Thinkpads Forum

Got my hands on a used 2011 toughbook CF-19! I needed a convertible tablet that I could carry around easily, write notes with, have a sunlight readable display, and be built as solid as a rock. It is a dual touchscreen model with an i5-2520m, 4G ram, and 320GB HDD (as well as the usual WWAN, GPS, etc).

I must say, this thing is literally built like a tank! There is zero flex anywhere, no squeaks, no rattles, and everything is super strong. The build quality and fit and finish is superb. Of course, there are tradeoffs. For one, it is quite thick and heavy compared to other laptops, at 1.9 inches and 5.2 pounds. The keyboard has no trackpoint and the keys have shallow travel (though the feedback and response is suprisingly good). Display has poor contrast, viewing angles, and a low XGA resolution that is fine for running fullscreen applications, but not side by side. However, the display is very bright with a maximum of 1000 nits. Battery life is also quite good at a solid 7 hours of standard web usage at medium brightness.

Even though I have only had this machine for a few days, I almost can't go back to my other Thinkpads. I do miss the trackpoint, though.

https://onedrive.live.com/embed?cid=AEF ... KMBL6Iut9g

Welcome to the other side...I'm purposely not using the term "dark side", since it refers to Macs most often...

You are discovering machines that some of us have been using - along our ThinkPads - for years now. While I don't personally own a CF-19 I've used its older sibling (CF-18) for quite some time in the field, and those things were almost impossible to kill.

I'd argue that no laptop brand comes close to Panasonic's build quality nowadays, but I'm likely biased since I do like their offerings, generally speaking.

Enjoy!

ajkula66 wrote: I'd argue that no laptop brand comes close to Panasonic's build quality nowadays, but I'm likely biased since I do like their offerings, generally speaking.

I would say Mitac's Getacs are better, I own one (V100) and dream about this one:

http://us.getac.com/notebooks/X500-Server/features.html

I LITERALLY submerged my V100 in bathtub and it worked, including touchscreen, even though I had rubber gloves on me
Mine is older model, 2GB RAM, 64GB SLC SSD, Windows XP (had 7 on it, but reverted to original setup).
So IMHO, they are a bit better (Getacs) than Toughbooks, but who am I to argue, all this is subjective

I am quite surprised how durable these things are.
I only got 4x 'parts' CF-29's they are older Pentium M machines, but boy, just love the clunk sounds and being able to toss or stand on em.
Been wanting a laptop to lug in the trunk of my car, I think the ToughBook will fit the bill.
Hope yours serves you well!

Khipata wrote:.
So IMHO, they are a bit better (Getacs) than Toughbooks, but who am I to argue, all this is subjective

I've never used a Getac so I can't really comment on them.

My work-issued CF-31 did survive a *lot* of nasty, filthy water during the reconstruction of NYC's East Side after Hurricane Sandy, though...

I still have my CF-29 that i bought years ago. Loved that thing. Its just sitting on the shelf nowadays since its too slow unless you have tha patience of an angel. Been thinking of putting an ssd in it, but i dunno if its worth spending money on.

Thanks for the responses everyone.

I did originally seriously consider getting Getac models, but it seemed like parts availability was not as high, and Toughbooks just seemed to have a bit more documentation and support community. Getac models do seem to have faster specs, and in my opinion slightly better looks.

This topic like a mirror of other topic "Post Your Macs!! I know you're out there, traitors. ". Some time in past i wanted to start this topic but... didn't. And brchan have done this today. Interesting thing - we all Thinkpadders but our "alter ego" is shifted to one of the sides - gloss or sturdiness or may be both . But the ThinkPad is a golden middle between both.

And this is my story.
Once upon a time... 2 years ago... my lovely suitcase have broken (zippers are no more workable). This suitcase worked for me about 10 years. And it have made me Thinkpadder (other story i have wrote on pages of this forum). I began to search replacement and found that there is no alternatives to old suicase. It was black leather 4:3 and with metal reinforcement frame. There are plenty leather suitcases on the market but 4:3 or metal frame are very rare options. I have asked advice for getting good suitcase on my local thinkpadders forum and got answer - why i'm looking metal reinforced bag for such rugged notebook like Thinkpad? If i need more ruggedness - i definitely need ToughBook. And carrying handle is an option for every ToughBook so the bag is no more needed. And this is it. I have got last gen CF-30.
Sometimes i've take it from the shelve to make some tests (it have COM port and smartcard slot) but most time it is BIG member of my small collection.

Now 15" FrankenPad is my daily driver. I have bought ThinkPad Executive Leather Case (prev gen with out tablet pocket) for him. 15" frankenpad fits this suitcase well (but not best, because it is for 14" wide stuff like 4xx series). 2 years have passed and some problems began to show themselves - metal shoulder belt's clips scratched the top cap of this suitcase may be because this suitcase is not designed for 15" and when closed some parts of it rub of each other.

Khipata wrote: I would say Mitac's Getacs are better, I own one (V100) and dream about this one:

Dreaming about getac X500 server is like a dreaming about supercar... for everyday driving;) Small clearence makes it very hard to use in megapolice or countryside. Taking X500 with you all times is hard because of it's weight. Using X500 server in home... it is practical to make good desktop with better performance than working on it. Adding dock (under slice) for harddrives lifted up palmrest. And it is not wery uncomfortable to work on a such keyboard.

IMHO Overal (exterior) design of getac's notebooks (not tablets) is simpler (weaker?) than toughbook's. Gray colored getacs can be better than black and white toughbooks, but there is very rare black toughbooks (black widow) and they looks great So i prefer toughbook over getac.

BTW
Have any one submerged working toughbook in water and what is appened. In manual Panasonic don't recommend to do this.

FryPpy wrote: BTW
Have any one submerged working toughbook in water and what is appened. In manual Panasonic don't recommend to do this.

Found this video, though only the base of the toughbook is submerged in water.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ww1RH8iAR4

Knowing Panasonic's overengineering and extremely thorough testing, I wouldn't be suprised if you could use a toughbook while you went swimming, and as long as it doesn't go too deep underwater.

brchan wrote: Found this video, though only the base of the toughbook is submerged in water.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ww1RH8iAR4

Interesting...

And another question to toughbook owners - how do you feel touchpad of your toughbooks? Mine needs to press harder on touchpad surface to get it detect finger movement. With normal (for ThinkPad) touch it detects my fingers only 50%. May be it is malfunction? And i haven't found any settings to adjust touchpad sensitivity

PS
My favourite video

The touchpad on toughbooks are less sensitive to touch than on other notebooks. My guess is that this prevents things like liquids and mud from moving the pointer on screen. Also, imagine a high force wind and rain getting onto the touchpad. A more sensitive one might interpret this as finger movement.

brchan wrote:The touchpad on toughbooks are less sensitive to touch than on other notebooks. My guess is that this prevents things like liquids and mud from moving the pointer on screen.

No.

Toughbooks can be used with gloves on. That's the whole idea.

Toughbooks have two different touchpad settings. "Jack sh!t input" and "holy crap that's sensitive". You use the former for daily use, and the latter for handwriting recognition.

DaKKS wrote:Toughbooks have two different touchpad settings.

And where is the switch to change this settings? What program i should to install to control this?