CF-52 or CF-19

So i have the opportunity to pickup a CF-52 (new model) with the WUXGA screen, or a CF19 with the Wxga screen (new model as well)

Recently i tried the 13" CF-52 and loved the keyboard, touchpad etc. One of the better i have used.

While i do not really need such a rugged notebook, i can have its uses when i am in the field doing network repairs.

Any reason a CF-52 would not be a good choice for a semi rugged notebook.

my problem with the 19 is the screen size in general.


Aside from the screen size any reason i would not chose the CF-19?

 

I don't have a CF-52, but do own a CF-19. It's takes a few minutes to get a hang of the smaller keyboard (vs my CF-29), but I find myself typing just as fast, if not faster, on the CF-19.

If you're going to be hauling your laptop around the field with you, I think the -19 would be the better way to go in terms of portability.

 

My fiance owns a CF-19 and she loves it because it's VERY light. The keyboard is MUCH smaller than the 52's, and personally I can't stand it. However, my fiance has the emmisive backlit in her 19 and LOVES IT! (She has small hands + she has spent the time to learn how to type on the smaller keyboard)

There is no doubt that the 19 is obviously MUCH more rugged than the 52, but the 52 is by no means wimpy!

My mother owns a 15.4" 52 and one of my better friends also owns one as well and they both LOVE THEM! Very easy to type on as well. I have no personal experience with the 13" CF-52, but it is well known around here that that screen size (13") in the CF-52 is EXTREMELY RARE and generally much much much more $$$. I have installed a CF-27 handle on my mothers CF-52 15.4" model so that she can have a shoulder strap to carry it around (mostly on her business trips). She doesn't use a case with the 52 either and it has been slammed down on tons of airport security belts and has never bat an eye. The battery life on BOTH units are just unbelievably long!

Also, both units are available with i5 CPU's now which is totally wicked! Additionally, you can get the newer CF-19's with dual touch screens (IE, digitizer AND touchscreen hybrid) VS the 13" CF-52 is only a touchscreen. Also the CF-52 is generally known to be WAY more powerful of a machine (as are ALL semi-rugged's)

Either way, both units are VERY cool and you will love both!

 

Myself if I was going to use it in the field it would be the CF-19 Fully Rugged. It's light and as Rob said battery life is great. I have a CF-18 and it works great and easy to take anywhere and it's went on a few good rides on my 4X4 ATV..I have it mounted on my front rack for GPS . Try doing that with a CF-52 . If you will be using it mostly inside then go with the CF-52. I tried the 18 at home but it's screen and keyboard is too small for every day use.....just my 2 cents worth

 

Thanks everyone..

I can tell you that the CF-52 in the 13" screen was not that much more then a regular CF-52. the WUGXA model does add some price (like $500 to this, but as i can pickup an openbox CF-19 for the same price i just went . hmmmm.

Also the CF-52 with the 13" screen is the same size from what i can tell to the 15" screen (just the internal screen is smaller, the case is the same)

I am leaning to the CF-19 now......agggg i hate buying new notebooks especially when we are talking in the 2K range.

 

Willard, once you get rid of those two crappy Dull laptops and that thing they call a "macbook air" and dip your big toe into the toughbook world, you won't bat an eye at dropping 2k on a laptop because you will learn that what you get out of it in return excels so much more than any other laptop.

You've read my world famous thread about my personal experience with every laptop in the world right? : http://forum.notebookreview.com/pan...e-thread-against-anything-isnt-toughbook.html

 

Do you have the full model # of the 2 you are looking at. I would check Panasonic to see what the list price is to see what kind of discount you are getting for buying a open box one
Configure Rugged Laptops - Official Panasonic Toughbook Rugged Computers
This is the one I just built

Model Number: CF-52GUNDE2B
Status: CURRENT
MSRP: $2,651

Description: Windows XP Pro SP2 (with Win 7 COA), Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 2.26GHz, 13.3" XGA Touchscreen LCD (1000 nit), 160GB Shock‑mounted HDD, 2GB, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, DVD Super MULTI Drive, Insertable SmartCard Reader, Toughbook Preferred

Model Number: CF-19RJRQX1M
Status: CURRENT
MSRP: $4,755
Description: Windows 7 Professional, Intel Core i5‑540UM 1.2GHz, 10.4" XGA Touchscreen LCD, 160GB Shock‑mounted HDD, 2GB, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth, GPS Receiver, Dual Pass (Upper WWAN / Lower Wi‑Fi), Insertable SmartCard Reader, Fingerprint Reader, TPM 1.2, Backlit Rubber Keyboard, Toughbook Preferred

 

15.4" WUXGA 52 here. I love this thing. Working on this resolution helps a lot your productivity for multitasking. Theres a downside though, if you are goig to use it outside the screen is not ver bright. I long for the day a toughbook will have a trackpoint and a high resolution screen in a small package (tough x200s)

Its very heavy too and I never take it outside so I'd love an S9 premium edition. All black toughbooks (lets notes) are the sexiest laptops I've seen. Not much love for the business rugged toughbooks in the forum though.

 

Rob,
I hear you, but the M4500 is for work....that is getting replaced with the toughbook.

the M6500 serves a purpose as i use it mainly for VMware (16 gigs of ram and a quad core)

the Air was more for play and to try it out. Still need windows day to day for work, so it may be going back (still under the 30 day mark)


Blair,
I picked up the CF-52 for work at around $2300. the CF-52 with Hi res screen is hitting about $2600
the discount on the openbox CF-19 is about $700 and still investigating why.

fakeplasticblah,
outside it not an issue as 90% of what i do is inside, just in iffy areas (network closets, datacenters and normally holding it or balancing it)

I was also looking at an S9 but alas no docking solution.
It would defiantly replace that Mac Air,


Thanks Guys, I am still on the fence...... I guess i will decide in the next day or so.

 

Well pulled the trigger.

Just could not deal with the micro keyboard so went this route.

CF-52 UWXGA 256 gig hard drive etc.
Will upgrade it to 4 gigs of ram and drop windows 7 on it and a 500 gig HD.


Also picked up an openbox C1 lets see how that is, if it sucks i have 30 days to return it to the vendor. <-- Main travel unit.
But I figure it should be ok. That one i picked up through work.


Going back.
M4500
Apple air



Thanks for everyone's help.

 

There you go.....smart move. Did you get the 13" or 15" screen.

 

Did you see this deal that many jumped on...for USA only
http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/554637-toughbook-w8-379-a.html

 

Grabbed the 15" as the C1 is a touch screen

I thought about the W8, but naaa. not for me.


I liked the 13" model we had here, but unless it was convertible i doubt i would use the touch screen. Although the red LED lights were cool


Tomorrow the CF-52 arrives and Thursday the C1.....can't wait!

 

That's great, let us know what you think of them.

 

AAHAHAHAHA, Funny! You know that once you get a touchscreen you WILL use it and when it gets taken away from you, you WILL cry like a 2 year old and wonder how you ever lived without it!!! Ask anyone here and they will agree with me!

Also, FWIW, Dull is about 20 years to late, but I guess better late than never on touchscreen laptops. The new Dull 1 has a touchscreen on it. I'll betcha a nickel that within the next 2 years almost every manufacture will make at least 1 model of laptop WITH a touchscreen! And when all these dumb manufactures finally realize that they will outsell ANY other model then they will ALL have touchscreen and Panasonic will actually have competition!

~Rob - FWIW!~

 

Oh I don't doubt I will use the touch screen on the C1.
Just never been a fan of it on a non-convertible screen. But that's just me.

That and the CF-52 13" is the same size at the 15" case wise. So why not go with something that gives me a high resolution screen.
But I have to say that Red Led light is cool.

 

The 13" one has a high nit screen right? Pretty useful for some people!

 

Yes and let me tell you in a dark room it is BRIGHT!

Nice screen i can say that.

 

I can imagine. No discrete graphics though.

 

CF-52 arrived. Great notebook love the resolution.
Not as heavy as I though ti would be. but very solid notebook.
Am i happy with the decision. Hell ya.
Upgraded to 8 gigs of ram and a 500 gig HD. Even with that, shows 5.5 hours of battery life for general VPN, email and internet/ Serial usage (Cisco switch) decent.

AND my Targus Premium notebook adapter work (Light small and slim)

Now the C1.......nope although unbelievably light. this is just not for me.
the Touch screen sucked and generally feels a little cheap (although it is very well built)
So i will stick with the CF-52 and travel with it, hell it can take the abuse.