CF-31 as a "light" workhorse laptop?

Hello,
Lately I am finding myself using my CF-19Mk6 a lot, even more so than my Lenovo T480 mostly because the T480 is much more delicate. I carry my T480 in a Pelican backpack which defeats the purpose of having a light, thin performance laptop. Besides, while the performance is nice, it's not necessary. My CF-19 almost fits the bill except I go a little bit crazy with its keyboard arrangement, small screen size and how hot it gets (to the point it burns my palms if I rest my hands on chassis).

This got me thinking that I may invest in a used CF-31 with preferably i5-3rd or 5th gen CPU + dGPU (whatever opportunistic buy is on ebay auctions).

I am intending to use the CF-31 to basically replace the Lenovo T480, everything "light" duty programming + CAD designing + putting together presentation.

I am putting together a list of components to buy additionally/replace (reapplying thermal pads, turning DVD drive into a second HDD caddy for example) but I wonder, even though I can clearly see that CF-31 will give me a larger screen and a more "natural" keyboard arrangement, will it still be able to perform as a light workhorse laptop without burning me literally?

I know that it is one of the few toughbooks with fans but how hot does it get when pushed to 100% performance for extended period of time?

 

There’s a sweet MK3 for sale and the seller can answer all your questions, he’s the search ninja


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CF 31 mk3
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/to...F-31-mk3.832102/&share_type=t&link_source=app


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31 is a _massive_ downgrade from a T480 though.

 

Yep, especially considering the 32GB RAM and i7 8th gen core with MX150 dGPU. The problem with T480 is that I actually have to take care of it and treat it as a delicate equipment rather than a brick. Mos of the time it sits in its Pelican backpack and I am actually choosing to carry my CF-19 especially since I have a desktop at work and an Alienware 15 at home.

 

You can put 32gb in a mk5 but the 16gb chips are pricey.

 

If you need the discrete graphics card the best is a mk4 ..The dgpu was dropped on the mk5+.

 

You don't have to, it's mil-std-810g certified. Anyway, cf-31 is extremely bulky. Maybe there's a sense to look for cf-5x series. But I would prefer working on thinkpad whenever it's possible.

 

Honestly the certification doesn't mean much... Up until Tx30, lenovos were quite sturdy, T440~T480+ are built like Macs and gets scruffed up too easily, not to mention the inadequate cooling without tweaking the fan speeds.

I did consider CF-5x series but right now CF31 with its handle an full ruggedness attracts me. I just want something that is essentially a larger version of CF19 with proper keyboard layout and a larger screen and handle heat better.

Regarding

Do they have any Nvidia dGPUs or all Radeon?

 

All ATI Radeon™ HD.

 

I see, how do they handle heating? Mk5s and Mk4s with dGPU? My CF19 regularly reaches 100C but stays fully operational.

 

Intel's global feature
I'm waiting for my Lenovo T14s Ryzen
Still guess CF-31 is not portable at all )

 

Well, Honestly I prefer to carry a CF-31 in hand or on a sling + proper backpack/duffel rather than my Pelican U100 and Lenovo T480. It's a nice backpack (with my custom fitted frame under the foam, there's a compartment for it) and laptop is very accessible but the carrying capacity of the backpack is really disporpotional to its size and weight. Also the T480 has some serious design flaws, starting with the keyboard touching the screen and leaving scratches and the standard 3 cell battery makes the profile so flat, no air can get into the ventilation and the 6 cell battery elevates the backside, resolving the problem. Also the HDD overheats easily because basically there is no air gap between the back panel and the HDD, not to mention that there is only 2mm between the HDD and the outside of the laptop (I have a M2.2242 SSD + 2.5" platter HDD setup). I could go on about my disappointments with T480 but I think until Lenovo stops trying to follow Mac, I am not going to buy them anymore, but that's not the point of this thread.

As the focus of my job has shifted, I much prefer a fully rugged laptop that can handle moderate level jobs instead of "thin, light, and scratches its own screen and overheats its HDD without a cooling pad."

Right now CF19 fits the bill except I am going just about crazy with its keyboard arrangement.

 

I do like island type keyboards on cf19, except the fact they are not water-resistant. Of course cursor keys still have the same layout.
Ok, if cf31's size and weight are comfortable for you, maybe it's a good choice

 

I don't know if I will find CF31 comfortable but I usually carry Pelican cases in hand regularly so I don't see it being a problem. I have the rubberized backlit keyboard for CF-19, I actually got used to pressing hard and I am pretty good at it now.

It's just that I often program and not having the tilde ~ next to 1 and up/down/left/right and delete keys where they are drive me crazy.

I still want to findout about how the CF31 handles the heat though.

 

31 and 19 Models are my best two so far. I have MK3,4,5,6 19 models. On my 19 Mk3 right now (I keep it in my work truck) and I also have a CF-31 i5 model with the ATI 7750 and windows 10. I use it for light gaming still. Currently been playing a mix of fallout 3 and Skyrim on it when work gets slow.

I haven't had the 31 over heat any. I have felt a build up of heat a few times when gaming but while gaming leave the side doors open and that has seemed to help. I haven't repasted/new pads on it yet. Had it around a year now.

The 31 is a lot heaver, over twice what a 19 is. The screen is lower resolution like the 19 is. Mine was preloaded with windows 10 so I uploaded a windows 7 key in it and ran with it.

 

Do you have temperature readings using something like HWINFO64?

 

Not at the moment, but I can as I already have that program on the PC. I like it's portable app for looking up hardware. Been working 12 hour days haven't had much gaming time. Next time I crank it up I will turn it on.

You can get a wide screen CF-52 model with the same video card and CPU it will just have the better resolution. But it's the semi rugged model with a handle. I wanted the lower resolution so the older video card didn't have to work as hard. I have a dedicated gaming desktop so I didn't need to get a max spec laptop. Also another one of the newer semi rugged toughbooks has dedicated graphics as well, ATI business video card, the CF-55 I think.

There are three ATI cards in the 31 models ATI 5650, 6750 and 7750 all with the "i" series processors.

 

I don't know whether the Lenovo is sunlight viewable or whether that's even relevant to anyone else's usage - but I'd hate having anything but my 19 or 31 with me outdoors in the cockpit, working on vehicles or sitting at an outside bar table on a sunny day.
I hate not being able to see my phone screen in the sun - I can't imagine why the whole world isn't up in arms to get manufacturers to make all mobile screens readable anywhere.
Or am I out of date and they already are?

 

HP has 1000 nit displays, for example.
Sunlight viewable display of 19/31 is good outdoors, but awful in normal conditions ) I'm happy with FZ-G1's (both indoors and outdoors).
I hope matte 400 nit Lenovo's display is also suitable for almost all conditions. Will check it soon.

 

Thanks for the referral Cleve!