New owner. I'm falling in love.

I've been lurking here for awhile now, but this is my first real post. I got interested in Toughbooks since I spend a lot of time in the garage and needed a computer I could toss around on the workbench. I also wanted something I could take camping and hunting.

Over the past few months, I've collected 3 Toughbooks. My first was a CF-30 with XP. It's still stock- nothing special, no wireless or GPS, just plain-jane.

Then I picked up a CF-19 mk2 running XP. It came with WLAN and BT. After researching for a bit, I installed a Sierra Wireless 881U mini PCI-E card, and upgraded the firmware to use the GPS function. For some reason, the install wiped out my hotkey driver and reset the BT link to the mouse, so I simply reinstalled the driver and mouse, and everything works flawlessly now. From what I've seen (correct me if I'm wrong), this is the first working GPS setup like this in a 19 using the Panasonic factory antennas. This is by far the best setup for me to use for car tuning. I can do realtime mapping and datalogging while driving. The only other upgrade I'd like to do is an emissive keyboard, but until I find one at the right price, it's just a wish.

I discovered the VDW-07 wireless display and started looking for one, since it would make moving around the garage easier. I found a package with both the display and the CF-07 Brick for a steal. It even came with the rare thread in USB cable for the Brick, a carrying case for both and the dual charger setup. It's getting upgraded to XP and another wireless card sometime in the next few weeks.

I've also picked up a few docking ports for each, both vehicle and desk. I've got to say, I'm hooked

 

Hi

Welcome to the world of Toughbooks.

I would say you will have another one bought soon. Its like drugs when you get one you what another.

 

Another helpless victim wanders into the Toughbook forum...

*DOOOM DOOOM DOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*

 

I think we all would like to have one but the $250.00 price tag...nope. I am cheap that is why I have a rubber one...paid about $40.00 but what a pain to type on...

 

I know the feeling, just got a CF-29mk2 and am already in search of another.
I've always been a Thinkpad fan, my 6 year old T42 is still rock solid, but you would not do with it what I did yesterday.

We had a huge amount of rain in the ATL yesterday. I was outside my local Chick-Fil-A, in the rain, with my CF-29 outside my car, on Facebook. The looks I got were hilarious.

I walked in with my sopping wet dripping CF-29, got my number 1 combo, put it down, whipped open the display (water droplets flinging everywhere) and it came out of standby and back to browsing the Net I went.

Some lady with a kid asked me if I was in the military as her husband just got back from Iraq and "that's like the one he had". Nope, just a crazy civilian who likes rugged computers.

 

Don't be cheap when it comes to your favorite toys!!! Do you spend a lot on ???? Then spend a lot on your Fave's!!! I bought one of the emissives and love it over anything I have done to my 18 and my MKIV 19!!!!

 

The main reason why I use the rubber one is my 18 is mainly used on my ATV 4X4 so it can get muddy some times and it's easy to clean...some nice to have a 10'' GPS screen .

 

I actually prefer the rubber back lit. My sister has the chicklet style on her 29, and it's just not the same for me.
Maybe I just feel like the rubber kb is just that extra level of tough, for my tough book? (that, and nobody wants to use my laptop cause the rubber kb is such a pita if you're not used to it!).