Best used toughbook

I just got into the market for a rugged laptop and I found a few online
1 https://www.mercari.com/us/item/m58027980450/?ref=search_results
2 https://www.ebay.com/itm/CF-30-Toughbook-Fully-Rugged-Laptop-1-66Ghz-1-0Gb-RAM-80GB-HDD-WIFI-TOUCH/111576408058?_trkparms=aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=20160908105057&meid=000bd12e19ab450d99015be77b53576a&pid=100675&rk=15&rkt=15&mehot=lo&sd=163756756008&itm=111576408058&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci:20011a8d-a058-11e9-89a5-74dbd180b048|parentrq:ca16701c16b0a4b7fc7c567cff8cb05d|iid:1
3 (for parts and I found them all for it) https://www.ebay.com/itm/Panasonic-Toughbook-CF-28MBFGZEM-Laptop-Computer-No-HDD-NO-LOCK-KEY/202395715928?_trkparms=aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=20160908105057&meid=000bd12e19ab450d99015be77b53576a&pid=100675&rk=11&rkt=15&sd=163756756008&itm=202395715928&_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci:20011a8d-a058-11e9-89a5-74dbd180b048|parentrq:ca16701c16b0a4b7fc7c567cff8cb05d|iid:1
4 https://www.bobjohnson.com/toughbook-cf-30-mk3-non-touch-intel-core-2-duo-1-66ghz

I also can source the parts from @ToughbookGeek96 as he is a good friend.
What is the best deal out of all of them?

 

I can confirm. Also #3 is a nice deal but I think that 1 is better

 

Ebay will be the lowest price but you might be buying a problem unit. Bobjohnson has good units they stand behind. Dont get a spray painted unit, if you want black get one that is powdercoated. There is a company that advertises on Bing shopping

 

CF-30 is going to be pretty sluggish. I bought 2 for $20 each in March.

 

Lol number 3 is mine. They are untested. We don't have a power adapter to test with. We have not had any complaints so I guess they work. Its a old machine though!

 

Auction #1 gives you no info on what it is beside he is the only owner and it's a CF-30 ?? Is it a MK1, 2 or 3 , memory?? HDD size?? I would need more info before I buy. Auction #4 "Bob's" is a good seller and a member on here but what comes standard with it...memory and HDD size ?? First you need to figure out how much you want to spend and the specs you want...HDD and max memory. If it's a CF-30 go with a MK3 , it is faster. CF-31 is a little more money but a lot faster and newer. So many choices....have fun

 

I nice one would be play it safe and get a CF-52 or 53 there not bad but CF-30s are nicer starter units. And can be upgraded easy but for the starter toughbook person the caddy. The caddy is tricky to dissemble but not bad after a while. I have 2 dogs and they like to hit the Lifetime table I use to dissemble things. So it’s hard there for me

 

Ok. I found another last night online it’s this
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/223551798827
Is that a good deal on a CF-31

 

The listing is good and I might buy it and repair it then sell it as a thing. I’ll keep y’all posted on that and when it’s for sale I’ll post on the toughbook marketplace here and eBay.

 

More info is needed.

What are you going to use the laptop for?
What environment?
What OS and software is needed?

 

@Shawn
1 Ill use this for web browsing
2 I live at the beach right on the oceanfront so I need something to take outside without damaging it
3 Windows 7 and up. Adobe reader, Virtual Box, Dos Box
Hard drive space would be around 120gb or more and ram 4gb and up.
If I get a 28 that needs repair I could have 512mb ram, 20gb hard drive
I’ve been considering a 52 but I’ll keep you posted on that

 

A CF 52 will not be bright enough for outdoor use.

Does screen size matter to you?

 

Not really but anything more than 8 inches and more than 480p so HD

 

That narrows it down a lot. You are going to be in the $500 and above range for an outdoor Toughbook/Toughpad with 720p

If you want 720p or better these are out for sure
CF18
CF19
CF28
CF29
CF30
CF31
Low end CF52's--No CF 52 is bright enough for outdoors anyway.
-------------------
CF D1 has the 720p but not bright enough for outdoor use and NO keyboard as it is a tablet.
FZ Q1 is not bright enough for outdoor use and NO keyboard as it is a tablet.
CF53 will work. (I don't like them-too many failed display issues) Business rugged class

CF54 will work.
CF20 will work.
CF33 will work.

FZ G1 will work, but NO keyboard. Need to spend the money for an iKey keyboard dock.

 

Even off the factory 31s have 480P screens? Dang

 

Just found a FZ G1 for $700 link: https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/132868735860.
The area outside is In the shade where a CF-D1 I used for a few days from a friend. I need a rugged laptop because I broke my 2009 MacBook by bringing it on the deck.

 

Little high priced for me. I know it's got the keyboard with it which is a good bonus but still high I think. I am cheap

 

You will want a rubber keyboard if your concerned about the sand.

 

Ok. The CF-28 that @ToughbookGeek96 used there had the rubbery chiclet keys. I just got a 30 MK2 4gb ram 250gb ssd (upgraded) GPS, Wireless internet, all covers are on, But it has vista and I’ll deal with it for now until I get a 7 Pro install with the drivers
It has the rubbery one from the 29

 

I'm confused.....

 

Alright so here is what went down
I bought that CF-30 from a guy who I’ll call “John”. “John” had the CF-30 and I was picking up a motherboard for a build. I saw it in the corner and asked “John” if I could buy it. He said sure and he was also going to throw it away. I paid him $170 (paid $150 for the motherboard). I got a adapter online and plugged it in and booted. That’s my toughbook how I got it thing

 

Nice machine. You should have no problems installing Windows 7 Pro on it . It will run get on it...mine did. Don't like them rubber keyboards, takes a while to get use to them. I like the emmissive keyboard the best. Have them on my my 19, 30 and 53.

 

I don’t really like them myself but ehhh who cares. My work 29 has the rubbery keys

 

Thanks. It’s in really nice condition. The gps is the OEM one too. I just found a quart bag of cds and floppy’s. From OS/2 Warp to Windows 10 Enterprise.
But I only found a 7 ultimate for a Dell so I will buy one off eBay or if a Goodwill has one (unlikely)

 

Dell Win7 image will install on a Toughbook.
You just need a valid COA number

 

Ok. I found a working COA from a computer.

 

The OEM one is not the best, better after market ones out there but I have been using the OEM one for years and it got be where I was going

Have fun with that trying to find all the right drivers . My advice, find a windows 7 COA / CD like Shawn said.

 

Oh that I said was the newest one that I had. I just finished installing it on the hard drive and backed everything up on to a CD.

 

I just also got a CF-28 from @ToughbookGeek96 with a 20GB Hard drive 128mb of ram and windows 98 SE. It’s model number CF-28MJGEEM.

 

Hey so this thread can be closed. Thanks for the help everyone!
Davion

 

@toughasnails tou can close this. Thanks! Davion