What DOes "SBC" Mean?

Hey All,

I've seen people refer to a CF-29 as an SBC model - can someone tell me what that means please (as usual, the search function has failed me).

 

Funny, Google works for me

http://www.crn.com/it-channel/18819159;jsessionid=WSNNFEGC2FGMXQE1GHRSKHWATMY32JVN


Alex

 

SBC is a communications company, the put out about 21000 panasonic toughbooks for their technicians to use. I cut and pasted this for you, hope it helps.
SBC Companies Deploying 21,000 Wireless-Enabled Panasonic Toughbook(R) Notebook PCs to Advance Program to Provide Field Technicians With Instant Access to Customer Service Information, Maps and Diagnostic Tools
SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE:SBC) today announced plans to enhance its "Technician of the Future" initiative, an innovative program that helps to maximize customer service by providing thousands of SBC network technicians with wireless PCs that provide instant ...

 

D'OH! I did not even think of Googling it - I thought it was a Panasonic edition. Thanks!

 

Used to be "Southern Bell Cooperation." After the mergers it became SBC, less Southern you know...

 

on the display cover of my CF-29 is an SBC sticker...thanks to the company ;-)

 

Pssst -

Actually, that's South western Bell... and that's STILL what the initials stand for. AT&T finally got their baby Bell back.

mnem
AT&T - We'll be a monopoly again... SOON.

 

That is correct...it WAS Southwestern Bell

 

It's now actually operating as AT&T Southwest.

BTW: the later Mk5 CF-29s used by the Field Techs are logo'ed as AT&T, replacing the SBC logos.

 

Shorted Blown Crap

But I guess some have been lucky...

 

From what everyone has said about their used Toughbooks I thought it meant this

Screwed up
Beyond
Comprehension

 

My CF-29HTM50BM SBC Toughbook is fully functional, despite the slightly cracked wrist rest (which popped back into place with minimum effort).

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of all too many other SBCs.

 

TopCop.... Is the spot cracked where the WM cover slides into the side?... Just above the battery? If you ever have a chance/need to take off the bottom plate.... You can use either epoxy or a super glue to keep the crack from growing. You might want to use a shim to keep it in place while it cures. Some are a little to far gone however.... Just a thought.

 

Guess I'll find out in a few days. Have a CF 29 MK3 on the truck in route. If a toughbook shows up to your doorstep DOA is that a sign?

 

Yup!

When I finally get around to installing my EnGenius Mini PCI EMP-8602 PLUS-S card I'll do just that.

Thanks!

 

Didn't you get that from me?

 

JBWeld works too. This was pretty bad. I did not as suggested drill a tiny hole at the end of the cracks to stop them from extending. It's a great idea, I just forgot. How do magnesium and aluminum flashing get along metallurgically speaking?

Gork! the tin knocker.

 

dumb question, but why is it that these cracks seem to be only on the SBC units? is it a matter of the technicians were using the laptop as something to beat on or a workbench. could there have been a casting flaw here or just temperature extremes for leaving these units out in their work vehicles..................Driller

 

My guess is they left it on the seat and used the TB to push off of when exiting/ entering the vehicle.

 

It's not only SBC units. I have seen them on others... But only ones that are VERY used... I think it has to do with either someone pounding on it or, as I do sometimes, using it to lean against when reaching for something. (Or pushing off of it.) I'm sure there are many reasons why it happens. I have seen cracks in just about every part of the Fully Rugged Toughbooks... But only on the severely used ones. But then I suppose that's why people buy them. They can sometimes make good parts machines.

 

Haha no kidding...sad thing is that I just ordered a CF-29 without even thinking about all the SBC ones and I'm afraid thats what I'll be getting.
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?In...tent=BLUCD82FB_Product&utm_campaign=BLUCD82FB
Do you know?

 

You will get one of two things.... A unit that is in good shape (15% chance) or a very used unit with a light silver Krylon paint job over the top. (85% chance) If you see silver screws holding down the LCD top.... You know it's been repainted.

HOWEVER... At least with Geeks... You get a return warranty so that if it is missing anything or the touchscreen doesn't work... You can return it. THAT is the good news!

 

At least one of their posted specs is incorrect:

● 512 MB DDR RAM (1280 MB maximum)

That total would be correct for a 256MB base RAM unit: a 512MB base unit's max RAM is 1536MB (base 512MB + 1GB DDR SODIMM).

 

Yeah I had noticed that.. I knew it was a misprint...so I didn't even take it into consideration...the 1gig is on the way from Newegg for $37. I was just hoping it wasn't going to be an sbc unit

 

We bought 12 of the CF-29's from geeks.com for the teachers at our school. (I was hoping for all 58 that they had in stock but they sold out too quickly for our purchasing department) Most have the silver paint job, but after configuring the first eight without any problems the rest should be good (Knock on wood).

None of them have the SBC sticker, unless it was painted over. One even had a 60GB Toshiba HD instead of the standard 40GB.

 

Trey,

I got my cf-29 ex-SBC toughbook from geeks several weeks ago and I am very happy with what I got. For the price I consider it a great "entry level" machine in the toughbook family. My touchscreen works perfectly and the battery is brand new. It has a few minor dings but everything functions as it should.
Let us know what you get.

 

The CF-29 Mk3 SBC is Model Number CF-29HTM50BM

 

Looks like all of them I own were previously owned by SBC. My four personal ones, (I just gave my dad one with a fast SSD) and the 12 that we just received from geeks for the school are all the same model number.

They all were refurbished (and probably painted by) "Metro Business Systems". They come with XP SP3 and most have new keyboards, and they all come with "impossible to install perfectly" screen protectors. I think the worst thing about them is some came with lightweight aftermarket power supplies. They have the same output rating, but they weigh 2/3rds the amount of the "Real" adapters.

First five digit serials on the school systems:

5FKSA
5CKSA
5DKSA
5DKSA
5GKSA
5DKSA
5DKSA
5DKSA
5DKSA
5CKSA
5HKSB <---- Not sure why the difference
5GKSA

So far 11 of the 12 are working with full touchscreen support, hopefully the 12th is just as good as I am powering it up now. (Knock on wood)

 

Not what you wanted, but around here:

SBC = Single Board Computer

They're very popular for industrial monitoring and automation.