Author Topic: Review to follow. A good computer for the Prepper (Read 2813 times)

gadget99 · « **on:** October 30, 2015, 09:51:57 AM »

Hi All,

I have one of these on the way.

Rugged Panasonic Toughbook CF-U1 Touchscreen, 3G, Bluetooth, Barcode, GPS and 64gb SSD.

Will update you on it once it comes in.

Erick · « **Reply #1 on:** October 31, 2015, 12:13:03 AM »

Subscribed

APX808 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 02, 2015, 12:00:07 PM »

That looks interesting, I'm looking forward for the review

gadget99 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 02, 2015, 01:42:24 PM »

OK... It arrived today.

I am stunned by the usability of this for a Prepper.

As I work with it for the review let me share the specs with you.

gadget99 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 03, 2015, 10:14:42 AM »

First Impression

I am still working with this computer.

The model I received for £110 delivered to the door

Is the one with all the bells and whistles in the Specs.

Mine has the full keyboard and the 64Gb SSD in it.

The only option not on mine in the fingerprint reader. I am cool with that.

Take a look at the spec sheet I already poster to get a feel for what these things have.

OK.... so I got this thing due to my requirement for a Command And Control computing asset.

My wife has already demanded I get her one also. She has a whole list of uses she wants to use hers for.

I will concentrate on what I wish to use mine for.

It is small enough and light enough to have a place in my backpack.

I am putting mapping and nautical chart software on it for use with the GPS.

I am installing Calibre Ebook Management software on it for all my prep reference material needs.

We will be keeping our inventory on them.

I have installed CHIRP on it so I can program our many Baofeng radios with it.

I have installed Software Defined Radio Software on it to go with the dongle I got off fleabay. (To be able to monitor the full EM spectrum as needed.)

I will add more soon.

Thanks all.

gadget99 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2015, 03:32:45 AM »

BTW.... To a lesser degree you can do what I am doing with this computer on a good quality Smartphone or tablet.

I went for this option for personal choice reasons. Ruggedness being a big one.

rah45 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 04, 2015, 04:36:25 PM »

He makes an excellent point. Aside from a keyboard and larger screen, phones like the Samsung Note 6 should be able to handle all those features just as well. Microsoft Office, GPS, and other similar apps work fine. The issue is the durability, or ruggedness. Are there any phone cases/protectors that anyone would recommend for dropping your phone on a lot of rocks without any negative effects? Don't say Otterbox, as the Otterbox case I've had for my Samsung Galaxy S5 started breaking a few months after I got it...and that was with pretty light handling. The worst thing I've ever done to that phone was accidentally drop it a handful of times, and sit on it when I put it in my back pocket.

Any companies you guys would recommend for M1 Abrams level armor for a phone case?

rah45 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 04, 2015, 04:39:36 PM »

By the way, saw these used/refurbished ones on Amazon, starting at $300. Hell of a deal, assuming it works as advertised.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Rugged-Toughbook-Windows-Touchscreen/dp/B00UKEQJYC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1446673049&sr=8-3&keywords=Panasonic+Toughbook

Also, gadget99, my brother served in USMC 0311 - when I sent him that link, he said he believes it's the one his platoon officers used in the field. He said only positive things about its durability.

brat · « **Reply #8 on:** November 04, 2015, 07:06:15 PM »

RAH, I use these cases on my phone. My phone case is about two years old. It'll be on my Christmas list I reckon.

This would be for the S5

http://www.tridentcase.com/shop-products/samsung-galaxy-s-v/military-edition-cyclops-case-samsung-galaxy-s-v.aspx

Nemo · « **Reply #9 on:** November 04, 2015, 09:02:37 PM »

Quote from: gadget99 on November 03, 2015, 10:14:42 AM

with the dongle I got off fleabay. (To be able to monitor the full EM spectrum as needed.)

So does it work with a dingle or a dangle or even the dungles some here in the US use?

Nemo

gadget99 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 05, 2015, 01:20:29 AM »

Yes it will.

gadget99 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 06, 2015, 07:14:18 AM »

Hi All.....

Still working with the computer off and on at the moment.

I am doing a great deal of study work for what I wish to do with it.

I am hoping to provide a full review along with a description of what I am doing to and with it.

Thanks for the patience.

gadget99 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 07, 2015, 07:02:13 AM »

OK....

Brief Update here.

This thing came with Windows 7 Professional installed on it.

I had given the thought to putting Linux on it, yet decided to stick with Windows due to compatibility issues. Don't get me wrong. You can put Linux on these things and with a good bit of work make it run really well.

I have put a Pay As You Go 3g SIM in it and all is good. :-)

So I have now done the Windows 10 upgrade on it. It runs better than the Win 7 load.

Whooo Hoo......

More to come.

gadget99 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 07, 2015, 07:05:57 AM »

Oops.....

Forgot to mention an App I found.

GMapCatcher

Look it up.

It can download Google maps and other for offline use. It also supports GPS.

JohnyMac · « **Reply #14 on:** November 07, 2015, 07:25:49 AM »

Not to divert this thread but...

I installed Win 10 when it first came out and it is so much better than 7 or 8.1. There were a few bugs in the beginning but they have been cleared up.

rah45 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 07, 2015, 10:46:02 AM »

I installed Win 10 on my 2010 Lenovo laptop w/Win 7 Home. Something must have gone awry with the installation, because the computer had issues immediately. The desktop frequently became unresponsive, icons frequently did not appear, it lagged 200% more than it had, I couldn't run programs on it for long without experiencing errors in the programs, and essentially it required 2-3 restarts per day to retain functionality. After 2 weeks of that I reverted back to Win 7. Still having some lag issues compared to the pre-Win10 install, but I'll take it.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

gadget99 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 07, 2015, 11:29:34 AM »

As a basic C&C computer I am convinced this is a good option so far.

special-k · « **Reply #17 on:** November 07, 2015, 05:29:12 PM »

@rah45
Was the fan control/temp sensors working after the install?

rah45 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 07, 2015, 06:12:16 PM »

I didn't check, sk. No idea.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

rah45 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 07, 2015, 06:14:12 PM »

I mean, this computer has not been maintained by a tech since we bought it, and is probably long overdue for an overhaul when we get the funds. I don't know if it was the new OS's fault, some problem during installation/override, or if my computer is to blame.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

special-k · « **Reply #20 on:** November 07, 2015, 08:22:50 PM »

Quote from: rah45 on November 07, 2015, 06:12:16 PM

I didn't check, sk. No idea.

The symptoms you described sounded like classic CPU overheating to me...IMHO...but I'm not an expert...especially on anything to do with Windows/PC.

rah45 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 07, 2015, 08:25:17 PM »

I do feel the exhaust port getting hotter than it used to a year or more ago...but I've been telling myself it was just my imagination. Maybe I should take it in sooner than I'd planned.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

thedigininja · « **Reply #22 on:** November 10, 2015, 08:46:15 AM »

I was looking at a similar device a while ago because all these "rugged smartphones" I've tested have been lacking in a few departments. My Galaxy xCover2 was the best so far but the whole lot had a dodgy charging port that costs almost as much as the phone did to replace. Keen to see how this machine holds up.

gadget99 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 10, 2015, 09:37:50 AM »

Hi All,

So far so good.

While you can do a great deal with the newest Smart Phone on the market.

You cannot get the rugged pedigree that Panasonic Toughbooks have become known for.

I have upgraded the machine to Windows 10 and it run's better.

Like I said. This thing is not for everyone. Yet if you want a rugged computing resource that is light enough and small enough to fit in you bag. This is it.

These things come with all the bells and whistles really.

Mine has.

1.66mhz Atom Processor
2gb RAM
64gb SSD Hard Drive
SD Card Slot
USB Slot
Bluetooth
WIFI
3G
Camera
Barcode Scanner
2 hotswap batteries

Nice bit of kit.

gadget99 · « **Reply #24 on:** November 27, 2015, 11:37:16 AM »

Ok all....

I am still working with this and optomising it for my use.

So far so good. This is a REALLY good piece of kit.

As I said before I let it upgrade to windows 10 and it makes a difference.

Something I learned is that in Windows 10 you can have it download maps for offline use.

Here is a link on how to do it.

http://www.howtogeek.com/221988/how-to-get-offline-maps-in-windows-10%E2%80%99s-maps-app/

News:

Author Topic: Review to follow. A good computer for the Prepper (Read 2813 times)

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