Hi all,
I am looking for something that will survive frequent traveling to Africa. The fully rugged (i.e. heavy) laptops are just too much of a hassle to travel with. Another consideration would be battery life.
I have been looking at the Panasonic Toughbook W7, which seems to be light, solid and with a good battery performance.
Have any of you used this laptop and what do you think of it?
Solar.
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i wouldn't say solid, ive seen someone so much as touch the rear lcd cab and has cracked the lcd, and thats not a joke, that goes for all this type of units, i would suggest either a 74 or a 52, as those seem to be better for traveling, the w7's seem to be more for an office environment,
however this is just an opinion that i have about them. i have not used one personally, maybe some other folks will chime in about them or other suggestions to help you with this. -
My Cf-52 is great for travel but heavy.... I bought an MSI wind as its polar opposite. If it breaks just remove the HD and buy a new one. Also If it gets hooked your only out 400. Not 2500$.
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My T5 is the same size as the W7 and I must say it is really light and easy to use on a plane in the little drop down tray in coach. The battery life is great but it's ports are not sealed. It should do fine indoors for use anywhere, but not that rugged.
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Depending on your purchase time frame I would look at the new F8. It will be a nice in between the W7 and CF-52. It will be more durable then a W7 as well as offer more performance, handle, full size keyboard, etc.
Chould be out in November along with the W8.
ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/pub/Panasonic/toughbook/specsheets/TB-F8_ss.pdf -
This is more personal feeling than anything else but I just don't see anything but the ruggedized ones as being useful in the outside world. In buildings and on someone's lap in a vehicle I can see the others but for any real outdoor exposure I just wouldn't trust anything to last that isn't ruggedized like the 18, 19, 27-30, etc.
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Thanks guys for your feedback!
Rxcrider, that is good info you shared on the F8. It seems that timing might work for me.
Panasonic Toughbook W7, what do you think?
Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by solar331, Oct 10, 2008.