My next toughbook purchase? (50 series)

As of right now to feed my sickness I have cf-28 mk2,3, cf-29 mk3, cf-w2, cf-07, cf-t5(not delivered yet) right now. I have been looking at getting a cf-51 to be used strictly as my at work pc. It will stay inside and used when i am off tower. I see that the 50 series has better graphics than the rest. What are y'all opinions on a cf-51 with 2.0 dual core and the x1300 ati graphics. I haven't had a chance to put my hands on a 50 series yet. I do light gaming with older games like halo. I know it should play fine on it, i am playing it on my cf-29 now and can play it on my cf-28.

Mark 3 -- CF-51xxxxE/Mxx
CF-51xxxxE/Mxx (Mk3) -- Intel® Core™-- Duo Processor T2500, 2 GHz
CF-51xxxxE/Mxx (Mk3) -- ATI Technologies Mobile Radeon X1300, with discrete 64/128MB VRAM
CF-51xxxxE/Mxx (Mk3) -- SigmaTel STAC9200
CF-51xxxxE/Mxx (Mk3) -- On-board 512 MB. Expandable to 4,096 MB

Also I have seen some 51's with handles and some with out. Is it a factory option or a addon. Thanks.

 

Skip on the CF-50 and go for the CF-51 MK3. The Core Duo can be upgraded to the T7200 Core 2 Duo . I have upgraded 3 so far and they run great. You have 2 MK3's , one is the MK3LL T2300 and the MK3 T2500 .

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/526150-cf-51-cpu-upgrading.html

 

I don't have any of the 50 series right now. Those specs i posted were off the FAQ on the toughbook site. Just to give a better idea of what i was talking about.

 

If you buy a CF 51 because of the ATI x1300 video, make sure you get the version with the 2.0 core duo processor. The other versions do not have the ATI graphics. The cheaper 1.6 core duo processor units use Intel graphics. The LL after the mark# indicates the cheaper version. When buying a CF51 a consumer needs to pay attention due to the complicated models and versions. You may want to read the FAQ.

CF 51 FAQ

I really use my CF 51 the most of all of my computers. That includes the 5 Toughbooks. (29,48,50's 51) I used my CF 50 the most until I replaced it with the CF 51.

 

I forgot all about the FAQ.....thanks

 

I found the differences between them on the FAQ's listed on the Panasonic site. According to the site there are also two different ones that have the ATI X300 card also, but since I am starting from scratch I figured I would get what I wanted the first time. I had a HP tx1400 I used for work until the overheat problem they have got the motherboard. Then I started to carry my Alienware M9750, but on my first trip back to Dubai it just about got lost on the plane ( It was moved to a new compartment to make room for someone else's bag when I wasn't there), so it stays at home and on short trips now. For the last few months I have been travelling with my CF-29. Love it, but when I got to play some of my favourite games like Halo. It plays fine but the color is off. Figured I would get something a little tougher and still had a little kick in the graphics department. I have been considering getting a Alienware M11x for travel and may do it later on, but it would be nice to have a Toughbook that can take a little gaming.

Thanks for the link to the 51 thread. I missed that one some how.

 

I agree, go for a 51! My Mk3 has the ATI video and it does all I want. I lucked into it and it became my main computer. I also upgraded to a Core 2 Duo I later got a Mk3LL but don't like it as well.

 

At christmas I gave my daughter a 51 MK3 with the ATI video but she liked the MK3LL better so I pulled the fingerprint reader from the mk3LL and put it in the MK3 . She said it was too bright but I love it. So we switched 51's. I have another MK3LL with finger print reader waiting for me to pickup at the PO but its a fixer-upper but I got lots of parts.

 

I'm a little sad right now cause I parted with one of my cf-51 duo upgrades last nite. I gave it to hopefully a deserving fellow with all its upgrades and necessary hardware additions. It had the C2D upgrade with 3GB ram new wifi card and hdd. Cosmetically was excellent. Hate to see my "kids" grow up and leave home. Sure hope it helps out this young man that has been gifted. Talk about toughbook fever here, guys, I'm sure you know what I mean. Anyhow I love the cf-51 duo models, upgradeable and easy to do mods and upgrades to................Driller

 

Besides the CPU swapping and the PRICE was the 52 light years beyond the Mk3 51's? I kinda like the 52's and waiting for them to come off lease(in functioning form).

 

Was hoping to get my hands on a cf-52 deal to examine and look for alterations. Still not sure if the cpu setup is like the cf-51 and can be removed, swapped. Still for now looks like a lot of guys are liking their hotrodded 51 duo's. where ever the best bargain is, still looks like cf-51 performance bang for your buck........Driller

 

I hear you loud and clear but gives you a good excuse to look for more

The only thing I see is the handle and its a lot of money for the handle upgrade . I don't think we can upgrade the cpu in the 52 because its soldered to the MB . Most of the 52's on fleabay are slower than our 51 MK3's. My 51 I use is on my desk only, it goes no where else. If I want something with a handle I grab my 30 and off I go.