cf30 or cf74?

looking to pick up a touchscreen laptop for garage/automotive use. I have narrowed it down to a cf30 or cf74. Crawled some through this forum and web and general and still not a clear choice. Seems the CF30 is popular, the Cf74 not so. The performance specs favor the cf74.

I realize the cf30 is "tougher". I can get a cf74 cheaper by a few dollars than a 30.

Are 74's that much less rugged? Fail more often? or simply while appearing rugged not much different than a thinkpad?

I require the touchscreen,, if you suggestions on other touchscreen machines, please let me know.

Thanks!

 

I do work for a local PD, and they have 74's for the office work and 30's in the cars..
I guess what it would boil down to is what you want to use it for and how rough on your equipment are you?
I was in the same boat a while ago trying to decide between the 74 and the 30.
I chose the 30.. I bought about 8 of em...
They have more "meat" to them and I don't like having to handle my stuff lightly.
I like being able to literally toss my 30 into the trunk and not have to worry about if it slides around or if something gets set on top of it, there's no worry at all.
The 74.. not so much...
The 30's were for the people who work, the 74's were for the office "es".. At least according to the CHIEF....

 

If it is for auto use in the shop... Get the CF-30! If it falls on the floor you're not going to regret it. Most of my old customers bought the CF-29/30 for what you are looking to do. You don't need high speed performance for what you want... You need durability.

I would suggest a CF-29/30 with the illuminated & sealed rubber keyboard. That keyboard is gas & grease proof! It doesn't type as fast as the others but it will keep all the crap out of it.

 

Thanks for the replies. Still debating. While I'm careful and have used thinkpads exclusively, they are also babied beyond belief. Tough realization that for the price I can get a refurb t60P, I'll pay more to get a cf29 pentium.
I'm really looking for the touchscreen and 232 port, otherwise I'd still be with the thinkpads.

I realize I'll be paying for the durability, still more Clouseau work to be done before a decision can be made. I'm pretty much in the camp for cf29/30, need to try to ensure I get a "good" one now.

Anyone have experience with gainsaver? They have decent pricing and claim to move ten's a day of toughbooks.

 

I'd look around on here first. That way you can get what you want for, most likely, what you want to pay. What area were you looking for? What do you want on it? (GPS, etc.) Also... What is the fastest program you are going to run?

Most of the diagnostic software my customers run could almost be run on a CF-28... But they go with the CF-29/30 to get the brighter touchscreen.

Food for thought.

 

My main app is HPTuners. It will be the performance driver. the spec authored in 2006 call for:
* 800 MHz CPU
* 256 Mb RAM
* Microsoft Windows® 2000/XP
* USB Port (Version 2 USB Interface Only)

A 1.6Ghz cf29 should be fine today. I understand as the ECMs get more complicated, it will eventually drive faster PC to capture all the frames during logging. Since I don't tune for a living, I think I'd be fine for while. Screen brightness will be important as it could/would be used outside.

My other use(s) require the native 232 port as it took a while to find a usb/232 that would supply the DC required for the device/radio hanging off it (amateur radio based), and it still is not 100%.

1.6ghz with as much ram as I can get to start -but most of all a great functioning touchscreen. Can always update the hhd. cdrom fine, I have dvd usb if needed. Same with GPS, nice if included but not a want or need.

I have already made some contacts here, they have my interest! I suspect within the next 7 days, I'll have my decision made.

 

You are going to want a DVD aren't you? Illuminated keyboard? These are, of course, things you can add later as money allows. You should be able to get what you are looking for for $300 - $400 in nice shape and ready to go I would think... Maybe a little more if you want more options.

 

I was just checking there prices and they are on the high side. Did you go in and configurea CF-30. It shows a price of $530.10 with no touch screen,20GB HDD , 128mb memory, no OS(XP) and no cd-rom . So after I configured one the price went to almost $800.00 for a MK1 and that does not include a cd-rom...all they sell is a external cd-rom. I did the same for the CF-29 ($570) and the CF-74 ($633) . I can tell you anyone on this forum can beat there prices. Try posting here ToughBook Buy Sell and Trade Forum and see what they come up with.

 

Already contacted some members. The gainsaver was ok, at least some warranty in comparison to ebay. I spoke with gainsaver, asked specifically about mk1/2 etc. They were unable to specify which version you would get, nor are you able to specify. Seems they build to order. I did speak with a ebay seller about cf74 that , again, seemed reasonable -some off lease models duo 2.0, 4gig, 80 gig win7 for $550.

I'll need a few days to digest the options.

 

deal done. Thanks everyone for the input. CF-30FAGCZBM on it's way.

 

MK2...Very good choice. Your going to love it