The CF-51 F.A.Q.

In a similar vein to the incredibly-useful CF-29 FAQ, now we shall have one for the CF-51. I'm hoping to distill and simplify the myriad small details regarding this model.

Also, the CF-51 seems to enjoy substantial availability on eBay - much more so than the CF-73.

Panasonic has a very useful "Business Support FAQ" for this model: Toughbook Support

As always, be sure to keep the Toughbook Configurator handy, as it's a great resource for North American configurations. Yes, unfortunately, the Configurator does not know anything about Toughbooks from regions outside North America. Still, it's very useful. Just make sure to use Internet Explorer - that website seems not to work properly with any other browser.

=== Model summary:

The Toughbook CF-51 is a 15-inch "desktop alternative" unit in the semi-rugged class. This model is similar in purpose and configuration to your typical mobile-workstation laptop from around the same time period, but is of course built to be somewhat more rugged.

=== Marks, or "What's inside this thing?"

CF-51s follow a similar mark system to other Toughbooks, with a twist - each mark has an "LL" version with lower-end specs. There are also "Federal" models, which are stripped of their wireless cards. There are three marks total.

[Mk1 _]: CF-51A/B - Pentium M 1.70GHz, 855PM chipset
[Mk1LL]: CF-51C/D/E/G/H - Pentium M 1.60GHz, 855GM
[Mk2 _]: CF-51J/K - Pentium M 2.00GHz, 915PM
[Mk2LL]: CF-51L/M - Pentium M 1.73GHz, 915GM
[Mk3 _]: CF-51P/Q - Core Duo T2500 2.00GHz, 945PM
[Mk3LL]: CF-51R/S - Core Duo T2300 1.66GHz, 945GM

Another oddity about these units is that the fifth character after "51" in the extended model number (for example, the "F" in CF-51xxxxFxx) also refers to the mark. I'm not sure, but I would assume that the fifth character must always match up with one particular corresponding first letter. Personally, I never worry about the fifth letter - it's the first letter that gives you the most important info on the CPU and chipset.

=== Integrated Options

Available on some units:
* SmartCard reader
* SD card reader
* Fingerprint reader (rare) - located near the power button
* Bluetooth (rare)

The following were NOT available from Panasonic, as far as I can tell:
* WWAN
* GPS
* Touchscreen
* Backlit keyboard
* Handle

=== Chipsets and CPU

* 855 (Mk1/Mk1LL) and 915 (Mk2/Mk2LL) are chipsets meant specifically for the Pentium M. They do not support any of the later dual-core Intel CPUs.
* 945 (Mk3/Mk3LL) is the first Intel chipset to support Core/Core 2.

You'll notice that the mainboard chipset name always ends in "GM" or "PM". In Intel's naming scheme, the "M" indicates a mobile chipset. The "G" further indicates an integrated graphics processor, or IGP. The "P" merely indicates that the IGP is omitted. See below for more info on video chipsets.

CF-51 uses a socketed CPU - that is, the CPU is NOT soldered on (unlike more rugged Toughbooks), and is thus replaceable. The dual-core CF-51s shipped only with a Core Duo. They were never equipped stock with a Core 2 Duo. However, other forum members have found that the Core Duo can be upgraded to certain models of Core 2 Duo. See also: http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/526150-cf-51-cpu-upgrading.html

CPU sockets:
* Pre-Mk3: Socket 479
* Mk3/Mk3LL: Socket M

Socket M supports standard-voltage "Merom"-family Core 2 Duo processors. Be advised that many Merom processors use the incompatible Socket P.

Wikipedia:
List of Intel Pentium M microprocessors - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
List of Intel Core microprocessors - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
List of Intel Core 2 microprocessors - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Interestingly, the service manual for the CF-51GAMxAKM implies that there were Celeron-equipped CF-51G units. However, I have never seen one. The Configurator does not list any such models, either.

=== Memory:

Two SO-DIMM slots, accessible from the underside of the laptop. The CF-51 has no onboard RAM, contrary to what the Panasonic FAQ states. Perhaps they're referring to "onboard" memory as the minimum memory capacity that they support.

RAM Types - Taken from the Business Support FAQ:

(Mk1) -- DDR PC-2700
(Mk1LL) -- DDR2 PC2-4200 (A typo perhaps? 855 chipset is DDR1-only)
(Mk2) -- DDR2 PC2-4200
(Mk2LL) -- DDR2 PC2-4200
(Mk3) -- DDR2 PC2-4200
(Mk3LL) -- DDR2 PC2-4200

Maximum RAM

Mk1/Mk1LL : 2.0 GB
Mk2/Mk2LL : 2.0 GB
Mk3/Mk3LL : 4.0 GB

=== LCD and video chipset

All CF-51s use a 15" LCD. The majority of the units that seem to be available have an XGA (1024x768) screen. However, the non-LL versions either came standard with, or had available, a much nicer UXGA (1600x1200) screen as an option.

I mentioned the PM/GM chipset suffixes earlier. In the case of the CF-51 (and with many other manufacturer's laptops), the "P" indicates the absence of and integrated video controller in the Intel chipset, and implies that there is a discrete video chipset. Far newer laptops like the CF-31 actually have *both* an IGP and a discrete chipset (for battery-life/performance flexibility), but the CF-51, and most laptops from the same era, have either an IGP or a discrete video chipset, and not both.

The GPU included with Intel's "GM" suffix chipsets is completely sufficient for desktop tasks, but is generally considered pretty weak when it comes to video-accelerated tasks. Also, Intel's integrated GPUs have no VRAM of their own, and so they borrow from system RAM. This is slow, but sufficient for low-end tasks.

When I say "discrete" graphics, I am referring to a dedicated GPU chip, rather than the one that would be built-in to the mainboard chipset (Intel 855GM, 915GM, and 945GM).

The non-LL Mk2 and Mk3 (and maybe the Mk1) have an ATI discrete video chipset, while all the LL models use the standard Intel chipset video device.

Panasonic's Toughbook Support FAQ for the CF-51 lists the Mk2LL as having a discrete video chipset (ATI Mobility Radeon X300). However, I own a CF-51L personally, and it certainly has only an Intel integrated video chipset. I'm fairly sure all Mk2LL units are the same in this regard - IGP-only, no discrete video chipset.

=== Hard drives

All CF-51s use a 2.5" IDE/PATA hard drive, regardless of mark. Yes, even the Core Duo models!

The hard drive caddy is shock-mounted, and lacks a heater.

The Samsung HM160HC is a very popular IDE drive on NBR for refurbishing laptops that still use an IDE drive. At the time of writing, these drives tend to run about $65 online. Check Newegg.

On eBay, CF-51s are very frequently sold without their hard drive caddies. At the time of writing (Oct 2010), this caddy will generally cost you at least $70 (and more like $100), on eBay or anywhere else. I managed to get one from Heartland for $60, plus shipping - Part no. DFWV99A0112, for a CF-51P (Mk3).

The caddy was produced under several different part numbers, even though all the caddies are IDE.

=== Power supply

Mk1/Mk1LL and Mk2/Mk2LL:
* 15.6V, 5.0A power supply, part number: CF-AA1653AM. Same connector as the CF-18, CF-29, and CF-73, and it appears that this adapter is shared between all of those models.
* The well-known IBM Thinkpad power supply (16V, 4.5A) seems to work quite well, and its ratings are very close to the factory-spec. This particular IBM power supply seems to be available under very many different IBM FRU numbers.
Mk3/Mk3LL (the Core Duo models):
* 15.6V, 8.0A, part number CF-AA1683AM , common with the CF-52 and CF-74
* Same connector as the previous CF-51 series, but the rated current (and thus wattage) is much higher.

I've used the IBM power supply (16V/4.5A) successfully to power my CF-51P, but be very aware that running a power supply that far above its ratings may very well start a fire. Please be careful, and don't leave your non-standard setup unattended!

UPDATE....The IBM power supply will power the 51 and charge the battery but not both at the same time. The power supply will get very very hot. On my 51MK3 the charge light was going off and on while the 51 was running but when it was off the charge light would stay on and charge the battery.

=== Wireless LAN

Pre-Mk3: MiniPCI slot on the top of the mainboard. Shipped with either an Intel 2200 (802.11b/g) or an Intel 2915 (802.11a/b/g) card.

Mk3/Mk3LL: MiniPCIe (MiniPCI Express), with an Intel 3945 A/B/G card.

Unlike many laptops of the same time period (inlcuding even the CF-73 and CF-29), the CF-51 has its wireless LAN antennas in the base/cabinet part of the unit, and not in the LCD assembly. They are located on the left and right edges, about halfway between the front and back, adjacent to the keyboard.

Federal models: I don't own one, but it appears that only the wireless card is removed, and not the antennas or cables. You just need to supply your own card.

As an interesting side note regarding laptops in general, I have always found that Pentium M laptops (Intel 855 or 915 mainboard chipsets) nearly always have a miniPCI slot and not a miniPCIe slot. Dual-core laptops (Intel 945 and later chipsets) are just the opposite - miniPCIe only.

=== Keyboard

Looks like the same standard black/graphite-colored keyboard as the CF-73 and CF-29, but where those units' keyboards have two connectors (internally), the CF-51's keyboard has only one. Keyboard can be swapped with one from a CF-50.

The CF-51 does not support a backlit keyboard of any kind. Backlit keyboards need a third connector for power, and so we speculate that a backlit keyboard would fit in the space, and would function as a keyboard, but would never light up.

=== Battery/Media Pocket (MP)

Main battery: Same as the CF-29
Media pocket: Same batteries, optical drives, and other modules as the CF-73

Note: By all means, feel free to purchase used batteries, but know that it's strongly recommended by forum regulars that you buy only actual Panasonic batteries, and not any of these cheaper no-name batteries that are so prevalent online. Check the picture for "Panasonic" in the upper-left of the battery's label.

Also be aware that we have so far no reports of a successful re-cell of a Panasonic battery, due to some aspect of the Panasonic battery's internal microcontroller.

=== Operating Systems and Drivers

Panasonic seems to have focused on Windows XP for this series, even through the Mk3/Mk3LL. They have some information available through their Vista Upgrade Program, but it's rather complex, and the info is generally not specific to any Toughbook model. It also looks like it was translated from Japanese.

Keep in mind that Panasonic is still shipping (and their customers are still ordering) rugged Toughbooks with Windows XP... yes, even the CF-74, CF-30, and CF-31.

Regardless, I installed Windows 7 Professional and Ubuntu 10.10 on my CF-51P with great success.

Windows 7:
* Does not have the Radeon X1300 driver by default, but it's available on Windows Update.
* Same situation with the SmartCard reader.
* After a full update, you'll still see one unknown device in the Device Manager. This is the Panasonic Hotkey device, with ID ACPI\MAT0019. The following very-helpful site came up on a Google search: ACPI\MAT0019 and ACPI\MAT0020 on Panasonic Toughbooks. I installed the driver he provided (from Panasonic). It's not labeled as such, but I would assume it's either the XP driver for the 51, or a Vista/Win7 driver from a similarly-equipped dual-core Toughbook.

It's pretty easy to get full functionality from Windows 7 on the CF-51 (Mk3 at least), but see the CF-18mk1 and Windows 7 Howto for more info on the thought process involved in installing Windows 7 on a Toughbook whose only official drivers are for XP. This ought to be especially helpful for those of you with a pre-Mk3 Toughbook, particularly with regard to drivers for video chipsets and Panasonic-specific devices.

I have confirmed that the following "incorrect" drivers will install correctly:
* CF-52 Mk1 (Vista), "Panasonic Common Components Application" [installed on a CF-51 Mk3]
* CF-52 Mk1 (Vista), "Touch Pad Driver" [installed on a CF-51 Mk3]

See the following on WikiSpaces for one user's experience with dual-booting Windows 7 and Ubuntu 9.10 on a CF-51 Mk2LL: http://toughbook.wikispaces.com/CF-51

More OS and driver info to be posted later.

 

Wow, very good job. Rep to you. Not sure if you seen this or not http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/526150-cf-51-cpu-upgrading.html but my CF-51 MK3LL is now a Core 2 Duo T7200 2.0 MHz running Windows 7.

Update: I have now upgraded to the T7600 2.33MHz and it runs great but for the price the T7200 will give you more bang for your buck
T7200 - $40.00
T7600 - $80.00+

 

@toughasnails: I added your link to the relevant section. Thank you!

 

Good FAQ guide OperationDinnerOut
It looks better than my cf-18 FAQ

This is one of the most confusing toughbooks
It would be helpful if owners can add to the info here so we have first hand information

Reading Panasonic's documentation is confusing

From the info I found
The mk-1 will except 2GB total ram
Either a PC2700 compliant RAM module or a PC2100 compliant RAM module can be added.
Video Memory is confusing as it states 128 MB in one document and 64 MB elsewhere

MK3 Ram is 4GB max with 128 MB Video Memory

 

Great job, thanks for your effort. However, I think you are incorrect in your warning on power supply.

"* 15.6V, 8.0A, part number CF-AA1683AM , common with the CF-52 and CF-74
* Same connector as the previous CF-51 series, but the input current (and thus wattage) are much higher. I've used the IBM power supply successfully to power my CF-51P, but be very aware that running a power supply that far above its ratings may very well start a fire. Please be careful, and don't leave your non-standard setup unattended!"

I'm not sure what you mean by "input current", and the Toughbook doesn't care about the higher amperage, it will just use what it needs. Your lighting circuits in your house are probably 15 or 20amp, but that doesn't mean they will blow a 60 watt light bulb. Its the voltage which can get you in trouble. There are Sony and IBM power supplies out there which match the TB voltage requirements and have matching plugs, and there are almost identical ones which are 20v and have been known to blow fuses on Toughbooks.
CAP

 

Dinner out is a GO! loved that movie, well written and executed, both the movie and your information, another way to deal with the china connection, Still would love to know was this model "duplicated" as so many other laptops are from the chinese connection as it states on the bottom assembled in USA of foriegn components. When we hear from Rusty we'll learn of details of the T7500 mobile cpu upgrade, which probably involves a bios upgrade or some tricks he figured out. I think he set us to searching for this on our own which is a good thing. Looking forward to hearing from him soon. You did a great job in this organized listing of the cf-51. I confirm toughasnails with the T7200 upgrade and look for the elusive T7500 pathway. thanks Operation Dinner Out, you and the movie got class.............Driller

 

Well done., man! But with regards to keyboard. The keyboard of cf-51 is different from CF-73,Cf-29 and others. It only share with the CF-50 unit with the same one cable ribbon on it.

On battery: At least on my behalf, I use the battery of CF-30 to one of my CF-51(dual core) not sure to single core but it works like a champ. You just need to take out the little plastic bump on it side in oder to slide in inside.


ohlip

 

@Tomcat57: I have updated the memory section. I wonder if the discrete-graphics models should all be considered to have 64MB VRAM, if they are not specifically listed as 128MB.

@capt.dogfish:

I clarified the wording in that section. What I meant was that the CF-51 itself had a higher input current, and that using a 15.6V or 16V PSU with only a 4.5-5.0A rating could overstress the PSU to the point of it catching on fire - definitely not good. You're quite correct that the laptop will only draw as much current as it needs.

Take a look at that section now, and see if it reads a little better!

@ohlip:

I have updated the keyboard section to reflect this. So, the CF-51 keyboard looks just like the 29/73 keyboard, but has only one connector instead of two. Anyone know why that is? Can the two-connector keyboard be used in a CF-51, with the second connector unused?

I'm not familiar with the CF-30 (though I wish I were!). Where is this "bump" you refer to? On the CF-30 battery? Inside the CF-51 itself?

 

On the CF-30 Battery, check out the picture of the CF-30 battery.

 

Regarding the CF-30 battery -
Is that bump easily removable? With the battery continue to work properly with the CF-30 after one modifies it in this way?

Also, on a related note... Will the CF-29/51 batteries work normally with a CF-30? How about the CF-52?

 

In addition to the single connector on the keyboard, if I remember correctly (and it has been a while since I dabbled with the 51's, although my wife uses one daily), there were slight variances in the 51 keyboard when compared to the 28/29. You really need to set them side-by-side and compare closely. Many have tried to get keyboards from other models to work, both back lit and non, but none have worked so far.

 

Good one. Not my model ( Edit: Until I tried one) but the work you put in is obvious. I also appreciate and admire your re-action to constructive criticism. Way to go.

 

Inside the CF-VZSU1473U media bay 2nd Battery pack is a Part # CF-VZSU14B which is the standard battery in the newest cf-72's, will not work in early models
The CF-VZSU1473U battery fits a CF 51 and a CF 73. The CF-VZSU14B is the same battery pack that is inside the media bay battery of a CF 29.

 

Guess you found out ....it will not boot without it

 

Can physically confirm that the Mk1LL version, well at least an E model, use PC2700 RAM.

 

As far as I know, the Intel 2915ABG card only supports WXP and previous.
For Windows Vista/7 you cannot use this card. (I saw this on the Intel driver site, currently wouldn't know where.)


Also, there's no mention about the USB / parallel port.
It seems the MK3 swapped the Parallel port for 2 extra USB ports and a better heat-vent. But I've also seen models (on ebay) which do have a Coreduo processor but don't have the extra USB ports.
It also looks like the Smartcard / SD card reader remove the possibility of adding the third creditcard battery (on top of the harddisk).

 

Can confirm that some models of the MK3LL used the following OE HD:
Hitachi Travelstar 40GB 4200RPM
Model: IC25N0ATMR04-0

Update:
It does appear that the original specification was a 80GB 5200RPM HD.

 

Can I swap the mobo between a MK1 and an MK3?

 

No not really. The two MKs use different bottom cases. The MK 1 has a parallel port and the MK3 has two USB ports instead of the parallel port. The MK3 also has additional cooling vents and fans so that cannot be swapped.

 

The OP posted ...
* CF-52 Mk1 (Vista), "Panasonic Common Components Application" [installed on a CF-51 Mk3]
* CF-52 Mk1 (Vista), "Touch Pad Driver" [installed on a CF-51 Mk3]

What is the Common Components Application?
Is the vista Touch Pad Driver necessary?
I installed W7 on a CF-51 MK3 and the touch Pad works OK. The video works OK.
The hotkeys don't work. I was going to use the CF-52 hotkey files.
I've tried to uninstall/remove the current CF-51 hotkey files but after doing so, when I try to install new files, it still thinks the previous files are still installed.

 

Did you try to update the driver through the device manager?

When I installed Win7 on my CF-51 Mk3LL I used the Vista upgrade drivers. I ran setup in compatibilty mode as Vista and as Administrator. Everything works perfectly.

 

Yes, I used device manager. But there are three files to install in a specific order and there's only one device in device manager to uninstal. I'm thinking the files are still there. So, it autoinstalls with those files that are perhaps install ing the system32. I've run the new files in order, in the hope that they will over write the original files and be used when it auton installs the device when I reboot. My hotkeys still don't work.

 

Hi,

As another user suggested, it is perfectly acceptable to use Windows Vista drivers in any scenario where a Windows 7 driver does not currently exist. In most cases, the Windows Vista driver will prove to be sufficient. However, there still seems to be trouble configuring the hotkeys within your Windows 7 environment; it may be helpful to read the following Microsoft created Help and How-to Update a driver for hardware that isn’t working properly. You might also want to try to install the hotkeys drivers in particular within compatibility mode. You may have to update the current driver associated with the non-functioning hotkeys by performing the steps outlined below.

For your convenience I have included the instructions for Compatibility Hardware Device Drivers by Microsoft MVP, Ronnie Vernon, from the TechNet forums:

COMPATIBILITY HARDWARE DEVICE DRIVERS:

1. Place the driver installation file on the Desktop.

2. Right Click the driver installation file and select Properties/Compatibility Tab. Select the appropriate options in from the list. In your case, you would select Windows Vista.

3. Click Apply/OK.

4. Right Click the file and select the Run As Administrator option to install.

Jessica
Windows Outreach Team – IT Pro

 

Is the TouchPad driver from the original post necessary for W7?
Mine seems to be working fine with either W7 default drivers or CF-51 drivers. I forget which I used.

What is the Panasonic Common Components Application for?
Is that for Hot Keys or more than Hot Keys?

I have confirmed that the following "incorrect" drivers will install correctly:
* CF-52 Mk1 (Vista), "Panasonic Common Components Application" [installed on a CF-51 Mk3]
* CF-52 Mk1 (Vista), "Touch Pad Driver" [installed on a CF-51 Mk3]

 

It's used by 3 or 4 other drivers too but just not sure which one's at the moment

 

What is the difference between the CF-51P and the CF-51Q? I have looked on this forum and I have googled it. But I can't seem to find the answer. Surely someone on this message board knows and can enlighten me.

 

It seems that the Q model is a "federal" model with no wireless.

 

Does the CF-51 Mk3 have a different motherboard than the CF-51 Mk3LL? Or does it have a daughter board for the dedicated video? If it does have a daughter board can it be added to the CF-51 Mk3LL?

 

Check out page one...not sure which one has the ATI video but think its the MK3 (no LL) . It's on the motherboard
MK3 945PM
MK3LL. 945GM

 

I am 98% sure the LL versions use a different MB.

The LL does not have ATI graphics.

 

Screens.
Thought I would stick what I found here:

MK2LL CHI MEI N150X3-L07 Rev C4

MK3LL CHI MEI N150X3-L09 Rev C1

Hopefully thats enough info to source a replacement.

 

That's good to know...every little bit counts

 

I installed a T7600 in my CF51-MK3LL along with 2-1GB 5300 Ram, all harvested from an Ebay Dell 820 which would boot to bios. I'm using XP SP3 and did not change Windows setup or BIOs setup. The chip changes were recognized by BIOs. The MK3LL is slower now? I used a speed program by Nova and the CPU is 50% slower? I pulled the 5300 RAM in put the original 4200 back in, but no improvement.Did I miss something or is the T7600 suspect. I do have a T7200 that I'll probably try.
Thanks

 

It must be the 7600 because mine works great. I am running 4GB ram and W7

 

Found this wireless 802.11n upgrade video. The card is Atheros AR5B91-X it seems that
there are several versions of this card so be sure to get one that supports 802.11n if you
need it:
Installing Internal WirelessN on a Toughbook CF-51 Notebook - YouTube

I have no use for 802.11n at the moment since the speed is overkill, but thought that it
might be of interest to others.

 

I upgraded a CF-51 MK3 with the T7200 CPU not wanting to have the increased heat, fan
noise and lower battery life of the faster T7600. Then thought about running a T7600 full
speed say on AC power, and at a down clocked reduced speed when on battery. This
utility makes it easy to do, I just checked a couple of boxes and changed some pull down
options to only use 6X and 7X multiplier so that the T7200 only ran at about 1GHz and
one tick above: Notebook Hardware Control (NHC):
Notebook Hardware Control (NHC) - Homepage, Downloads, Help, Docu, FAQ, News - www.NotebookHardwareControl.net

It is easy to limit the multiplier to any range just from the menu options and there are many
other features.

 

Picked up a CF-51JF4ECBM a couple of days ago on ebay for $12......got it today and it is literally brand new.

Looks like it has been sitting on a shelf for years,flawless. You do get lucky sometimes,too bad it is a pentium M but it's already sold so it's good.

 

Not too bad at all. If you think about upgrading the CPU you can go with 2.1 or 2.2 but you won't see any real gains, but will have higher heat. X300 ATI card will help take some of the strain off of the CPU for better performance.

 

Does he have the dock to allow that?

 

Dock? For the video card?

 

Yes, wouldn't the vid card go in a dock, not the laptop itself?

 

No the Mk2 CF-51 has ATI X300 video card from the factory.

CF-51xxxxA/H/Qxx (Mk1) -- ATI Technologies Mobile Radeon 9600

CF-51xxxxB/J/Rxx (Mk1LL) -- 855GME Integrated 32-bit 3D/2D Gfx, with frequency up to 250MHz

CF-51xxxxC/K/xx (Mk2) -- ATI Technologies Mobile Radeon X300, with discrete 64/128MB VRAM

CF-51xxxxD/Lxx (Mk2LL) -- Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 915

CF-51xxxxE/Mxx (Mk3) -- ATI Technologies Mobile Radeon X1300, with discrete 128/256MB VRAM

CF-51xxxxF/Nxx (Mk3LL) -- Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950

On the main Panasonic site it shows the Mk1 as having Intel graphics but I have seen several Mk1's with ATI 9600 for the CF-51. Also it shows the Mk2LL with ATI X300 I have had one and it had intel graphics. On the Mk3 it says the x1300 has 64/128mb video memory. I have only seen 128/256 versions.

 

I didn't know there was a removable laptop version of that card.
Is it also in the MK3 I have?

 

Your MK3 if it is a Mk3 and not a Mk3LL should have the X1300 card. ( I edited my post, I don't know if you have seen the edit before you posted) In you bios check and see if you have 128 or 256 video memory if you have the ATI card. If you want a good modded driver check out the OMEGA DRIVERS.

 

Thanks ADOR, you're the pantheon of knowledge.

 

Mine's an MK3LL.

 

Yours has the Intel graphics card.

 

It's been a while since anyone has posted here, but for those checking in, Happy Labor Day weekend everyone! The wealth of info here is really something, and with this forum's help I think I've found my next project.

A reputable seller on eBay has quite a few QG5EEBM laptops available new in the box (old surplus originally intended for military contracts in the Middle East). The company is asking for about $200 including shipping. Yes, I know the CF-51 is feeling it's age, but with the option for T7200 Core 2 Duo/Win7 64-bit upgrades, and what I consider a sweet price for brand-spanking new condition, this model seems like a perfect fit for my needs right now.
I've got an Adobe CS2 Suite that plays best with XP, and I'm not ready to shelf the software just yet. I also still play older games like Starcraft and DOW in my down time, so a dedicated video card like the X1300 fits the bill.

I've been having difficulty nailing down specific VRAM specs for the QG5EEBM though. A few sources online allude to "up to" 256MB of VRAM (which is what I'm hoping for). Most specifications (albeit dated) I've found in my searches state only 128MB for CF-51 series models, but the specifications from Panasonic sources appear to refer to earlier models. I messaged the seller of the new units, but haven't received an answer to this question for the last week.

Can anyone confirm the amount of video memory? Also, if the QG5EEBM only comes with 128MB VRAM, is the video memory upgradeable as easily as the CPU (slot-installed for an easy swap rather than soldered in place onto the motherboard)? Any input on this would be really appreciated.

 

From: Panasonic Mobile Computing Configure Products

Specs above from the Panasonic configurator site say 256MB. I'm pretty sure it's fixed and not upgradable. I've seen those units advertised and a nice deal for sure but keep in mind they don't have wifi installed "NO WLAN", and Panasonic units are fussy about which wifi cards are supported so you may have homework there.

 

Nope, it is not upgradeable. W7 32bit 4GB memory works great in the 51 but 64 bit not sure since the max memory is 4GB and you should have 8GB memory for 64 bit. I still have my 51 and it runs great. The antenna for the WiFi for mine were there, just need to add a card