Getac vs Panasonic?

I'd like to ask you a couple of questions in regards to some recent rugged laptops.

1. If you have used them, how would you compare and rate keyboards on Toughbook 55 and Getac B360? Is typing significantly better on one over another? How would you compare them to some other more popular keyboards, such as on Thinkpads or Macbooks? Would writing reports be comfortable on Getacs and Panasonic, especially in comparison to Thinkpads?

2. Is there any significant difference in reliability between Toughbooks and Getacs? If we buy a few of them for vehicles and leave them there for years, will both series likely work in 7-8 years or is either of them more prone to (non-damage related) issues, such as dying motherboards?

3.We have a budget limit that allows to buy fully rugged B360 as the best from Getac, or semi rugged Toughbook 55 as the best from Panasonic (CF-31 is too expensive). Which would most likely be longer lasting?

4. B360 is fully rugged, but would TB55 survive being in a rain for a short time? Ie. when moving it from a car to a building.

Thank you in advance for your answers!

 

Had problems with F110 and V110 (many). Suddenly dying batteries, weak hinges, keyboards. Very hard to disassemble for repair. Low quality vs Toughbooks. "Tender" fully rugged. Definitely will not buy them again. I think total cost of ownership will be higher than Toughbooks.
Also, if you have to move those laptops frequently, I would prefer smaller CF-19's, guess it's possible to find them refurbished and cheap. Not so good keyboard though )
Also I think cf-5x series is ok, just don't like them myself )
Or look at Thinkpads T or even E series - they are mil-spec certified. Protect them from the rain, of course.

 

We have not had any CF-55 nor any B360 units so I cannot give any input personally. From experience though I can say that the semi-rugged units tend to run into hinge issues or screen issues over time and do not last as long as the fully rugged models. I have a 30 something CF-53, CF-54 sitting on the shelf that have screen issues, doa and so forth if that gives you any idea of the durability. The semi and fully rugged will not any problems dealing with a little rain. Have you looked into refurbished models for the CF-31 or B300? I know there are some good refurbishing companies out there
Steve

 

I have had the Getac version of the CF-19, it was ok when I first got it, but it didn't last very long. My brother in law borrowed it when his dell died on him and he dropped it with the charger plugged in, never could get it to turn back on. Even after I took it apart. Even tested the charger, it was good. I wound up parting it out.

The charger is harder to find unless they changed it, round with 4 prongs inside it. Here is a ebay picture so you can see what the charger port looks like if they still use this on there fully rugged moddels.

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/E9AAAOSwKpdeVgzG/s-l1600.jpg

On the used sides of things caddy and batteries are more expensive and harder to find used, but you can usually find a older shell used but with all the hard to find parts missing.

Are you wanting a model with the bigger screen?

 

The Getac is very hard to get parts for, almost impossible but with Panasonic you can get any parts you want in days from Heartland SI. Just email or call customer service.

 

I have had several Getacs to sell,almost impossible to get parts as Getac will not sell things like caddies to the public. Fit and finish are crap as is the screens on the V110 and B300s I had.