CF-28 or 29

I was wondering what you folks consider to be a better Toughbook (fully rugged i.e.) the 28 series or the 29? (since these two are the only fully rugged ones I have so far). I don't particularly care for the tablet versions - have not used any as yet though.

 

If I could afford a 29 or 30 I would own one, a faster processor and more ram are always welcome. I think the toughness factor is about the same for each IMHO.

 

As an owner of both i will say the above post is spot on. I use the 28 more because it's all black and im too lazy to paint the 29.

 

Paint, shmaint..... Buy the best you can afford! Buy the CF-29! ALWAYS buy the best you can easily afford. (Yet plan for a few upgrades as the "disease" WILL grab you!)

 

It a disease with me alright! I always have 3 and 4 of everything! lol Will have about 4 or 5 28s by the end of the month. I must say I do agree with Rick, I like the speed of the centrino 1.3 on the 29, but I still have to get used to the style and accesability of the 29 vs the 28. The 28m was the first one I bought so that is what i got used to as far as the case etc are concerned. The 29E feels a little different with the rubberized keyboard and the different HD enclosure. I like the doors/covers on the 29 and the tight feel they have vs the 28s. Power switch is also better since the later 28s dont have a lock for the key. Gotta get used to the battery compartment with its tamper proof torx screws though. I almost took it apart today because of the damn wifi card drivers crashing on me, was gonna physically see what kind of card it is. But stopped at the keyboard - seems like it is stuck to the case with something and I decided i had better do that in the day time. Plus i decided to have the intel website scan it for the card. Also had an odd situation with the touchscreen. Worked only once during calibration! Will post elsewhere for that if it still gives me problems after I install the 320GB and XP all over again. I think I had better get my hands on the driver disks for the 28 and 29 series. What is the 30 like? Looks a lot like the 29 with a few more bells and whistles!

 

I need mine to be black in the vehicle though lol

 

I am tempted to buy a black 28, but I am gonna stay away from the 600MHz models and stick to the 800 and 1GHz models only from now on. The 28m that I have has a funny dark bluish screen that is not as forgiving as the others as far as smudges etc are concerned. BTW, I did manage to get the larger HD case from the 28s to work in the 28m - just squeezed it a bit! Plus I heard someone mention that the 29s have brighter screens.

 

My all black is a 1GHZ MKII

 

Good point that has been brought up on sealing
The cf-29 is far better

The three most important reasons (To Me)that the cf-29 is better than a cf-28

*Brighter screen
*Built-in 802.11 wi-fi
*USB-2

Alex

 

the second two reasons are a big benifit

 

I like the newest fastest ones I can get.
I have had both and recently got a CF-30 and it takes it up another notch or two without a doubt.

I have to know.....how do you know that you do not care for the tablet models when you have not tried one?

They are pretty amazing and I have tried them,now I just can't stop.
My CF-18 is a constant rider in the truck and I would snatch a 19 if the right deal comes along.

Ed

 

Ed, I did admit I have never used one of the tablet ones as yet and for that matter, I have not used any of the 28s or the 29 that much either. The most time I have spent actually using a toughbook was on a 48. I have had the 28s and 29 only for a short while. I think what is at play here is the original look of the rugged toughbook - the 18s and 19s look a little dainty and feminine to me. Plus, I dont really need a screen with all those configurations and a tablet as yet.
I have a tendency to acquire all the tools for the job even b4 I actually need them! I bet it is the same way with a lot of guys, we can't stop acquiring toys, gadgets, tools. Plus, I have become a major packrat and it is too early for me to venture into the pricy range - I am broke! lol
If I was gonna use a tablet, I would probably use a Fujitsu 4020 at first and then progress to a toughbook tablet. A friend of mine has a 18 or 19, I will have a look at it and see what it is like. Last I heard, he was selling it on CL but the buyer did not come through with a Paypal payment. Will check and see if he still has it incase anyone here needs one.
BTW, I did have a T2 with the touch screen and rubber strap at the bottom - returned it cause it was missing the two front plastic corners and had power up and shut down issues. To me, that was like selling me a car without the front fenders! lol Definitely light and easy to use with the touch screen and bluetooth, but I prefer the solid feel of the 28s and 29s for now.

 

Ray
Clearly you have not played with an 18 or 19 or your perception would be different.
I have both a Fujitsu 4220 and a P1620 and both are fragile and scary to use in the field. I used them daily though until I got my paws on the CF18. It may be more rugged feeling than even the bigger ones or at least in the same league.

I too have one of the "Pretty" ones a T5 and it is an order of magnitude more rugged than the Fujitsu's are.

Believe me I understand about buying first then asking questions later and this is not the only hobby where I do this.

There is nothing Dainty to me about any Toughbook I have owned or seen and I too used a CF-48 for a long time and use mine now just for Ham Radio stuff.

Isn't this fun?

Ed

 

ED, All in good time. L I just got the wifi to work on the 29! Finally!! Next, I got to figure out why the touch screen worked only once on calibration. I am beginning to like it/get used to it.
I am sure, the 18s and 19s are just as tough. I suppose the revolving hinge will be just as good if not better than the standard ones considering it is fixed to a metal frame.
Let me familiarize myself with these models and then progress to a 30 and finally the 18 or 19. I am still a nooby I like to not only know how it works but also fix stuff - even had some success with people! :laugh:
Only way I could afford one of those right now is if I sold some stuff instead of buying more and more and more! :

 

trust me, u dn't need to worry about the 18/19 hinge haha

 

actually, i should explain

Last weekend me and my team for paranormal investigations (go ahead, laugh hah) went out to a home and had a new guy (family to someone) come along with us. He was upstairs on the landing, and had one of my CF-18's. He was in the process of swapping it to tablet mode when a cat scared him out of his pants and he dropped it over the rail. It was open and in half rotation, fell down to the first floor from the second and smascked onto the hardwood. Broke my sprint pcmia card, but the TB is fine lol

scratched the hardwood, that sucked.

 

That is really the point I was trying to make.
They are not dainty or feminine in any way.
The Fujitsu's which you mentioned certainly are in comparison,thats all.

 

Contacted my friend, he still has the toughbook, will have him drop it by for me to play with. lol
I am over 40 and I still think and feel like I am in my 20s (actually more think than feel). Another toughbook just arrived via UPS - maybe I should take a pic of me in bed with my entire harem of toughbooks! rofl

 

I have you by a decent margin.
This Toughbook affliction knows no age limits it seems.
The problem I have is they don't die and I don't get rid of the old ones I just repurpose them.

I can stop anytime.....but I have no plan to.

Ed

 

I used to be that way with cars, always had between 8 and 12 at any given time. Now it's all kinds of electronics, computer stuff, hifi, gadgets, watches, tools.....
Thank God I stopped at one wife! Imagine getting rid of 4 or 5 of them!
Someone sell me a HD caddy (the slightly shorter one) for a 28M PLEASE!! I wish to get rid of it so I can concentrate on the others. Maybe get a black stealth 28 mk III instead of the usual

 

Good man

 

I want a black CF-28 mk III, wonder what the finish is like on those - as durable and forgiving as the silver paint?