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'Ruggedized' Toughbook

I knew Rocky is among the rare few in Malaysia who uses a Panasonic Toughbook to blog. It's a petite toughnut, the sub 1.25kg Panasonic CF-W4, packing a Pentium-M chip, which sounds a little like Jurassic Park in these days of duo-core processor. Nevertheless, it was RM9,500.00 when Rocky plucked it off the shelf some 15 months ago. He needed that anti-shake lightweight business notebook when he was still biking to work (I don't mean that now that he's a blogger he doesn't have to bike to work)

A replacement has since come out. It's CF-W5, which retains all the predecessor's slim curves and sexiness, and yes, with a duo-core processor to boot, and Windows Vista pre-installed. Pricetag: S$3,699.00 (RM8,877.00).

One beautiful thing about W5 is the battery-life on the go. It's now extended to 8 hours though the brochure claims it to be usable up to 10.5 hours.

But what awes the both of us was the ruggedized CF-30. Obviously, it was made for field trips the scale of Operation Desert Storm-Operation Iraqi Freedom, for troopers manoeuering in challenging terrains. It withstands pressure, it's anti vibration and anti-shocks. It's tough, it's mean!

CF30_Linus0003.jpg
Ruggedized... Linus Lim of Panasonic Asia Pacific and Darlene Myles of MediaConnect, Sydney

It didn't take many pitches from Linus Lim, the sales and marketing guy from Panasonic Asia Pacific -- also a biker like Rocky -- to convince us. Seeing is believing so they say. And it's true. OK, stop that devil grin will you, Zailani (I know you are Linus's colleague in Singapore, so what?)

They boast that the CF-30 was built to take abuses, including a free-fall from a height of 30cm, and a 100kg direct load on it, without cracking the LCD screen or smashing up the entire casing or chassis of the notebook.

In fact, we were asked to step on it, both legs, and shake our booty.

OK, seeing is believing yeah? I got the 40kg Darlene Myles to do it, to see if the CF-30 comes down on a Sydney gal.

CF30_Darlene0001.jpg

The Toughbook survived.

Then it was my turn, packing it with my full load of 78kg.

CF30_Jeff0004.jpg

No shit. I then got the 6-footer, 98-kg hunk to reprise it. Rocky's boots weigh another 5kg, probably.

CF30_Rocky0008.jpg

The same CF-30 stood up to the weight. The LCD screen and the chassis remained intact. No wobbles.

Two instant conclusions. It's just perfect if you only want to use it as a legit self-defence weapon to fend off any unfriendly stalkers-attackers when you are walking out of the Press Club at three in the morning. Or use it for field work if you are running for Parliament this general election -- remember the Mat and Mek Rempits who threw bottles of mineral water at you!

CF30_Rocky0005.jpg

Just one problem. The pricetag.

But I was told Panasonic Toughbook is totally manufactured and assembled in Japan. No sweat shops in Taiwan, Shenzhen or Maxicali. (How much is my bank balance now?)

Panasonic CF-30 Main Features:

* Shock-resistant body ensured by a 90-cm (35 in)free-fall test.
* Genuine Windows® XP Professional
* Operates with the standard battery for approx. 7 hours.
* All-In-One model featuring a variety of options. --GPS, WWAN, Optical Drives, Fingerprint, Scanner, 2nd Battery Pack, Smart Card, Backlit Keyboard
* High-brightness LCD (1,000 cd/m2) with anti-reflection (AR) coating for easy viewing under direct sunlight.
* Integrated Bluetooth™.
* Pressure Sensitive Touch Screen model: The touch panel and touchpad can be operated even while wearing gloves.
* Easy hard disk removal and security functions for hard disk protection.
* Equipped with serial and IEEE 1394a connectors as standard accessories.
* Handle for increased efficiency when operating in the field.

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Comments

it would be great if the toughbook have a a place where u can upgrade the pentium M chip as the shell of a toughbook is already expensive to boot.
and perhaps a wimax integration?
Congrat on the start of a journey to DAP ....i will be willing to be ur campaign workers...

Ok Jeff, we can accept the spin about this Tough One from Panasonic and you have illustrated it beyond any reasonable doubt with the photos. Prima facie case established! But can you take and swallow the latest spin from Najib in response to Anwar condemning the NEP?

“Anyone who says that the NEP has discriminated the non- Malays, then we can say that we are correcting the discrimination endured by the Malays during 400 years of colonization” – Can you just woke up after 400 years of slumber and want to finish the correction in 40 years?

And the harassment of bloggers continue with a severe one from Dr Lim K Y inter alia
“I warn bloggers who try to break the laws of the country. That is different from Bloggers censorship. I have already sent word to MCMC. It doesn’t matter if the blogger is residing locally or internationally. The punitive action will be the same for both cases”

Do you think that lame duck in MCMC can extrapolate the laws to apply them internationally when he is so weak to lift a finger on those SMS scams?

More details and other comments from PM fresh from his sojourn & extended honeymoon in Australia at:
http://powerpresent.blogspot.com/2007/07/more-pics-malaysian-bloggers-attacked.html

Hi,

Is that where you two JOKERS have been? Stop MONKEYING around and GET BACK TO BLOGGING! :-)

DAP I hope not.....

Hi Jeff, read from newspaper today that you are joining DAP and would be their candidates for Puchong MP and Kinrara ADUN. Congratulations....you will have the full backing of RAKYAT I am sure!

Hi Jeff, I saw the news that you are joining DAP. Is it true? If not true then TheStar is defaming you! Anyway, if you do join DAP, please accept my 100% support!

I am hoping for one day that come when I do not need to hide myself writing comments in the blog. I can be responsible for what I wrote, but right now, I cannot put my family in risk. That's why I salute you for what you do and I think most importantly is your loved one's support all along.

Thanks.

Hi Jeff,
We're waiting for your confirmation on This News Item

Like that particular sensationalist MSM (who can't even spell blogOsphere correctly but wants to be a blog moral guardian) moving down the stars for the CIMB banner, Jeff has moved down the LG banner for the '4 Malaysia' thingy. Compare it with Kit's blog. Isn't that so obvious? ;-)

All the best, Jeff!

Make a date with him Tuesday and at the polls. Coming to a town near you.

That notebook looks prime and tough. For once I am looking at a laptop that doesn't look fragile.

Definately gonna put this toughbook in my shopping list although I don't have the cash for it now. Haha

greetings jeff,

if indeed your intention is indeed so then please accept my sincere wish that your participation in the politics would bring more changes / voices of the rakyat on governance and

some would say that all the more loudly you talk on your blog but no action on your part to be a classic case of NATO - NO ACTION; TALK ONLY.

I don't see as to why some people should condemn you in joining opposition politics then even though you started blogging when you were a Gerakan member.

What difference did it really make then and now with your intention to contest ?

It signifies the action part to talk the walk.

:-) Enough of we hearing you talking OTHER PEOPLE's WALK; it is now time for you to JOIN THE WALK !

Charge !

Well Done, Jeff! That's putting your money where your mouth is, my kind of politician. You have my support.

Cut this crap and write about your joining DAP!...Does that mean you are apostasising from Gerakan/BN? Is it that easy to leave? Not another Hotel California?

But hey, you sure they are right when they said that you are in your fifties?

Old Fart like me!

C'est la vie. Wish you well in your campaigning, Jeff Ooi.

Jeff:

If it's true that you are joining DAP, all the best & we will support you:) I think DAP is the right party for your struggle to establish a Malaysian First agenda:)

Jeff:

If it's true that you are joining DAP, all the best & we will support you:) I think DAP is the right party for your struggle to establish a Malaysian First agenda rather than some race-base agenda:)

OK, the news is here.

Damn, I was told not to step on the laptop when I weighed 100kg because the salesman freaked out..hahaha!

I wouldn't mind whacking a rempit with one of these, actually.

I give my full support to you if the news on you joining DAP is true. I think you;ll have successful graduation to a politician.

Congratulations!Jeff.
Let us never negotiate out of fear.But let us never fear to negotiate.-John Kennedy

Jeff joining DAP is cyber-apostasy.

Its leaving the blogging-ummah.

Its against the cyber-law.

Is Jeff being threatened by the cyber-troopers causing this rumour that he is leaving the cyber-ummah to join wiht one of the infidels?

If it is true, Jeff should be sent to one of those Cyber Rehab Centers.

Apostasy ! Apostasy! Apostasy !

Observer

It is the Star who says Jeff is in the fifties.

If I am Jeff, I will sue Stqr Online for slander.

Jeff is struggling to reach 40.

Star, whose owner is MCA, is spreading lies and slander against Bloggers, under the instruction of UMNO Youth.

Well.. I'm gonna actually post something about the Toughbook. I've used the 3 Toughbooks in my line of work, all the full blow ruggedized versions, not the W series. And I tell you, they do what they're supposed to do, I've had toughbooks fall down 2 flights of stairs and is still ran to this day. I've used them in the mud,in the jungle, in the desert, at sea, and they are pretty much bullet proof.

The only problem I had with them is the weight. 5kgs or so sure becomes a problem when u need to run from one end of KLIA to another!

And for the rest of you whos complaining about the lack of his normal content, give the man a break! He needs to rest sometime from politics and governance.

Panasonic must be going nuts?????

Who in the rightful will use your beloved laptop as chairs or heights to stand on even you are short?

Would it be better it is drop proof, smash proof, burglar proof or waterproof?

Checking the the price tag, I think it is value for money if you are a field personnel for tough environment. It should last for 10 years. Since rugged notebook computer are not mean for "bleeding edge" applications.


In future, when OLED become mainstream, we no longer deal with fragile glass LCD screen.

unfortunately for panasonic, twinhead of taiwan makes similar tough lap tops for half the price several years ago. not sure if it is still in production.

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