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    Help me decide what to get next.

    Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by Frylock83, Aug 12, 2015.

  1. Frylock83

    Frylock83 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hello guys I currently have a cf-30 mk2 it has served me well. But I'm thinking of getting something newer what would you guys recommend? Little background I and a filed tech I am often exposed to dirt,mud,rain, dust etc id like something rugged that can hold up to the elements as my cf-30 has. I run all sorts of dignostics software and I have all manuals on my PC so I need something snappy with maybe a touch screen. I was thinking of getting a cf-54 but unfortunately there is lack of funds so I decided to get some input from you guys lmk what you think.
     
    Frylock83, Aug 12, 2015
    #1
  2. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    Well a 54 does sound good but I do understand the lack of funds...me to. I don't have one but the CF-31 is the next upgrade from the CF-30. The prices have come down a lot to.
    If you are looking for just a little more speed why not upgrade to a CF-30MK3 with a nice SSD and max out the memory.
     
    toughasnails, Aug 12, 2015
    #2
  3. safn1949

    safn1949 I'm sure I'm on the wrong planet

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    A CF-31 can be had for $5-600 right now,definitely the way to go.
     
    safn1949, Aug 12, 2015
    #3
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  4. Frylock83

    Frylock83 Notebook Enthusiast

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    That sounds good I'm going to price them out.
    What's the next step up from the cf-31?

    Do you have one? Any suggestions on what model to get?
     
    Frylock83, Aug 12, 2015
    #4
  5. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    toughasnails, Aug 12, 2015
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  6. EdFromBJCS

    EdFromBJCS Notebook Geek

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    Where can you get them for that price?
     
    EdFromBJCS, Aug 12, 2015
    #6
  7. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    Our favorite auction site. I almost bought one 2 weeks ago, MK2 but no DVD or caddy but I have them for a little over $500.00
     
    toughasnails, Aug 12, 2015
    #7
  8. EdFromBJCS

    EdFromBJCS Notebook Geek

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    Blair, are you selling them for that price or is that what you bought it for?
    The "no caddy" part seems like a pretty big asterisk on that $500 price tag.
     
    EdFromBJCS, Aug 12, 2015
    #8
  9. UNCNDL1

    UNCNDL1 Notebook Deity

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    Try searching your local CL ads under computers. I found two with everything, complete but the drive had been wiped. Guy was asking $400 each, but he took $275 for one. I cleaned off the logo/lid and she's looking new. I can get the other one for anyone interested (it has around 31,000 hours) but I ran a live linux distribution and everything is working, including the touchscreen. http://newjersey.craigslist.org/sys/5142866423.html
    I might just call him up later today. He has a garage full of electronics and says he has lots and lots of Toughbooks at another site.
     
    UNCNDL1, Aug 12, 2015
    #9
  10. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    I have 2 spare caddies at the moment ($30.00 each) and a DVD that I got cheap. The seller sold it as a CF-30 :D. You can pick up grade "A" 31's for around $675.00 now or fixer-uppers starting at $450.00 . You never know what you can find on there. You could sit there all day and find nothing You need to hit it just right. About 1 1/2 years ago I got my CF-19MK5 fully loaded for $350.00 shipped. It was selling for $1400.00 back then.
     
    toughasnails, Aug 12, 2015
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  11. EdFromBJCS

    EdFromBJCS Notebook Geek

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    Ah. Stupid me didn't realize the CF-31 can take CF-30 caddies. Good thing I'm not the guy here who is entrusted with ordering parts or fixing laptops.
     
    EdFromBJCS, Aug 12, 2015
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  12. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    Don't feel bad. You would not be the only one that didn't know this. They did change them some. The newer caddy has a plastic cover and the older ones have metal. Not sure if the newer MK ' S will fit the old caddy...I don't have a 31......yet :D
     
    toughasnails, Aug 12, 2015
    #12
  13. Frylock83

    Frylock83 Notebook Enthusiast

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    What do you guys think of the cf-52's
    I see that there a few hundred cheaper and the hardware specs seem the same or close to a 31
     
    Last edited: Aug 14, 2015
    Frylock83, Aug 14, 2015
    #13
  14. EdFromBJCS

    EdFromBJCS Notebook Geek

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    CF-52s are nice, but you mentioned that you are exposed to a lot of mud, rain, etc.

    I think fully-rugged is really the way to go for you.
     
    EdFromBJCS, Aug 14, 2015
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  15. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    Ed is right. The 52 is something you really don't want to expose to the outdoors. It can take a light bump but that's about it. It was not made for the outdoors...more like an office desk.
     
    toughasnails, Aug 14, 2015
    #15
  16. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    A CF52 is a semi rugged model..It may be my favorite Toughbook. I would say it's aimed at an on the road salesman or in a dock in a police car...
    It can handle being thrown around in a vehicle and grabbed for use on a jobsite, BUT the screen is not bright enough for outdoor use. It is not sealed well enough for mud/rain...

    CF30mk3 or CF31....depends on money...
    With a CF30 mk3 ALL of your existing stuff will fit...You can get a bare bones unit and swap over caddies, doors, HDD etc.
    With Win7 you don't even need to reinstall. Just reactivate..
    Bump up to a mk3 with faster processor and 8gb ram if you want or need 64bit.
    With the saved money, pickup a SSD for a real speed increase.
    Should find a nice CF30 mk3 for $75, add $125 for a SSD and for $200 you will be surprised at the performance.

    CF31..a CF30 HDD caddy and drive will fit..a CF30 DVD drive will not...a CF30 RAM will not fit..CF30 doors and covers will not fit. a CF30 keyboard WILL fit.
    i3 or i5 processor in a CF31 will smoke any CF30...
    CF31...figure $500 or more..$400 if you catch a deal..
     
    Shawn, Aug 14, 2015
    #16
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  17. Frylock83

    Frylock83 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I think I might go with a cf30 then
    What model is the one that has the i5?

    Your right I am exposed to the elements out here lol


    That's good to know thank you
     
    Frylock83, Aug 14, 2015
    #17
  18. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    The i5 and i3 are in the CF31
    The CF30 mk3 has Core2Duo 9300
     
    Shawn, Aug 14, 2015
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  19. Frylock83

    Frylock83 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is there any way to tell if it has the i5 from looking at the model number?
     
    Frylock83, Aug 14, 2015
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  20. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    Yes there is. When I get home I will post the link for you...about 1/2 hour
     
    toughasnails, Aug 15, 2015
    #20
  21. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    All you have to do is put the full model number in. Check out the below example. I put in CF-31SELAX1M and click "search" and I get the below. This will give you an idea of what it had when it left the factory.

    http://business.panasonic.com/toughbook/order-toughbook-computers.html

    Model Number : CF-31SELAX1M
    Status : DISCONTINUED MSRP : $4,389
    Description: Win7, Intel Core i5-3320M 2.60GHz, vPro, 13.1" XGA Touch, 500GB(7200rpm), 4GB, Intel WiFi a/b/g/n, TPM, Bluetooth, Single Pass (Selectable), No Drive, Toughbook Preferred
     
    toughasnails, Aug 15, 2015
    #21
  22. Frylock83

    Frylock83 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thank you very much . Ok got a really good deal on a CF-31TLB15 it's missing a few things but no biggie man issue is that the bois is passworded...xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 12, 2015
    Frylock83, Sep 12, 2015
    #22
  23. Frylock83

    Frylock83 Notebook Enthusiast

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    O I ran the part number and nothing comes up
     
    Frylock83, Sep 12, 2015
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  24. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    Well that is one thing we can not discuss . Only way around this is to send it to Heartland Services to get it unlocked. The price is between $200.00 - $300.00 . Most of us stay away from ones that have a password because of this.
     
    toughasnails, Sep 12, 2015
    #24
  25. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    CF-31TLB15

    Customer Specific Airforce,
    100mW Wireless LAN,
    Win7,
    Intel Core i5-520M 2.40GHz, vPro,
    13.1" XGA Touch,
    128GB SSD,
    4GB (2+2), TPM,
    Bluetooth,
    Single Pass (WWAN),
    UL 1604 Haz Loc,
    Smartcard,
    Rubber Backlit Keyboard,
    Custom BIOS,
    Toughbook Preferred,
    DVD Multi Drive - CF-VDM311U
     
    Shawn, Sep 12, 2015
    #25
  26. Frylock83

    Frylock83 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I see well I couldn't pass a good deal up so I went for it I can still boot from usb cd so I guess it's not all bad

    Thank you. Would this be a mk1 2 or3? Also where can I download a bios update or drivers ?
     
    Frylock83, Sep 12, 2015
    #26
  27. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    It's a mk1

    Do a google search for toughbook drivers.....Official Panasonic site will be 1 or 2 on the results page.
     
    Shawn, Sep 13, 2015
    #27
  28. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    toughasnails, Sep 13, 2015
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  29. Frylock83

    Frylock83 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm having trouble figuring out what model I have this is a mk1 but is it a A BCDE orF?
     
    Frylock83, Sep 13, 2015
    #29
  30. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    That's the problem when you have a Customer Specific / custom bios. We know it's a MK1 but which one is the problem. That is why I said... wrong bios update you will turn your 31 into a nice door stop.
     
    toughasnails, Sep 13, 2015
    #30
  31. Frylock83

    Frylock83 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ooo ok now I get it. I ran Linux on it and I was able to pull the bios version
    V1.00L17-m20 would this help to figure out what I can use on it?
     
    Frylock83, Sep 13, 2015
    #31
  32. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    Shawn, Sep 13, 2015
    #32
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  33. Frylock83

    Frylock83 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Frylock83, Sep 13, 2015
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  34. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    My guess no but like Shawn said....you may not be able to update it since it's locked. Now please understand due to forum rules we can't discuss this any more since we know what you are trying to do. We can help you with anything else but this. Please start a new thread with anything else you may need a hand with.... thread closed.

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...yone-who-posts-in-the-panasonic-forum.351660/

     
    toughasnails, Sep 13, 2015
    #34