-4 L series were 500 mHZ

FYI


Alex

 

That is quite possible and I won't deny that the thought crossed my mind. But then I said to myself, "How come the seller is writing the exact model number?" ... The only answer that I could come up with is that he is copying the model number from the base of the laptop. If that's the case, he'd have to be really dumb and also really lucky. Dumb in that he can't copy 7 digits (after the basic CF-27) and really luck in that the wrong digits he copied were also a Toughbook model number.

 

Yes, getting a wrong and yet valid number is unlikely. But he might have copied and pasted parts of the description from an earlier auction, not checking everything thoroughly. Or his Toughbook is a Frankenstein where the base has been replaced with one from that earlier model, so now he has the wrong sticker.

 

5teve, That's why I asked. For whatever reason, changed mobo, bad eye sight, or, most likely, dumb, the seller on eBay has got it wrong. The last explanation I would choose is that Panasonic mixed it up.
CAP

 

CF-52 - Has a water passthrough hole on the bottom so if water spills on the keyboard it passes through and comes out the bottom.

 

CF 28 rubber keyboard = good for water resistance but you need STRONG fingers! )

Fred

 

CF-52's combination of wide screen and carrying handle 8)

 

I hate that useless modem on the CF-27s which you can't replace with anything decent. I'm not too keen on having PCMCIA cards which stick out and get bent up with the PCMCIA slot cover when it's on your lap either. Actually I hate that it's not a comfortable toy to play with on your lap at all. It's far too small. I'm going to stop now before the double entendres kick in.

 

I'm gonna go with Zak on this one... There's a LOT of FrankenToughBooks out there.

mnem
Give my creation... AfterLife!!!

 

I wish they would move the F9, battery level, away from the F10. I have Hibernated too many times by accident!

Sure there are minor little things that I could see or want differently, but I sure do love the fact it is a Toughbook most of all. Nothing compares!

 

Best things about the CF28-Mk3...

It's ALWAYS ready to config a router when I need it... and if the router gets sarky, I can use the 28 to beat it into submission.

Smirking at other techs as I "ping" my way through diag screens with the touchpanel...

Always there when you need a stepstool...

Worst thing about it... Real-life drop-testing where ANY appendage is involved.

mnem
You can't MAKE STUFF THIS GOOD up...

 

Well... Since we are talking outright ruggedness when we talk about Toughbooks... I'd say the CF-28/29/30 line has it all over the others. Plenty of room to modify stuff. A great platform for just about anything you need. I also like the CF-18/19s as well as the CF-M34s... But big hands and little keyboards just don't go together.

Right now I would vote hands down for the CF-29 as it is rugged, affordable and with a little reading, patience, skill and cunning... You can basically turn it into just about anything you want! Or you can affordable pay someone to do it.

The CF-29 has it over the 28 with longer battery life and much brighter screen. But... As we are finding out... There are touchscreen issues with many models.

But still... what other laptop can you roll a stick of dynamite under, blow up and still have it work... Or drive over with your truck?

You'll never get me away from the Toughbook!