what does one use the toughbook for

what do you guys use it for.

i like the fact its so rugged and everything but doesnt seem like i need it although i think all notebooks should be equally tough anyway

what do you guys use it for. and why does it justify it being as tough as the toughbooks.

for example i dont see how a uni student really needs one unless they are clumsy mofos

 

Well not only are they tough but they are pretty reliable. You don't necessarily need a fully rugged model though. For instance, I am going to get a semi-rugged model to take to school with me so I don't have to constantly worry about people bumping into my book bag too hard, or spilling a refreshing soda all over the keyboard. I just like the peace of mind in using a machine that is basically accident proof.

But they are very useful for just about anyone or works in the field or needs a bullet proof vest that can give them GPS tracking, and check e-mail too

Yay to endless possibilities

Dan

 

Usually I use mine to hit regular forum member like Paul, Dan, Alex and Rick up side the head

But seriously I just like the peace of mind with both the fact that it will be okay with no case - the convenience - Not having to carry a case, and the fact that the battery life is so good that I can just leave my AC adapter in my car at all times and very rarely do I use it while on the road

 

Oh yes I forgot to mention the battery life, which is quite awesome, and it's even more awesome when you toss in that media bay battery.

Makes the Energizer Bunny look like a little punk.

BTW - Rob's computer and hard drive still work after the repeated blows to our heads. It's quite impressive.

 

*Raises hand*

Clumsy MoFo right here!!!

But seriously - I mostly GOT my ToughBook for use in my garage; it's a great machine for OBDII & ECM tweaking. AFTER I got it was when I found out how truly versatile it was; I've used it for:

Test rig for my Military Contract work
Network Diagnostic rig/Packet Sniffer
Cisco Config Terminal
VOIP Test rig/Server Emulator
Temp Gateway Router
Temp WWAN/WiFi Gateway/Router/AP/VOIP Gateway
BLING

The combination of 3 PCMCIA slots & 2 Mini-PCI slots makes this a VERY versatile machine; being made a ToughBook means there's LOTS of room inside for your favorite hacks/add-ins.

I'm constantly finding DIFFERENT things I can do with it because of that abundance of interfaces, and being bulldozer TOUGH means it SURVIVES the STUPID places I take it to do these things.

The kewlest thing I did with it was to provide a WiFi hotspot literally out in the middle of a field for a car convention; using two PCMCIA Broadband MODEMs and two Mini-PCI WiFi cards, I was able to configure it to provide BOTH WiFi AP AND WiFi VOIP telephony in a location miles away from any hardline phone or ISP, as well as earning a good chunk of change in the process.

mnem
Ahhh yes, my dearest... my preciousssssssss...

 

What're we talkin' about?

mnem
*TWITCH*

 

HEY!!! Well, apparently, since I am still alive and kicking, I use mine as a helmet! Ya, that's it, a helmet. GO AHEAD ROB.. HIT ME AGAIN..

*OUCH*

 

I use my toughbooks as a ladder if I want to get things from the top of my rack.
And for my horse tracks (tracking and observe), 4x4 tracks, recreation in the "wilderness", to use a repairbook at my vehicles, as DJ on the party...
...as a laptop which was so expensive, that a can destroy 3 other normal laptops.
But my CF-29 survived falling from a rock, from the roof, out of the car (was in the gap to the door), several times in the rain and under the hoof of one of my stallions, which is more then 3 normal laptop lives.
Also the Cf-18 and 19 are often in the rain and sometimes in the mud.

 

Smut



LOL



Ok, not as much work as I thought as it turns out the forms software I need is super spendy,it spends to much time sitting on the table so I may end up selling my 18.

 

You could also use it as a booster seat in your car in case you can't see over the steering wheel!

 

My son uses it for that at the dinner table...

mnem
Fear the cheese weasel.

 

This is kind of a ***** ** question? Why does some one need a Hummer? Or a Tank? Or a boat?

Each according to their need/want/desire.

Yes... All laptops should be equally tough.... But then again... We should all be equally millionaires too!

But... Here comes reality! Regular laptops are made cheaply, in my opinion, out of plastic. Why? It is cheap! (Inexpensive) I can't tell you how may Dull laptops I have rebuilt because the owner has picked it up by the corner over its short lifetime and broken the insides located in the corner. Depending on the models... This means that the internal framework is broken, the mobo on a few has cracked and created a host of problems. I've had them packed with dog and cat hair... Seen them shorted out because of spilled drinks. I can't tell you how many destroyed laptops I have seen because they fell off of a table... And not that far either! There are so many ways a regular laptop can suffer the ultimate fate of PC death or dismemberment.

Yet none of the aforementioned problems, in my experience, have killed any Toughbooks of mine or of my customers. There are so many stories on the web (You should search) of how they have saved lives, survived fires that melted everything around them (And still worked)... Etc. As a matter of fact, YouTube is full of torture tests that go overboard in trying to destroy them! Driving over them multiple times, blowing them up with dynamite, shooting them... All sorts of stuff.

To be cliche... It's a Toughbook thing and you really wouldn't begin to understand unless you owned one. There are many (Most?) people here that can't stop at just one. They start replacing all their PCs with Toughbooks!

Are you from the Dull side of things? Maybe HPee, IBeeM?

 

HAHAHA... well put Rick... well put..

 

I am one of the few that owns one.... errrr two toughbooks lol...

I was totally gonna post that I have just my CF-30 then I forgot about my little M34 . Not to mention that I got two out of my 3 main friends to switch to Toughbooks too

 

Work!

I run a small automotive repair shop and after watching my guys destroy several lesser laptops I decided to try a used CF-28. I knew they were tough but I had no idea how tough. Anyway now all my techs have there own 28’s and I have two for myself. I just do the fairly simple Wi-Fi mod, add a new 5400 RPM drive and battery. For just a little more than new “regular” laptop I have something that can survive out in the shop. Of course finding this forum is the only way I could make this work. Thanks guys! Now if I could just get them to stop using the blade end of the screwdriver on the touch screens …….

 

I got a semi-rugged W5 for college. It was great because my old Averatec was portal but walking from my dorm to classes across campus- it would take a beating against my back in my backpack. I think that's what caused my harddrive to fail on me. With my toughbook, I didn't have to worry and I got through the last 2 years of school just fine. I've had 4 "toughbook" moments where any other laptop probably would end up as a paperweight, but my TB took the lickin and kept on tickin.

 

+1 for automotive repair but with CF19 and i never broke laptop but with touchscreen mode it's wonderfull for diag

 

I use mine attached to an overhead consol in my landcruiser, upside down and around the wrong way, installed are topographical maps for Victorian high country and other Australian maps. It makes a wicked GPS

Regards

Phil

 

I am getting mine so I can use it at the shop. bosses dell just die of a broken mother board.

edm

 

Phil.... EXCELLENT post! What a cool way to mount it! I guess you could also add a BT keyboard with mouse if needed. Very cool!

 

Did you inver lcd guts? because that would be a pretty sweet mod if you could get the lcd and ts to be mounted upside down. Now that I think about a little that wouldn't be all that hard as long as you don't have to stretch the wiring harness out too much further

Dan

 

The screen rotation software would take care of that, no need to hack the guts.

 

No i just used the rotate button on the front of the laptop base......

 

As yet i haven't needed a keyboard and i find the stylus works great as a mouse. These are great little machines for this application, i now have a heap of mates looking on ebay for one....

 

I use mine for a few reasons
1) Go to tafe (Trade college) in the city, often running for the train and up and down stairs. my CF-18 has been dropped down the stairwell twice now!

2)Have got Hazmat information/Material Data Saftey sheet database on it for my volunteer firefighting

3)not many civvies have them around here. the local police force only have just started using them (CF19 and CF21)

 

If you could, pics would be SWEET>>> Couldya, wouldya, please?

 

Good idea! I didn't think of that

 

Yep i will post some pics.........

 

make sure the unit mounted securely otherwise wear a helmet in case it fall down. Lol


ohlip

 

HI All (it's been a while),
This is a description of how I use my CF-29 to solve a specific problem.

I use my CF-29 in my little Jeep YJ Wrangler as a navigation computer. Unlike Yowie, mine is on a floor mounted pedestal and aimed at the driver position. I run the excellent Maptech topo software. I use a Garmin GPS for real time vehicle tracking on the topo maps which interfaces via the serial port. On long multi-day trips, I carry a small Canon portable ink jet printer in case I want to print maps, document tracks, or plan trail rides.

All of my topo maps are stored on a 32 gB thumbdrive which interfaces to the native USB port using an extension cable to allow the thumbdrive to be mounted on the computer platform. The idea here is to reduce the hard drive load under extreme vibration. Now I have no need to use the map CD's which would skip fairly often due to trail conditions. The thumbdrives are also very fast (compared to the CD's) so map updates are invisible. It works great.

I also have two cameras mounted on the vehicle which I monitor on the computer. The front one, the "Ditch Cam", warns me of sudden trail drop-offs. The rear one, the "Hitch Cam", helps me hook up my camping trailer when I have no help (the usual case). The cameras are USB which I interface via a two port USB PCMCIA card. This computer needs more native USB ports. But, my set up works fine.

At first, I ran a simpler set up (no cameras and using the computers CD player) with a Dell. Trail vibration shook the Dell apart. The CF-29 has been completely trouble free. It is definitely TOUGH. It's a joy.

The CF-29 is also great in an RV campground that has wi fi. It's nice to get on the web and check email. Also, after a hot day on the trail, it's nice to sometimes to relax in my little trailer, where I have a good hi fi system set up (or use ear buds if noise is a problem), and watch a DVD or listen to a CD. I have a small Honda generator in the event that the campground does not supply AC power. This machine is an all around performer that meets all my needs. I use many of its resources.

My only complaint is the screen needs to be brighter. It washes out in bright sunlight which can't always be avoided in a vehicle. However, all LCD's suffer the same problem. I don't know of one that is better. The touch screen is very useful on the trail.

Sparky

 

I use my cf-18 at my diesel performance shop tuning trucks and for normal automotive diagnostics. We also have a cf-29 and a new cf-30 at the Mack truck dealership where I work to run diagnostics an the trucks. These toughbooks have outlasted every other laptop in the shop! I also use the gps in my cf-18 for trailriding and trips.

 

I would love to see pics and find out how you did this. I want to mount my wife's CF-18 upside down under the cabinet in the kitchen so she can use the touchscreen facing out.

 

With a little imagination it should be fairly easy to do...

 

I use my CF-30, right-side-up, in my FJ Cruiser, for Topo maps, service and repair manuals in the field (no repair shops were we go), APRS (Automatic Position Reporting System - combines GPS with amateur radio to locate and communicate with others in the backcountry), program control for the vehicle's ECU, and various other stuff...the TB takes a licking and keeps on ticking...

 

I do - the touchscreen on the CF-30 is almost double the brightness of the CF-29 (1000 nit vs. 600 nit) - that and your issue with more USB ports were the main reason I sold my CF-29 and got a CF-30. No more washout in direct sunlight...

I, too use front and rear cameras for off-roading; right now I have a dedicated screen for them. I'd like to use the computer screen for the cameras as well - what model / brand cameras are you using, and do they have IR LEDs for nighttime /low light use ?

 

HI,
That's good to know about the CF-30's screen brightness. Given the cost of the CF-30, I doubt that I will change.

As for USB ports, I need three. I use the native port for the 30 GB thumbdrive which has all my maps on it. This port is in use all the time. The other two is for my cameras. For these I use a PCMCIA dual USB board. Actually, I could get away with one camera port because the rear camera is only used when I am hitching up the trailer. Naturally, it is dubbed the "Hitch Cam". I don't use it on the trail because it gets so dusty that it becomes useless pretty quickly. I have a clamp-on mount so it is easy to install and remove. I'm still trying to find a better place to mount it because I really would like to have it active all the time. Logitec software allows me to switch between the cameras on the monitor.

When on the trail, I use the camera software to display images from the front camera on the computer screen which it shares with my topo maps. I can resize the camera display to not hog the screen. Often, I minimize the camera display to get it out of the way. A simple touch of the screen brings it back. This scheme is OK but not perfect. A full time display would be better but my Jeep has very limited space.

I started camera use as an experiment. I did not want to spend a lot of money on an idea that might not work. So, I looked for cheap cameras. Consequently, I chose Logitech WEB cams. The rear camera is simplicity itself since it has a very simple job to do. The front camera is more upscale that allows computer controlled elevation and pan adjustments as well as zoom through the Logitec control panel. Both cameras have automatic or manual exposure control.

I have no lighting specifically associated with the camera. That's OK. I have powerful lights mounted on the Jeep, both fog (wide angle) and spots that allow the camera to operate. In truth, the camera display at night is tricky to read and I don't find it very useful. But then, I don't do much four wheeling at night. I don't find this to be a drawback. Remember, the only purpose for this camera is warn me of ditches or drop-offs directly in front of the vehicle. That's why I call it the "Ditch Cam".

I have it mounted at the front of my top rack. This is not the ideal location because the line-of-sight angle is limited by the hood line. Still, the angle is pretty good. It should be mounted on the front bumper next to the winch. However, this location is very exposed to trail junk, trees, water, etc. So, I'm exploring rugged boxes with a clear plastic front. These are available. Mounting it is the problem.

The surprising thing is how well the front camera has held up. I didn't expect much from this cheap ($75), plastic camera. Everybody advised me to buy expensive purpose built cameras. While that might be the best choice, this little WEB cam as proven to be very rugged and useful. It has come loose from the improvised mount and bounced down the trail and into a canyon over rocks and other nasties. It's shaped like and is about the same size as a pool ball. It bounces and rolls with gusto. I was lucky to find it. And it came up ticking. If it rains or on the highway (where it is not needed), I remove it. It is not waterproof. After all, it is just a crummy little WEB cam. But, it gets the job done and I am not motovated to replace it. So far, trail vibration has not been a problem.

What cameras are you using? How do you use them? Where are they mounted? Are you satisfied?

Sparky

 

I bought the fully rugged Toughbook because of several things:

1. Battery life. This laptop is no-kidding at least 6 hours on a charge on the factory 7.6Ah battery.

2. Replaceable parts. From past experience, I've realized that laptop parts break. Motherboards are pretty much bulletproof, as are screens (even backlights.) However, batteries go to <edited> in less than two years, optical drives seem to stop working randomly for no reason, and hard drives start to run hotter and hotter and eventually start to BSOD. The Toughbook allows me to replace these items very, very easily - if necessary.

3. Built-in optical drive. In my work I have to go to customer sites where optical media is the only reliable or accepted method of transferring files. Thumbdrives are OK, but I've never seen a software delivery done on USB drive, they're still done on DVD/CD's in my industry.

4. Backlit keyboard. I often have to use my laptop at night, and having this feature makes working in darkness/low light possible.

5. Fanless, silent computing. This is a benefit that I appreciate more and more. For one thing, it's quiet, which makes a huge amount of difference when using the computer. Second thing - the laptop is engineered to manage its thermal load without a fan. This means that it simply doesn't get to the skin-roasting temperatures that other laptops get to. The palmrests are nice and cool.

6. IP65 Rating. I can take this thing anywhere, and although that doesn't mean I will use it to break down doors (although I'm sure I could if it meant life or death), it does mean that I can put it in a laptop backpack, get it soaked with rain, and just dry it off gently with a towel when I get into a dry spot.

 

I also use mine in a Landcruiser (Diesel 80 Series). CF-28 mounted on a Panasonic Vehicle Mount docking station in the load area. CF-VDW07 wireless display mounted on an Arkon Goose-neck mount in the front running MemoryMaps as a GPS and also allowing via Mobile Boradband access to the Internet for accessing the Computer Aided Dispatch system we use in the 4x4 Response team. Makes a Cool in Vehicle computer and I never have to worry about the hard drive imploading with the vibration from the frankly Cart like suspension in the Cruiser. Mind you the Land Crusier and the Toughbook are natual companions both being built to carry on going when other lesser beings give up and run home to mummy

Cheers
Andy

 

FYI, the CF-30 also has 3 internal USB ports.

I am using weatherproof outdoor cameras with Sony CCD internals and IR LEDs for use at night. I flush-mounted the front and rear cameras into the bumpers, the front at a 30 degree angle downward, to help negotiate obstacles on the trail at night. We can be hard on our electronics, between water crossings, sand storms, high temps, tree branches, etc., so I'm not sure how long an externally mounted plastic camera would last for us. I've actually destroyed a couple of these already. These cameras require 12 volts, not the 5 volts available from the USB ports.

 

HI,
Yes, the back country is hard on cameras. That's why I'm mounting mine in a rugged, waterproof, shock isolated Hoffman box. Given the inexpensive price, I can afford to replace once in a while. So far, it has not been necessary. How do you deal with dust on the rear camera lens?

May I ask a question? You have some very expensive hardware. Are you running a commercial service?

Sparky

 

HI Larry,
Since I know you have seen my question but have not replied, I assume the answer is Yes. What do you offer. Is it a guide service? Where do you operate?

Sparky

 

Sorry for the delay - I'm usually away from the computer on weekends until late evenings. Not exactly a guide service. I own an off-road vehicle outfitting company, specializing in the design, sale, and installation of parts and accessories for off-road, trail, and expedition vehicles. I also do volunteer search and rescue work, and volunteer disaster communications assistance. Basically, off-roading is my business and my hobby.

So, I spent a fair amount of time out on the trail, and much of in in isolated areas far from normal services - food, fuel, and repair. I keep my vehicle equipped so that I can get in and out of as many types of situations as possible, in addition to survival gear for myself and those I might run into. My experience over the years, both for my self and my clients, has been that, with rare exception, you get what you pay for (seeing you own a Toughbook, I'm preaching to the choir here ), so I prefer to invest in better equipment once, rather than continually replace components of lessor quality. It is this philosophy that has built my company's reputation, and what led me to choose a Toughbook as the laptop in my vehicle....

You are welcome to check out the site in my signature, Outdoor Adventure USA; we are a group of folks dedicated to the enjoyment of vehicle-dependent outdoor hobbies, in conjunction with amateur radio for use in communications....very cool people, all enjoying the great outdoors...

 

i bought mine because i needed a laptop and i have the unique skill of being able to break everything i own without trying. i needed a me-proof laptop, so what better than a "fully-rugged" machine!

plus it is cool cos it has a touch screen

 

I have several ToughBook' and use them for all sorts of things.

I design/Install/Service A/V Systems all over both in finished and under construction sites.
Having the Toughbook means never even thinking about abusing my computer,I just do it.
I design/Program user interfaces and remote program in the field and having the touchscreens makes it so much faster it is hard to remember before I used them.
I can program Automation,Suystem Configuration,do Network troubleshooting and site survey and best of all many of them have a real serial port which is getting harder to find.

I carry Audio/Video Media on the hard drive and never worry anymore about the machine getting hurt.

I also am in Amateur Radio Comms and the machines are great for APRS as Larry mentioned as well as TouchScreen Rig Control in the field.

Every Ham who has seem a setup with my TB has jumped on board.....at least in spirit!

Ed

 

I bought a used cf-30 because of battery life and toughness. It replaced a disposable laptop, sony vaio, that was starting to have issues with hardware in it and then the battery died on it.

I considered working on the vaio but overall it is not worth the cost when I consider what a cheap replacement would cost.

The toughbook is worth working on and made to be worked on in my opinion.

I hate disposable laptops because I don't consider them easy to work on.

The cf-30 goes car camping and will eventually get a vehicle mount and diagnostic software for the jeep diesel.

Basically in today's world I am trying to move away from disposable stuff and buy some items that are worth taking care of and keeping with me for a decade or so.

For me the cf-30 is currently a luxury because even used it cost a chunk of money.

But compared to the vaio and today's disposable laptops I am very happy with what I spent and hope it lives up to its reputation.

 

I have a CF30 for work. Mine is used to monitor and maintain telecom equipment
ranging from Sonet fiber equipment , radio repeater systems and Microwave
radio systems. It's also used for surfing the net during down times.

 

I came to realize that the majority of what i do does not need cutting edge computer technology. I daily use a Web browser, image viewer and media player. I often use a spreadsheet, word processor, presentation software like power point and i like to play older games such as the fallout series and jagged alliance or even emulated snes games more than newer ones. The more i though about it i used to do that on my old 266mhz Pentium 2 10/12 years ago.

What id did need was a computer that could take my not so gentle handling. last year i dropped my laptop shattered the lcd display and broke the hard drive. I got it fixed for about half what i paid in the first place and 2 weeks later my wife dropped it bent the heck out of the corner killed one of the 2 fans, made the usb ports unreliable, and screwed up a connection for the battery or the battery itself so that it goes from 100% to 0% in a little over 5 mins now.

so i found out about the toughbook series and bought a cf-18. i love the tablet mode, the touch screen the 5 or 6 hours of battery life and the fact that if it falls of my chair i just need to pick it up. It will do everything i need and won't break so easily.

 

Yup... My personal Toughbooks have sometimes taken spills that have made me wince... And I open my eyes a little at a time... Then remember I have a Toughbook and don't need to worry about that.

 

I use my personal toughbook for my work, I do a lot of GIS data processing and digitization (ESRI). I also use it as my vehicle gps navigation when I am driving. I am sick of using a tethered gps though andthe aftermarket gps mod looks to be too complicated for me. I have been looking for a decently priced cf29 but I just moved so that is put on the back burner for now.

 

I pulled out my CF-28 to show my sister Jen some photos:

Jen - "Toughbook, that's neat."

Krash - "It's an ex-police cruiser unit, you can drop it and it still works!"

Jen - "Do you need a computer like that because you regularly drop it?"

Krash - "Well no, but you can spill drinks on the keyboard and it won't hurt it!"

Jen - "Do you regularly spill drinks on your computer?"

Krash - "Well no, but.....you don't understand."


The above is true, however I am a paid-call firefighter and we have these in our trucks. So when I was able to get mine from auction for 80 bux, I jumped on it. I have a special needs seven year old boy who is using a computer more and more for his communications work at school and I thought this CF-28 would be perfect for his work at home.