what to do with my cf-28?!

Hey guys- first off I am not a computer guru and a lot of things I have been reading on this awesome website doesnt exaclty make sense to me- but here goes.

I have a CF-28 that I bought used 3-4 years ago. I bought it because I loved the aspect of a rugged computer that I did not have to be delicate with and for the touch screen. My primary computer is a desktop and I like to use this one to just access internet. It has been good but lately is has just been so god awful slow I dont even like to use it.

It has 2 stickers on the bottom that one was placed over the other. The original one says CF-28MCFGZEM and the one that was placed on top of it says CF-28MCFGAEM. I followed the FAQ to the toughbook site to find out what the computer has but on all the internet browsers I have tried nothing specific comes up after I enter those numbers. Just a page that says cf-28. NO specific info.

As far as I know it is the mk1, 20 gb hardrive, 128mb of ram and P3 496mhz.
The ram I know sucks and makes it slow but I have been reading that it is harder to upgrademy specific one and you cant upgrade them like other versions.

SO what should I do? Sell this one for however much I can(what would I get?) And buy another toughbook that is already a more powerful setup that is much easier and better to upgrade? I want something I can use to browse online in a fast manner and has built in wifi.

 

There is this one in the local craigslist that sounds like it has nice specs but doesnt list the model. I have emailed him with questions and waiting for a reply. Is it worth buying this one, depending on what model it is?

"I am selling my Panasonic Toughbook Laptop for a low low price, considering what it is used for. The spcifications are as follows. Intel Centrino Mobil 1.5 Megahertz HyperThreading CPU, 1 Megabyte L2 Cache and 400 Front Side Bus. It has a CD writer and a DVD player, a floppy drive, 2 USB 2.0 ports, an SD Card slot, a Smart Card reader, S-Video output, VGA Output, 2 PCMCIA Ports, 1 Serial and 1 Printer port, 1 Modem port and 1 LAN port. It also has Wreless internet, 1 microphone and 1 headphone jacks. It has 512 Megabytes of RAM as well as a 60 Gigabyte Hardrive. The Case is Magnesium. This is the ToughBook Series that is used by the military as well as Law Enforcement. The Operating system is Windows XP Pro with all of the updates. This computer was working very well when my grandson lost the charger for it. because the charger is missing, I lowered the price from $300.00 to $ 175.00 or best offer."

 

I know I am being a little impatient but any advice? Even disreguarding the second post I made about the laptop for sale.

 

Don't buy without a Model number so you can look up the specs.
Be careful buying on Craigslist. Luckily the Toughbooks I have acquired on Craigslist did shipping and took Paypal and they were good units. There is a good one listed in FL at Palm Bay that the seller listed for a 1000 but was willing to accept 800. It's a CF-30 thats discontinued but hasen't been used? Remember buyer Beware.

Good Luck,

SIN

 

I wont buy one without the model number. But my real question is should I sell this one and buy a betterone with better specs instead of trying to upgrade this one which can only be upgraded to a certain degree.

 

The unit you have is a PIII 600MHZ 128MB 20GB 13.3" screen. The best that you could do is to add an extra 256MB and a newer faster hardrive which should make it a little snappier. The other optiion is to downgrade to Windows 98 which is what the original system shipped with then you would not need to upgrade the hardware. Also it is always a good idea to do a fresh OS install as over time the system gets cluttered with junk picked up from the internet which can really bog down the system. So I would try the simple upgrades I mentioned if you are still not happy with it then look at a CF-29 to replace it.

 

I understand what your saying, but even with those upgrades wont it still be slower than other toughbooks that I can afford used? I dont feel that with this first gen cf-28 will be as nice as another cf-28 that has good power and ram already installed and that way if I wanted to upgrade it would be a much nicer machine. Wouldnt a mk3 cf-28 be able to handle a much better package than this one?

 

Theoretically you are correct a newer laptop will be slightly faster than it's predecessor as well as more upgrade options. On the other hand I have found that a well configured MK1 like yours can be just as fast or faster than a poorly configured MK2/MK3. Your unit will will accept up to 256MB RAM for a total 384MB and up to a 120GB harddrive. The differences between the three CF-28 MK's are not that significant 200MHZ at best. So if I was looking for a replacemnt I would certainly start with the CF-29

 

Well when you put it that way you make me feel better about my situation. Basically I should upgrade the RAM with 256, look into a bigger hard drive. Lastly I want to get an internal wireless card working with the stock antenna. I know theres many topics on here that cover all these bases so if I equip this cf-28 accordingly I should be happy?

 

Sell it... Parts or whole... You might get more money for it parted out. LCD - $50... Port covers $20 each, Hard drive caddy - $100, etc.

I'd buy the best Toughbook you can afford. Take into comsideration what your skill level is with mods and/or what the Toughbook comes with when sold. I'd go with a CF-29 or CF-30... But the CF-18s & 19s are making the rounds. Personally the keyboards on the latter are way too small for me though.

Just my two cents...

 

Hmm, parting out would make me more money than selling whole? I was thinking the same way you are that I should buy the best toughbook I can afford. I guess I should just keep using this one and keep my eyes out for a 29 or 30. Get a better base model. I am not a computer wiz who can just take apart and hack all these mods.

 

Streetrider, I have alot of the p3 600mhz cf-28s and I can't give these things to people and they expect to have a good battery, hard drive and caddy with it. for those 3 items you can get about $200 on ebay pretty easily, and like TB said you can $20 for the port covers. I put the 28s on ebay for $65 and I get nothing so part it out, fill up your pockets with about $400 and come talk to me about a cf-29

Dan