sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Computers & Programming Computers, Software, Accessories Looking at a used Panasonic Toughbook for sale. Right price?

It is a private sale. Most likely a Police or Utility laptop sold at auction. I know only that these units are pretty tough. But is this model upgradable? He is wanting 300.00 for the unit. 150.00 less then another sale a few weeks ago from another seller.

Toughbook cf-29 $300.00 USD=CDN exchange right now
Hard drive-40 gig
memory 1.25 gig ram
processor 1.3 gighertz pentium
Serial port
Ethernet port
Windows xp pro
Comes with the CD Key but no OS.
Six hour life span on battery
serial #09900916895

I would use it for internet access on site and gps maps "do these units except gps chip inside laptop?"

Secondly, I do some automotive diagnostics so would be good with a pico scope.

Thanks

BTW, can a docking station be purchaced seperatly for these if I want to mount it inside the truck?

the hard drive and processor specs are pretty low.

From my understanding, the hard drive can be upgraded. Yes, the cpu may be low which is a concern.

I'm with Jeff... older specs. Try $150 or I'd do a walk away.

Drop it from three feet, yea its good. But this is to much torcher for any laptop to stay in one piece

ToughBooks are a royal pain to upgrade, even when it comes to installing a new hard drive, although they are extremely well built. We've been using them for years and I've seen examples that were dropped from poles with no damage to anything but the screen...

Make sure that you have *proper* restore media for the specific version of CF-29 that you're getting.

I doubt that you'll be able to drop in any GPS chip.

If it was a government-issued machine, it will not be wireless upgradeable either in 99% of the cases.

Good luck.

The owner was bugging me today about the sale of the laptop. I told him I probebly will not pay 300 for the laptop since there is a whole bunch of them for less on ebay.

He did state, the protective screen has a crack in it..a 40 dollar replacement cost.

Now the real test is it fast enough to run Microsoft streets and internet explorer ? I will use it for run of the mill static applications.

Do bear in mind that while you can find one on eBay for likely less than $100, it'll be missing the caddy package which is usually $75+...

It also uses expensive and outdated PATA laptop drives.

It will run what you need it to just fine, though. Pentium M used in these machines is still powerful enough for most applications.

akula66,

I checked out the laptop tonight. It did have a cracked protective screen. I knocked it down to 220 dollars since I will be replacing it. Again, its just the plastic cover, not the actually lit screen its self.

It does have a cd/dvd player. I think most do not.

The keyboard is water proof and I needed to use a little force to press the buttons.

The mouse pad is what needs to be changed in the software...if its possible. I drag my finger across it, and it moves the pointer only a little bit. I have to move my finger across it many times to go from one corner to the next on the screen.

Other then that, it has decent start up and shutdown times.

I did not find the usb port. It has to pcmcia ports. I will find out what the rear center port replicator is for.