Panasonic Toughbook Laptop [Archive]

TacoDelRio

12-09-2004, 04:04 AM

Hey guys

I wanted to know what you guys know about the above computers. Panasonic Toughbook
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2001/of01-223/black1.jpg
My friend is giving one to me for Christmas in exchange for the Strider knife I got for him.

I just want to know if any of you ever used one, or own one. I break alot of computer-type equipment during training simply because it cannot withstand being dropped, or bumped into or anything. I doubt I'd drop this, but it's gotta be in a rucksack. Obviously, I'll go out of my way to take care of it, but it'll stay in camp during patrols and crap. Just a way of taking photos, making more detailed maps, and using it as a base for our GPS units for Land-Nav courses.

Just wanna know what y'all know.

-Ryan

James

12-09-2004, 04:10 AM

Regardless... A toughbook for a knife is a hell of a deal...

I want one myself, but they are very expensive. I will buy a house first, I think.

TacoDelRio

12-09-2004, 04:21 AM

His teacher refurbishes them. I'm sure that my 4 mixed years of computer repair can keep it afloat, so long as it uses a Windows OS.

Yeah, the Strider was cheap for me though. So is the Toughbook for him. Inside deals are nice. Apparently they are shock-resistant in terms of internal hardware, but I think I may have to put it into a Pelican case, or just use foam and 100mph tape to make it a bit tougher.

Ryan

martinexsquaddie

12-09-2004, 11:03 AM

the british army use them load of p166's on the market at the moment .
there tough but there not squaddie proof

moughoun

12-09-2004, 12:00 PM

the british army use them load of p166's on the market at the moment .
there tough but there not squaddie proof
yeah same here, they mostly sit in the back of vehicle's, their tough, but just don't shoot them p-)

TacoDelRio

12-09-2004, 04:20 PM

Sounds good. As I might have said, I'm not going to run around with it, merely leave it at camp or cache.

From what I've been reading, all looks positive!

akmarine

12-10-2004, 04:14 PM

I use to work on the old one (WIN95)... they are tuff as hell. Sometimes non-computer people would come into my office and see the 'new' laptops, they would want to see one so I'd throw it at them and throw it short so they wouldn't catch it and it would hit the deck. The look on their face was priceless. I'd just throw another one at them. I use to throw them around my office a lot, they were always in the way, and I only physically damaged one, but it still worked.

I've heard some have been run over by tanks and trucks, but I don't know if it could take it...

TacoDelRio

12-11-2004, 12:24 AM

SWEET!

kayaker

12-12-2004, 08:36 AM

I use to work on the old one (WIN95)... they are tuff as hell. Sometimes non-computer people would come into my office and see the 'new' laptops, they would want to see one so I'd throw it at them and throw it short so they wouldn't catch it and it would hit the deck. The look on their face was priceless. I'd just throw another one at them. I use to throw them around my office a lot, they were always in the way, and I only physically damaged one, but it still worked.

I've heard some have been run over by tanks and trucks, but I don't know if it could take it...

Which laptop is this now? URL/photo/price indication would be appreciated.

Are laptops with that kind of protection available on the civvie market? Who priduces them, and is a limited market?

Ryan

Bugalugs

12-13-2004, 07:46 AM

The job gave me one of these, with a P4processor and a touch-screen. Its very tough - when the Rovers handbrake goes on the blink, I jam it in behind the rear wheel! :D

Apogee

12-13-2004, 08:34 AM

We had Toughbooks at FDNY and NYPD and they were awesome. You can throw those things across a squad car, and then pick it up and play solitaire. If this guy has more at the right price, let me know.

TacoDelRio

12-13-2004, 03:55 PM

Haha that's badass. SOunds good. I don't know if it has a touchscreen, but I'm getting it this weekend.

SCUBA, do you think there is any need for 100mph tape and foam to make it survive?

akmarine

12-14-2004, 01:26 PM

I think Panasonic made ours... they were so old I tried to load Win98 on it and it would freeze (forcing me to throw it again). I'm sure someone still makes them, and I'm sure its open to civilians.

akmarine

12-14-2004, 01:27 PM

Google is awesome: http://www.panasonic.com/computer/toughbook/home.asp

Apogee

12-14-2004, 01:32 PM

Haha that's badass. SOunds good. I don't know if it has a touchscreen, but I'm getting it this weekend.

SCUBA, do you think there is any need for 100mph tape and foam to make it survive?

The one i had was pretty much shock proof. The only thing I'd be worried about is getting it wet.

TheKiwi

12-16-2004, 10:02 PM

I've got one, bought it second hand off Panasonic when I did some contract work for them. It's an older CF-47. It's toughened as opposed to completely destruction proof. (Not water proof, which isn't much of problem with what I do with it).

An indentical model to mine got run over by a car (the sales rep said his wife did it, but it was 1 week before us IT guys were supposed to decide who got new laptops-go figure) and survived. The only issue it had was a slight cracking of the chasis. (No problem with the screen or anything else, booted first time).

The high end models are very rugged. Some are sealable against water, dust or dirt.

The only problem with them, is that they are usually a generation behind the latest technology. Eg, expect 1.2Ghz Processor, not 1.8. 256MB RAM, not 512. 20GB Hard Drive, not 80GB.