Why Refurbished Panasonic Toughbooks are a Smart Investment

What are Refurbished Panasonic Toughbooks?

Refurbished Panasonic Toughbooks are laptops that have been used but are thoroughly refurbished to ensure they meet the same high standards as brand-new devices. These laptops are designed to withstand harsh conditions and are used in construction, military, police work, firefighters, EMS groups, and healthcare. These rugged laptops provide a cost-effective solution for individuals who require a durable and reliable notebook without spending much money.

Benefits of investing in Refurbished Panasonic Toughbooks.

Investing in a refurbished Panasonic Toughbook can offer a range of benefits. Firstly, they are significantly cheaper than buying a brand-new device, making them a cost-effective solution for those on a budget. Additionally, these laptops are built to withstand tough conditions, meaning they are durable and reliable. This makes them ideal for use in industries such as construction, military, and healthcare, where a regular laptop may not be able to handle the job's demands. Finally, by choosing a refurbished device, you are also helping to reduce electronic waste and promote sustainability. 

Durability and reliability of Refurbished Panasonic Toughbooks.

Refurbished Panasonic Toughbooks are known for their durability and reliability, making them a smart investment for those needing a laptop that can handle harsh conditions. These laptops are built to withstand drops, spills, and extreme temperatures, making them ideal for use in the construction, military, and healthcare industries. By choosing a refurbished device, you can save money while still getting a high-quality, reliable laptop that lasts years.

Where to find Toughbooks:

In conclusion, refurbished laptops are a great option for those looking for a high-quality device at a lower cost. These laptops have been restored to their original condition and have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they meet the manufacturer’s standards. If you want to purchase a refurbished Panasonic Toughbook, visit Bob Johnson's Computer Stuff for more information.

What Is a Refurbished Toughbook?

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Is An Extended Warranty Worth The Cost?

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How Dirty Is Your Communication Center?

We've done an article or two about the dirt, grime, and germs that can live in and on your computer.  If you've missed them, your computer can be quite disgusting.

Over time, lots of stuff can accumulate both on and under your computer keyboard keys (as well as your LCD screen, mouse, and your work station).  The majority of what is on and in your computer is comprised of food crumbs, minor drink spills, and generic household dust (which is comprised of everything from dirt to dead skin cells).  This grime can cause your computer to stop working properly or even make you sick.  As for making you sick, the dirt can be harboring a lot of potentially harmful bacteria (such as staph or E.coli).  Some studies have even found that many work stations rival the germ-factor of public restrooms...particularly if they are shared by multiple people.

You can clean your personal computer by gently shaking out crumbs and using a little disinfectant cleaner (always onto a lint free cloth and never directly onto the computer, of course).  But, what do you do about your communications center that is manned 24/7?

Most departments have a janitorial staff that cleans the room.  However, they rarely manage to clean in/under/around the workstations of the employees....and they definitely don't ever touch the computers to clean them.  So, how dirty are your communication centers?

The bottom line, it's pretty dirty.  Getting it cleaned will probably help to keep the employees that work their healthier as well!  A company called Console Cleaning Specialists specialize in cleaning 911 centers, dispatch centers, and other mission critical offices throughout the United States.  Utilizing a team of trained professionals, they (quietly) clean your mission critical offices without affecting your ability to continue to do the essential daily jobs with minimal interruptions.  This is not a regular daily or weekly janitorial cleaning.  A cleaning from Console Cleaning Specialists is a once or twice a year deep cleaning of your work stations.

To schedule an appointment or to get an estimate of the cost to clean your communication center simply request a quote on their website!

Police Security Expo 2012

June 26th & 27th, 2012 will be the 26th Annual Police Security Expo.  The expo is going to be held at the Atlantic City Convention Center.  The Police Security Expo is one of the nation’s largest, oldest, and best attended trade shows for Law Enforcement, Security, Government, Safety, First-Responder and Homeland Security Professionals.  The expo brings over 750 of the nation’s finest companies together to showcase thousands of products and services.  There are also multiple seminars and equipment demonstrations available throughout the two days of the show.

This expo has free admittance to anyone with law enforcement credentials, to include military and correction members.  With the multitude of vendors available, there are ample opportunities for those in law enforcement to learn about new services and products.

This expo gives departments the opportunity to:

• Visit hundreds of exhibits with thousands of products and services
• Meet representatives from some of the nation's finest companies, particularly those that focus primarily on emergency services personnel
• See the latest technological advances for law enforcement agencies.
• Save money with show only discounts and specials

Bob Johnson's Computer Stuff will be showcasing our discounted refurbished Panasonic Toughbooks in booth 1833.  We look forward to meeting you!

How To Afford New(er) Computer Equipment

Most departments would like to fill their police cruisers and emergency vehicles with the newest and greatest technology available.  However, with how often technology changes and advances, it is nearly impossible to afford the continuous process of upgrading.

We've written several blogs about how to finance your purchases through grants.  However, grant money can be difficult to acquire.  Grant requests must be adequately written, and moneys received from grants are only allowed to be spent on very specific items.  This leaves very little leeway in purchasing if inventory at your vendor changes in the time it takes to get your grant approval and funding.

Another option that tends to be overlooked quite frequently is buy back or trade-in.  At Bob Johnson's Computer Stuff we will happily buy back your previously purchased equipment from us when you are ready to upgrade to newer Toughbooks.  If you didn't purchase your current computers or mobile data terminals from us, that's fine too...we will happily take them for trade-in value on the purchase of Toughbooks.

Our buy back/trade-in program is only the beginning of the savings when you purchase from us.  As a refurbishd Panasonic Toughbook dealer, the units that we sell are generally 50-75% less than the cost of new units.  If you are worried about purchasing a "used" Toughbook, you shouldn't.  Used Toughbooks are fully refurbished and are often in like-new condition.  All refurbished units at Bob Johnson's Computer Stuff come fully equipped with a limited lifetime warranty (something a new Panasonic Toughbook does not).  

By combining your trade-in units with the purchase of a refurbished unit, you have the ability to double, triple, or even quadruple the number of units you are able to purchase for the same price!

If you would like more information on our trade-in program or the cost of our refurbished Toughbooks please don't hesitate to contact us.  We can be reached phone at 877-202-7788 or email.  

How To Buy The Right Mobile Computer For Your Department

Finally acquiring funding approval and/or grant approval is a major step in purchasing mobile data terminals, such as Panasonic Toughbooks.  For many departments, it's probably the part of the purchasing process that takes the longest amount of time.  Once you get the okay to start browsing vendors and acquiring quotations, how do you determine what to buy?  To point you in the right direction, here are a few tips:

1. Learn the specifications of your software.  Whether you are buying new software or continuing to use the same programs, you need to know what type of hardware requirements it has.  Pay particular attention to processor speeds, minimum memory/RAM, and required hard drive space.  There is nothing worse then buying computers only to find out that they can't do what you needed them to.
2. Don't forget about peripherals and software that you want to get later.  Are you thinking about adding an automated license plate recognition system in a year or two?  Get some general specification information from various vendors, and then make sure that what you are purchasing will be able to handle the add on.
3. Determine exactly what you plan to use them for.  Are you looking to mount them in a vehicle?  Do you plan to use them to capture signatures?  Will you be doing a lot of typing?  Are you going to integrate your lights and sirens into the computer system?  Knowing the answers to questions such as these can sway you in the direction of just what Toughbook you should purchase.  For example:
   --If you are looking to mount the Toughbooks in a vehicle, you are going to want to stick with a fully-rugged model, such as a CF-30, as it will outperform a semi-rugged model.
   --If you plan to capture signatures on it, you might want to lean towards a tablet unit, such as the CF-19, as it will lay flay making signing easier.
   --If you plan to do a lot of typing, you might want to stay away from a tablet unit since they do not have a standard sized keyboard.
   --If you plan to integrate lights, you definitely want to go with a touchscreen unit, as it is easier and safer for officers to operate those systems on the go.
4. Think about how long you need it to last.  Are you in the process of upgrading from a system that was installed back in 1992?  Is it likely that the units you are purchasing are going to need to last you another ten years?  You might want to look into purchasing a newer model of computer.  A newer (not necessarily new) model will have lower usage hours and will be compatible with newer hardware and software for a longer period of time.
5. Get your money's worth.  In a previous blog article we talked about overall cost of ownership.  Be sure to take into account the failure rate and time that the unit you are purchasing will be out of service.  In that blog, it is explained that Toughbooks are actually more cost efficient that other brands of laptops for emergency services usage (including the supposedly "rugged" versions of Dell) as they are a higher quality unit with a significantly lower failure rate.
6. Maximize your funding.  Many departments overlook refurbished Toughbooks, as they look at them at being used and therefore of a lesser quality.  When in actuality, refurbished Toughbooks are often in like-new condition.  Throw in a great warranty, and it's like buying a new unit without the hefty price tag.  Prices of refurbished units are generally 50-75% less than the cost of new units.  If your funding is sparse or you need a lot of units, you should look into purchasing a refurbished unit.  Why purchase one new Toughbook for $3,500+ when you can get three or more for the same price?

Toughbooks Increase Officer Efficiency!

Most police officers spend the majority of their time out on the streets and in their police cruiser.  Yet, a great deal of the paperwork that comes along with policing forces officers to be off the streets and away from their police car.  As any officer is aware, logging a crime report is a lengthy process that usually starts with a home visit. The officer then has to take notes in a notebook and then write up a crime report. Typically, the report is then taken back to the station, where is it typed up. This system is not only lengthy, but also prone to errors in typing and reading faxes.  Plus, it forces officers to be pulled away from their cruisers sometimes up to a third of his or her shift.

Panasonic Toughbooks are changing that.  Toughbook rugged mobile computers are already in use by numerous police departments across the country, and are proving to be a revolutionary resource to police; at a time when spending cuts are high, a device that enables the force to save time and money is invaluable.  When Toughbooks are equipped with a mobile-broadband device, the Toughbook enables the police force to operate a mobile office system.  When out on the road, officers can use it to access the same systems that are available in the office, so they can be alerted to incidents as soon as they are reported, and can therefore respond in the quickest time possible.  Being connected to the office also allows officers to process any paperwork directly from their cruiser, keeping them on the streets and prepared to go if another incident arises.

The Toughbook fits into a docking station or a vehicle mount. It can be easily removed, allowing the officer to take the computer into a witnesses home to document any notes directly into the system.

There are a great deal of options for departments to choose from when they decide to put a Toughbook into their vehicles.  It is highly recommended to opt for a fully-rugged version of the Toughbook, such as the CF-19, CF-29, or CF-30, a they are built specifically for the wear-and-tear that comes with mounting a computer in a moving vehicle that will be exposed to significant temperature fluctuations.

Cost of purchase is always a significant purchasing issue for departments, especially with the budget cuts they've had to face over the past few years.  Finding a reputable refurbished Panasonic Toughbook dealer can significantly decrease the purchase cost, usually at savings upwards of 75% of the cost of a new Toughbook.  It is important when purchasing refurbished Toughbooks to do so through a dealer that offers a substantial warranty.  Although Toughbooks are built for abuse, there are instances of hardware or software failure that might need to be addressed in the future.

How Tough are Toughbooks?

We've written numerous posts about how Panasonic Toughbook's are rugged, how they are significantly better than other brands of (supposedly) rugged computers, and even about some of the types of abuse that they can endure.

Have you ever wondered why?  Toughbooks go through extensive testing in the development stage.  Just a few of the tests that they endure are a water spray test, vibration tests, hot/cold weather tests, and hinge tests.  Panasonic has rigorous standards in regards to testing.  Units need to exceed the military specifications of these tests, meaning you are purchasing a laptop that will hold up to significant wear, tear, and flat-out abuse.

To see an inside look at some of Panasonic's testing facilities check out the following video.


As if Panasonic's testing weren't enough, many Toughbook owners feel the need to really put their Toughbook to the test.  A quick browse on YouTube will show you all of obscure testing methods that have been utilized.  However, the following video stood out to us, as it is one of the view videos where a Panasonic Toughbook has been immersed in water and blown-up...and (of course) it still worked like new afterwards.


Obviously, our refurbishing and repair technicians do not recommend dunking your Toughbook in water, blowing it up, feeding it to a tiger, or running it over with a car on purpose.  However, accidents happen, so why not have a computer that is prepared to handle them?

Panasonic Toughbooks: Are They Worth The Money

Panasonic Toughbooks tend to be one the most sought after computers for use in the field, particularly for those in first responder fields.  However, many departments are put off by the sheer cost of a Toughbook, as they wonder "is it really worth the extra money?" or "can't a regular laptop do the job?".  To answer those questions:

• Yes, a Panasonic Toughbook is worth the extra money.  For those departments that don't have the excess funds to purchase them, there are always refurbished Toughbooks and grant funding options available.
• No, a regular laptop cannot do the job.  While it will be able to run the software and will work when it is initially installed in your vehicles, it will fail...a lot.  The most common issues with standard retail/business line laptops being utilized in a moving vehicle include hard drive failures (due to shock vibrations), hinge failure (again due to shock, vibration, and excess stress on the hinges), and screen failures (due to cables vibrating loose or to significant weather fluctuations).

So, just why is the Panasonic Toughbook worth the extra money?  Simply put, it will last longer as it has a lower failure rate and is engineered specifically for the harsh environments that you will be utilizing it in on a daily basis.

Water Resistant

One of the most common types of spillage on a computer tend to be from the user.  Generally the spillage comes in the form of water, soda, or coffee.  While most computers would suffer a severe electrical shortage in the system board, that is not an issue with the Panasonic Toughbook.  All of the units come standard with a metal plate underneath the keyboard, which keeps any liquid from reaching the system board.  The fully-rugged models of Toughbooks will withstand way more spillage than your average cup of coffee.  Water resistance testing on a Toughbook includes a full thirty minutes of blowing rain 70 mph wind gusts with an average rainfall of 5.8" per hour.  What could simulate a heavy rainfall more than a high-pressure car wash?

Drop Resistant:
Although most people don't set out to purposely drop their laptop, it does happen.  Usually a dropped laptop results in a broken LCD screen or complete hard drive failure.  Panasonic Toughbooks, however, are tested to ensure that they can survive falls up to six feet onto a concrete surface.  Considering the fact that most drops occur from a vehicle, falling from a table, or from while being carried, it is highly unlikely that you will drop it from higher than six feet.  Although it is tested and approved for drops, please don't abuse your Toughbook like this on purpose...



Vibration & Shock Resistant:
Most Toughbooks are used in the field.  A great deal of them are mounted inside of a vehicle.  The Toughbook is designed and tested to withstand the regular vibrations of a vehicle as well as sudden high-force impacts to the protective casing.  Just how shock and vibration resistant are they?  If they can handle this abuse, they can definitely handle being mounted in your vehicle...

Temperature Resistant:
We've previously mentioned how a well a Toughbook can stand up to rain.  What about other significant weather?  A Toughbook that is permanently mounted in a vehicle can see significant temperature variations throughout the year (and depending on the season, even the day).  Lets use a drastic example...Minneapolis, Minnesota's average yearly temperatures range from the low teens in the winter to the upper nineties in the summer.  A standard laptop would never be able to function in the drastic cold of a Minnesota winter.  However, a Panasonic Toughbook is tested to fully function in a temperature range from as low as -20°F to as high as 140°F.  As if that weren't enough, a non-operations Toughbook (such as being powered down or in storage) will still fully function after being exposed to temperatures as low as -60°F or as high as 160°F.

As if that weren't enough, Panasonic Toughbooks are also:

• Particle Resistant - to items such as dirt, dust, and sand
• Air-Pressure Resistant - the unit will fully function at 15,000 feet
• Humidity Resistant - fully functional at up to a constant 95% humidity
• EMI Resistant - tolerates electromagnetic interference
• UL 1604 Compliant - safely able to use around flammable and explosive materials

There are multiple stories and testimonials available showing how Toughbooks were the only computers that held up to harsh environments for various fields of use.

Panasonic Toughbook CF-74 Review

When most people think of Panasonic Toughbooks, they think of fully-ruggedized machines such as the CF-30 or the CF-29.  However, Panasonic also makes an entire line of semi-ruggedized machines such as the CF-74.  These machines are not quite built to withstand the same abuse as the fully-ruggedized machines, such as the constant vibration of being mounted in a vehicle.  However, they are built to withstand significantly more abuse than a standard business laptop.  The Panasonic Toughbook CF-74 is designed for professionals on-the-go.

The Panasonic Toughbook CF-74 has some of the ruggedized features that most people consider standard in a Toughbook.

• Shock Mounted Hard Drive - Keep your data safe while your laptop case is being tossed around during travel
• Spill-Resistant Keyboard - No need to worry about accidental late night coffee spills, the protective plate will keep any liquid from reaching your system board and causing disastrous damage to your machine
• Daylight Readable Screen - Although outdoor viewing isn't too important for boardroom professionals, it is a must for professionals whose jobs keep them in the outdoors
• Magnesium Alloy Case & Handle - This Toughbook is built with a material that is twenty times stronger than a standard business laptop

The Panasonic Toughbook CF-74 has also taken some major technological leaps from the fully-rugged machines that most Toughbook users are accustomed to.

•  Intel Core 2 Duo Processor - Faster processing speeds than most fully and semi-rugged Toughbooks currently on the market
• Expanded RAM - Based on the operating system installed, the CF-74 can support up to 4 Gig of RAM
• Windows 7 Ready - One of a few refurbished models currently able to fully utilize the benefits of Windows 7
• Light-weight - Weighing in at only 5.9 pounds, this laptop is easy to transport to various meetings

Like choosing any laptop, you have to weigh the options of what you need the most and where you plan to use it.  The Panasonic Toughbook CF-74 Ideal for mobile executives or any business person who is constantly on-the-go.