CF-28 from blindcenternv

I know folks have ordered from blindcenternv on eBay before. What keyboard do they come with? It's hard to tell from the stock photos they have.
Thanks, Adam.

 

From my understanding, it's not a 'set' thing. Since each model could come with different styles, you get what you get. Also, keep in mind, these are recycled from the field, so they could have had keyboards replaced in their life. Don't fret though, if you don't like the one it comes with, post back here and one of the regulars can point you in the right direction to get you one you like.

 

LOL that's why I just bought another one today. My last CF-28 got dorked when I tried putting a backlit keyboard in and broke the keyboard connector! I'm keeping what it comes with for sure! I'll be doing a WiFi mod, but only because I don't have to touch that keyboard ;-)
Thanks for the reply!
Adam.

 

I just bought a 28S from blindcenternv last night. 1GHz, 30GB, DVD. I felt pretty good about the buy because the money is going to charity, I'm just hoping they are fairly nice units.

I currently have a 28M so this should be a nice upgrade for me. Once I get the 28S setup the way I want it I should have a nice 28M with WiFi mods for sale, and recoup some of my cost on the 28S. I've been on the yahoo group for a while and just started lurking around here. Lots of good info to be had in two places!

 

I have ordered probably 20 units from them over the past few months. All come in pretty dirty but clean up VERY nicely! They get them from an arrangement with a local police dept. All have had screen protectors. 90% of the screens were perfect after cleaning them up. BUT, and I can't stress this enough, leave the screen protector on the laptop! They have been on since new and if you peel them off the anti-reflective coating WILL come off, at least in spots, leaving you with either having to take off the rest of it in a very painful process... Or swapping out screens.

The keyboards are hit or miss. Check the model number... That will give you a clue. The photos they use are stock photos so you can't tell by the picture.

What I can say about them is that they are a pleasure to deal with. On the 10 laptops I bought from them last time, all were supposed to come with XP COAs... Only 1 did. They said that they would happily refund my money but I had already started the cleaning proecess and had most of them apart. They normally don't do this but the guy I dealt with was a true gentleman! He made several offers but the one I took was to receive 2 complete CF-28 setups with win XP COAs. He even called me to let me know they were on the way! Well... They just got here. Two very nice, dirty but complete, CF-28s. He even equipped them with DVD players! I am a VERY happy man! Again... He made it clear that they normally don't do this and that they would not again in the future.

Dealing with them has been a total pleasure. Don't worry and buy from them with confidence.

 

I just went through all of the Toughbooks that they have listed. Looks like they are now including the complete model number.
I guess they got tired of me asking for it every time they list another one!
The one thing they would not do is send me a picture of the actual unit that they are selling. They are using stock photos.
Only problem I had with them was several years ago I ordered a CF-27 battery and got a floppy drive. They were great about it and in return I forwarded the floppy to the guy that was suppose to get it.
My battery was delayed about 5 days but it worked out in the end.
Looks like the newest round they are listing have the win98se COA on them.
Rick H...

 

They do make mistakes... Yes... Don't we all. My point is that if you want a quality CF-28, (Compared to what is out there) unless you buy it totally refurbished, these guys sell pretty good stuff. Do NOT go by what the COA is listed! (That was my mistake!) Go by the model number they post. Then you will always know what you are geting... And if a little something extra comes your way... Then you're ahead of the game. I have bought stuf from them when they show a stock photo and ended up with an extra betery or a CD or DVD when none was posted. More than likely the people who see the illuminated keyboard will get one without. They are showing a 1Ghz in most of their stock photos even though they are selling 800Mhz units.

You must figure that you wll get a base unit no matter what you "think" you are getting.

 

This is the auction I won last night (320227263175). According to the auction it will at least be a 1GHz 30GB unit. Looks like it says DVD drive and AC adapter too. I had to clean up my 28M when I got it so I'm familiar with all that.

I guess I'm sort of curious, what is that coating on the palmrest area? it comes off easy enough with WD-40 and a rag. It just looked all nasty and wouldn't come clean unless I totally removed it on my 28M. My best guess was either a scratch protectant or something to prevent glare in a vehicle.

 

Just got my 800mhz from them - very dirty as TB said it would probably be but otherwise in very good shape - just need PCMIA door and an OS and a very good cleaning. Has the nice full stroke backlit keyboard also - I like that one the best. Just thought I would update my purchase.

 

Got mine yesterday. Unfortunately, mine has the ugly whitish keyboard, but the battery is fantastic and everything works great. I put in a WiFi PCI card with an external antenna that works great. I'm very happy with it, even cleaned up well.
Installed XP without issue, even pimping my touchscreen now. Cool gimic to me now, but I'm hoping to make som use out of it with GPS and OBD-II monitoring in my truck.
Only problem I had was the auction listed a DVD-ROM drive, and I received a CD-ROM drive. I emailed them, and I'll have to see what they want to do.

 

Just got my CF-28S from them yesterday. Filthy dirty like we expected, but shined up like a penny! Came with DVD-rom drive, all doors, ethernet and modem, and AC adapter, has the RIM card too. TouchScreen is in perfect condition. The battery was flashing red during charge so I swapped my good one over from my 28M.

The keyboard was the off-white/gray standard one, so I swapped it with my Black/gray from my 28M. Swapped over my CDRW/DVD drive. I removed the modem card and added a mini-pci WiFi and ran a RP-SMA connector out the side. Also swapped out the stock 30GB 4200rpm drive with a 40GB 7200rpm. I also added 512MB of ram for a total of 768MB.

This thing runs great, and looks good too.

 

I got in 4 of the ones that I ordered. One had a backlit keyboard the others had the stained white keyboards.... They will either end up on ebay or in the trash... Not sure yet. All but on were missing the card slot door. All were missing the A/C cover. But at least the screws were there... That helps.

For you guys cleaning them up. I've found that if you remove the keyboard first... You can clean the palmrests with rubbing alcohol and it will take off not only the dirt but the half worn rubbery covering too. If you want to go one step further... You can take some semichrome polish (Flitz) and polish up the plastic further. I buff mine up to a mirror shine. Q-Tips and toothpics are also in the cleaning arsenal. I also make up a solution of about 1/2 teaspoon of soap, 2-3 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol and a pint or so of water. This does a very effective job of cleaning up the rest. Oh... And Goof-Off for taking off the tape and sticker residue. If they have been on for a while... Use a heat gun on a low setting...

 

I've also found WD-40 to be a good cleaner for removing sticker crud and also the palm rest coating. Remember, spray the WD-40 on a rag and then wipe, it'll be everywhere if you spray it directly on the machine. Then you just follow up with glass cleaner to remove any oily residue from the WD-40. Leaves a nice shine. I used Novus plastic polish for the palm rests and got a nice glossy finish too.

 

I just got one in as well and am underwhelmed to say the least. Does have a nice touchscreen and a RIM modem though. Hope the next one is nicer, it's supposed to have a DVD in it. Believe it or not, olive oil will remove sticker residue.