lots-of-laptops.com

The Panasonic Laptop is definitely my favorite laptop.  The Toughbook series of Panasonic Laptops are definitely something to see.  I am building this site because I first and foremost like these laptops.  But more importantly there is a strong need for information on where to find parts and items for the various models at reasonable prices.

I will be continually adding additional pages to this website.  But for the most part we will start out talking about the Panasonic Toughbook CF-48.  This is Panasonic’s semi-rugged model and started out with a Pentium III 600mhz Intel Processor.  Our favorite Panasonic Laptops dealer has them in stock now.  They also carry a number of parts for the CF-48 and other various Toughbook models.

Why would you want a Panasonic Toughbook Laptop?

I get this question all the time.  The reason that this question is even asked is because of a lack of knowledge about laptops in general.  I basically break laptops in general down to 3 categories. 

1. Throw away retailed laptops

2. Corporate grade laptops

3. Rugged built to last laptops

The first category relates to those laptops that they sell in stores like Staples or BestBuy.  These laptops will sell for between 600 and 800 dollars in general.  They include some good specs and have a 1 year warranty.  Some common models are the Dell Inspiron, Compaq Presario, or HP Pavilion.  And needless to say you will get a throwaway laptop that will work for just over the warranty period and after that things will happen.  You throw it away and buy another one.

The next grade of laptops are the Corporate laptops.  These laptops are sold to the corporations which will usually lease them.  These are the laptops that you see on the used laptop dealers websites.  They were built much better and brand new sell between 3000 and 4000 dollars.  They come with a 3 year warranty and include such models as the IBM ThinkPad T series, HP Omnibook series and the Dell Latitude series.  These are not usually for sale in the retail stores and must be purchased brand new from a Value added reseller of computer equipment.

The rugged built laptops are what this website is about.  These laptops are what we will be discussing on this website.  These laptops are built to last and are used in some pretty harsh environments.  I hope that you enjoy and find some good information about these laptops on our website.

Real Panasonic Toughbook Experience

I know that we talk alot about the Panasonic Toughbook and how rugged they are built.  I personally use a Panasonic Toughbook CF-51.  The CF-51 is a semi rugged laptop which does not meet all the requirements for a fully rugged version like the CF-29.  However I will say that it is definitely built to withstand the test of sales and the traveling that is involved.  I in fact have to instances where I was glad to have the toughbook.  The first situation was where I actually dropped my laptop in the parking lot while getting into my car.  The other situation was where I spilled coffee on my keyboard.  Of course I do not advise that this be something that you test on your CF-51 or any laptop for that matter.  But in my case both situations were an accident.

When I dropped my laptop in the parking lot.  I had been having a very busy day.  I normally pack up my laptop in my laptop carry case which of course had a zipper that closes the top of the case and encloses the laptop in the slot.  Being distracted I failed to zip the zipper on my case.  I proceeded to sling the case over my shoulder and walked out to my car.  I opened the door and slid the case off my shoulder in which tipped the case to the side letting the laptop slide right out falling approximately 2 feet.  Now my heart sank but I did not have the time to check at that moment.  When I got home I pulled it out and plugged it in.  The end result was that I only had a scrape on the front right corner of the laptop.  No other problems occured.  I counted myself lucky because after all this was considered the semi rugged laptop in the line of Panasonic Toughbooks.  It no where near compared to the CF-29 or CF-19 type laptops.  Or so I thought.

The next situation convinced my of the quality and rugged nature of my Panasonic Toughbook CF-51.  I was working on a Saturday morning answering my emails and cleaning up my paperwork.  Of course, I was drinking coffee.  Accidently I tipped my coffee mug and douced my laptop keyboard with about half a cup of coffee.  I immediately turned the unit off and unplugged it.  I tipped the unit over to drain the liquid.  I thought It was toast at this point and was only hoping that my hard drive could be salvaged.  I dried it up and removed the keyboard looking for the liquid underneath.  To my surprize there was no liquid under the keyboard.  I dried the keyboard out, put the unit back together and crossed my fingers while turning the unit on.  The Panasonic Toughbook CF-51, the unit I considered bulky and ugly (more on that later) fired right up with no indication that I had done anything to affect its well being.

Needless to say I was very relieved.  However the end result of this last event was that I became a true blue believer in the Panasonic Toughbook line of laptops.  I will always carry one when I need laptop.  If I had been using a regular laptop in either of the above situations I would be buying a new laptop both times.  That is too expensive for my tastes.  Given the current economy and how clumsy I am I would be broke in no time.

Bob Johnson
Bob Johnson’s Computer Stuff Inc.

Here is a page that lists some links to laptop reviews on the various Panasonic Toughbook models.  The Panasonic Toughbook CF-29 is one example of what is reviewed.  These rugged laptops are well built and have a high rating from most users.  However the cost can be inhibitive to say the lest.  Just a base rugged laptop brand new from Panasonic can run upwards to $4000.  This is one reason that used Toughbooks are becoming more popular with government agencies and smaller police departments across the country.

When you weigh the cost of a brand new Toughbook versus the cost of a used ruggedized Panasonic it is easy to see why the used equipment is becoming more popular.  In addition with the popularity of “Going Green” reusing and recycling used computer equipment is the right thing to do.

The bonus is that you save money and save the planet.