Post design flaws/failures of all toughbooks here

I love Panasonic Toughbooks, but i notice while repairing several of them, that these sturdy/ rugged machines have a so called "achilles heel".

wikipedia explanation what this means : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achilles'_heel

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An Achilles’ heel is a deadly weakness in spite of overall strength, that can actually or potentially lead to downfall. While the mythological origin refers to a physical vulnerability, idiomatic references to other attributes or qualities that can lead to downfall are common.
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Example, the power connector inside the CF-M34 / CF-28 , can be damaged if you wiggle the adapter too much. The machine is built to last, but why did panasonic NOT make the connector a bit more rugged ?

I also have several Compaq Armada 1500/1700 machines, that have a mickey-mouse (3 pin) connector. Larger, but much more sturdy.

Replacing a GSM sim card in a toughbook CF-27 mark1, makes you disassemble the whole machine. From mark2 and above inserting a sim card is much more easier. Also a "design flaw"

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The famous touchscreen defect of most CF-29s mark2 and above. After a while, the touchscreen can stop working.

So, fellow members, post all design flaws that can damage/destroy your toughbook here. Maybe the R&D team of panasonic inc also reads this topic, so they can learn from their past mistakes.

 

I bought a bunch of CF-T4/T5 scratch & dent units. Most had damage to the hinge area, often cracked where the bottom case supports the hinge. Looks like it was not sturdy enough to take a hard drop there. These were from a hospital so likely used handheld and dropped alot. OTOH the batteries seemed to last really well - some had 500+ charge cycles and still 100% rating (using PC Info) because of the Eco setting limiting charge to 80%.

And then there's the CF-T2, a real PITA to change the hard drive. Takes the weird dual voltage 3/5v drive and have to dismantle the case with dozens of different size screws

 

My first post on NBR was changing out the plug on a Mk2 28 I had.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/pan...ir-ac-power-port-replacement-motherboard.html

At least I figured out you could put a new plastic part in without having un-solder the original power point. I have had a 50 and another 28 that belonged to my daughter get damaged like that also when she had it plugged in and kids running by snatched the cord.

 

Ador, do you know that this is something special. My topic made you talk about your first ever post on NBR. long time ago. Now you have 1256+ posts. Huray !

 

When I stared with my toughbooks I knew some about pc's, could swap ram, reload OS, tweak OS (to a point, mainly XP with pendrive linux (based on Mandriva 2007) as a back up. I sat back and did a lot of reading here and realized I SCREWED UP not getting a caddy with that toughbook. I still have that toughbook It has a battery that still gets around a hour, have dvd, media bay battery and floppy drive for it, still rocking the 350 factory wireless, pcmcia sd card for extra storage, IDE to CF adapter with extreme 4gb for a SSD running a tweaked version of XP 768 MB of ram.

 

Yes that good old first, learned a lot that day...

 

More random Toughbook issues:

CF-51 displays often have a cracked bezel at the lower left and/or right corners, probably from the lid flexing as it is opened and closed. Too weak for stiff hinges.

Outer corners of CF18 and CF19 palm rests are easily chipped or cracked. Does not seem to make anything weak or leak. This is easy to "fix" with some black silicon sealer, just fill in the crack or missing chip and smooth with a butter knife to match the original contour.

Some rubber keyboards notably for CF-28 are easily ripped if you rub too hard when cleaning them, they rip around the edged of the keys. Probably where the rubber membrane is thinnest. Toughbook (Rick) says he can fix a ripped key with very careful application of black silicon sealer using a toothpick.

Port doors on cf-25 and CF-27 for the CD drive, PC card, and back connectors can break off easily. Those hinges are very weak.

PC card slot covers on CF-73, T and W series are twin plastic doors that are easily broken and nearly impossible to repair.

Accessing the CMOS battery on many models is very difficult, often requiring nearly total disassembly. Not sure if this is a design flaw or a security feature

Changing/swapping the display on a CF-74 is a major PITA. There must be a dozen wires and cables routed around the fan in the back left corner. Not really a design flaw per se, unless maintainability is considered an important design attribute

 

Not critical but the battery flaps on the CF-51. Although its usually the teeth that hold the tang on the flap that get ripped off. Not replaceable due to them being part of the whole top cover!
The CF-74 hinges especially the TS models seem to fracture.
A lot of issues with PO's who have flaws. Example-PO of CF-74 who could not figure out how to remove the battery so ripped it off!

 

I can't believe nobody has mentioned the OEM GPS in the CF-28 series and others of its day...

 

Speakers on CF-18 are on the bottom, and the cover grill is fairly open. Sometimes get them with a fuzzy sounding speaker, but it's not usually a blown speaker rather some fine metal particles stuck to the speaker face due to its magnet. Imagine this comes from setting it on a workbench near metal filings. I don't see this in CF-29 that also have a speaker on the bottom, so the flaw is y the larger size of the grill openings. Of course this is fixed for CF-19.

 

You're right those older GPS pretty much suck, but that seems more a matter of technology limitations than a mistake by Pany engineers.

 

All models....built too well...so geek types like us can't stop buying them......

 

Man that's the truth. Buy a Dell just a few years old and it's probably on it's last breath, but most old Toughbooks have years of hard use left in them. Interesting that among us we have extensive knowledge of almost every Toughbook, but can only identify a few flaws with a few models . . . .

Panasonic must be doing it right. :thumbsup:

 

It took me a few months to round up a door for my CF-25 project, still looks and runs like new.

 

This problem has been corrected or addressed from model CF-19MK3 and into the latest as they extended the metal corner about 8mm.

ohlip

 

Cool! The CF-25 was the original Toughbook. Keeping it running is sorta like having a 57 Chevy.:thumbsup:

ETA: Looks like I'm in the Chevy club now . . .
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=181234114708

 

How many years did they make the 57 Chevy? Didn't they make it up until they started making the 53 'vette?

 

LOL, I have got a 55. Gasser style.




I have been collecting everything I can get for the 25 to make one "complete" I have two. I had to buy the second one just for the cd door. So I have a Mk2 and Mk3. So far I have a dock, cd drive, floppy drive, car charger, external battery charger. Need a media bay battery and a RIM media bay card. I haven't rebuilt the battery yet. Still deciding what OS I want to run. I am thinking DOS with a GUI. Need to max out the ram also.

Looks like you got a good complete unit. I seen one for sale several months back, they wanted blood money for it.

 

CF-72 battery/hard drive location. Difficult to use without battery installed as it holds the HD in! Battery life poor even when new. Had they used a better battery I would still be using them!
On the vehicle issue, I can't believe I never had an American car. Read Hot Rod/Car Craft Mags as a child in the 70's yet never made it to owning one.

 

I had so much fun with the cf-51 upgrading the cpu in the mk3 models that I went to the cf-74's hoping for the same upgradability. No Joy! The cf-29's port covers were durable but with the many I bought they were to me a weak link. Just me being picky. Have enjoyed the mk2 cf-30's and still use them all. My son is getting me into the apple orchard with the ipad and they are good on battery life especially the ipad mini. But, the toughbook is the one I use in my business and take with me not fearing accidents and drops and water spills. Miss you guys, still check the site out frequently, the economy and POLLY TICKS( read bloodsuckers) have sent me chasing a different rabbit lately.......Driller