|  Toughbook - CF-29, A Real World Test!
Well I promised it, and now I am going to deliver at least part one of this Saga. I got orders to Afghanistan In June. And realized that I could take my machine with me but the logistics of getting all of my gear out here would have been ridiculous. So I went the smart route, after reading that the desert here is more of the consistency of baby powder I realized that a normal laptop would not do. So I went on the hunt for a laptop that could hold up to the conditions. After working in the Navy for 4 years I have seen various models of the Toughbook, successfully implemented into our harsh work environment.
After researching the Panasonic website I found that you can’t directly purchase a Fully Rugged Toughbook from them. Panasonic has directed the sales of their laptops that are not corporate or government to three outside vendors. I talked to all of them but ended up using Portable Computer Systems. Marc Taylor is the E-Commerce Manager and he dealt with me directly on all sales related issues.
I decided on the CF-29 because it has the most protection and the most features, for example I purchased a 29 with the following
-1.6 Ghz Intel Centrino Processor
-1 Gb of Ram
-80 Gb HDD
-DVD-Multi Drive
-Secondary battery for the Media Pocket
-A/B/G Wireless
-SD card reader
-Modem
-10/100/1000 Ethernet
-Rubberized Backlit Keyboard
-Touch Screen / Touch Pad
-GPS
The price tag is not light but for the durability of the unit and the pure perfect application of this situation. I can’t say no. So 5,600.00$ later I got shipping confirmation of the unit. Now they didn’t have any in stock that had a GPS unit so they made me an RMA with the Panasonic warehouse in New Jersey. So the unit got shipped to me and then I shipped it via PCS’s UPS number to the warehouse. While it was in the warehouse another CF-29 showed up at the house with out GPS again. The warehouse monkeys had messed up and taken my Etched and painted Toughbook hostage and sent me another one. So not 6 days before I was to leave I have a brand new lappy without something I paid for. Irritated I was. So Marc Taylor called the warehouse and did a bunch of stuff and some how two days before I rolled out, my new laptop etched and all showed up at the house with GPS. I was stoked. Had to send the other one back though. 
Last edited by denacopoliez; 28-December-06 at 06:29 PM.
Reason: Bad Choise in color of font
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