My CF-18 has arrived

If you want my opinion on it, please take a look at my avatar.

It's in exeptionally good condition. A few marks in the corners but apart from that it's very good. I was really suprised by the keyboard, it's virtually brand new! Even the E key and the spacebar aren't shiny at all. The battery also holds a superb charge too. Leaving it on doing nothing the battery lasted *drum roll* six hours!.

I have a few questions about it though:
Why the hell did Panasonic put the lid on upside down? This is what I'm talking about: http://www.hardwarezone.com/img/data/nnews/2006/4847/Image/SwivelBig.jpg

There are some holes in the bottom of it (Picture) take a look near the top of the picture. As far as I can tell, it houses the screen's twisting mechanism but is it sealed off from the rest of it? I've splashed it with water from every direction except the bottom. I know it's supposed to take splashes from every direction but I want to be sure.

 

Actually, they didn't put the lid on upside down; the put the carrying strap on the "wrong" side of the laptop. The logo on the laptop is supposed to be upright when you are carrying it by the handle.

Now why did they put the handle on the wrong end? two reasons: first, because it's a tablet they knew some people would want to be able to remove the handle, so they put it on the back where it wouldn't look crunky if someone DID.

The other reason is the hinge; it's a swivel, and swivel hinges are inherently not as strong as conventional hinges; particularly the beefy ones Panny uses for the full-rugged line.
Why does this matter? By placing the handle on the hinge side, if someone grabs the laptop without the lid latched down (especially easy to do if it's still in tablet mode) gravity works in your favor, trying to pull the lid closed.
Were the handle on the side opposite the hinge, (like all our favorite conventional laptops) and you grabbed it with the lid not latched, gravity would try and pull it open, slamming the lid's entire weight against the stops in the hinge.
It doesn't take a GE Engineer to understand that big heavy lid is eventually going to win that contest with the leverage it's got against that swivel hinge.

mnem
Things that make you go Hmmmmm...

 

There may be good reasons for doing it the way shown on the picture, but on my CF-19 the text is not upside down when the computer is in that position, and the strap is placed on the same side. So it seems Panasonic changed the orientation at some point.(?)

Björn

 

Ahh I see, It makes sense now. Do you know about the holes on the bottom? I've found running the Toughbook under a cold tap works really well for cooling it down. I'm not splashing the underside though until I know for sure. I really don't want to loose my beloved!

 

I don't know what the holes are for but the area underneath them is partitioned off and sealed off from the motherboard area so no water can get in. If it were me I would not be running the unit under a tap even though it may be able to withstand it if done accidentaly.

 

It passes that test with flying colours: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7GcyEwHPoU (skip to 00:45)

 

We're all glad that you're happy with that 18 but what I don't understand is why you'd want to risk damage with intentional splashing and rinsing. You don't have a death wish for that 18, do ya?

I do see the concern if you're planning field work with the 18 out in it's elements but do exercise discretion and care while testing. Nobody here want to hear you farked that up! I kinda recall a member shorting out the mainboard and returing the unit to seller.

Go ahead... make my day *said with that devilish Eastwood smirk*

 

One quick question; how sure are you that your unit hasn't been modded or those seals being compromised with time?

 

I really don't want it do die, that's why I'm making sure! You've got to admit though, Toughbook abuse is a fun pastime.

 

Before putting it anywhere near water, I had a look round to check the seals. I read the post about someone with their CF-28's screen going when they got water on it.

Water has been all over the screen, keyboard and sides and It's still fine so I guess that's the definitive answer!

 

I am sure it will be fine operationally but water has a way of getting into little nooks and cranies wich will cause corrossion, rust, and other bad stuff to occur.

 

Naaah - you just got one of the Canadian production models; they do EVERYTHING upside-down.:wink:

mnem
Blame CANADA...

 

YA sometimes we do, but to the OP enjoy your 18, my family and I surel ove ours

 

Actually aren't all CF-19's like that? Every picture I can find is upside down (or do I mean the right way up?) basically the opposite of the CF-18.

Crazycanuk: I definitely will enjoy it. I'm absolutely loving it so far!

 

meh, who cares whats on the lid, its how she runs and boy do we abuse ours