Toughbook/Let's Note R8, T8, W8, S8, N8...

It seems that the main talk of the Panasonic forum is outdoor rugged Toughbooks.

However, has anyone bought/imported one of the current 8-series Business Rugged Toughbooks (Let's Note ultraportables) and if so, what is your impression?

 

Ummm... my opinion is... I'd rather have your watch.

mnem
Which watch watches the watcher's witch watch?

 

panny supposedly claims 16 hours of battery life: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Newsentry.153+M5e638351d94.0.html

if those things really get 16 hours and the CF30 doesn't keep up then Im with you Jabba and I just might go with these business rugged machines.

Dominik
Battery life, not weight, determines portability

 

I have a T-5 and have played some with the T-7 and I have to say they are impressive machines.
The T-5 is one I carry everywhere as a Touchscreen alternative to a Netbook,sort of.

It is well built and feels solid. The screen is OK but not nearly as bright as the CF-30 I also have but it is not really a fair comparison either.

I like it enough that if a right-priced 7nor 8 popped up I would jump on it for sure.

So many Toughbooks so little time.

Ed

 

Yes, based on specs, I am very impressed with the business rugged machines as well. Have been thinking of getting one as I was quite impressed with the solid build of the tiny R-series. Never had sufficient time with one and I am curious as to how they compare to the ThinkPads which I am a big fan of.

Just a shame that these machines are difficult to get a hold of at decent pricing outside of Japan.

 

I have W7, my wife a Y7. Could not be happier with them.

 

Actually, my wife went from an IBM T42 to a Y2 (then to a Y7). Would not go back.

 

give us reasons. Why is it that you prefer the toughbook over ibm. what makes them stand out of the crowd of laptops.

 

Sorry, I just now saw your questions. My reasons:

1. Light weight. When my wife's system came, she thought the laptop was left out of the shipping box. they're that light.

2. Complete in one package. Built-in DVD writer, wireless. My W7 even has a Sprint interface built-in. (I have not used it yet, though.)

3. Beautiful screen.

4. Rugged. I've carried mine all over the world, dropped them (W2-W5-W7) lots of times, and never had a problem. And I never carry mine in any protective sleeve or padded case.

5. Acceptable price. But I waited until they were available on eBay for < $1K. (Except the W5, which I would not wait for.)

6. Easy to work on. I've had no trouble getting service manuals and parts when I've needed them.

Does that help?

Dave

 

Thanks Dave,

Do you have any experience with ThinkPads? If so, how do your W notebooks compare?

 

My first Thinkpads were a 560 then a couple of 600s. I had no others until I bought my wife the T42. I always thought they had the best keyboards and were by far the easiest to work on. IBM's documentation and support web sites were the best of all laptop vendors. I had no complaints with any of them, but after I bought my first TB, a W2, I was hooked. When my wife's TP died (LCD), someone was selling new Y2s on eBay for $999. I bought one and liked it so much (and was so jealous of her using it around the house) that a couple of years later I bought one for myself just to use at home.

I would say that the TPs seem a little sturdier, because they are heavier, but the TBs have proven to be even more reliable and I would not go back for anything. In my experience the lighter weight is a small reliability advantage: less mass has meant less damage when dropped.