Cf-30

Well I just bought my first Toughbook! Love it!! Model # CF-30KAPAX2M. I just loaded Win7 64bit, and drivers from several sites including JP to get everything up and running. ( except f1&f2 issue which I will play around more with vista drivers to get that up and running) My question is, I saw a post here for 8GB mem for a MK2 but didn't find anything for a MK3 so do any of you Toughbook pros know what type/brand to put in this model?
I know this will recognize the 8GB, I just thought I could side step alot of trial and error (and returns).

Thank you, Rich








Alienware MX-17x, Toughbook CF-30 MK3

 

Welcome to the Panasonic Toughbook Forum

Below is what your CF-30 had when it left the factory...

Model Number : CF-30KAPAX2M
Status : DISCONTINUED
MSRP : $2,200


Description: WinXP (Vista COA), Intel Core 2 Duo SL9300 1.60GHz (Centrino2), vPro, 13.3" XGA Touch, 160GB, 2GB, Intel WiFi a/b/g/n, TPM1.2, Bluetooth, Single Pass (WWAN), Emissive Backlit Keyboard, Wireless Ready, No Drive, Toughbook Preferred

My guess this is the thread you are talking about http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/751942-max-ram-cf-30-mk2-2.html . Use the same memory as they did.

 

Thank you for the info on my Toughbook! And thanks for the Link...Except I get two different looks at mem.

1- 2X4GB of SODIMM 667MHz 200-Pin PC2-5300

2- Elpida 2x4GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800MHz non-ECC Unbuffered CL6

Do you have any input?

 

the RAM speed is the difference in this case ... 667MHz versus 800MHz .
the motherboard front side buss is designed to support both .
grab the faster type .

there are several brands that will work .
as was pointed out here :
http://forum.notebookreview.com/pan...done-lighting-strikes-twice-cf-30-memory.html
sometimes the faster stuff is cheaper than the slower stuff .
if you are using a 32bit OS with a 32 bit processor anything over 4gigs is a waste

find some ram , post some links and we can eye-ball them for *workability* .

 

Both will work in your CF-30MK3. The 6400 is a newer memory but will run at the 5300 speed and most of the time it can be a lot cheaper buying it.

 

Not sure what you are looking at for prices but this is a good price 8GB Kit 2X 4GB DDR2 PC2 5300S 200 Pin 2Rx8 by Samsung GT GT Dual Channel | eBay

 

Blair, Rob, Shawn or anyone... Something I have noticed the more "Configurator" postings I see.... Seems like most of the CF-30 MK1s & 2s cost $5k.... Then mysteriously the MK3 model drops to around $2200.... Anyone have any idea why?

 

Democrats?.....

Recession?......

Ebay?..............:hi2:

No idea..

 

I think if you look at when the 30MK1 first came out all laptops were high priced back then. My Dell XPS had a list price of $3674 but now they are $1400. Back then everyone was just starting to get into laptops so less were sold but as the years went on more were being made/sold so the cheaper they get to make. That's my take on it...

That too..
Another good example is in 1998 I bought a new 1998 Dodge Dakota 4X4 loaded for $34,500.00 . Now for $1000.00 more I can buy a full size Dodge Hemi... Recession?? more being made?? Good question...

 

OK... I was thinking of shopping on the Bay... how about one of these two choices?

Micron 8GB Kit 2x4GB PC2 6400 6400S 800 MHz SODIMM Laptop 200 Pin DDR2 Memory | eBay

Samsung 8GB 2x4GB PC2 6400 DDR2 800 800MHz 200pin SODIMM Laptop Memory Non ECC | eBay

 

Either one.... I like Samsung lately...

 

Good choice Rick....It seems that Samsung is Panasonic's OEM memory. See....



Nick

 

Well instead of going to China for the Samsung, I just purchased... 8GB Kit Samsung DDR2 800MHz PC2 6400S 2x4GB SODIMM for Laptop | eBay
When I install I will post the news!!

 

NEVER order from China... It will be fake and not work correctly.

Unless you are talking Cashew Chicken... Then be my guest!

 

Anymore, ordering from USA doesn't guarantee it's not fake..

 

I am VERY picky about reading feedback... I have had two fake things on Feebay in 15 years... A movie and a Win XP Pro CD...

 

while there are a few "across the big pond" outfits opening up *warehouses* stateside (hooray , no more three week wait !) and they are trying to do a decent job along the lines of honesty ...
there are bound to be those individuals that will take advantage of a situation and serve up rip-off copies of sundry items .

 

OK back on topic...I received the memory installed and Hello!!! 8GB Baby!!! Check the Pics...

 

Soooo...this will be my 2nd significant upgrade to max out the (hardware portion, at least) efficiency of my machine (the first, of course, is swapping out the 80 GB HDD with a 480 GB SSD). I figure between the SSD and doubling the memory (I have Win7 Pro 64 Bit), this machine should run about as quick as it can (worked great on my other notebooks and my desktop, so I figure it can't hurt to do the same with my CF-30 Mk2...).

 

Welcome to the Panasonic Toughbook forum

SSD and max out the memory is the best upgrade you can give the 30 but the upgrade to 64bit not so much. Unless you are some power user OK but if not its a waist of money.

 

Toughasnails - Fortunately, the factory refurb CF-30 came with Win7 64 Bit installed, so that particular choice wasn't an issue. I'm good with it because I'm a power user (photo editing and a handful of other resource-intensive things I tinker with as well)..hoping to benefit from the 8GB possibility in the 64bit version of Win7 - plus, my expectation is that they took care of all of the driver installations there since they installed the OS. While there are a few things I'd prefer to stick to the 32bit version for, the 8GB availability will make it worthwhile in the long run. Just to keep my options open...I'm getting another HD caddy and putting one of my extra 250GB HDD's to good use and configure it with either a Win7 32bit or an XP Professional OS. Changing the whole environment as easy as swapping out the HD without having to crack open the caddy. I have done that with a few of my older XPS laptops and it worked well. I'm looking forward to all of the benefits of having a solid, reliable CF-30, while having options to "play" with it by using a second caddy/HDD to swap out and experiment with (without screwing up my operational setup inadvertently).

 

Make an image of the working 64bit OS now.....Later on you will be glad you did...

 

Definitely the FIRST order of business! (and some of the best advice anywhere!) I tinker too much to not image the working system....it has saved my skin on countless occasions! Being able to tweak things around WITH a safety net is one of the most valuable lessons I learned years ago. Now I can learn new stuff - what works and what doesn't...and what screws things up really good... with the peace of mind knowing I can go back to my "all good" image to start over from. Unfortunately...years ago, I learned many wonderful lessons "the hard way", but all was not lost (except for all the hours I may have avoided starting over from scratch instead of restoring an image of the working system) - I learned many, many great lessons every time I screwed up my system. I like to consider the mantra "I never lose - I either WIN, or I LEARN" (that was what I convinced myself of instead of grinding my teeth every time I tanked my system and had to start allll over again).

What is very helpful is - all of the knowledge and experience right here on this particular forum...EASIEST lessons to learn are from doing a lot of research and listening to those who have figured out what works and what doesn't (and those who figured out how to make what doesn't work - work after all).

 

"I never lose - I either WIN, or I LEARN"

This would make a great signature line. It's a keeper. I look forward to seeing it on your posts in future.

Jeff