Do any toughbooks have a dedicated video card?

I have an application that requires a dedicated video card. But I also need it to be pretty rugged. I use this application outdoors and in humid environments. I would prefer not a current model, so i can save some money.

A CF-51 would almost work, if it had a water resistant keyboard.

 

They put dedicated video cards in the following:

CF-31
CF-52
CF-53

We kinda need more details on what you're doing. There are no discontinued models that have dedicated GPU's, only current ones.

 

Well that depends on how new of a video card you need.

CF-48V/X (Mk4) -- ATI 7500

CF-48E/F (Mk5) -- ATI 9000

CF-48G/H (Mk6) -- ATI 9000

CF-50W/Y (Mk1) -- ATI Mobility Radeon 7500, 32MB or 64MB VRAM

CF-50A/B/X (Mk2) -- ATI Mobility Radeon 7500, 32MB or 64MB VRAM

CF-50D/E/F/G/H (Mk3) -- ATI 9000, 32MB or 64MB VRAM

CF-50L/M (Mk4) -- ATI 9600, 64MB VRAM

CF-50J/K (Mk5) -- ATI 9000, 64MB VRAM

CF-51xxxxA/H/Qxx (Mk1) – ATI 9600 (confirmed)(may be some with only intergraded graphics)

CF-51xxxxC/K/xx (Mk2) -- ATI X300, with discrete 64/128MB

CF-51xxxxE/Mxx (Mk3) -- ATI X1300, with discrete 64/128MB

CF-73E/F (Mk1) -- ATI 7500, 32MB or 64MB

CF-73J/K (Mk2) -- ATI 7500, 64MB

CF-73N/Q (Mk3) -- ATI 9000, 64MB

Cf-52 MK1 512mb hd2300 ati

CF-52 ati 3650

CF-52 ati 5650

CF-52 Mk4 ATI 6750

CF-53 ATI 5650

CF-53 ATI 6750

CF-31 ATI 5650

CF-31 ATI 6750

I think there is one or two with the ATI 7500 I forgot. Your best bang for your buck right now is the CF-51 Mk3 with x1300 and upgradable cpu, CF-52 2.4 dual core with 3650 would be next. I plan on getting one before long.

How exactly will you be using it and how much kick do you need?

 

ADOR a CF-51 mk3 would work great, if it had a water resistant keyboard. In fact that is what I have been testing it on (indoors). The application is in beta testing and for field use. So I am thinking a rubber or emissive keyboard to protect from rain till it can be put away. I apologize for not posting the specs in the beginning, I just received them from the developer. The current specs are an Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB of RAM and 128MB of video RAM on a dedicated video card (I was told this may go up to 256MB there is an issue with more graphic features among some users). My goal was a laptop under $1000, I can't budget $4000 plus dollars for a CF-31 for this application.

What does a CF-52 cost with dedicated video, are there some deals to be had? Is there something that fit these specs better?

Thanks to everyone for your help. I knew someone on this forum would know the models off the top of their head. I am still learning about toughbook models I didn't even know existed. But they are great computers.

 

WOW! I fail big time! Forget my post! LOL! DOPE GOOD JOB ADOR!

Where the HELL do you keep all this knowledge!?!

 

How do you tell the CF-52s on ebay that have dedicated video? I have run a number of model numbers through the Panasonic site but none show dedicated not like the CF-51s I have. I have seen a few that show 512MB video RAM in the BIOS screen.

 

I have a list, but it is at home. The 5650 and 6750 card is in the newer I5 models ( I think all the i3 models have integrated graphics and all the i5 models are dedicated graphics on the CF-52,53 and CF-31 but don't quote me on that just yet), look for one with 2.4 core2duo, it has 3650 512mb card if you think that will be enough. The CF-52 is a cross between the CF-51 and the CF-74. They dropped the smaller semi-rugged 74 model and made a wide screen with handle and kind of combined it with the 50's series that was just business rugged. Most of my file data base I have been building is on the older models. I just don't have the money to mess with all the latest and greatest.

The 51 has more to think about than just the keyboard if you want water proof. Fan, no port covers for the sides, etc. It's a business class machine. I think but not sure a rubber back lit keyboard will fit that model, it just doesn't have the connector for the back light to work. You can make it work but you would have to get the pin out and add power yourself, then you still won't be able to adjust brightness. It would be full bright all the time. For more of what you want the 52 may be a better choice. Updated chassis that can take a SATA hard drive, semi rugged, newer batteries as the 51 takes CF-29 batteries, and handle, I know it has some port covers but not sure as to what they all cover. At least 4gb ram, the model with the 3650 may take up to 8gb that will help in labor intensive programs. With the sata interface on the harddrive a good ssd also becomes a choice.

Look at the bios screen, it will say 512 video in it for a CF-52. Also you can't swap out the CPU (with out a rework station) so that is a good starting point to make sure you have the right model. 1.8 low cf-52 Mk1/ 2.0 is high Cf-52 Mk1 with dedicated graphics. The "high" end model will have the good graphics.

 

LOL, just think Rob, this isn't the full list. I left off all the really old ATI Rage cards I think some of them are the top of the line 8mb and 16mb cards. Think there is another odd model with a ati 9000 too. I like to stick with the 9000 or higher cards personally.

??? Some things just stick with me, I remember some car stuff like that too down to the last detail.

 

Ador,

Would you mind posting this information in the general Toughbook discussion over at TBT with a title something like "List of Toughbooks with dedicated video cards"?

I would be willing to make it a sticky!

Thanks again

 

No problem, but let me get the rest of the info I have saved at home to fully complete the list. I will start it with this and just finish it off when I get home.

 

little bit of necro-bump.

The Toughbook CF-72 mark 5 ( CF-72X3JWZDG) also has an ATI 7500 m6 videocard with 32MB

 

This is the thread that gave birth to the thread on TBT. I have all of the CF-72's listed there. ~Toughbook Talk~ Toughbook Discussion • View topic - List of Toughbooks with dedicated video cards

I need to update that thread as well with some of the newer intergrated graphics. Last time I checked they haven't update ATI cards in the Toughbooks yet from the ATI 7750

 

Okay, thanks for the link.