Review: Panasonic Toughbook CF-52

When most people think of Toughbook, their first thoughts are of a CF-30 or CF-19.  After all, that is what Toughbooks are primarily known for...the heavy-duty, fully-rugged, water-resistant laptops utilized by police, fire, and EMS departments throughout the United States.

For those that don't plan on mounting their laptops in their vehicle, but still want something durable, there are semi-rugged Toughbook options.  A popular semi-rugged Toughbook option would be the CF-52.  It has many of the same qualities as the fully-rugged models without the weight or the price-tag.

Casing
The casing of the Panasonic Toughbook CF-52 is similar to that of the fully-rugged models.  It has a magnesium alloy casing that is significantly thicker than that of your standard laptop, which protects it from the accidental bumps and knocks that occur with a laptop placed in a briefcase or laptop bag.

Hard Drive
Like the fully-rugged line, the hard drive is fully protected in the Panasonic Toughbook CF-52.  The caddy surrounds the hard drive with a protective cushion layer which protects that hard drive against sudden movements or bumps, keeping your data safe.

Water and Dust Resistant

Please note that water resistant is not the same as water proof, however, the CF-52 will withstand minor spills or a brief light misting of rain.  All of the ports on the sides of the unit seal of tightly, keeping out dust and liquid spillage.  As for the top of the unit, there is a water resistant plate below the keyboard.  Although you may ruin your keyboard if you spill on it, the motherboard should remain fully functional.

Drop Resistant

Although we do not recommend dropping your Toughbook to test its durability, the CF-52 is drop-rated.  Per Panasonic, the CF-52 is capable of withstanding a one foot drop onto plywood.  This would be roughly the equivalent of dropping your briefcase.  Note that even if damage were to occur to the casing, the previously mentioned hard drive caddy would protect the data on your hard drive.

Weather Resistant

Like other Panasonic Toughbooks, the CF-52 is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions.  It will adequately handle being utilized in both extreme cold and extreme heat.  This is a great option for anyone who might need to travel with their laptop or leave it in a vehicle for extended periods of time.

Bigger Screen

A major design difference between the semi-rugged and fully-rugged lines of Toughbooks is the ability to get a larger display.  The CF-52 comes equipped with a 15" widescreen display, compared to the 13.3" display of the CF-30 and the 10.4" display of the CF-19.

To determine if a semi-rugged laptop is for you, or if you require a fully-rugged one, check out our blogs "What Does Rugged Mean?" and "How To Buy The Right Mobile Computer For Your Department".

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.

Panasonic Toughbook CF-30 Review

Panasonic Toughbook is synonymous with rugged laptop.  It has become the industry standard for police departments, fire departments, and EMS companies throughout the world.  Why is the the most used and most trusted?  Because it's tough!  Toughbooks are designed to withstand vibration, drops, spills, extreme temperatures, and rough handling.   The Panasonic Toughbook CF-30 is no exception!

What makes the CF-30 so great?

• It's a Toughbook!  That means it is built to a higher standard than any other laptop on the market.  The failure rates on Toughbooks is nearly ten times less than all other laptop models.
• It's built for what you do!  The CF-30 is specifically built to withstand vibration.  This means it is at home mounted in your vehicle bouncing down bumpy roads.  This vibration would destroy the hinges and hard drive on a standard laptop.  However, with their sturdy industrial hinges and shock-mounted hard drive a Panasonic Toughbook can easily withstand years of this type of abuse! 
• You can drop it!  Although no one has the intentions of dropping their laptop on purpose, it happens.  Some first responders pull their units from their vehicles in an emergency. They are then used on-site or possibly on the hood or roof of the vehicle, leaving it prone to an accident.  With the CF-30, this isn't a concern, because it is built to withstand a six foot drop (approximately the roof height of your average SUV).
• The CF-30 is both spill and water resistant.  Although it is not built to be used in excessively wet environments, it can withstand a bit of moisture.  This makes it a great laptop option for those that need to use it in the field in less friendly weather conditions.  The spill resistance is also a great feature for in the vehicle, where many officers are drinking and storing coffee near the machine. 
• Like all other ruggedized Toughbooks, the CF-30 is built to withstand extreme temperatures.  This means it will function no differently in the scalding summer heat or excessively cold winters.    
• The Panasonic Toughbook CF-30 has one of the brightest daylight readable screens of all of the ruggedized Toughbooks.  This means the screen is easily readable both in the direct sunlight and when being used at night.
• Like all fully-ruggedized Toughbooks, the CF-30 is available in both a touchscreen and a non-touchscreen unit.  The touchscreen is non-digital, meaning it does not require a stylus for use.  

The Panasonic Toughbook is a great laptop choice for any emergency services personnel.  It is built to take the abuse of being used in a vehicle and in the field.  As if that weren't enough, it if a fast and functional unit that most departments find easily adapts to their individual needs.