Anybody owns a Toughbook?

[Casper]

I'm from Italy and I'm new in this Forum... :)
I'm going to by a Panasonic Toughbook CF-T2... being a rare notebook, I found only few infos about it...
so I've some questions for people who owns it or at laest have "touched" it ;)

- I heared the display is dim ... is it true?
- what about the hard disk? is it 2.5" or 1.8"? is it 5V or 3.3V powered?
- Is it a good choice for who is looking for a light and solid notebook?

thank you everybody,

Casper

[neuroking]

I really didn't like the Panasonic display (I did 2 reviews of them) compared to everythihg else on the market. They're dim and have washed out colors.

The HDD I believe is 2.5", but might be 1.8" since it is shock mounted. You should eb able to find that info on the Panny website.

I would only get it is I was going to need a laptop that can take a little more abuse than average. It's a nice notebook, but I think there are options that are just as cheap, with better components. Of course, that's here in the States, so it may be different in Italy (no idea what availability/tariffs are there)

[Casper]

Hi, thank you for your replay :)


I would only get it is I was going to need a laptop that can take a little more abuse than average so it is, but I would like a bright display too ... :(

I can buy it at approx 1300€ (brand new) when usually it costs about 2000€ ... but at 1000€ I could buy a 12" Ibook or a 12" powerbook at 1500€ ... or a 12" Fujitsu Amilo-pro at 1300 .... what do you think I should do?

thank you

[neuroking]

I would avoid powerbooks like the plague for the next 3-5 months. The processors are getting speed bumped and anything other than the 15.4" is still PPC (dead end tech). If a powerbook/macbook pro is an option, I think it would be a great choice. Just wait a little bit for the product line to be compeltely fleshed out (the rumored 13.3", and the 17" on the way).

In the US, Dell is the default choice. Usually there are massive discounts an coupons that make them the most desirable for a combination of features and price. For instance, a similarly equipped MacBook Pro sold at Dell (with Windows XP, of course) will run $1300, vs $1999 Apple charges. The other thing is that there is alot more flexibility in choosing a place that allows you to customize nearly every feature.

My favorites are Dell if you are watching your wallet, and Sony if you want a little exrta style (posting from my VAIO right now). But there are people that swear by HP and Asus as well. I would check those companies out first, and see what your ideal configuration costs.

Just a personal preference, but I would put screen quality at the top of the list for a notebook. Drop by a local computer shop and try to see as many different notebooks as you can, and get an idea of the differences.

[Casper]

thans again for reply

I can't wait for new Powerbooks because I need it now...

Dells are a good choice, but here they are a bit more expensive: I can have a D410 for 1600$ ... moreover I think they are not so "tough" :bash

Sony are wonderfull but very expensive (min 2000$) and in Italy have only one year warranty :censored

I don't like Asus (poor general quality IMHO) and mid priced HPs (High-end are good) ... I had an IBM wich was really not bad, but it was a 15" and I am bored from the look and I want to change brand...

... but Panasonic screen are so bad? ... are them at least "decent"?

thank you!
bye

PS: On Pan website I can't find more infos about the HD than the capacity.... :rolleyes:

[neuroking]

The panasonic screens are okay for short term use. It's not like they're total junk. Just not as good as many others. As for the hard drive, I looked around and can't find any info on teh hard drive physical size. I think it might be the 1.8" since the dimensions are 1" at the most narrow point.

Yeah, I think IBMs have the most boring design out there. They've looked the same for over a decade.

[Casper]

Hi,
I think I'm going to buy the Panasonic... I don't need it for playing DVDs or games, so I don't need a Display extremely bright... instead I need a note that I can take with me everytime and everywhere ;) and I think for this use Panasonic is one of the best... isn't it?
moreover 1300$ should be a good deal
... I hope I'll not regret... :brick

..I'll post the review... ;)
thank u very much :cheers
bye!

PS: I found the HD shouldbe Toshiba MK4025GAS: 2.5" with 5V for motor and logic, so sholdn't be problems in future upgrade :)

[neuroking]

Hey, if it works for you - good luck with it! It sounds like a great price.

Here are reviews of teh 2 I had a chance to play with:
http://reviews.designtechnica.com/review535.html
http://reviews.designtechnica.com/review2221.html

Let us know how it works out for you.

[Casper]

hi,
thank you for all... I surelly will let you know about it...
see you soon!

[seans]

The whole Dell not playing well with VAT thing in the EU is a deal breaker for me when buying laptops on that side of the pond. Look again at the fujitsu semeins lineup. If you have issues and need quick support and want a fair market price they are the only choice in my mind.

[Casper]

Hi, finally I got the Panasonic.

I like it very much, the feeling it transmits is of a note extremely light and sturdy.

About the display, I can't say it is as bright as new glossy displays (Sony etc) but I can't say it is dim too.
The problem could be the poor viewing angle (both Hor and Vertical). However the W.angle is not a big problem thanks to the notebook dimensions that allow you to place it for a perfect viewing ;) :thumb

The touchscreen is cool and precise, but I still prefer the circular touchpad wich has an amazing and very usable integrated scoll-function

... moreover, the notebook is definitely silent and don't put off much heat

Performances are not bad and more than sufficient for office-tasks, obviously not enough for games ;)

In conclusion, I think it's a good business notebook

here there are some photos:

(the screen appears dimmer in photo than in person)

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/7157/p10100104qo.th.jpg (http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p10100104qo.jpg)

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/2330/p10100061lf.th.jpg (http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p10100061lf.jpg)

here I put a mouse near the notebook to let you compare dimensions:
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8633/p10100050wp.th.jpg (http://img521.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p10100050wp.jpg)

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/8450/p10100011ao.th.jpg (http://img504.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p10100011ao.jpg)

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5296/p10100080eb.th.jpg (http://img521.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p10100080eb.jpg)

bye! :)