The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    When is Panasonic W4 coming to US?

    Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by Butkusrules, May 11, 2005.

  1. Butkusrules

    Butkusrules Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Does anybody have any insight to their sale here in US. I guess Japan gets them May 20th. Does anybody have any expierenc with these things, I am thinking about getting one for law school. Reliabilty is a big concern of mine, do toughbooks live up to their name?
    I was going to buy the W2 but just found out that the W2 is coming out in Japan.
     
    Butkusrules, May 11, 2005
    #1
  2. Brian

    Brian Working at 486 Speed NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    947
    Messages:
    8,970
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    You can get it now for $3k if you don't want to wait.

    http://www.dynamism.com/w4/

    I actually don't think it's a very good option though. I'd be more inclined to get something like the IBM X41. They're both durable, but I would call the IBM more reliable.

    Brian

    www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com
     
    Brian, May 11, 2005
    #2
  3. Butkusrules

    Butkusrules Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    The X41 is almost a pound heavier and doesn't have internal CD Drive or the standard battery life that a Toughbook has.
    Costs about the same-comparing W2 to X-41.
     
    Butkusrules, May 11, 2005
    #3
  4. Brian

    Brian Working at 486 Speed NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    947
    Messages:
    8,970
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    The X41 is 2.7 pounds, not 3.6. You can add the media slice, but of course that ads weight. Have you looked at the Fujitsu P7000 series?

    Brian

    www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com
     
    Brian, May 12, 2005
    #4
  5. Butkusrules

    Butkusrules Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    <blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Brian
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    Butkusrules, May 13, 2005
    #5
  6. Brian

    Brian Working at 486 Speed NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    947
    Messages:
    8,970
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Probably depends on what battery they're using to measure.

    Anyway, I'm not negative on Panasonic, but they really don't match up well in design or quality with other same-class machines, like the IBM.

    Brian

    www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com
     
    Brian, May 13, 2005
    #6
  7. Butkusrules

    Butkusrules Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    22
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Ok, fair enough. I thought IBM were good quality and I heard good things about toughbooks.

    Here is what I am looking at for Law school this fall; ultraportables because I am walking 2 plus miles with it everyday.

    Toshiba R200-haven't seen too much press on.
    Sony Vaio s380(worried about quality)
    IBM x41
    Panasonic Toughbook w2-maybe.

    any thoughts?

     
    Butkusrules, May 13, 2005
    #7
  8. Brian

    Brian Working at 486 Speed NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    947
    Messages:
    8,970
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    I'm going to move this to hardware so you get a little more input now that we're looking at options outside of Panasonic.

    Brian

    www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com
     
    Brian, May 14, 2005
    #8
  9. Skyshade

    Skyshade Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    298
    Messages:
    1,548
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    W4 gets this Toughbook name sake because Panasonic's main thrust in notebook market here in US is the rugged Toughbook. Unfortunately, W4 is actually from an entirely different line of product, named more appropriately as "Let's Note" in Japan. If you think it's going to be tough just because of its name, you are wrong -- it is still a very reliable and durable notebook, it's just not up to the level of anticipation you get from its name.

    Now, Panasonic "Let's Note" is known for its exceptional battery life and this W4 gives you 8 hr (low usage obviously, but not an easy feat) in standard battery alone. If you really want small and light laptop that just keeps going and going, it would be your best bet (I am assuming you can afford it).

    Among the four you short listed, I would toss Sony S380/S480 out just because it is larger and heavier, with a not so impressive battery life. Then, it decision time as to whether you want internal optical. If it is a yes, then you have to go with Panasonic. If you can accept the external solution to optical, Toshiba, IBM, and maybe the Dell branded Samsung would be worthy contenders. You would probably want to hold off the purchase a little just because all three are relatively new and the information is scarce.
     
    Skyshade, May 14, 2005
    #9