Toughbooks

[P.I.Davis]

Hey I found a website that is selling used toughbooks for cheap. I dont know much about them and I think it would be a great investment becase I am rough on my electronics. I don't need it for gaming or anything just for school work and to not have to worry if I forget and drop my books on top of it in my car.

I can't think of anyone who uses toughbooks more than the police so I figured I would ask you guys what you think about it as a personal computer. Also anyone know the model numbers and what the best one is?

[TGM]

I've had about every model (issued / county equipment).

Stay away from the CF-25 !!! I wouldn't pay $20 for one of these.

The CF-27 is OK, and has the touchscreen, but is very heavy.

The CF-28 & CF-29 are the best in my opinion.

Rember that the "ruggedness" of the computers is only an indication of the hardware. The Windows operating system still sucks and it acts like any other computer in that department.

Last summer I was getting out of the airplane and sat the computer on the wing. Yea - the highly polished & very smooth wing... You would have thought it was rubber band powered as it sailed down the wing, over the flaps, and then *crash* onto the asphalt. Worked just fine afterwards, not sure I could expect the same from my little Dell.

[Blackdog F4i]

IMHO unless you are going to vehicle mount it or use it in a boat, stay away from the "ruggedized" models and just get a Dell laptop. They will function better and replacement parts are cheaper. I know how our toughbooks get treated. The only way I would take a used one is if it was free.

[GIPD]

dell laptops are pretty tough on their own.

buddy of mine had his slip out of his backpack at 70 on his bike

we found it 140 ft from the service road on the OPPOSITE lane. screen was shattered, lots of bangs and scratches. pushed the on button, windows started up, and winamp started playing "Highway to Hell" right on que.

[10 FORTY 3]

Hey PI Davis...could you share that website with me? I am interested in purchasing a toughbook for my personal use as well...

[P.I.Davis]

sorry its steelitback.com They claim to be a police propery room aucton site. I have received several items I have won so its legit

[Maverick1701]

overstock.com has refurbished CF-29s for $475

http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Panasonic-Toughbook-CF-29-Touchscreen-Laptop-PC-Refurbished/4459055/product.html

[Zach Smith]

Let me know if you get one from the "property room" and let me know how it works. I'll consider buying one myself to just keep in the car.

[Hound]

I have a 30.

The handles are nice but they are not amazing really.

If I where getting a used one I'd worry about screen damage. Most of my co-workers never clean their screens and eventually the finger oils and other crap that gets on your hands burn into the plastic of the screen causing dull spots.

[JKralC104]

Dell also makes ruggedized laptops

[j706]

What ever you do just don't buy the over priced Motorola M900. We went to them two years ago and I am on my sixth one!!!! Mine is never taken out of the car,dropped or anything like that. They are JUNK! My agency has 25 of them. At one point 1/2 were out for hard drive replacement. I always had good luck with the toughbooks. Don't recall the model #.

[Hound]

I have a 30.

The handles are nice but they are not amazing really.

If I where getting a used one I'd worry about screen damage. Most of my co-workers never clean their screens and eventually the finger oils and other crap that gets on your hands burn into the plastic of the screen causing dull spots.

[Jim1648]

I think I might be one of the few people that actually uses a stylus on the CF-29 that I have. It helps keep it from getting so dirty.

[jthorpe]

I have a brand new CF-30 that I was issued recently and while I kind of like it, it's not all that. It's rugged for sure, but if I were the one in charge, I'd probably go with think pads or something like that. I use think pads as my personal, and it's been beat to death and keeps on going. I do like the lighted keyboard on the 30 though...

[ColoMtnCop]

I have a 30 as well. My old patrol car had a 29 with the rubber keypad. My 30 has the plastic keypad which makes report writing a ton easier. Ours have been good (knock on wood), and we just switched to wireless, making my 30 fast as hell for plate returns and stuff. Anyway, I am nto sure if I would ever consider buying a used one, cops are hard on their equipment!