Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
Well I sold my barely used CF-19 this weekend. I told the guy it was a MK6, but I think it was actually a MK5. Oops... He is super happy with it and probably will never know the difference though. Yeah. just went digging back through my threads, it was a MK5... I was wondering why I kept seeing MK5 on so many PCB inside. I saw MK4 on one too so I kinda figured they might just be older boards still in use.
So I need to replace it. I guess. Honestly, my "orange Edition" vintage MK1 still works "mostly" fine and this would mainly be a backup for that (I will explain the "mostly" part in another thread). But, I would like a Toughbook that is as capable and enjoyable to use as my Mac and could even be my primary backup.
What I am after:
1) 2.5GHz Intel i5 or better
2) 8GB memory MINIMUM, 16 or 32 GB preferred.
3) Backligt keyboard that can actually be typed on, IE emissive not the rubber crap...
4) cheap... $300 is my target but that is unlikely to include additional upgrades
A few things that kinda make me look at the CF-31
5) Bigger screen would be nice, my eyes aren't what they used to be
6) Full size keyboard would be nice, an emissive keyboard for this machine was pretty cheap last time I got one.
7) A "media" bay where I can put additional battery, or DVD drive for the win!
8) arrow keys not in a stupid pattern like on the CF-19. Believe it or not, this is a HUGE time waster when I am tuning and trying to clean up map files.
This and the cheaper availability of the CF-31 emissive keyboard make up a lot of room. The CF-31 machines seem to be a little pricier than the CF-19s are.
I would consider other, newer machines, with a catch, still cheap, still super rugged, and the rear lid badge from my CF-19 needs to fit. AFAIK, that limits me to the CF-19 and CF-31.
I don't care greatly about touchscreens. In fact, I would kinda prefer one that only works with the stylus. I would get excited for one with pressure sensitivity level input, IE Wacom interface. This could make me go with a less rugged machine (as long as it is a convertible and can be used in tablet mode like the CF-19).
I would lean heavily towards sticking with Windows 7. I got seriously messed up using a W10 machine tonight. I needed to go in and change port settings on a com port and it wouldn't let me. I can do it in 30 seconds in W7.
Obviously, I have no qualms about piecing a bare machine together.
I am probably going to pick up another MK5 to have on hand for resale. I have another purchase pending there sometime in the near future. But unless I can stuff 16GB memory into a MK5, it isn't very appealing to me to have as my personal backup.
I am pretty well versed in the various CF-19 versions, but not at all on the CF-31 stuff. And I don't even know what other ones are out there right now haha! Any charts around with REAL max memory supported, processor speed ranges, and the like???
I feel dumb, I actually had the correct CF-19 MK5 version listed in my tagline...
Adding one more thing. While not as important, a TRUE daylight viewable screen does tip the scales a bit. Usually I am tuning at night, but sometimes am doing setups in the daytime. Either way, almost always using it outside and not having a backlighted keyboard at night is a PAIN.
Well I didn't wait... Another one of these that I wanted was snagged out from under me. But this one was a SUPER good deal! I grabbed this! Specs as seller listed are:
If that max supported RAM is correct, I will be super happy! Can somebody verify that??? Panasonic's sheet claims otherwise and says only 8GB (as usual and frequently incorrect). Obviously, I will have to install the 64 bit W7.
I don't remember what nit the screen is, but pretty sure the MK5 was 1000. So if this is going to be as good or better. Okay yeah spec sheet claims 1-6000 nit, that should work nicely!
I also bought a Havis docking station with the LIND power adapter included from the same seller. Hopefully I get a deal on shipping.
Not mentioned in the copy above, it has the backlighted emissive keyboard. So if we go by the prices of a couple years ago, I bought a keyboard and got a free computer with it!!!
Also I see a GPS bump, so a pretty good chance that card is still in there.
Hopefully, I made the right choice. I really wanted the bigger CF-31. Bigger screen, bigger keyboard, BIGGER price by almost double...
But with the CF-31 I can't find any reference to max supported memory of different versions. I might still end up grabbing a CF-31 here when taxes come back if I can figure that out. The CF-31 is a bit more likely to be the "do all" machine I am kinda hoping for.
What should I get next??? CF-19, CF-31, or something else?
Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by thewanderlustking, Mar 7, 2019.
