CF-30 vs CF-19

Hello everyone,

My name is Humzah. Yes, this is one of those threads where you, the reader, groan and say "this is another one of those threads."

I read the rules already so if I'm doing something wrong, I sincerely apologize and request the moderators here to help me. Aside from that, I've scoured Google, and I can't seem to get the answers or information I want, so I come to you guys for the answer.

I have a CF-28 already, but being a craigslist buy ($40), the hard drive was totally non-functional and although the computer started, it didn't launch Windows 98 like it was supposed to, and got stuck on Command Prompt. This was about a month ago, and after buying and trying several different pieces of tech and hard drives and trying to install Windows 98 again myself, I've simply given up on the CF-28 I currently have, and it now sits, depressed, under my bed, along with it's HDD next to it.

Fast forward to now - I found and narrowed down my search to two different Toughbooks on Ebay that I'm having a hard time deciding between; A CF-19, and a CF-30.

The only reason I'm having a hard time, is because of the specs between the laptops. Honestly, I like to think I know a thing or two when it comes to computers - because I do - but by no definition am I a pro.

Here is the CF-19, and here's the CF-30.

Allow me to explain why I'm having a hard time making a decision:

- I like the size of the CF-30. I have big hands, so a sizable keyboard is nice to have, and spaced out keys. The CF-19 on the other hand, looks cramped. (Or it may not be, I've never used either. Just going off looks.)

- As much as I like the size of the CF-30, it's not touchscreen... Not a deal breaker, but it'd be nice to have for all the notes I take in college, and to save paper. I already use my Surface Pro for this and it's great, but I need something a little more versatile and tough.

- I prefer the hard-handle of the CF-30 over the strap on the CF-19. Again, basing this on my opinion formed already from the CF-28 I currently have, and have never dealt in-person with a strap type.

- The CF-30's processing power is definitely noticeably higher than the CF-19. Not by much, but it seems that it'd make a difference.

- The CF-19 has a DB-9 Serial Port on it (which was the main reason I got my current CF-28) that I need to program my group of Motorola HT-1000 radios. Alternatively, the CF-30 doesn't have a DB-9 Serial Port.

- Both make up for not having Optical Disk Drives by carrying SD Card slots.

- The CF-19 has double the HDD space of the CF-30 (160GB), and 1GB of RAM more (4GB).

- The CF-30 possesses a newer OS (Windows 7) according to the description, versus Windows XP on the CF-19. I've emailed the seller of the CF-30 asking for more specs on the machine as I post this.

- The CF-19 simply is listed with more detail and just feels more complete and packed - I don't even understand what some of the specs are, but hey, it comes with the Toughbook. As they say, packaging and presentation do make a difference.

- The CF-19 is, according to Google, much lighter than a CF-30. This is definitely a plus.

I'm sure there's more, but all in all, you can see here now the reasons why I am torn between these two Toughbooks for sale. While I want one, I can't stop thinking about the other. I'm feeling antsy though, because I know these are good deals either way, and I'm wishing I knew what to choose already because I've got a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach that one of them is going to be gone when I finally make up my mind.

So this is where I pose the question to the gurus here - what are your opinions, if any, about both these machines? Which would you suggest over the other, and why? Or, is there a different model out there that has the best of both worlds of these Toughbooks, and then some? As far as budget goes, I'm afraid $220 is the most I can do - hence these Toughbook choices.

Thanks for reading all this, and I really look forward to hearing from you guys.

 

Of those 2, The CF 19 is a better choice. By far.
Also the seller of the CF19 seems to be better and offers much more info.

I must ask. Is that your spending limit? Could you manage to go any higher?
A CF31 is tremendously better than either of these. I personally don't have a budget one for sale at the moment. However, there are bargains available on ebay or from other members. We//I can direct you.
Where are you located?

 

Thanks for your input, I really appreciate it. I know nothing about Toughbooks, so any information's better than none for me.

And I'd have to say that yes, it's pretty much my spending limit. Depending on how much more a CF-31 would cost me, I might be able to allocate a little more money toward one, but it really depends.

I am in Dallas, Texas.

 

1. Big hands I understand. The CF-19 is not a touch typist unit. In my case I have a back-lit keyboard which separates the keys a little. And I never use the CF-19. It rides in the bag in my Fire Unit....Engine 7.

2. In my "stable" I have several touch models.....you're talking hand written notes, yes?

3. Speaking of stable....the 52 is STABLE on the table. 14 inches wide.

Take a hard look at CF-52 GUN____. "Semi-rugged"....the only factory CF-52 TOUCH model. It uses the CF-30 lcd and touch panel.

Not blowing smoke up yer wazoo as they say....I'm typing on one right now. Crudeness...sorry.

For finishing up notes etc. the red LED's (instead of back-lit keyboard) won't keep your room-mate awake. The led's are affixed to the screen bezel NOT part of the keyboard. (keyboard breakage does not affect k.b. back light)

3. Yes, I would have jumped from CF-29 MK-3 to CF-31 MK-3 if funds were not an issue. Problem is I have all the in-between stuff too......and have not made a red cent..........................ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm....maybe a cupla bucks on some 31MK2.

I'm done!...not arguing with Shawn....he's my partner on the SW USA. (PA)

You my friend got lucky. Shawn or I can set you up (with our inventory and contacts) like no one on ebay...............granted they (eBay) have the inventory......but we sir, have the turn-key units out of the box.....or as Shawnster said....modded to spec.

Jayburd
from: CF-52 GUNBR2M
p.s. $220/ea buys a loaded CF-30 CCS85BM (maybe 3 of them)

 

Good points on the size and features.

Also, I tried to send you a PM, but I guess there just isn't a way to do so on this site. What kind of spec-modded setup are you talking? Or would it be too far out of my range?

 

Tell me about your avatar. Breed? I LIKE the picture.

I will go back to Shawn's BST (buy-sell- trade) I'm thinking the only thing "missing" is 4G wireless. Otherwise his CF-31 is "loaded". Give me a few minutes.

FYI.....I hate to take the time to talk about this stuff and then never hear from the OP (original poster) again. Apparently NOT an issue here. Thank you.

Shawn is in PA I am in CA. What I mean is he worked all day and is in bed and I work nights.

Yeah kinda weird. You should be able to click my avatar and start a "Conversation" If you do please add the Shawnster as a cc or bcc.

Jayburd

 

Haha I honestly don't know, It's an old picture I found off Google searching "White Wolf".

And if it's missing 4G wireless, does that mean it's also lacking the GPS module? From the research I HAVE done, I recall seeing that the GPS module is integral with WWAN capabilities. and sure, I've got time.

Well, I'm really looking to upgrade my arsenal

And I know how it is with the night shift - I work Dispatch myself. Boyyyy does it get slow sometimes haha

 

"Not blowing smoke up yer wazoo as they say..."
to the best of my knowledge , that term was/is not crude in it's original context , but rather was a common medical practice into the late 1800s ... with a "revival" in the quackery/snake oil *professions* in the early 1900s to 1920 or thereabout .
however , i shall digress .

yessir , if you can swing it , a '31 , '19 and a '52 are a wiser investment of funds .
the '31 has a display that is every bit as bright as a '30 , and is led based rather than ccfl ... those ccfls shift spectral output and brightness over time .
replacement of them is not easy .
leds are much more stable and have a much longer life ...
plus the '31 can be used as a weapon .
i do like the ability to have the gps module (aftermarket) mounted in the lid , whereas the '19 has it on the side .
(wasn't there talk of some mod work to get a gps module in the lid of a '19 ?)

the early '52s had a screen that was dim ... a later MK version used a led backlight that immensely brightened things up .
there is also a difference in the resolution capabilities of the two basic types (to the best of my knowledge) .
(shawn or sdlmkr can elaborate further on this and other points of interest/differentiation)

the '19 does indeed have a smaller keyboard but i have seen guys with fat-fingers use these style of smaller keyboards ... mind you , they are not like those itty-bitty prop-it-up keyboards used with those *tablet* comps .
(i figured out why they are called "tablets" ... you have to take a couple of ibuprofen because they are such a headache to own/use) .
handle or strap ... if you pack books (you know , those rectangular things with all the pages in them) you will appreciate being able to sling it across your shoulder ... of course , one can always figure out how to put a strap on a '31 or '52 .
(i think sdlmkr made *holsters* for these comps ... i remember something in passing)
the ability to spin the display/lid 180 and lock it down is great for note taking (as well as navigation in the cockpit)

disclaimer ; i don't make a penny on the sale of any item on this forum ... i am not a "paid endorser" ... i believe in/practice rigorous honesty and "fair dinkum" dealings .
the chaps on/in this forum are straight-shooters and will not sell you a pig-in-a-poke ... period .
they will not lead you down a/the merry path and then leave you high and dry .
they will attempt to answer any questions you have ... so ask away .

with any of these comps , a ssd is the way to go ... hands down .

 

Great information, thank you!

I think after doing some more specific reading, I'm going to stick with a CF-19 for my uses (garage motorcycle work, around rowdy kids in a church environment, etc.)

I guess my next question would be - what is a Gobi, and why is it significant? Is it the same thing as a GPS, or does it replace the module for a GPS? And of course because people like features, would a rubberized backlit keyboard be preferable over a standard, or vice versa?

What I'm trying to get at, is that I'm very interested in this CF-19, but after coming upon this one with Windows 7 already installed, I'm not sure which to go with and what I lose with choosing one over the other. I'm not even sure if I understand the basic thing such as the keyboard - if the description states it to be rubberized, does it automatically mean that it's backlit?

Look forward to your and anybody elses answers!

 

I have shoulder straps on my 19, 31, and 52

Gobi is a 3g receiver for data like your phone.

Some Gobi's have "gps" but generally they are not that great. The dedicated module is much better.

Rubber keyboards are VERY difficult to type on.

 

first CF 19

Model Number:
CF-19KHRCX2M
Status:
DISCONTINUED
MSRP:
$2,000
Description: WinXP (Vista COA), Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 1.20GHz (Centrino2), vPro, 10.4" XGA Touch, 160GB, 2GB, Intel WiFi a/b/g/n, Dual Pass (Upper:WWAN/Lower:WLAN), WinXP, TPM GPS, Bluetooth, No Drive, Toughbook Preferred

second CF 19

Model Number:
CF-19KJRAG2M
Status:
DISCONTINUED
MSRP:
$2,000
Description: WinXP (Vista COA), Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 1.20GHz (Centrino2), vPro, 10.4" XGA Touch, 160GB, 2GB, Intel WiFi a/b/g/n, Dual Pass (Upper:WWAN/Lower:WLAN), TPM, Gobi, Rubber Backlit Keyboard, Bluetooth, No Drive, Toughbook Preferred

 

Most of the basic advice has been covered, but I thought I'd drop in to say that, if you can find one in your price range, a digital/dual touch CF-19 model would be much better for taking handwritten notes.

 

ok on the '19 ...
i have "hands on" experience (i'll take the pun) with the '19 and the two basic types of keyboards .
the "rubberized" keyboard has a a much different "feel" to it , as compared to the "click" type .
if one were in a sloppy wet environment , or the machine stood a good chance of getting hit with a liquid of some kind , then a rubber keyboard is ok .

used parts for these machines (or any of the CF series) generally run to the higher side as compared to other brands (ie : dell and HP) ... there is a reason for this : durability and overall physical , electronic , electrical and soft/firmware integrity that ensures that the machines will perform when called upon to .
i have repaired many different brands of machines and many of the parts on/in them are somewhat *cheezy* .
this means that while there may be parts that *look* like they will work (one of my favorites is the wireless/gps modules) and as a fact they will plug in , but , they will simply fail to be recognized or the software will not work .

the dvd/cd drives are another major issue or point ... one particular time , i tried 9 (nine) dvd/cd drives (had to swap out the plastic bits/connector on each one , every time) and none of them would work ... the number that will work in these machines is very limited .

batteries are another point ... they run more than other OEM types but the quality of them is phenomenal ... even the *good* used ones can give some of the other new types a run for their money .
purchasing an *aftermarket* battery for these machines is somewhat of a crapshoot ... they simply do not meet the quality standards of the panasonic batteries .
one can luck out and get a decent aftermarket battery but the odds are long .
the best bet in this case is to purchase used batteries from a reputable source ... personally known and/or ebay based (with a lot of happy customers and a 99.95+ rating) .
still , expect to pay a higher price than others (come to think of it , i would never purchase a used battery for any other make of machine) .

all in all , these machines are built for durability and high reliability ... they are not like other machines ...
a single 4 foot drop to the concrete will prove the point .

 

non-existent config
self-made?

Is it ok to sell here, outside of the trade forum?

 

*Digital touch. My mistake.
As for the question on selling, OP was asking about buying, so I was just trying to be helpful. If I violated any rules, I hope that a mod will let me know so I can be more cognizant of it in the future.

 

In my opinion, I think it is ok to respond with "I do have XYZ for sale. Please PM me for details"
However since you are a vendor and not a private schmuck like me, the rules may be different.
It would be easy for a vendor to respond to every post of "I am looking for ...". The forum could get overrun with the vendor responses.

I am not a mod and my opinion is worth what it cost you.

 

Just to stay on the safe side, I have deleted any parts of my post that could be construed as selling.

 

I am sure our mod Blair will give you a personal answer later on.

 

Well as far as the rules go "no one" is allowed to sell in this part of the forum. That is why we have the Buy and Sell forum. Good example is if I was selling CF-30 in the Buy and Sell forum and a member was posting in the regular forum talking about getting a toughbook I could tell him to check out my For Sale thread but that's all I can say. Anything else is to be posted by PM or in the Buy and Sell forum.

 

Here is my quick take on this.

On the CF-19 stay away from Mk1 touch can be or go bad. Mk2 up are more stable. Mk1 is 32 bit only, Mk2 up 32/64 bit. Rubber keyboards suck for typing fast but great for keeping stuff out of the keyboard area. Mk3 up has a stronger redesigned chassis. The hinge area is re-enforced and the front corners that were plastic and can chip on the Mk1/2 they are case magnesium, also the screen was upgraded to LED light. Helps out with battery life and longer lasting display light. The biggest boost in speed is from a SSD and having plenty of ram. CPU speed jumped a lot on the Mk5 up if you intend to run a lot of programs. No fan, passively cooled. The smaller keyboard takes getting use too but if you can already type adapting to it won't take long. It's easy to add dedicated GPS.

CF-30 is just a tad bigger than your 28. I would recomend a Mk2/3 over the Mk1 for the same basic reasons for the 19. Fanless, same thing on the rubber keyboard. More room inside for internal mods, can use a media bay battery for hot swapping. Has dvd drive as a option. Has 1.6 dual core, bigger cpu than the Mk3 back. Mk4 is 1.2 also but it's a i5 not sure how it stacks up against a 1.6 core 2 duo.

I don't own a 31 yet but from what I have seen on the ones I have held I like them. They have a fan, but is on top of the heat sink plate and is sealed. Can pour water in it and it can't get inside. DDR3 ram, i3,i5 and i7 processors, ATI graphics as a option.

CF-52 so far I have only had a Mk1 ATI and Mk2 low end and Mk2 high end. Good everyday cpu not fully rugged but a lot better than other laptops in toughness. Mk1/2 are dual core intels with i series processors starting on the Mk3. Not sure when they swapped to the LED screen. If you want more power get one with ATI graphics as it will take a strain off of the CPU.

Out of these I currently still have a 52 Mk1 ATI, 52 Mk2 ATI(kids gaming laptop), Mk2 19, MK3 19 x2, Mk5 19 and 30 Mk2. I use my 30 for car stuff. One of the Mk3 19's is a loaner computer with the other one as my car shop PC for music, videos on stuff, etc. The Mk5 19 I just got and really liking the better speed out of it. I am making it my daily PC. The 52 Mk1 ATI is my computer shop PC.


On the 28 I still have 4 left and use them from time to time. What Mk is yours? What trouble was it giving you trying to reaload windows?

 

To you and everyone else who's responded so far, thank you for all the information. I'm definitely feeling like I know more about Toughbooks now enough that I can make a somewhat informed decision - but that doesn't spare the questions I may have

As for my 28, I'm not 100% sure, but after a quick google search on CF-28MCFGZEM, I believe it's the MK1 as listed here. There's no other info I could find on this specific model number. The problems that I am having with the 28 when trying to reload windows, however, exist with the installation process. First off, the HDD that came with the 28 had some amount of Win98 on it, but it wasn't a full install because when the computer booted up, it would get stuck on a sort of Command Prompt screen, and not go any further. Here's a full video to show exactly what happens with it. If I had known about this website earlier I think I would have been better off

Since that video, I ordered 2 different IDE hard drives, this tool, and I've tried numerous times to reformat and reinstall Win98 to them. To be quite honest, I think I've bricked the hard drives because they are no longer even being recognized by any computer I plug them into, which is what led me to give up and look for a new Toughbook, and also caused my budget to be as low as it is (because I've pumped so much money into the 28 in vain effort). Other than that, the BIOS isn't locked, and everything works just fine in terms of buttons and whatnot, although I have no idea about USB ports and stuff because I hadn't had a chance to actually get into windows after the command prompt.

Honestly, I think I might be better off with a newer Toughbook, but then the question arises - what should I do with the 28 I have already? It doesn't work, so I doubt anyone would buy it.

I should also mention that Yesterday, I attempted to buy the 19, but I ran into another issue - I took the $220 I had and got a Visa Gift Card from Kroger to use on Ebay. I did this not more than 2 or 3 weeks ago and it worked, but yesterday, it didn't. After numerous attempts to pay, I eventually called the card provider (KPF Rewards), to which they said that they changed their Terms and Agreements recently, and that many major websites (like ebay, amazon, paypal, etc.) haven't accepted their terms yet, so are not actually allowing the cards to be used on their systems. So in essence, I'm up a waterfall without a boat right now because I've got this money on a card that I don't even know when is going to be valid to use again. Looks like I've got a long wait to get another Toughbook...

 

That card situation sux
-------------------------------------
Model Number:
CF-28MCFGZEM
Status:
DISCONTINUED
MSRP:
$3,616
Description: PIII600, 13.1"XGA/TOUCH, 128, 20GB, FDD, 56K, COMBO, WIN 98

For the 28
Download this and create a CD with the iso.
It should install on older machines. Linux is different but it will run nicely on old machines. Bonus is that it will run right off the CD. It can be installed to a hard drive, but does not have to be. At this point you have nothing to lose by experimenting.

https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=antix

http://antix.mepis.org/index.php?title=Main_Page

This should be a direct download link for the iso
https://sourceforge.net/projects/antix-linux/files/Final/antiX-16/antiX-16_386-full.iso/download

 

yeah ...
methinks that you are right about cutting your losses and getting a different machine .
when all is said and done you will have a machine that runs W98 ... not much you can do with it when it comes to modern programs (see below) .

as an optional flavor of 'nix ... distrowatch lists "mint 9" ...
(i know that) this version works on many of the older machines whereas the newer stuff will choke-n-puke (also the name of many greasy spoons) .
at any rate , you should be able to (at a minimum) run in the "live mode" and repair those drives ... yes , there are instances of drives becoming paperweights .
(who knows , you may forget about W98-2 ... and the limitations of it with respect to more modern programs not even loading)
however , the best thing is to try to get as new a version of 'nix up and running on that machine so that you can have full access to the repositories of 'nix programs .

yeppers , a big PITA is the use of pata drives instead of sata ... i have a few kicking around ... somewhere .
if you run into trouble with the drives you have , i can slip a couple in the mail ... you pay the postage .

to be honest ... perhaps cashing out your card and getting one that is accepted by PP is the way to go .
you never know when a good deal is going to present itself ... best to be as prepared as is possible .
(you don't want to know about the reeeeaaallly fun time i had with linking my bank card/account to PP ... uuuggghhh)

feel free to post any deals you find on ebay , we can go through them with the critical eye-ball and do the ol' ceasar-in-the-coliseum bit .

 

Check out seller risaiklit on eBay, I got my mk6 from them and it is in great condition. They have a few mk4s and mk5s in your price range. Also most if not all their units have GPS. The only downside is that they don't come with ac adapters as they are ex police units. I picked up a genuine Panasonic AC adapter for 10 bucks separately.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

Shawn,

I downloaded and created a CD to bootup that iso, and it worked - but after a certain amount of time, it went to a black screen and didn't do anything else at all. I'll record a video and show what it does that way - otherwise, it looks like the 28 can boot from CD's just fine and is not broken or corrupted like I feared in the first place.

As for a bit of an update - after haggling with the card provider, I got them to give me my money back, and so now I have a new card that I confirmed works with Ebay, and also put a bit more money into it, raising my limit from $220 to $363. After my next paycheck comes in today, I expect to raise the card's balance to about $420-430. So, with that in mind, I'll now be scouring ebay for anything that fits my needs (and wants) in that $363-$420 price range. I'm sure that's more than enough for a well-packed, good condition, decently specced CF-19.

If anyone has any other suggestions now that my range has increased, I'd love to hear it!

 

That's progress. Wait for our Linux man Sadlmkr to chime in. He has much more experience than I do in Linux.


You should be able to find a CF 19 mk3 dual touch in that range. Dual touch always go for more money. It will probably need some TLC.

A mk4 with an i5 would be great. Finding a dual touch may require patience.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/182349875275

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

What's the difference between just a regular touch screen and a dual touch screen, when it comes to Toughbooks?

 

Dual touch has a digitizer plus the standard touchscreen
A touchscreen is fine for clicking open windows and scrolling.
A digitizer is able to draw as good as an artist with pencil and paper.

This video is talking about an ipad, but it shows what a digitizer is capable of.
There is NO comparison of how much better a digitizer is. Only drawback is a touchscreen works with any stylus or you fingernail. A digitizer needs a special stylus.

 

Wooo that's a heck of a deal - I just don't have $500

Maybe I can scrounge a few more bucks to grab that...

Let's say I do put more money from my paycheck into this to make the $500... Would the processor on the MK6 make the it faster than, say, this 19 with a 160GB SSD? If so, is it just slightly noticeably better, or is it like a whole new system?

Also, in the 19 you linked, I see it has the "Antenna / GPS" sticker on the underside like I've seen in others. Does that mean it is equipped with a GPS?

Furthermore, on the 19 you linked, it shows that it comes with a stylus. Is this considered the same thing as a Digitizer pen, and if so, does that make the 19 a Dual-Touch screen like the one I linked?

Finally, for anyone else who wants to lend an analytical eye, I also found this 19 for sale with pretty good specs. Should I nab it at this price, or pitch a few more bucks in for the MK6?

Thanks in advance!

Oh wow, I didn't realize the difference it made. That's news to me!

 

Its relative to what you use it for. I normally have 8-9 tabs open in Chrome. Have diagnostic software running for work and sometimes also have 4-5 tabs open in internet explorer. This will put my 3320m at 35-50% load, a core duo would be loaded from 90-100% and would start causing issues. In my opinion it would be like a whole new system. The core duo is from 2008 and the 3320m is from 2012. The other advantages of an MK6 are the addition of usb3.0 and automatic screen brightness.

Yes it has dual touch (touch and digitizer) and yes it is equipped with GPS.

Description: Win7, Intel Core i5-3320M 2.60GHz, vPro, 10.1" XGA Dual Touch, 500GB(7200rpm), 4GB, Intel WiFi a/b/g/n, TPM, Bluetooth, Dual Pass (Upper:WWAN/Lower:GPS), 56k Modem (RJ11), Verizon 4G LTE, GPS, No Drive, Toughbook Preferred

If you wanted to stay lower in the price range the seller of that MK6 has some MK4s and 5s that are between 200 and 300. Mind you they dont include chargers but cheap ones can be sourced like this one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/PANASONIC-T...416448?hash=item211a416e40:g:300AAOSwx2dYIkad

 

I think I'll just punch in the extra money and go for the MK6 - if I'm already this high up, I don't see why not

 

PM sent with more info.

 

Thats what I did and I dont regret it one bit. I had picked out an MK4 for 200 bucks and actually returned it and went for the MK6. The 3320m is a really good processor and most laptops even now have processors that are only fractions faster. It seems the last few years in developments were all spent on reducing the power consumption of the processors instead of making them faster (Gen 7 I5 is still only 1.2 or 2.5ghz dual core but is 4.5w or 15w)

 

it has a 1.2 gig processor ... ehhh ... and i believe that is a "core 2 duo" (didn't look with the configurator) ...
and that would be the deal breaker for me unless i was going to run a linux OS on it .

the more modern series of processors (more cores in the "i" stuff) means faster and better processing and spitting out of data .

it is a touchscreen ... not a digitizer .

 

So, I've gone and done it - I've sealed the deal and bought this CF-19. I am quite the madman. Now to wait for it to come in and then throw it into a pool of water as soon as I get it.

I just want to thank everyone again for all the input and help I was given here. While I wait for it to come in, any tips for a first time user when I get it? For example, must-have programs, things to check for in terms of system stability, drivers I might want to double check that I have, etc. (really, anything to enhance my experience or make sure the system is operating at optimal?)

 

The one I bought from them had a fresh restore done and everything worked perfect. Check the start menu an see if the Panasonic folder is there. If so it should have software to check the GPS, battery, etc. Open up PC information viewer and poke around. I suggest not to submerge your new PC, Toughbooks carry an ip65 rating which is for soft water spray and dust ingress, a full submergence would cause rapid cooling which will cause an internal vacuum and subsequent leaks. I would be totally confident if my laptop fell into water but I wouldn't do it on purpose.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

Ah, so there are dedicated programs to different facilities on the system, that's nice to know. I'll definitely check it out and do some exploring to get used to it.

And of course not, I was just joking about the pool, of course

So since you bought from the same person, do you mind me asking how long it took from the time you payed it until you got it? I can't help but feel excited and not able to wait for it to come already!

 

Roughly 3 days from purchase to me having it. Just a reminder, did you find a power supply to go with it. I am unsure if a cf-28 adapter will work properly.

 

Awesome - and I sure did, only $10!

 

Nope a CF-28 power adapter will not work.

 

"While I wait for it to come in, any tips for a first time user when I get it?"
take 20mg of valium approximately one hour prior to unboxing .


yeah ... that PS needs to be re-sold .

put a copy of "avast!" free on it ... uncheck all the superfluous crapola .

 

You want me to not feel the excitement coursing through my veins when I open it? You must be out of your mind

So question - and I might be getting ahead of myself, but I want the whole shebang. I found this Fingerprint Scanner on Ebay, a pretty good deal. My question(s) are;

1.) Would a legitimate or Genuine biometric device like that really be that cheap? I was expecting it to be in the $100-200 range.

2.) If I were to buy it, is there a resource or somewhere I can go to follow instructions on how to install it? I did find this thread here on NBR, but it's pictures seem to be long gone, so without them, I feel like I'm going in blind - and I'm a picture person. It's how I work on my Motorcycle when I need to, at least. EDIT: So I messaged Rob from that thread and he replied back to me pretty much immediately, so I now have the PDF to follow installation. Thanks Rob!

 

That is the correct, official Fingerprint scanner for a CF19.

 

These fingerprint readers sell new from Panasonic for $370.00

 

It's very easy to install this part. Don't worry.
I have it in my CF-19, but I don't think it's useful ) Though Win10 can use it to login, but it's faster to enter PIN vs opening and using this reader ) Looks cool, yes )

 

Wow, I'm legitimately surprised. I'm glad I scooped it up as fast as I did then.

Haha I have a T60 with a fingerprint scanner on it, and it saves my life half the time honestly. I prefer the biometric over the password - I get paranoid in public if someone's behind me because, well, I do have sensitive work related stuff on the computer. I also read that the Toughbook's FP software not only works as a general computer security function, but can also allow you to lock an individual "safe" or vault file on the computer to keep specific files safe if necessary, or other stuff that I forgot and I can't find the link again - but either way, it's a plus for me!

 

I have a FPR on my 19 and my 31.

 

It's here!! Yes!! And she works like a DREAM! There was no Valium for me!



Really, thank you guys again for helping me make an informed decision. I think I'm about set for the long run, but If this Toughbook becomes anything like my obsession with motorcycles, I might need 1 or 2 more in the near future.

Now to personalize this baby to my liking. Keyboard's a little harder to type on and I'm making mistakes a little more frequently, but I'm sure I'll get better with it's layout once I'm more familiar and adept with it. The trackpad is also just slightly tough to use - set the sensitivity too high and it starts jumping around, but too low and well, it's slow to move.

All in all though, I can't complain - I got a great deal and she's mine now.

Now to install some navigation software because, why not?

 

Congrats, I find myself using the pen on mine more than anything. I picked up a spare pen on eBay that I carry around in my pocket when I'm at work.

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