Anybody know anything about Panasonic toughbook's.?

[rustyveedub]

Im thinking of getting a Panasonic toughbook for the Range rover to run mapping software whilst i am out in the wild.
Has anybody got any experience with them? or any opions on my suggested use for it? or any info on buying one? does anybody know anything about them :rolleyes: (I dont)?

Thanks in advance Rusty.

[jjsaul]

I looked at them at one point, lots on ebay, very tough :p from what i can tell although for a decent spec one you pay a lot of money.

[rustyveedub]

Thats the drawback that i found. they are very very low spec until you pay a fortune for one.

[jjsaul]

I saw some on ebay for around £200-300 but they were only P266 processors, nowhere enough to run decent mapping software.

[OrbitalPear]

These ones?

http://sterlingxs.co.uk/scpages/panasonictoughbooklaptopcf27.html

Chuck some extra RAM at them and they should run Memory Map well enough.

[jjsaul]

These ones?

http://sterlingxs.co.uk/scpages/panasonictoughbooklaptopcf27.html

Chuck some extra RAM at them and they should run Memory Map well enough.

Thats the ones keef.

[AJC]

Used them at work and they are tough as you like and would be ideal for lugging around in the Landy.


AJ

[OrbitalPear]

Been looking at them for a while, and then started scavenging parts and components from broken laptops to box up myself somewhere out of the way. Cheap touchscreen from Eblag and there you go. There isn't a lot of room in a lightweight truck-cab.

[rustyveedub]

What is the difference between the models? i.e. CF-27 / CF-71 etc. :confused:

[Saratoga]

I saw some on ebay for around £200-300 but they were only P266 processors, nowhere enough to run decent mapping software.

Oi. Do you mind. I have run mapping software on worse spec than that you know! Yes, I know a P166 with 32mb Ram on Win98se takes a while to redraw, but you takes what you want...

To be honest, do you really need a toughbook? Most 2nd hand laptops can probably do the job....

If you get one with a touch screen and know where I can get the drivers for it for XP, please tell me!!!! :D :D

Oh, do you want positive or negative information about them??

[Saratoga]

What is the difference between the models? i.e. CF-27 / CF-71 etc. :confused:


If you goto the Panasonic website and look it up you can find the product sheets listing the different spec.

What you need to do is work out what you can get away with and then work out your best machine.

Did see a CF 34M or summat like that recently, and they truly are amazing little beasts. Sitting down they are slightly wider than a biro... :eek: :eek: :D :D

What you'd be looking for is USB/PCMCIA at least. 10GB Hdd if you can get it, that way you can put ALL of Memory Map on in one go, plus squeeze in Autoroute and some mp3s :) :D XP will fill up the rest.

[Saratoga]

Im thinking of getting a Panasonic toughbook for the Range rover to run mapping software whilst i am out in the wild.

Don't forget to buy a GPS :) :D

[Saratoga]

What is the difference between the models? i.e. CF-27 / CF-71 etc. :confused:

Hmm. You think you're confused! I've just spent an hour trundling around the panasonic website which doesn't like me as I don't have Javascript :(

Right.

Panasonic Toughbook CF-27 laptops (Source) (http://arch.ipsec.pl/art/panasonic.html)

Toughbook is a ruggedized version of laptops. The CF-27 series has 12.1" LCD screen display, a touchpad, double PCMCIA slot, single USB slot and IRDA port (plus all the standard interfaces).

Many resellers have been marketing CF-27 with "Pentium II 266 MHz" announced and so was mine, but at the end I found out that it's only Pentium-MMX 266 MHz.

Memory

CF-27 has 32 MB RAM on-board (built-in) and slot in which you can insert another memory chip. The only thing to remember is that with Pentium-MMX you need to use EDO-SODIMM memory (not PC100 or PC133). For some reason 128 MB chips for this class are very expensive, while 64 MB chips are not.

Wireless modem

CF-27 is equipped with Sierra Wireless SB300 wireless modem, which is described as supporting CDPR protocol for GSM networks (whatever it is).


Sterling XS Site (http://www.sterlingxs.co.uk/scpages/panasonictoughbooklaptopcf27.html)

Intel Pentium 266mhz MMX processor
64mb RAM (sdram pc66mhz)
4.3 gb hd
12.1" TFT screen - 800x600 resolution
Integral DVD**/CD rom
UK keyboard with touchpad
Soundblaster compatible sound
2x type II pcmcia (cardbus) slots
serial, parallel, ps/2, infra red, vga ports
USB port
Li-ion battery & charger
Available with no Operating System or
preloaded with Windows 98Se, with COA & backup restore cd
Refurbished with 90 days RTB warranty


Panasonic brings you the ruggedised Toughbook CF-27.
A breakthrough design lets it withstand being dropped from a considerable height and provides excellent resistance to water and dust. A tough magnesium alloy casing, 20 times stronger than plastic, encloses the working components. Inside, the hard drive is shock mounted and enclosed in a protective stainless steel case. Internal dampers also protect the LCD and help prevent screen bending or twisting.
It is ideally suited to construction sites, gas, power or water maintenance work,and any other rugged field applications.
The hard drive is enclosed in a 10mm thick hi-tech gel compound to protect it from those accidental bumps, drops and spills.
So take this Toughbook anywhere without worrying about accidents.

Width 30.2 cm
Depth 24.6 cm
Height 6.6 cm
Colour Black


PANASONIC CF-71 TOUGHBOOK LAPTOP
Tough magnesium shock proof alloy case, with built in carry handle. Designed for engineers, industrial & outdoor applications.


Intel Pentium II 300mhz processor
64mb RAM (sdram pc100mhz)
6.4 gb hd - shock mounted
13.3" TFT screen - 1024x768 resolution
Integral 3.5'' floppy drive
UK keyboard & trackpoint pointing device - both of which are spill resistant
Soundblaster compatible sound
2x type II pcmcia (cardbus) slots
serial, parallel, ps/2, infra red, vga ports
USB port
Li-ion battery & charger
Available with no Operating System or
preloaded with Windows XP Home.
Refurbished with 90 days RTB warranty

Width 29.7 cm
Depth 24.1 cm
Height 4.3 cm
Weight 2.9 kg
Colour Silver








Both laptops do look very good spec, however, having seen them in action and in use (and with a BT engineer when he dropped his down a drain, and it still worked!) I think I would personally much prefer the M34 :)

Whatever your choice you still need to work out the proper drivers for the machine, and then there is the operating system and the software you'll use on it.

As a comparison my laptop is a P2-366 with 192mb Ram, 20gb Hdd, 2xPcmcia, 1xUsb, 1xLpt, 1xCom, 1xIR, 1xDocking port, 1xbattery. It does all I need it for and have XP, Mapping, Gps Support Software, Wireless and a whole host of bits to support and use it, not to mention it'll be used for photos when I go away with work :)

Despite the unit being tough I wouldn't "throw" it into the landie (or in your case Rangie) and expect it to live long. All things have to be taken care off, even if it is MilSpec'd enough to follow James Bond out the back of a C130 for a HALO jump on its own shute! :D :D :D

[Saratoga]

Oooh, just been looking at that site and I've seen anIBM ThinkPad T21 (http://www.sterlingxs.co.uk/scpages/oneofflaptopspecials.html)

Could be contentable with a CF M34 by all accounts though :) :) :D :D

[rustyveedub]

To be honest, do you really need a toughbook? Most 2nd hand laptops can probably do the job...

Oh, do you want positive or negative information about them??

I thought a Toughbook would be ideal because i wouldn't have to worry about the dust/water damaging it. and it would be a lot more robust.

I want all of the info i can about them good or bad, so i can make my decision.

[rustyveedub]

Don't forget to buy a GPS :) :D
Of course with a GPS, Any ideas on which one.?

[rustyveedub]

Are they easily upgradeable as i know the hard drive is encased in gel.?

[rustyveedub]

What you need to do is work out what you can get away with and then work out your best machine.



What is the total spec i would need to run mapping software and an auto route program to a good standard :confused:

[Saratoga]

Of course with a GPS, Any ideas on which one.?


OMG! A complete new ball game there!

If you are just and only going to use the laptop with it then get a USB GPS thingy that sits on the dashboard.

If you are possibly going to use the GPS away from the laptop get something like the Garmin eTrex Series.

I've got the Legend and it's a brilliant bit of kit :) A place called Lynx Cables or there abouts up in Scotland do some cheap data/power cables for them so you don't have to keep eating batteries for them.

Oh, and power is the other thing. You'd probably want to look at getting an inverter to power the laptop when you're on the road. Of course you could always go the whole hog, get a seperate battery to power all of your accessories in your RR including the GPS, Laptop, Lights, Toys, Etc Etc

[Saratoga]

Are they easily upgradeable as i know the hard drive is encased in gel.?


I know they sell the gel packs on the internet, so theoretically it would just be a choice of get the lappy, get the gel pack and another HDD and go from there. How good are you with computers?? I've never touched a ToughBook in the past so can't tell you what it's like (touched, as in opened it up). It might be wise if you purchase it online at one of the companies rather than Ebay, to ask them to upgrade the Hard Drive up to something suitable.

[Saratoga]

What is the total spec i would need to run mapping software and an auto route program to a good standard :confused:

You could probably get away with something like a 266mhz laptop or there abouts. Ram would be nice :D :D I mean as much as possible, of course :D But that could get expensive, so I'd reccomend at least 128mb. You'd probably want XP and a 10gb Hdd, although a 20gb would be nice :)

You see, the choices run away. If you get that package with a toughbook then you can just watch the £££ clock up frighteningly.

[rustyveedub]

I can use a computer, but ive never ventured into taking them apart. I would get somebody else to do that. But if they are not upgradeable then there is no point in getting one.

[Saratoga]

I thought a Toughbook would be ideal because i wouldn't have to worry about the dust/water damaging it. and it would be a lot more robust.

I want all of the info i can about them good or bad, so i can make my decision.

Yeah, but come on, it's just gonna stop in the motor. You're not going to be taking it out and walking down the road are you! Likewise unless you're driving around muddy conditions enough to splash around the of the motor you wont get stuff in like that. If its a RR you drive offroad, when was the last time you got it seriously muddy inside?? :D :D :D

[rustyveedub]

Ive just noticed, Has somebody moved this thread into a different section.?????

[rustyveedub]

Anybody got any ideas on a CF-37.? ive seen one for sale but it doesnt look very tough.

[Saratoga]

Ive just noticed, Has somebody moved this thread into a different section.?????

Umm... Don't know. You'd have to ask our esteemed Mod, Mr Saul. However, it is in the Computers section isn't it??
:eek:

[Saratoga]

CF37 is a decent processor, but ram and hdd is still a bit low ;(

Do you own a copy of Memory Map and all the tiles for the UK? Autoroute? Any other mapping software?

You might want to go and checkout prices of those bits of software before you do anything else!

[Saratoga]

Dell Latitude L400
This is a very compact notebook with external CD and floppy drives.

Height 25.7 mm (1.01 inches)
Width 272 mm (10.7 inches)
Depth 220.0 mm (8.66 inches)
Weight 1.63 kg (3.6 lb) with 6-cell battery
1.56 kg (3.4 lb) with 4-cell battery

See http://tinyurl.com/67ftm for full spec. This is in very good
condition. The battery holds a charge well.

Includes an Advanced port replicator which has an extra USB port, a serial
port and PS/2 ports as well as the ports on the machine.

Pentium III 700MHz Processor
256MB RAM
10GB Hard Drive
ATI Rage Mobility integrated video
Integrated Audio
Integrated 56K modem
10/100 Integrated Ethernet controller
85-key Keyboard with touchpad
12.1-inch TFT display (1024 x 768 maximum resolution)
External Floppy Drive.
External CD Rom Drive.
One (1) PCMCIA slot
I/O Ports:
One (1) P/S 2 port
One (1) External Media Bay connector
One (1) 15-pin VGA connector
One (1) 25-pin Parallel port
One (1) USB port
One (1) RJ-11 standard phone jack
One (1) RJ-45 Ethernet jack
Microphone and headphone jacks.

A chap I know is wanting £260 for it, but it's in the classified section so don't know how long it'll last...

You could look at this as a "guide" :D :)

[rustyveedub]

You might want to go and checkout prices of those bits of software before you do anything else!

I know the prices of the mapping software. This is what i keep thinking about. Its gonna put a good dent in my wallet for a Lap top, GPS and mapping software. since im an Army map reading instructor there isnt much more that all of this can do (that i really need), that i cant do with with a couple of quid map.

[Saratoga]

I would think that the environment you have been used to in the past is a lot more harsh than you would on normal off-roading, on-roading, green-laning and general UK driving.

If you were interester in travelling abroad and long distance trips into inhospitable terrain (and I don't meen Scotland!) then that would be different.

Would you be wanting to use the unit for copying images from your digital camera as well or would you wait until you got home for that??

Likewise it is not only the major software vendors that have decent software.

GPSU is a must if you've a standalone GPS. Having mentioned you're handy with maps then it would probably be easier and better for you to get an etrex as you could program it to show you NGR/LatLong as you require :)

Shall we branch this off into Windows & GPS software :) :D :D

[rustyveedub]

I think you have talked me out of it. If i can travel across a desert with a paper map, i dont think i need any more than that in England. I just wanted the extrovert rolling map as i drove along. :o
Not really bothered with down loading the camera as we have a couple of big memory cards for it.

[rustyveedub]

Shall we branch this off into Windows & GPS software :) :D :D
Okay :D :D :D

[Saratoga]

Right. Some links. Now these are mostly GPS related to help you get a better understanding of what is out there. For example, it is pointless you getting the stuff you want without having done the research first :) An expensive lesson I am learning :o :o :o

GPS Passion. French & English site. http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/default.asp?_SetCurrentVersion=EN

GPS Groundspeak. Quite a few different types of help here
http://forums.groundspeak.com/gc/

GPS World. Initially started off with basic GPS but has evolved into something that covers a lot of ground, with all things GPS
http://www.pocketgps.co.uk/index.php

Colorado Hiking Site. Information on GPS, Use etc etc. American. However, a good resource to start off with.
http://home.earthlink.net/%7Ecolorado_hiking/1_Hiking_topics/gps_your_personal_navigation_sys.htm

GPS resources and maps for the UK
http://www.travelbygps.com/z_links/britain.php

GPSInformation. An amazing resource for almost every GPS out there, plus links about software and the like :)
http://www.gpsinformation.net/

GPS TrackMaker. A way to make your own tracklog of where you've been. Computer Software
http://www.gpstm.com/

GPS Links
http://www.36haroldstreet.freeserve.co.uk/gps_links.htm (One of these days I'll make my own up, but not yet...)

Sam Wormleys GPS Information Page. You may not of heard of him, but he is the chap, that, when a satellite has downtime or is changed/modified, posts the details on the web and newsgroups. He could work for the people that own the satellites...
http://www.edu-observatory.org/maps/waypoints.html

The Definitive GPS Resource Library
http://www.gpsy.com/gpsinfo/


I also have links to sales sites, but those are relatively common anyway. Is the sort of information (above) that you're after?

I suppose I should really make up something comprehensive, but I'm a bit tired at the moment and I think the day cannot get any better :(

[Saratoga]

I think you have talked me out of it. If i can travel across a desert with a paper map, i dont think i need any more than that in England. I just wanted the extrovert rolling map as i drove along. :o
Not really bothered with down loading the camera as we have a couple of big memory cards for it.

There is a friend in Kiddy I can introduce you to, and while he does have LRs he is more of a Suzuki Man :eek: :D :D

He has this cute little laptop called "Libretto" that whilst it is a little on the slow side might do be enough for you?? If you're interested, or would like confirmation then PM me :) He's not on this forum, so I don't want to put his name out.

[Saratoga]

Okay :D :D :D

Well, that was easy enough wasn't it :) :D :D

[jjsaul]

Umm... Don't know. You'd have to ask our esteemed Mod, Mr Saul. However, it is in the Computers section isn't it??
:eek:

The other mods and myself decided that this thread should be in the computers section, so it got put in here :p :D

[Saratoga]

ooh look, fancy meeting you here in our little conversation :)

[olo]

to be honest my difficulty is either to choose the toughbook or the powerbook G4, (sorry i hate normal laptops). the toughbook offers me ALOT of strenght and durability, as you said rustyveedub, you can dump it there and dont worry bout it, but there again the powerbook G4 is SO much better then normal pc's. (trust me...)

[Saratoga]

Hmm Yes, Olo. Macs are quite nice aren't they :)

I've just been infected with one myself actually, which I shall probably be using that in coming months for webwork rather than my XP 2.4Ghz machine :)

Good luck with your search... It has gone quiet with this thread so either the original poster has aquired the machine wanted, or sorted something out?!

[olo]

true saratoga, i'm used to the linux enviroment, mac's GUI and keyboard layout made me feel like am new to pc's but when i saw the terminal my eyes lit up. to be honest its one of the most user friendly machines i ever used. really and truely MAC know how to deliver a good product, easy to use, powerfull & really looks the thing too.

one thing i loved about the G4, it adjusts itself accordin to light, if there is no light, it lights up the keyboard (with 1 LED and a fibre network under the keys, amazing finish too, no "spilt" light, only the letter is lit perfectly and constant lighting throughout) and screen dims down not to hurt your eyes. switch on the lights and in a bit over a second u see keyboard dim off and screen brighten up!

love it to bits to be honest, just got to see if the mac is rigid enought for my character :p