Toughbook CF-52 Update

I'm going to be purchasing a CF-52 and have a question. My understanding is that the 52 was introduced May 2007 and became available the following month, June 2007; correct me if I'm wrong. And I was told that Panasonic usually updates current models about every 12 months and replaces models about every 3 years - Panasonic refers to the updates as 'marks'. If what is said about updates correct, the next update is due very soon. Does anyone know what will be done to the 52 with the next update? I hate to buy the 52 and find a substantial update the following week or so. As an example, I believe the last update on the CF-30 was substantial and the price also decreased around $1,000. What do you guys think???

 

I just purchased a CF-52 C last month. I got a good price on it ($1500.00) becasue it the earlier model with the 1.8 Ghz Processor. It had everything I need including Blue Tooth, Fire-Wire 1394 and 802.11 A/B/G. You'll find that you end up paying a premium for the latest model. Sort of like buying a new car verses one that's last years model... Just my thoughts.
Jim

 

Hey Jim,
Panasonic still has the 52 with two models, one with 1.8 GHz and the other with 2.0. The screen resolution is also different on each model. So your model is still current. Where did you purchase your 52 as it's a great price? How is the screen resolution and brightness?
George

 

Purchased the unit on eBay; just do a search for Toughbook 52. The screen will run a max of 1280 x800 off the LCD and even higher when hooked to an external monitor which mine is most of the time. Screen brightness is great and the wide screen is something I really apprecaite after using a Toughbook 29 for a long time.
Jim

 

I have the 2.0Ghz model and your your right they do upgrade the internals every so often. The Cf-28's went from MK1, MK2, MK3, MK4 with the same chassis design. I wonder if they would do the same with the CF-52. Mine is performing excellent by the way and I have no real complaints. I plan on buying a larger hardrive 500G and a blueray drive in a year or so when they come down in price.

 

Mythcell,
I also thought that I'd eventually like a Blu-ray drive but I was told that the DVD drives in the Toughbooks are made by Panasonic and are exclusive to Panasonic, that is, only a Panasonic Toughbook drive would work in a Toughbook. Lastly, I don't know what processor/memory requirements the Blu-ray would require, do you?
George

 

JCriner,
I did notice a CF-52 on ebay but I was afraid to buy it since the seller was located in Canada. I do know that with certain products and manufacturers, a product made for the Canadian market would only be warranted by the manufacturer in Canada, specfically, Panasonic of Canada. I don't know for certain if this is the case with Panasonic but it is the situation for Honda automobiles and some other manufacturers.

 

I think the warranty issue is true. I tried to buy the 2 Ghz model here and phoned panasonic. they said only the 1.8 model was sold in canada due to the size of the market. I registered mine to my brother who lives in St. louis, So it looks like I'm "just visiting" canada if i need a warranty repair. I don't know even if it matters though. It shouldn't.

I bought mine from B&H photo and Video in New York which basically was the only place that would ship this model to Canada.
I would recommend them too by the way

 

I think blue-ray would work (I don't really know). I changed out a drive on my CF-28. It uses a proprietary shell for a standard size Rom-drive. The CF-52 looks to use the same sort of proprietary release mechanism on a standard Rom-drive. So hopefully it would be just as easy. Also My screen is the 1920*1200 model so it should display
Blu-ray resolution. I guess time will tell.

 

Man, we got a dozen new posters in the last day... How did that happen?

I don't think Panasonic has any set deadlines for product updates. I think they base it on new chips coming out, and wait until they can test the model.

(Good to see we have another George posting now... I'm George W. by the way, and another Alaskan poster is always nice. I really liked Anchorage).