Bloatware Be Gone!

I was talking to a Panasonic rep who pointed out that the lack of bloatware on industrial laptops was a real benefit.

I have to agree.

Also, I finally saw a Toughbook 29 (8 lbs). It was mounted in an SBC truck. The serviceman was nice enough to let me use it for a moment.

My quick impression was that the unit was rock solid. I mean, it felt like you could drop it from an airplane, let it bounce off the ground, run over it with a truck, and it would open it's lid and smile at you!

Quite frankly, it made me realize how cheaply many retail laptops are made.

Other impressions:

The 29 is surpisingly compact and good looking (in a military kind of way).

The feel of the keyboard was as good as, if not better, than the Thinkpads.

The screen was the surprise. The service guy complained it wasn't bright enough to be used in full sun. In fact, that is supposed to be one of the ruggedized Toughbook's major selling points!

I was concerned until I learned that his model was a year old, 340 nit machine. My CF 74 (5.9 lbs) is 460 nits with a much better graphics engine. My guess is that the 74's screen is no X-Brite but is clear, clean, and very BRIGHT! Add the touch screen function and and you have a very interesting notebook.

I can't wait to get it!

 

Don't think I've seen anyone quite so excited about a notebook before.
I hope you get it into your hands soon and that it's everything you hoped for and a little more.