Got one!!

OK, many have been watching and helping with my quest to get hold of one of these great machines and last night I got this from ebay.

eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace

Soooo, does someone want to tell me this was a good buy or at least it will meet my requirements in my original post? And, once it arrives just what would someone like myself who will be using it everyday upgrade or modify, I have already enquired as to having the RAM upgraded to 4gb, I will look at the 80GB hard drive next I suppose?

It will be used for OBD II diagnostics on vehicles
Running software maps for expedition use
General internet browsing
Playing films through wifi to a larger television

The unit comes with Windows Vista, I have been a XP Pro user for the last 5 years...ish, is Vista better? Perhaps an upgrade to Windows 7?

FWIW I have my own purchased 'proper' copy of XP Pro (cost a fortune back then) but as MS drops support in awhile I am trying to stay with current trends as long as performance does not suffer?

I will be using a replicator port as the keyboard seems a bit small for my hams and I want to avoid speeling mistakes, so is one model better than another?

Thanks again to all who helped on the 'Newbie' thread, you never know I might be able to return that help one day?

Tranquillo

 

The bad
Missing the original stylus ,a couple of marks on the unit

The good...You got a smoking good deal

 

Thanks for that Alex, the pictures I think are 'stock' items and they send that out with all the the ebay adverts for that model so I am hoping mine is no worse than that (as he types with fingers crossed).

The stylus Alex, would you care to share a few words about that, is it better/nicer to use or what?

I am hoping if the unit turns out to be as good as the seller states it should make a good base for future upgrades?

Many thanks

 

You use the stylus for accuracy and so you don't get fingerprints all over your screen

For a small screen tablet its necessary , and the standard sylus fits in the lid, nice and handy

 

So first thing to look for is an original CF-19 stylus, is there any crossover i.e. the CF-18 is the same?

Many thanks

 

You can use a CF-18 Touch-Screen stylus also they are the same. Shouldn't
be to hard to find. New from heartland they are around 25$ last time I bought
a few.

 

Thanks for that RS, I am off out for awhile, I will start looking upon my return.

Thanks

 

Nice buy. No need for 4gb memory as a 32bit OS will only see @ 3.24 gb.Just go with 3 gb. You won't be able to tell the difference. For compatabilty with your programs I'd go with XP. A restore disc is the easiest way to do that. For WWAN in the EU, you'll probably need to change the card to an HSPDA card such as the EU870.

 

Pass on Vista and go for Windows 7 + a nice Intel SSD

 

Looks good to me; however, according to the Panasonic Toughbook Configurator, the Model Number they posted, "CF:19FHG83AM", shows to be invalid.

Nevertheless:

CF-19FHG83AM

F: Mk2 Intel Core 2 Duo U7500 1.06GHz (Centrino 2)
H: 10.4" Touch Screen
G: 80GB HD, 1GB RAM, Dual Hi-Gain RF Connectors (Upper: WWAN, Lower: GPS)
8: BT, HD lock
3: EVDO RevA Sprint WWAN
A: Vista COA, XP downgrade
M: North America

 

Tranquillo.

ebay seller pan-toughbooks has the CF-18 / CF-19 stylus for sale. They are in the UK and I have had a few things from them in the past - good seller if a bit expensive for some of the bigger stuff.

Cheers
Andy

 

Panasonic Toughbook CF-18 CF-VNP003U TouchScreen Stylus

Panasonic Toughbook CF-VDW07 CF-VNP003U Stylus Pen

Panasonic CF-19 CF-VNP003U Touch Screen Stylus Pen

Panasonic Toughbook CF-U1 UMPC CF-VNP003U Stylus Pen

Seller information
Member ID pan-toughbooks (Feedback score of 4564 *)

 

I just got an email from the seller, he only does the 1gb upgrade to make it 2gb all in, can I assume there are two memory slots? If he upgrades I think it will be 1gb in each slot so I will end up throwing something away. I liked the idea (assuming two slots) of a 2gb memory in each one, so effectively maxing it out? As mentioned earlier I do have an original XP pro disc which is used on my laptop that went up the wall, I was thinking I might flog the HP laptop with a standard copy of xp and keep the XP Pro myslef but what of MS pulling the plug later on? I also note the seller indicates that XP is a downgrade? As you have probably gathered I am prepared to pay for the best upgrade within reason, feel free to keep the ideas coming.

many thanks for your comments

Tranquillo

 

OK thanks for that Andy,

Tranquillo

 

Hmmm, I found that as well but the numbers worked on another listing, IIRC it was 'Wiki'? I am going to surf awhile and find out what ' upper WWAN' and 'lower gps' means along with all the other acronyms

Thanks for your help

 

I like the idea of Win 7 but thought that a later OS would burden the machine as there are more bells and whistles to slow it down? SSD I think is a solid state drive, I understand how.....ish these work, but in a nutshell no moving parts? I will be upgrading on the 80gb the unit comes with however, like anything I think it is best to do an upgrade (perhaps memory) and use the machine awhile and if all is well then move on to another upgrade, doing them all at once might be good but if there is any problems I will not know where to look.

If I upgrade the HD I will not go too big unless I have a decent size backup, you know the story, hard drives are now big enough to store your past life on and if it fails you lose the lot.

Re win 7, and trying to stay within forum rules, is there a recommended place to purchase a legal disc, I just cannot be a*sed about with being unable to update as it is not recognised by MS ect........again you know the story.

Many thanks for your contribution

Tranquillo

 

If you are running XP you are fine with 1gb for now
4GB is overkill , but if you run W7 or Vista you need 2GB
Here is the W7 download links (you need your own Key)
http://forum.notebookreview.com/win...-7-download-links-just-like-vista-before.html

 

Thanks for that Alex, am I right in thinking when you say 'key' are we talking the code on the label of the laptop, or something I would purchase from MS?

Thanks for your help and please accept my apologies for my ignorance, I will catch up I promise, it has been a while since I was delving into computers, the last one I built had a starting handle!

Tranquillo

 

Yes thats the one ...Key...COA or what ever you want to call it.

 

The XP downgrade is a Panasonic thing. As all Toughbooks are mostly designed for business and government use, and they are slow to upgrade to the latest and greatest, Panasonic offers laptops with the lastest and greatest, Vista(at that time) and Windows 7(currently), or Windows XP. The laptops come from the factory with two restore discs, XP and either Vista or Win7. Either version can be installed. The 19 Mk2 came with XP or Vista. There is no factory Win7 restore disc for the Mk2.

You can install Win7 on a Mk2. It is tricky. I think it took me 4 or 5 times to get it right. I'd take XP or Win7 over Vista anytime. IMHO.

 

Thanks for that guys, I really like XP and dislike Vista however, my experience with Win 7 is very very limited. Any further commments on the MS stopping support for XP? Is there any speed advantage between the XP/Vista/Win 7 trio or is it all about drivers/compatability?

My printer/scanner/copier which I hardly use but still works fine on XP may not work on Win 7 but would be no issue with Vista, does that sound right? So many questions and so many clever people to answer them.............ok my palms are sore and the knees have worn out of my jeans!

Thanks all

Tranquillo

 

Bloody typical! This had better make £400.00 or I will go around to the sellers house and give him a piece of my mind for not putting it up for sale last week!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260885733173&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:1123


Of course if it makes a lot more I will let him off!


Tranquillo

 

Well I dropped the coin and it is on it's way without the RAM upgrade as per the forum massive thinking, I will have to wait and see what the spanish customs duty people think of it?

Tranquillo

 

With the wings on it, they'll probably think it's a George Foreman Grill... :laugh:

mnem
It's not fat... it's organic lubricant.

 

Hmmm, I could tell them it is part of my healthy eating plan, the problem is the customs guy will probably be the son of a guy who is related to a cousin who is related to the uncle of the guy who owns the chip shop I was in last night and I would get found out.

Having said that, they would take one look at my 102 kilo sylph like figure and just know I was lying!

FWIW I do not like the wings and would be looking to replace them with whatever?

Tranquillo

 

THIS I have never seen before. (from ebay ad) Good wordage if nothing else. I still think the wing acts to protect the GPS bump-out even if accidentally.

Jeff

 

Very possible, they were mentioned in earlier posts as being something to do with the internal GPS and radiation ect? I do not have a clue but I do know I do not like them.

Tranquillo

 

Thanks Andy/Topcop ect, stylus was ordered from 'pan toughbooks', if the UK postal service is running at it's normal efficiency the laptop ordered at the same time from the states will probably arrive first!

Thanks again

Tranquillo

 

Hi, Topcop, can you explain the 'UPPER' WWAN and the 'LOWER' GPS please?

I did a couple of searches and sorted the WWAN and GPS but not the upper/lower part. Is it referring to quality, or even component position on the motherboard? Bear with me lot's of 'stuff' going on in the head at the moment and trying to have as much info for when the TB arrives, but I will get it all together.

Also, anybody else wish to comment on why my laptop model number does not work on the Panasonic configurator?

Many thanks

tranquillo

 

The upper and lower refer to the antenna pass thru's. These pass thru's are for use in a docking station which may have external antenna connected. If you are not using a docking station they have no function.

The new configurator does not show special order TB's. Your's is a special order.

 

It used to; before they "fixed" it.

"If it ain't broke, fix it `til it is broke!"

 

Once you contract "Toughbook Fever," nothing is "thrown away."

If you stick with 32-bit Windblows < > I would suggest adding a single 2GB SODIMM memory module to the open slot, rather than the added expense of two 2GB modules.

As noted, the 32-bit OS can only effectively handle 3.25GB of RAM. Going with 3GB total brings the system within ¼GB of OS capacity; whereas going with 4GB total would be more expensive and leave ¾GB "hanging in the wind" (ergo: unused).

JMHO.

They've already "pulled the plug" on Panasonic's OEM-installed Windows XP:

End of support notice for old Windows versions

"On July 13th, 2010, all versions of Windows 2000 and Windows XP SP2 and below will also reach the end of support. We recommend those of you still on Windows XP SP2 and below to install the latest service pack available via the Microsoft Update website – Windows XP Service Pack 3 – or look at moving to Windows 7. Folks still on Windows 2000 will need to look at moving to a more current version of Windows, such as Windows 7."

 

I will be using a docking station so will I need to buy a certain type db?

My mum tells me I'm speshal, rilli rilli speshal so that's good right?

I really hate it when someone fixes something leaving less functionality

OK thanks for all that info guys, I will NOT NOT NOT catch TB fever so don't worry, BTW, I have ordered my new stylus from pan-toughbooks, oh and will keep an eye out for a 2GB stick of RAM as per your advice, oh and oooh and one of those um SSD thingy's and um one of those...........hmmm I seem to have a temperature

Tranquillo

 

You will, you will...

I don't wish to insult you, my friend. But it baffles my mind how naive you are. We all said the same thing when we got out first toughbook. And no I'm on my third. Maybe forth soon.

 

Well I do have specific requirements so perhaps that will keep me reined in?

I mean, I have never ever been known to get hooked on things like cars, 4X4's, fishing ect never never never.

Many thanks

Pinochi....er I mean er Tranquillo

 

Dual Antenna Pass-through Vehicle Port Replicator: CF-WEB194AC

Panasonic Toughbook CF-18 CF-19 CF-VEB181 Desktop Port Replicator

Yea; RIGHT!

BTW:

Operating Instructions - Panasonic CF-19 Toughbook

The Toughbook CF-19 Spec Sheet

 

Thanks for that TC however, the link for the spec sheet just opened a blank large window and a small text box stating the file could not be repaired?

The operating instructions were fine with the pdf but when I tried to save it to the desktop for example the 'file save' option was greyed out, I can open the link so that will not be a problem just not able to save the document.

many thanks

Tranquillo

 

Works just fine for me.

Which Adobe Acrobat Reader are you using (mine is Adobe Reader X)?

On Reader X, if you place your cursor towards the bottom of the page a "popup" will appear, giving you the option to "save" (floppy disk icon), "print" (printer icon), "scroll" ("up" ▲ "down" ▼ [Page #]), "decrease zoom" ([-]), "increase zoom" {[+]) and "show Adobe toolbar (the `Adobe Loop' icon).

Moreover, don't forget the old "Place cursor over the link, Right Click and `Save As' option."

 

And thank you again, since the demise of my 'ordinary' laptop I have borrowed an old desktop unit so I can stay in touch ect. The adobe reader was........wait for it........version 5!!

I thought it odd that that there was a double of everything, two cases two screens two keyboards/'mice' ect, and then I remembered that everything that came out of the ark was in two's

Many thanks

Tranquillo

 

Just thinking out aloud, I know the '19' has a touch screen and a pen which I believe simply touches the screen and stops the finger marks however, say I want to write something freehand, is there software which will convert to text? If not I assume I need the 'digitizer' screen, can this be added on at a later date? No this is NOT TB fever, I was just enquiring............

Many thanks

Tranquillo

 

NEVER say never

 

You might try to see if you can get this application, intended for the CF-29, to install:

Panasonic Hand Writing Application

I don't think so.

Yea; RIGHT!!!

"Inquiring minds want to know..."

 

That same application is available for the CF-19. Go to Official Support Download Center of the Drivers, Manuals and FAQs | TOUGHBOOK | Panasonic to search for it.

 

Yeah, handwriting recognition is actually available on almost all input aspects if you install Tablet PC; one of the really good reasons for using it instead of trying to cobble together something from a standard XP install.

mnem
Blarg!

 

Thanks for that all, I did wonder keeping in mind my yonks old (but tough) HTC phone has that facility. I have also done some research of my own and have found that for my main intended use (sat nav, OBDII ect) and the fact I will not be doing a lot of 'scribbling', the touch screen with simple handwriting recognition software should be enough. Add the fact that the screen is completely useless if I lose/break the stylus (think expedition travel in 4X4 ect) then the TS is the better option.

We are getting there, I am just getting all the i's dotted and the T's crossed...ya know making sure my TB has as many bells and whistles as I might possibly need...........oh oh my temperature has gone up a degree or two, perhaps I have a cold coming, or perhaps....no....no not TB FEVER
help meeeeeee

Tranquillo

 

Take two CF-VDW07s and call me in the morning.

mnem
Bah-dump-bump!

 

Yup; sure is:

Panasonic CF-19 Toughbook Hand Writing Utility

I missed it the first time I looked.

 

Digitizer screen; Yes (a digitizer-specific stylus is required).

Touch Screen; No (it will even work with the fingertip).

 

The digitizer is the best choice by far for freehand writing

My cf-19 digitizer was outstanding in this respect, you don't need to touch the screen to have it show up

We are not experts here on this stuff though , google sites that deal with tablets

 

Thanks for that Alex, you are right (of course) the Google search has some interesting links to what appears to be good software. Tracking shows my TB to be in spanish customs so not long now. The stylus has arrived from pan-toughbooks, once the TB gets here I can checkout exactly what I have and then the forum massive can guide my wallet for the upgrades/mods I might need.

Thanks again all....I'll be back!

Tranquillo