Toughbooks Anonymous

Ok, I just sold one, then bought three. This makes six not including the one I just sold. I am not sure I can stop myself any more.

 

Whatcha gonna do with all of them? Wanna sell any?

 

*raises hand*

My name is George, and I'm a Toughbookaholic.

 

hahahahhahaaaaaaaaaahahaaaaaaahhahaaaaaaaaa ROFLCOPTER
I GET IT like alcoholic but not HAAAHA

 

I'm looking to swap some keyboards with them as I'm hoping they have the backlit keyboards. Then I want the radio motherboard and cable assemblies from them. Even though I wasn't able to get their model numbers I had a picture of them and they hopefully are intact. (unknown but the price was right) I want to fix up 2 and sell them pretty much stock but with maybe a combo card and mini-pci wifi. I want to trade one for the components of the factory gps including the bump plate so I can retrofit the factory gps into one of my car units. I just got 2 ledco docks (new,old stock) and I made some pass through cables for the dock side of the mount for both the EM-408 and factory wifi (Cisco). Frankly I have become obsessed with building up 2 machines, keeping them in the cars (a truck and a jeep) permanently on ledco docks (the older cf28 model). Then I have two for my daily work that I use to telecommute with. They both have factory wifi and factory gps. I just put a dvd/rw into one and other than the color not quite matching it's working well and I'm burning both CDR and DVD with it. I also watched a movie on it last night so I'm pleased with that upgrade. I am going to do my other work machine as well so I can have a complete set per system. I want to get one more 13.3" touchscreen assy to keep as a spare, and other than the motherboard I'd like to have spare parts on hand to keep mine running. I may just sell them stripped after I am done moving around parts but that depends on whether or not I need the hard drive caddies. I would like to keep one spare hard drive in caddy with a mirror of my data on at least two of my work machines. Since I started using my first toughbook I've stopped using my desktop systems altogether so I think I'm going to start getting rid of my Sun equipment and keep using NAS devices for my data. I will probably keep one (intel) linux server since it's also running my database stuff but I've switched to windows as my desktop now, whenever I need to connect to hundreds of unix systems, I just ssh via vpn and I'm there. The toughbook has already improved my life, 7 hrs of battery run time, and the fact that it takes my worst abuse. I am happy with the performance of a 1ghz system and I can afford to upgrade the systems I use. I'm doomed. I won't break the CF29 threshold yet, I am saving that for later, I'm simply having too much fun with 28s at the moment. I'd say I'm only doing what everyone else is I've had the pleasure of speaking with, mainly building personal machines with the parts they scavenge from donor machines, putting the unwanted parts back into them and selling them on ebay. Right now my attention is split between doing the gps project this weekend and installing a ledco mount in my truck. I have an older truck so there are no pre-made base plates so I'm fabricating one this weekend. If all goes well I should be finished by Sunday but I'm not sure. I already tested the mount with 12vdc and I got the external wifi antenna working. I haven't yet mounted a gps antenna on the truck but I hope to locate a good one soon. I also am working on designing a base plate to use with a Jeep CJ7 (1983), I want the laptops to be a bit higher than most people want them because I have radio gear that might be blocked. I also am going to mount one up at the head end of a large telescope for a local control system. I am actually going to put a ledco mount up there since it has to be welded to the side of a 18" steel pipe that holds the scope about 10feet off the dome room floor. I've become obsessed, I tell you. It's worse than when I got into astronomy (and then I ended up with an observatory at 7.6k feet) so I'm a bit worried where the toughbook thing might end up at. It will be fun though.

 

I made my confession to TB a couple of days ago. This morning I did the unthinkable and retracted a bid I had in on a 28 on Ebay. That means I only have active bids in on 3 of them now. I only retracted the bid because I realized it was missing a lot more than I wanted to deal with.

It's a sickness I tell you. It's like gold mining in Alaska. Cept you can do your Toughbook stuff in any kind of weather. I admit the sickness hit me pretty quick. I have a problem. I just need one more!!!

 

I'm working on a mount for my CJ8 also an 83. I am working on mounting off of the cage dash bar. Have you seen Stu's Jeep Site?

 

Well I am using ledco mounts right now, so need to mate their tube and swivel thing to my baseplate. I bought enough parts to do two mounts in a vehicle but have to make a good baseplate for the Jeep soon. I may have visited that site once but not sure. I had a crude mount for one in my Jeep but it was just a tray. I don't have a cage in my Jeep so that option is out for me. I'm just going to use what the police and ems do, use professional mounts with the exception of a home-made baseplate. My fiancee is already making noises that she wants a toughbook and will ditch her Thinkpad so it looks like I'll have to get one put together for her too.

 

I started out looking for a cheap TB to mount semipermanantly in the Scrambler. Have since bought 4 TB's including a CF-51 for my wife. See loves hers. For the same money she has a 1.6mhz and most of the "tough" as the CF-28 without the extra weigh. We have wasted 2 other laptops in the past 2 years in the Jeep and on our sailboat, the others just wouldn't take the water or the dust.

 

Just be happy you aren't a complete Toughbook addict, and she doesn't have plans to ditch you too! Then you know you've got a problem.

 

Well THAT was worthless.... Seems like we are attracting stranger and stranger people all the time.


Oooohh... But he has a Bonzi buddy... OOoooooohhhh


How annoying....

 

*Raises paw*

My name is mnem, and I am a ToughBookaholic. It's been 6 days since my last Toughbook-related purchase...

mnem
*Eying an overpriced HD caddy for his Mk1*

Somebody stop me before I bid again!!!

 

and I thought I could get away with 1 simple purchase of a CF-28. Well, thanks to a certain person here and his EXCELLENT service, I can seen I am going to need to start cutting costs somewhere, because I am HOOKED on toughbooks AND accessories. I am still trying to figure out how to save money for the elusive holy grail.... the CF-18... and by the time I can afford that, the next model will probably be out!!! It never ends!

BTW I am absolutely in love with my new RAM MOUNT and TOUGHDOCK I have in my work van.... I should get some pictures of my van setup soon. It is VERY adjustable and VERY sturdy!

Now to find a good deal on another media bay battery.... Long story there but I had a BAD experience with UPS... basically the shipment somehow ended up the the mysterious VOID at UPS called "ABANDONED" thanks to a not so smart employee who didn't get my message that the COD was to go on my VISA when it arrived at the UPS store! And to a SELLER who didn't respond to UPS's calls to accept a return on a missed payment....

Oh well live and learn I guess, another $90 towards the toughbook gods!

 

ok I suppose I'm in the right thread when I ask this question. Currently I have a Vaio which I love but I can't take it to the field with me. I'm active duty USMC and while I love the toughbook (most of the comm guys and maint. guys have them "issued") I can't justify the cost of buying a cf-29,30, or the 19....although the 19 would be my top choice because of the size. I also have to have a fully rugged lappy. I need it for a couple of things besides wireless but maybe you guys have some suggestions on how to pick one up at a reasonable price. I'm pretty good with doing work on laptops...I just finished replacing my vaio hd. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Wow, you guys really DO have a problem. Sorry to hear that.

I bought my first Toughbook about 5 weeks ago and I now have 2 CF-28s, 1 CF-27, and another 28 on the way.

BUT, I can quit ANYTIME I want to!!

Gotta go cruise E-Bay, no more time for pleasantries.

 

I think you should get a CF-28 preferably a 1 ghz system, load up with dvd/rw, 768m memory, as fast a hard drive as you can get (ATA-6), either add an after-market gps or if you're lucky enough a factory gps (yes, I love the factory gps and it works well for me), wifi (ether factory or add mini-pci wifi with an external antenna), 13.3" touchscreen, an auxiliary battery and let it prove to you why these machines are superior. Even if you can afford a CF-29 I'd say start with a CF-28 they are fun and damned reliable.

Thank you for your service, I am ex-military and I know a small portion of what you do, and I am grateful every day for people like you.

 

Just gotta add to this thread.

I got caught up in a couple of Ebay auctions and lost track of what I was bidding on. Ended up with TWO CF-28 600 Mhz. Just wanted to replace my 27, so now I had the 27 and both 28's.

Got on this site, and you guys made me so envious of the 800's, that I had to go ahead and buy 2 1000's, and sell both of the 600's.

Sold one of the 1000's, but I just couldn't resist a CF-29.....

I really don't know how this happened....

Gotta get on Ebay and thin the herd....

 

I want another CF28mk3 but I can't justify it. I'm going to stick to my plan on adding every possible thing to my mk3s and then some. Then, and only then will I consider getting a CF-29. On the way to there I may have to get alot of parts machines in order to complete my work. (now looking for emissive keyboards and the emissive pcb)

 

Id second that motion...28 is easy to work on and you will have a good supply of parts available at good prices...more so than the 29 (parts not as abundant and a bit more in cost). In addition if you are going to be in windy sandy conditions the 28 has a few less nooks and crannies to trap sand. Every time I get back from the field I spend a bit more time cleaning my 29 of sand trapped in those crannies...was not quite as bad with my 28. Hope this helps.

I also second Terminus's statement...Thanks for your service!

 

Emissive keyboard and emissive pcb ... I know I am going to hate myself for asking because then I may want them ... but inquiring minds just gotta know!

BTW: I also am drifting into tbook-addiction. Have one CF-28 which I have completed and am now updating and am buying two more, one to hook a buddy because that's what addicts do, right?

 

I to am addicted - started of just simply getting a CF27, then spiraled into constant ebay surfing for more - I am getting to the point now where I have to justify them to the wife and designate the purpose of each one. The biggest problem I have is when I get around anybody that has any sense at all they see my TB and of course they want one so being the nice guy I am I go shopping and hook them up. Just cant pass up a deal, just snaked a 1G 28 for $230. I can also quit anytime I want - I hope enjoy it guys much worse things to be addicted to -

 

Hmmm, I am lost too, with 1 CF-28. 2 CF-29 and 1 CF-30...

 

I have two, both CF-28's. A MK1 and a MK3.

At first I couldn't quite put together why I felt so at home here. I mean sure I haven't posted much, but when it seems some of my thoughts are finished for me by what I read... Then I came across this thread and I figured it out!

I saw Terminus' post and how he was using a TB at the control end of a telescope. That's the original reason I bought my first CF-28, a mk1. It's weatherproof, no nighttime dew will affect it and it has all kinds of ports for 'scope and camera control!

Then I saw Regist1's post about putting a Toughbook mount in his Jeep. I've been a Jeep enthusiast since 2000 when I bought my first Jeep an '88 cherokee (XJ) 4x4. I've since sold that and bought a '99 Wrangler (TJ) and modded the heck out of that.

Then I saw KD4E's post. Before any of my two other hobbies I was a ham (N9XK) since '93.

So I have another hobby that I'm wondering if anyone else on here shares with me. Anybody here into Star Wars costuming? 501st Legion members?

That seems to be my current most liked hobby along with Toughbooks of course. Not sure which one is the most prevalent with me, but right now Toughbooks and Costuming stick out in my mind the most (both expensive, but fun). Too many hobbies, not enough time. Forget Toughbooks Anonymous, I need Hobbies Anonymous! Thank God I have a patient wife.

Mark

 

Sounds like you have a burning need for 4 Toughbooks.

 

LOL

 

Okay, my name is klboo and I am a toughbookaholic. I bought 8 CF-28's in the last six months.:twitcy:

I have one I use at home, 2 being built to sell, 2 (incomplete) I have parted out, 2 needing parts and 1 (with a broken kb connector/no kb) that I plan to use like a tablet for a car pc (maybe).

My original purchase was also to use outside for astronomy (an extra for parts), then a purchase to upgrade to the 13.3 inch touchscreen. It was a small step from there to buying for refurb/resale.

I am a toughbookaholic, and I DON'T need help, I just need parts!:wink:

 

Klboo,
You've got it bad! I feel bad when I drop a few bucks on my pet 29. Doggone things are addictive.

 

My name is Dssemulator I am a recovering satellite TV programeraholic, I have switched my addiction to Toughbooks, in a months period of time I have purchased (2) 600's, (2) 800's and (1) 1000. I "promised" that I was only going to turn them over but I just can't do it! I CAN'T DO IT! Somebody please help me.....I love my toughbooks!

 

You have to just let 'em go...

There WILL be others...

You just can't have 'em ALL at one time...

 

thanks for the advice.....I appreciate the tips and the support for what I do. When I talk the wife into letting me get it it'll help me connect with home too. Is there any particular place that's good for picking one up? I looked on ebay but I've seen warnings about that and just want to make sure I get what I'm looking at lol.

 

You'll have to excuse him, he is most likely a product of the MI schools..

 

Indeed.

Detroit; Where a 25% graduation rate is real, the Mayor is exploiting the people, and the illiteracy rate is 48%.

 

Why can't I have ALL of them at one time? I want them, I want them ALL!
I LOVE THEM!.................unless the price is right...

 

Lol yall have me addicted already I just wanted a tb to use in my car to do reports on. and use else where. I swanny what have I gotten myself into

 

Com'on, Sug. Nobody says 'Swanny' anymore, do they? Not even in the Tarheel state.



<3 R's in N.C. - Read'n, 'Rite'n, and the road to .... >

 

I do. Because im a native not an transplant tarheel. There arent many of us left

 

Swanny? Could I get a translation into "Yankee" speak? (or for you native NCers - "D**M Yankee" speak!)

 

Commonly used in religion in the South. As in "crossing over the river", "crossing over to the beyond", crossing over the Suwanee river".

Swanny became a vernacular homily, used to express the gravity or seriousness of a situation. It can also be used to express a mild amazement or disbelief when upon hearing something beyond belief.

My sainted grandmother used the term often in my younger days as I made up the latest "windy" to try to avoid the results of my latest escapade.

 

I'm shocked to hear that a Marine would fabricate a story in order to deceive his sainted grandmother! HA! NOT! Even as a child you were doing that Improvise, Overcome, Adapt thing! A natural born Marine!

Thanks for 'splaining' swanny to me. Never too old to learn!

 

Not fabrication, probably misdirection...

 

Why yes , yes I do . Actually swanny would convert to today's I swear. Thus ends today's lesson of southern vernacular

 

Born in Georgia, raised up in North Carolina [Hope Mills/Fayetteville to be exact], and then moved back to Georgia.

Still consider myself more NC than GA.

I love me some of that North Carolina pulled pork BBQ!!!!!!

 

My Grandmother would always say "Well I swann" when I would spin a little white lie to get out of a jam. It always translated to me getting the business end of a switch.

 

Nothing like a little 'peach tree tea', as my own granddad used to say.

 

I was recently in Lexington and had me some of NC finest pulled pork. So I know what you mean sugar

 

Mmmhmmm... I spent a summer in Centre AL - just across the border from Rome GA. I was lucky (AND determined); I DID manage to escape...

mnem
If there is a bright center to the universe, Centre AL is the place it's farthest from...

 

Yeah, Rome and surrounding ain't my fav part of GA either. head on up into the Blue Ridge mountains and then you can see the light a little better!

 

All right, as God is my witness, I just wanted to pick up a couple of 28's for the dredges. I now have at least 12 28's in the shop, stacks of 7200rpm hdd's, wifi antennas all over the place, Billionton Bluetooth cards on the kitchen table, a new to me freakin' soldering station, I'm digging out old driver disks, and worst of all I'm walking around the house mumbling Ooooom and snarf under my breath and my wife has had just about enough of the Ravi Shankar records and incense burning! At least tell me how many posts it takes to lose this Guru rating so I can stop with the incense and sitar music.

 

Yep, you got it bad. I just spent the last hour unsoldering smd coils from a pile of cellular antennas. I know what you mean, they're everywhere, just like tribbles though I have to say I'd rather have the CF-28s than those "cute" little creatures... PS I can never say enough good about the people here, especially the pioneers.

 

I think the guru thing changes at about 100 posts (or was it 75?):confused2:
<-ed- oh-oh. And rep points given goes from 1 to 2 at 250 posts.YEAH!! ->>
<<-ed2 - ceptin' I saw someone with 30 posts, 'Dist. Road', and 2 Rep - so must be other variables - I guess I am the slow child - sighhhh>>

<just remember, if you start fasting and wearing loin-cloths, the extra money can be spent on more Toughbook stuff>:twitcy:
<< but if you start doing pole dances, eating firestone, looking for String and breathing flames, there's only one person to call for help>>