Toughbook - CF-29, A Real World Test!

denacopoliez · 28-December-06, 01:41 PM

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.

denacopoliez · 28-December-06, 07:28 PM

So enough talkÃ‚â€¦ Pictures speak louder thanÃ‚â€¦

denacopoliez · 28-December-06, 07:29 PM

The lappy functions great, the GPS is amazing. The wireless is a bit limited on range due to the Magnesium shell. Its not a gaming machine but it works great for movies and internet and all the stuff that I do on a regular basis. After a few months like normal I tried to slick and reload the machine thinking hey I have the drivers no biggie. Sadly if you donÃ‚â€™t reload with the factory disks the touch screen and touch pad do not function right making the mouse clicky click up in the right top corner over and over making any work on the machine impossible. I didnÃ‚â€™t pack the disks properly and one of them got damaged so now itÃ‚â€™s a paperweight until the new disks get here. It has been greatÃ‚â€¦ The only real concerns are the rubber Ã‚â€œdoorsÃ‚â€ that cover the power port, USB port, and the Ethernet portÃ‚â€¦ the rubber seems as though it will rip off after 1000 or more uses. The sound comes out of one speaker on the bottom of the laptop not really great if you are using it on your lap. The second USB port is in back with the audio jacks that are covered by a metal door that covers the VGA, LPT, and docking portsÃ‚â€¦ which leaves a lot open to the elements. It is heavy weighing in at 12 Lbs. and the screen only does 1024 x 768 but its crystal clear even with the touch screen option. The Video display will push out over 1600 x 1200 to the VGA port which is more than I need. Its Nimble and functional as a daily use machine.

I really donÃ‚â€™t know how I am going to go back to normal computing without a touch screen. I work on lots of other computers in my job and I am constantly poking other peoples laptops to open things and stuff. More to follow!

project vegas · 29-December-06, 03:55 PM

Well great review so far !! My cousin recently purcashed a toughbook but im not sure which model he loves his and im glad that you like yours
Again thanks for serving our country

-Mike

denacopoliez · 23-August-07, 12:12 AM

Well i bought another lappy while i was out here i use it just as muh as i use the CF-29, which has proformed the task perfectly the on thing that i had to change was th ruberized keyboard with a regular one... it too forever to type anything, and we just annoying. but as far as a real world test the toughbook does the job perfectly but after spinding a year out here i really did not need that much out of a computer. but hey hindsight is 20/20. home in 40 days! [/quote]

GrandpaNoob72 · 27-August-07, 01:25 PM

WTF??? Home in 40??? Why, you....

I still have to wait until like... DAAAAAAMN, it'll be like next May or June before I get back for good...

Well, bro, better you than me to plop down 5Gs for a lappy you can't really game any more than Solitaire with, but that's just me...

We have a couple of those here at the little Coalition Outpost where I live, mainly set out in the main hallway for people to email home and stuff...

I agree about the connector covers, they do seem a bit on the delicate side for a machine that is supposed to be tougher than just about any other, but ours aren't "Ruggedized" proper, either, I don't think. The keyboard on ours aren't rubber, they are pretty much the standard across the boards for lappys, the touchscreen is great, it's a nice machine, don't get me wrong, but it's not something I'm planning on running out and buying anytime soon (read: EVER)...

Stay safe, and get your butt back home soon, bro!

denacopoliez · 29-August-07, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrandpaNoob72


	Stay safe, and get your butt back home soon, bro!

you could have told me how Horrible the NG is, it has been a very long year and i can't wait to be home, but you there Sgt need to bring you butt home too, Safe and sound, RGR?

TIm

28-December-06, 01:41 PM		#1 (permalink)
denacopoliez Apex Tech Fanatic	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 07:29 PM.. Reason: Bad Choise in color of font

28-December-06, 07:28 PM		#2 (permalink)
denacopoliez Apex Tech Fanatic	Re: Toughbook - CF-29, A Real World Test! So enough talkÃ‚â€¦ Pictures speak louder thanÃ‚â€¦ Attached Thumbnails

28-December-06, 07:29 PM		#3 (permalink)
denacopoliez Apex Tech Fanatic	Re: Toughbook - CF-29, A Real World Test! The lappy functions great, the GPS is amazing. The wireless is a bit limited on range due to the Magnesium shell. Its not a gaming machine but it works great for movies and internet and all the stuff that I do on a regular basis. After a few months like normal I tried to slick and reload the machine thinking hey I have the drivers no biggie. Sadly if you donÃ‚â€™t reload with the factory disks the touch screen and touch pad do not function right making the mouse clicky click up in the right top corner over and over making any work on the machine impossible. I didnÃ‚â€™t pack the disks properly and one of them got damaged so now itÃ‚â€™s a paperweight until the new disks get here. It has been greatÃ‚â€¦ The only real concerns are the rubber Ã‚â€œdoorsÃ‚â€ that cover the power port, USB port, and the Ethernet portÃ‚â€¦ the rubber seems as though it will rip off after 1000 or more uses. The sound comes out of one speaker on the bottom of the laptop not really great if you are using it on your lap. The second USB port is in back with the audio jacks that are covered by a metal door that covers the VGA, LPT, and docking portsÃ‚â€¦ which leaves a lot open to the elements. It is heavy weighing in at 12 Lbs. and the screen only does 1024 x 768 but its crystal clear even with the touch screen option. The Video display will push out over 1600 x 1200 to the VGA port which is more than I need. Its Nimble and functional as a daily use machine. I really donÃ‚â€™t know how I am going to go back to normal computing without a touch screen. I work on lots of other computers in my job and I am constantly poking other peoples laptops to open things and stuff. More to follow!

29-December-06, 03:55 PM		#4 (permalink)
project vegas Apex Master Tech	Re: Toughbook - CF-29, A Real World Test! Well great review so far !! My cousin recently purcashed a toughbook but im not sure which model he loves his and im glad that you like yours Again thanks for serving our country -Mike

23-August-07, 12:12 AM		#5 (permalink)
denacopoliez Apex Tech Fanatic	Re: Toughbook - CF-29, A Real World Test! Well i bought another lappy while i was out here i use it just as muh as i use the CF-29, which has proformed the task perfectly the on thing that i had to change was th ruberized keyboard with a regular one... it too forever to type anything, and we just annoying. but as far as a real world test the toughbook does the job perfectly but after spinding a year out here i really did not need that much out of a computer. but hey hindsight is 20/20. home in 40 days! [/quote]

27-August-07, 01:25 PM		#6 (permalink)
GrandpaNoob72 Eleven-Bravo Sitrep Writer	Re: Toughbook - CF-29, A Real World Test! WTF??? Home in 40??? Why, you.... I still have to wait until like... DAAAAAAMN, it'll be like next May or June before I get back for good... Well, bro, better you than me to plop down 5Gs for a lappy you can't really game any more than Solitaire with, but that's just me... We have a couple of those here at the little Coalition Outpost where I live, mainly set out in the main hallway for people to email home and stuff... I agree about the connector covers, they do seem a bit on the delicate side for a machine that is supposed to be tougher than just about any other, but ours aren't "Ruggedized" proper, either, I don't think. The keyboard on ours aren't rubber, they are pretty much the standard across the boards for lappys, the touchscreen is great, it's a nice machine, don't get me wrong, but it's not something I'm planning on running out and buying anytime soon (read: EVER)... Stay safe, and get your butt back home soon, bro!

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