Panasonic Toughbook CF-74

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Reviews for the Panasonic Toughbook CF-74

Panasonic - CF-74 Toughbook review
Source: IT Reviews Archive.org version
The latest addition to Panasonic's Toughbook family of ruggedised notebooks, the CF-74 brings the family up to date using the latest Intel processor for improved performance and, in particular, battery life. Sitting in the Toughbook line-up between the more industrial-looking CF-29 (a favourite of BT engineers everywhere) and the more notebook-styled CF-51, the CF-74 is powered by an Intel Core Duo T2400 clocked at 1.83GHz. At first glance the CF-74 seems over-priced for its specification, and for a normal laptop that would be true, but as with all Toughbooks this one is aimed at users who work in all weathers and all conditions, where a conventional notebook would last five minutes. The CF-74 fits that range nicely.
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Preis/Leistung überteuert
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/21/2006
Rating: price: 50%

60% It has a Business Ruggedised badge, but just how tough is it?
Source: vnunet.com Archive.org version
The Toughbook CF-74 from Panasonic looks like a notebook ready for battle with a reinforced case, shielded ports and sturdy LCD panel. Beneath this hardy exterior lies an Intel Centrino Duo system, powered by a T2400 dual core processor with a clock speed of 1.83GHz. Panasonic hasn’t backed up this CPU with even a gigabyte of Ram, preferring instead to supply it with just 512MB. More memory would prepare this system for the requirements of the forthcoming Windows Vista, especially as the integrated graphics chipset shares what little system memory there is. As it stands, Windows XP will soon complain about the small amount of Ram when you start opening up multiple applications.
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(von 5): 3, Preis/Leistung 2, Ausstattung 3, Ergonomie 3, Verarbeitung robust, Akkulaufzeit positiv
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/21/2006
Rating: Total score: 60% price: 40% features: 60% workmanship: 85% ergonomy: 60%

90% The newest Toughbook is fast, sturdy, and well connected.
Source: Laptop Mag Archive.org version
Just as you wouldn’t wear cowboy boots to a black-tie ball, you would probably never carry a rugged notebook into a mahogany-paneled boardroom. The Panasonic Toughbook CF-74 is an exception. This semi-rugged sytem is made for highly mobile people who are tired of replacing less-durable notebooks but want something that still looks, acts, and runs like a mainstream machine. In fact, except for the sturdy handle that forms this model’s front panel, you would probably never know that this is a rugged notebook, semi or not. The CF-74 has no large bumpers on the corners, and the sturdy magnesium-alloy case is as fashionable as it is functional. We also like the 13.3-inch display, which is relatively large for a semi-rugged system.
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4.5 von 5, Leistung schnell
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/11/2006
Rating: Total score: 90% performance: 90%

80% Panasonic ToughBook CF-74 - Rugged Notebook
Source: Trusted Reviews Archive.org version
The CF-74 may not be quite as tough as the CF-29, but it's faster, lighter and has even better battery life. Unless you really do need to use your notebook in the most extreme environments, the CF-74 should suit your needs, while giving that piece of mind that only a truly rugged notebook can. The lack of a touch screen is a little disappointing, and the price is, of course, very high. However, when push comes to shove, you either need a rugged notebook or not, and if you're the kind of user that needs to know that your computer and data will be fine no matter how many times you drop it, bash it or spill water on it, then it really is worth considering one of these. Finally, it's also good to know that if some cockney toe rag corners you in the boiler room and asks you where your tool is, you can smack him round the head with your ToughBook before replying “Who’s the daddy now?”.
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(von 10): 8, Preis/Leistung 8, Leistung 9, Ausstattung 8
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 08/08/2006
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 80% performance: 90% features: 80%

69% Panasonic Toughbook 74
Source: CNet Archive.org version
Are you the type of user that heaps abuse on your laptop, blowing through one machine after the other at too rapid a pace? With the ToughBook 74, Panasonic has incorporated some of the design principles used for its military-grade laptops into a more consumer-friendly "business rugged" model that's designed to withstand more everyday abuses. Larger and more rugged than the consumer-oriented ToughBook W4, the ToughBook 74 includes durability and mobility features such as magnesium-alloy casing, a shock-mounted hard drive, a spill-resistant keyboard, WWAN connectivity, and a screen that's readable outdoors.
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6.9 von 10
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/22/2006
Rating: Total score: 69%

Foreign Reviews

Die 10 Meister aller Klassen
Source: Digital Living DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 01/05/2007
Rating: performance: 60% features: 80%

70% Panasonic Toughbook CF-74
Source: ZDNet DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/28/2006
Rating: Total score: 70% performance: 50% features: 50%

Comment

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 is an integrated (onboard) graphic chip on Mobile Intel 945GM chipset. It is a faster clocked version of the GMA 900 and supports no hardware T&L (Transform & Lightning) accelleration (which is required for some games).

These graphics cards are not suited for Windows 3D games. Office and Internet surfing however is possible.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.

Intel Core Duo: Double Core processor with a very good relation of performance to current consumption. The 2 MB L2 Cache are used together by the double. The maximum capacity of 31 watts is only 4 watts more than with the Pentium M (predecessor). Both cores are lowered automatically and independently of each other by speed steps down to 1 GHz. In addition it now supports also SSE3 instructions. At least it is just as fast as a equivalent Pentium M. With applications, which were designed for multi-processors, the performance can be nearly twice as fast as with the Pentium M (e.g. CineBench around 86% fast)

T2400: » Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.

13.30":

There are hardly any tablets in this display size range anymore. For subnotebooks, on the other hand, it is the standard format.

The advantage of subnotebooks is that the entire laptop can be small and therefore easily portable. The smaller display also has the advantage of requiring less power, which further improves battery life and thus mobility. The disadvantage is that reading texts is more strenuous on the eyes. High resolutions are more likely to be found in standard laptops.

2.7 kg:

With this weight, a laptop is rather heavier than average. Devices in this range shine more with screen size and performance than with mobility.

Panasonic: Panasonic Corporation was founded in 1918 in Japan, making it one of the oldest electronics companies (although it started with light bulb sales). The company operates in several business areas, including electronics, home appliances, automotive technology, aerospace, energy, and environmental technology. Panasonic sells televisions, cameras, audio and video equipment, home appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines, batteries, solar panels and LED lighting worldwide. Panasonic is also a major supplier of components and systems to the automotive industry and has invested in artificial intelligence and robotics in recent years.

73.8%: This rating is poor. More than three quarters of the models are rated better. That is rather not a purchase recommendation. Even if verbal ratings in this area do not sound that bad ("sufficient" or "satisfactory"), they are usually euphemisms that disguise a classification as a below-average laptop.

» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.