CF-19 generations compassion charts, max memory, etc

So I am digging for the next couple units to build up, and pondering what is worth it to mess with... My freshly sorted MK6 almost sold right off my toolbox today. It may be gone by the weekend. I almost wish somebody would buy my MK1, but then not sure I would actually sell it if they tried...

There always seems to be confusion as to max supported memory in each generation. I am surprised as none of my searches for specification lists pointed me back here. I found this though: https://www.toughdepot.com/panasonic-toughbook-cf-19-mk1-mk8/

I am not sure I believe that list... But I see a few points to ask questions about.

I am guessing the processor speed jump from MK3 to MK4 is pretty significant? And can they both truly support 8gb memory? The low price for some of these might make it worth considering for a dedicated tuning/diagnostics laptop.

I am most interested in the MK5, MK6, and MK7.

MK5 to MK6 is a slight jump, but MK6 to MK7 doesn't seem to really be worth the extra price hike. Doesn't look like a real processor increase?

Memory, I thought MK5 was limited to 8gb? Can the MK5, MK6, and MK7 actually utilize 16gb???

I can see some specs I know to be pretty accurate on that list. For my usage, the daylight screens are a game changer. Anything below a MK4 is unusable in sunlight. And for me personally no reason not to stick with an MK6. Especially if I can get 16gb of memory working in it.

But is there any other specs not listed, like video, that would make a jump from a MK6 to a MK7, or perhaps even an MK8, worth the price difference? Right now the MK6's seem to be the best bang for the buck on eBay.

 

Okay some of the questions above were answered already in my older thread trying to decide between the CF-19 and the CF-31 over here:

Yeah, none of these charts agree with the others, or what you guys have posted up. I wish there was a chart we could actually rely on...

 

Well here is another one...
https://www.mruggedmobile.com/panasonic-toughbook-cf-19-model-comparison-snapshot.aspx
I have been using this one

 

I saw that one in the other thread, I like it too. But how about this?

In the list above it says MK5 and up only support 8gb max.

Well whatever the case if my MK6 supports 16gb, I am super happy.

 

Here is Mrugged's chart.
I will post it in the CF 19 FAQ thread also.

 

Shawn, I don't think the max memories in that chart is correct.... According to User32 claiming 16gb working in his MK7 and that MK5 and up support that.

The problem is I think the truth is somewhere in between. Supposedly there were 64bit MK2 drivers. I suspect that 8gb could be supported on 64bit. So if a MK5 can support 16gb of memory, what is the gotcha? Will it only do so with W10 installed?

Trust me, I am not asking this without doing the digging first. Problem is the holes dug all contradict each other.

 

It is simple.
The chart is accurate per Panasonic's listed and recommended specs.

The Intel specs for those chipsets are higher.
Sometimes the Intel specs work if you source the correct memory module.

Why did Panasonic spec them lower?
Who knows?
Could be a heat issue or it could be a power conservation thing.
Could be that at the time Panasonic released those models, the larger memory chip was not available on the retail market.

This has been discussed somewhere on this board. I don't know where it is, but it is here.

 

Some reading for you.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...e-lighting-strikes-twice-cf-30-memory.752813/

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/cf-31-mk3-16gb-ram.823008/#post-10796278

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/which-toughbooks-will-handle-16gb-ram-any.734658/

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/max-ram-question.814024/#post-10687187

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/cf-19-mk6-second-top-ram-slot-non-functional.800493/

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/ddr3l-1333-8-16gb-sticks-in-a-cf-31w.803654/#post-10506373

 

Thank you Shawn! I am reading through those posts now. Yay Azrial! I haven't heard from him in a while...

 

Mk3 & 4 screens are the same and are 1000 nits maximum brightness. Mk5+ are 500 nits maximum, and have a transflective screen which reflects sunlight up to a theoretical 6000 nits.

If you go for the digitizer screen, mk7 & 8 have a 5 point touchscreen.

Up to mk5 have two USB 2.0 ports; mk6 up have one USB 3.0 port and one USB 2.0.

 

CF-19 MK3 With Camera......There is only one slot Max 4 gig.

 

So I initially posted this up in my Black Cobra thread, but this is really better spot for it.

...Let’s talk performance. My Mac has a 2.5GHz i5 and 16GB memory. I want simular performance from this. I suspect I need to bump it up though to be really comparable.

Up to a MK3(?) with the 2.7 i5, prices are basically the same. I can get a beat 2.5 or 2.4 for less of course. But good machines are pretty even in price.

Until I jump up to these 2.9GHz with the seperate ATI graphics cards... Is the couple hundred price jump worth waiting an extra paycheck for??? Does that really make a big difference? I don’t play games or anything like that. I watch YouTube and Netflix a lot. And now and then use photoshop.

 

Ugh I confuxled myself. Since I was talking about the CF-31... But you knew that anyways haha!!!

Anywho. I use my CF-19 MK1 and MK6 for tuning and shop related stuff. I leave my MK1 sitting out on my toolbox without too much concern. The MK6 I pull out for more intensive crunching. I am happy enough with both those. I could easily sell either, but having one always is critical enough that a backup makes sense. My MK1 got lent out for a few weeks recently.

My Mac is always getting used in rough and tough environments. I have killed a couple keyboards, on touchpad number three, and second HDD. Plus they actually gave me a whole new computer when I fried the motherboard. I bought it new in 2013 or 2014. I have always kept it in a nice rugged Thule case. So SUPER bad survivalbility. And while I use the machine constantly in the shop or inside, otherwise I am gentle with it.

I think a Toughbook for my main machine is a pretty good idea.

 

That is pretty cool!!! But, I would rather have an android tablet. My tuning stuff is very input intensive, needs to be portable, and all self contained. While that would take up less space on my toolbox, a CF-19 isn't too bad. Besides, my scantool is already a tablet.

So if we are talking about my work machine, CF-19 just makes the most sense. And for home, I need a full on laptop. And ideally 13" with a full(ish) sized keyboard. There, the CF-31 fits best.