Panasonic CF-T2: truly junk

Let me start off by saying that I've owned 3 T2s over the last 3 years, all of which broke and are now parts computers.

T2 #1: touch screen dead spots, keyboard failure, hard drive failure, stress fractures on hinges
T2 #2: touchpad failure, hard drive failure, keyboard failure, stress fractures on hinges
T2 #3: touch screen dead spots, hard drive failure, keyboard failure, AC adapter charge port problems

Despite what the Panasonic website says about these computer's being made of aluminum alloy, 90% of the computer is plastic. The ONLY parts of the computer case that are metal are the very bottom plate and the top half part of the lid. Everything else- the palm rest, port covers, screen bevel, keyboard.. all chintzy plastic. I had issues with the wireless antenna cover and ethernet port cover falling off on all 3 laptops.

Admittedly, the T2 is the smallest and most portable of the Toughbook series, but to even call this "semi-ruggedized" in any way is a complete joke. The hard drive is wrapped in a piece of packing foam that can't be more than 3 mm thick (apparently this makes it shock resistant). Also, the touchpad buttons are VERY loud when you click them, which gives this computer a tacky feel. They are made with ty Toshiba hard drives, all of them failed within 1 year- two started having progressively more bad sectors until unusable, and one completely failed (scratching sounds, inoperable).

I have been considering some of the newer "semi-rugged" models in Panasonics line-up, including the Y7 and W4.The newer ones are all larger. Has anyone compared the durability/build quality of these to the T2? Are they any better at all in terms of longevity? I love the size, touchscreen and speed of the T2, but in terms of durability, its junk. Expensive junk.

 

I have several T2's and agree it's a joke to call them "rugged". Maybe a bit tougher than a 2-3 lb equivalent netbook, about as durable as a Dull business class machine. I would not go so far as to call a CF-T2 "junk", but not really tough either.

Get a CF-18 or CF-19, you won't regret it. Sort-of small, lighter than the full size rugged, and really tough. Plus handy to use one handed as a tablet. And pretty long battery life too. Look around you might be able to find and/or assemble a good CF-18 for well under $400.

 

I'm looking at your pics there... and most of what I'm seeing is Magnesium alloy. Admittedly, not very heavy castings... but at least as heavy as the last couple generations of ThinkPad, which have proven VERY reliable in a business environment, even considering how poorly "fleet" machines are generally treated in such cases. I have no problem with plastic shells on top of alloy housings; it gives the stiffness most people want, yet provides impact resistance adequate for most all indoor use.

The repeated stress fracturing and multiple repeat failures you've described indicate to me that perhaps your use is a bit more severe than most business class machines are intended to endure; I agree with Springfield in that perhaps you should look into a full-rugged machine.

mnem <~~~ Not yet ready for prime time ~~~<<<

 

Thing is, Panasonic calls ALL their laptops "Toughbooks" in North America. Everywhere else in the world they're called "Let's Note," which where I saw the T-series for the first time in Japan years ago.

 

From what you write, it appears most of your troubles have been with the touchscreen. Is that so? I've used the Wx versions - W2, W5, W7 - and have been very happy with them. The only differences, I believe, are the lack of touch screen and the presence of a CD/DVD drive. I have to say that I've found them, if not rugged, quite durable. I've never had anything fail on any of them.

 

When the computer works, it's great. Typing on it at work for a few hours can start to become uncomfortable, but that's expected in a small notebook. I think it'd be a lot nicer if they made the chassis all one piece the way apple does with their Macbook pros. The parts of the notebook that are aluminum are tough, but the screen needs to have a sturdier bezel that doesn't crack. I think if it were one piece, it'd have a much sturdier feel. How come they don't use carbon fiber?

 

Because carbon fiber doesn't dissipate heat as well as a metal.

 

I have really liked my T5.
I use it in my trailer when on the road and would have a hard time moving to anything without the touchscreen.
I have had it apart a few times and while it is nothing like the 18 or 30 it is not that badly assembled really.