Comments on: If John Wayne Had A Laptop… http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:42:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Nate Bezanson http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-821810 Nate Bezanson Sat, 28 Feb 2009 07:08:14 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-821810 Just found this thread while doing some other browsing and figured I'd post an update. I'm typing this from an Itronix IX260+, which I picked up to replace my Toughbook CF-M34, which was just too underpowered to do most of what I want to do on a day-to-day basis. I still use the Toughbook as a navigation machine and for field work, it's an awesome little serial console and the size and weight can't be beat. On the whole, I find Itronix's driver support to be better, but I've had no luck finding service manuals or schematics, so the modding has been a bit difficult. Having used rugged laptops for most of the last decade, though, I sure wouldn't want to go back to delicate machines. Tools should be tough! Just found this thread while doing some other browsing and figured I’d post an update. I’m typing this from an Itronix IX260+, which I picked up to replace my Toughbook CF-M34, which was just too underpowered to do most of what I want to do on a day-to-day basis. I still use the Toughbook as a navigation machine and for field work, it’s an awesome little serial console and the size and weight can’t be beat.

On the whole, I find Itronix’s driver support to be better, but I’ve had no luck finding service manuals or schematics, so the modding has been a bit difficult. Having used rugged laptops for most of the last decade, though, I sure wouldn’t want to go back to delicate machines. Tools should be tough!

]]> By: radio shack portable gps http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-230250 radio shack portable gps Tue, 12 Feb 2008 04:00:13 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-230250 <strong>radio shack portable gps</strong> haha gotta love it... radio shack portable gps

haha gotta love it…

]]> By: RJ http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-193855 RJ Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:22:43 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-193855 BTW it's Chuck Norris now not John Wayne :) BTW it’s Chuck Norris now not John Wayne :)

]]> By: Nate Bezanson http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-186091 Nate Bezanson Sun, 23 Dec 2007 07:13:13 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-186091 I've had my eye out for a used Getac or Itronix, but I've been a Toughbook user for 7 years and I love them to death. They definitely ARE for the casual Starbuck's session, if you're not opposed to making a fashion statement with your laptop. You can barely see the logo on mine between all the velcro and stickers, but it's still unmistakably different from the flock of plastic craptops. I've met some interesting people because they just had to come see what that little flat-black brick was. I use my Toughbook cf-m34 in the shop constantly. If I get dust or crud in the keyboard, I just wash it. If I need to look at a wiring diagram while I'm working on something, I perch it on the intake manifold. If I can't find a convenient place to set the machine while at a site, I just unclasp the handle and fasten it around a vertical piece of cable rack. The m34 (and it's predecessor, the cf-17) is a sturdy little bastard. With no optical drive and no floppy drive, and the hard drive encased in foam, it's pretty much impervious to shock and vibration. I've suckerpunched the touchscreen and watched the machine flip across the room, unscathed. It dove from the roof of my car onto the concrete, and took a peppercorn-sized chunk of metal out of the corner. That's the only damage it's taken beyond scratched paint. My previous Toughbook was a cf-25, which was larger but just as bulletproof. We tested that, by the way. Shot and .22LR bounce right off, small handgun calibers penetrate a few layers and rattle around inside, though anything 9mm or up will go through. One time, I "dropped" the cf-25 down my friend's basement stairs while it was defragging, just to prove a point. The machine didn't notice (and the drive had no bad sectors), but Eddi was pissed about the dents I put in his stairs. Not all Toughbooks are awesome, however. The cf-72, for instance, was a waste of money. It's beefier than most machines, and the handle is always a nice amenity, but the touchscreen cracked *as I dropped the machine into a laptop bag*, and the power jack is poorly placed and inadequately reinforced. Luckily replacements are readily available and installation is within reach of the hobbyist with a 30-watt iron. I've got my eye on a used cf-18 or 19 next... or maybe an xPlore tablet. By the way, if you get a kick out of rugged hardware, you should read Pen Computing magazine. They love to put this stuff through its paces. There's a video on their site of the editor in chief donning a SCUBA suit and taking a "waterproof" PDA down with him... I’ve had my eye out for a used Getac or Itronix, but I’ve been a Toughbook user for 7 years and I love them to death. They definitely ARE for the casual Starbuck’s session, if you’re not opposed to making a fashion statement with your laptop. You can barely see the logo on mine between all the velcro and stickers, but it’s still unmistakably different from the flock of plastic craptops. I’ve met some interesting people because they just had to come see what that little flat-black brick was.

I use my Toughbook cf-m34 in the shop constantly. If I get dust or crud in the keyboard, I just wash it. If I need to look at a wiring diagram while I’m working on something, I perch it on the intake manifold. If I can’t find a convenient place to set the machine while at a site, I just unclasp the handle and fasten it around a vertical piece of cable rack.

The m34 (and it’s predecessor, the cf-17) is a sturdy little bastard. With no optical drive and no floppy drive, and the hard drive encased in foam, it’s pretty much impervious to shock and vibration. I’ve suckerpunched the touchscreen and watched the machine flip across the room, unscathed. It dove from the roof of my car onto the concrete, and took a peppercorn-sized chunk of metal out of the corner. That’s the only damage it’s taken beyond scratched paint.

My previous Toughbook was a cf-25, which was larger but just as bulletproof. We tested that, by the way. Shot and .22LR bounce right off, small handgun calibers penetrate a few layers and rattle around inside, though anything 9mm or up will go through. One time, I “dropped” the cf-25 down my friend’s basement stairs while it was defragging, just to prove a point. The machine didn’t notice (and the drive had no bad sectors), but Eddi was pissed about the dents I put in his stairs.

Not all Toughbooks are awesome, however. The cf-72, for instance, was a waste of money. It’s beefier than most machines, and the handle is always a nice amenity, but the touchscreen cracked *as I dropped the machine into a laptop bag*, and the power jack is poorly placed and inadequately reinforced. Luckily replacements are readily available and installation is within reach of the hobbyist with a 30-watt iron.

I’ve got my eye on a used cf-18 or 19 next… or maybe an xPlore tablet.

By the way, if you get a kick out of rugged hardware, you should read Pen Computing magazine. They love to put this stuff through its paces. There’s a video on their site of the editor in chief donning a SCUBA suit and taking a “waterproof” PDA down with him…

]]> By: Getac A790 PC, military computer, http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-184517 Getac A790 PC, military computer, Fri, 21 Dec 2007 04:57:18 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-184517 [...] Via ToolMonger none [...] [...] Via ToolMonger none [...]

]]> By: Eric Dykstra http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-184440 Eric Dykstra Fri, 21 Dec 2007 01:39:00 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-184440 Ryan, I'm sure it can run Windows 2000 just fine....i kid i kid silly mac kid. I agree that it's a step up from the toughbook series. They are "medium duty" at best. Ryan,

I’m sure it can run Windows 2000 just fine….i kid i kid silly mac kid.

I agree that it’s a step up from the toughbook series. They are “medium duty” at best.

]]> By: Andy http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-184397 Andy Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:00:46 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-184397 I'm a reseller to fedgov and sold ~6 of these (similar model) to the Navy and they are VERY rugged indeed with rubber water tight covers on all the I/O's, etc. No testing but from what I've seen these are a step above the Toughbooks toughest model. I’m a reseller to fedgov and sold ~6 of these (similar model) to the Navy and they are VERY rugged indeed with rubber water tight covers on all the I/O’s, etc. No testing but from what I’ve seen these are a step above the Toughbooks toughest model.

]]> By: A790 PC: hardcore computer for hardcore environments | Gizmo Blog http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-184156 A790 PC: hardcore computer for hardcore environments | Gizmo Blog Thu, 20 Dec 2007 16:12:56 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-184156 [...] Link digg_skin = 'compact'; digg_topic = 'gadgets'; digg_url = 'http://gizmoblog.net/a790-pc-hardcore-computer-for-hardcore-environments/'; digg_title = 'A790 PC: hardcore computer for hardcore environments'; digg_bodytext='World’s slimmest laptop or portable PCs are in abundance and tempt everybody with their awesome, but delicate technology. However, a scratch or a little bit of carelessness can leave you with no option, but to put it in trash. These things are allergic to dust, rain, and shocks, which one can’t avoid in day’s work. [...]'; [...] [...] Link digg_skin = ‘compact’; digg_topic = ‘gadgets’; digg_url = ‘http://gizmoblog.net/a790-pc-hardcore-computer-for-hardcore-environments/’; digg_title = ‘A790 PC: hardcore computer for hardcore environments’; digg_bodytext=’World’s slimmest laptop or portable PCs are in abundance and tempt everybody with their awesome, but delicate technology. However, a scratch or a little bit of carelessness can leave you with no option, but to put it in trash. These things are allergic to dust, rain, and shocks, which one can’t avoid in day’s work. [...]‘; [...]

]]> By: Ryan http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-184109 Ryan Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:42:32 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-184109 Shame its doesn't run an OS thats as tough as its case. Shame its doesn’t run an OS thats as tough as its case.

]]> By: Brian D http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-183836 Brian D Thu, 20 Dec 2007 04:57:11 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-183836 From all the reviews I seen, this doesn't sound any tougher then the OLPC computer (the XO) It has a sealed keyboard, withstands 4 ft drops onto concrete, has built in networking and USB. Of course you lose oyut in the manly rugged looks department, but hey we're all secure in our masculinity, right? http://laptopgiving.org/en/explore.php From all the reviews I seen, this doesn’t sound any tougher then the OLPC computer (the XO) It has a sealed keyboard, withstands 4 ft drops onto concrete, has built in networking and USB. Of course you lose oyut in the manly rugged looks department, but hey we’re all secure in our masculinity, right?

http://laptopgiving.org/en/explore.php

]]> By: SuperJdynamite http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-183727 SuperJdynamite Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:34:32 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/19/if-john-wayne-had-a-laptop/#comment-183727 I assume that the PCI slot is for controlling industrial hardware but if you can forgo that a Panasonic Toughbook might be a viable alternative. It's also half the price. I assume that the PCI slot is for controlling industrial hardware but if you can forgo that a Panasonic Toughbook might be a viable alternative. It’s also half the price.

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