OEM HDD models

I was just visiting the wayback machine page for the sales ad of a CF 51.
It stated in the ad that Panasonic used a shock resistant hard drive. Not just the caddy. I thought it would be good to compile a list of the Toughbooks and the corresponding OEM hard drive models. Anyone have any info to share?

 

Panny doesn't use any special HDDs. However they only use single platter drives as those are more robust.

 

I got the information from this press release.


Panasonic Launches World's Fastest Rugged Notebook Computer; Big-Screen Toughbook CF-51 Features Removable 80GB Hardened Disk Drive

SECAUCUS, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 22, 2005--Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, the leading provider of ruggedized portable computers in the U.S., today introduced the industry's highest-performance rugged notebook, the 2GHz Toughbook(R) CF-51.

The CF-51 is based on Intel Corporation's revolutionary new Centrino(TM) mobile technology platform, and includes the Intel Pentium(R) M processor 760 at 2.0GHz, a full magnesium-alloy case, an internally shock-and-drop resistant 80GB removable hard drive, 1GB Ethernet NIC 10/100/1000 support, Intel Pro/Wireless 802.11a/b/g connectivity and a 15-inch UXGA (1600x1200 pixel) TFT active-matrix color display mounted in a shock-and-vibration hardened encasement.

"The Toughbook(R) CF-51 is much more than just another new, faster-CPU'd face on the rugged computer scene," said Panasonic Computer Solutions Company President Rance Poehler. "The CF-51 does have the fastest CPU clock speed in its class, but the main reason for its superior overall system performance is the Panasonic engineering expertise that enabled us to rapidly Second Generation Centrino(TM) mobility platform and 533MHz FSB CPUs into our computers.

"Our chief competitors are still using 400MHz bus CPUs and first-generation Centrino(TM) technology and that - even more than the difference in raw clock speed - is why they're falling behind in every crucial performance category."

Poehler also noted that the new Toughbook's hard-drive implementation significantly expands the definition of the term "ruggedized computer."

"With the 51 we have expanded the ruggedization process out of the box and applied it to specific individual components which are likely to be repeatedly removed and reinstalled," he said.

"The Toughbook(R) CF-51 was specifically designed for customers with critical data-security requirements such as government employees and Enterprise executives who are required to pull their hard drives whenever they leave their computers unattended," he said. "They - and we - were rightly concerned about what might happen when a bare drive is accidentally dropped or subjected to some other shock. Our response to those concerns is the Toughbook's proprietary hard drive, which can withstand a four-foot drop to a solid surface.

"Some of our competitors may have hard drives that will take that kind of impact when they're safely tucked up in the computer case, but none of them have a bare drive that can survive that kind of abuse. The reason none of our competitors have that rugged a drive is simple. None of our competitors manufactures their own drives. Panasonic does."

The only core manufacturer in the rugged computer market, Panasonic designs and manufacturers such durability optimized Toughbook(R) components as cases, hard drives, display screens, system boards, advanced heat-transfer systems and dirt and moisture seals.

The Toughbook(R) CF-51JBRDCBM is powered by an Intel Pentium(R) M processor 760 running at 2.0GHz, a 533MHZ front-side bus and 2GMB L2 cache. It ships standard with 512MB of DDR RAM (expandable to 2GB), a 15-inch TFT active-matrix UXGA display with 64MB VRAM, an 80GB hardened hard drive, a DVD/CD-RW combo drive which can be user-replaced with a second battery for extended runtime of up to seven hours, a modular floppy drive, wired, wireless and analog modem support, and Windows(R) XP Professional Service Pack 2.

CF-51JBRDCBM Intel Pentium(R) M processor 760 (2.0GHz), 15"UXGA, 512MB, 80GB, 64MB VRAM, 56K, 1 gig Ethernet NIC 10/100/1000, Intel 802.11a+b+g, COMBO drive, FDD, Windows(R) XP SP2

estimated street price $2,800

Panasonic Personal Computer Company

Read more: Panasonic Toughbook News - Press Release - CF-51

 

Here's the wayback link. Beside hdd in the component specs it states the drive can handle a 30cm drop.

CF-51mk3_Spec_Sheet_English.pdf

 

While I don't doubt that press release, it's by far the exception to the rule. In the vast majority of Toughbooks, Panasonic don't use/manfacture their own hard drives - most seem to be Fujitsu or Hitachi if I remember right.

 

if i break my 320gb hard drive i'll just send it in and rma it get a brand ne w one back. i dont go tossing my laptop around much so I am not too worried

 

The ones I have seen have all been Hitachi. I personally have never seen a Panasonic brand hard drive. It does not surprise me that Panasonic might spec the drives to be more shock resistant. Hitachi makes drives that are built to automotive and industrial needs which are tougher and more demanding.
I saw an automotive drive but it had an oddball interface.
It would be handy to have the model numbers of the "tougher" drives.

 

The Hitachi Global Storage Technologies hard drives used in automotive and industrial applications are known as Endurastar.

Shows to be either SATA or ATA-6.

You're welcome.

 

Almost all Toughbook hard drives are Hitachi, and in the smaller capacity's

I did not know that, but that would explain the lower capacity's used in comparison to other manufacturers

Lies, made up from advertising people,(not techs)

Agree

Same here , but I replace hard drives so often,I know the importance of backing up your data
The first mod I do in Toughbooks is to add a dvdrw drive for backups
I don't completely trust usb storage yet as data can be easily erased


Btw my Thinkpad and Alienware both have utilitys that sence movement and lock the hard drive when they detect movement
I have a couple of Seagate sata hard drives that have built-in protection (they add $30 to the cost)

 

But,But,But, I read it on the internet, so it must be true!
Don't you dare talk like that!
Advertisers don't lie either.
Endurastar, thanks, I could not remember the name.
Maybe it was the size and not the interface that turned me away from it.
I still suffer from CRS. Can't Remember Shtuff.
Single platters drives being stronger makes sense and explains the smaller size drives.

 

Hitachi also makes a CinemaStar line of drives designed for 24/7 use.

Cinemastar

Toshiba makes these

mk1060gscx-and-mk8050gacy-2-5-inch-hard-drive-for-rugged-247-continuous-operation/

Seagate makes this series

ee25_2 series


These all seem to be 80gb maximum for IDE / PATA.

 

Just put an SSD in!

 

Send me the money!

 

This was an informative thread.

I think we can conclude:

1. Panny uses consumer grade drives, judging from capacity they are single platter drives.

2. Endurastar drives are an interesting option. At roughly 500 USD for 100 GB they are still cheaper then good (read Intel) SLC drives (these are still consumer drives, military ssd can cost thousands per GB).

3. I think panny hit the recipy with what it is doing.
A. No shock sensor, means you can work on the road.
B. Shock sensor not needed due to padding.
C. Heater so that expensive drives are not necessary for cold temps.

There is however one thing that I have to gripe about the ToughBook.

It is limited to an operating altitude of 10,000 feet, just like every other laptop out there. Limiting factor: HDD.

 

Ummm... yeah.

Laptop HDDs have all had an accelerometer which detects a fall and parks the heads for like... EVER now. AT LEAST since the CF-28; maybe longer.

It is the combination of that and the padding which makes them so durable.

mnem
Limiting factor: Cheese.

 

Shock sensors generally don't work if you drop the unit from approx 50cm on to the floor. There usually isn't enough time for the sensor to detect the fact the drop and lock the heads in before the impact on the floor.

The padding round the Toughbook drives protect the drives from sudden shock (ie. drops) and vibration (ie. in cars), and as mentioned against the cold with the heater.

As mentioned, Panasonic only uses single platter drives, as this generally makes the drive more shock-resistant - there is more room for the platter to slightly flex upon an inpact.

The 10,000 ft altitude limit as you say is common to all hard disks. Higher then that, the pressure changes cause issues inside the sealed hard disks with the rotating platter. SSD drives and using the laptop upon pressurised aircraft higher then 10,000ft obviously skip this issue.

 

a 50 cm fall gives about .32 second to respond. A 1 m fall gives about .44.

I find it hard to believe that a tenth of a second makes the difference. Anyways, if this is true what is the point of the g sensor.

I am fairly certain that I have read that the CF-30 and 31 do not use the accelerometer as this would disable the laptop on rough terrain (read B-More streets), the disk would always be parked.

 

Speaking of military SSD drives, Trident Space and Defense offers two IDE/PATA solid state drives; the Proteus Standard IDE Solid State Drive and the Proteus Secure IDE Solid State Drive.

Both are available in the 128GB size.

 

I have a feeling they cost more then a new TB

 

I couldn't find any pricing on these, but I did run across this 128GB drive:

Transcend TS128GSSD25-M 2.5" 128GB PATA MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

$365.99

Form Factor: 2.5"
Capacity: 128GB
Interface Type: PATA
Connector: 44 Pins

Features:

Fully IDE compatible
Non-volatile Flash Memory for outstanding data retention
Built-in ECC (Error Correction Code) functionality and wear-leveling algorithm ensures highly reliable of data transfer
Supports up to Ultra DMA Mode 5
Lower Power Consumption
Shock resistance
RoHS compliant

Performance:

Max Shock Resistance: 1500G
Max Vibration Resistance: 3G
Sequential Access - Read: up to 68MB/s
Sequential Access - Write: up to 46MB/s
MTBF: 1,000,000 hours

 

Does that stat include my shock resistance to pay that price?

I maybe cheap but I am not easy.
Everyone else says that I am easy and very cheap.

 

I don't even know if I would be willing to get an MLC drive. There is a reason why all enterprise drives are SLC. And I think it has not only to do with performance but with wear and performance degradation. We see it over and over again, people buy SSDs and they are really fast, and half a year later they are slower then an HDD.

Unless things have changes while I was under my rock.

 

That is still a concern , although the newest sanforce controllers are better than the older Jmicron used on the first generation mlc ssd's

I used Samsung slc type ssd's ,but I feel that I will probably buy a MLC type next

The main issue from what I understand is keeping the drive filled to a low percentage as these really slow down when you reach 75% capacity