Toughbook advice needed

[kayn1n32008]

Not a professional user, but I have a CF-19Mk3 with Win7Pro 64bit for software that won't run on my Win 10 machine. I have a cheap Lenovo for modern software. I abandoned radios that need DOS. my current radios are TRBO/ASTRO25 and a couple Kenwood mobiles.

For D1/D3/CPS2.0/ASTRO25/APX, get something with lots of ram, some good CPU horsepower and SSD.

 

[petnrdx]

Following this thread also with interest. I need a new replacement for the VERY trusty Dell D610 I have. Was leaning to the
Panasonic's as I have the OLD OLD OLD DOS one and it just keeps WORKING.!
I found the DELL's ran all the weird old software with no screwing around to get the ports and such working.
I hate computers, but they are a necessary evil part of the work.

 

[2154]

I'll give another vote for the Dell Latitude Rugged 7424 or 5424. I used a Getac V110 for a number of years before wanting to finally upgrade to something a little newer and went with the Dell. Outside of being cheaper than some of the competitors, I've found it to be just as user friendly and the keyboard is easy to type on and a more full size as well. One local EMS service to me uses the 54x4s as their charting computers and even getting beat to crap, they keep trucking. I never had any issues with the Getac and was just ready for something new to be a little faster (Also running RPM/RPM2, KPG-D1/D3/D111, BK RES, Armada, and occasionally APX Family CPS) and full size so the Dell was an easy choice. D1/D3n are still slow to open (roughly 30 seconds to open the program and another 30 seconds to open a well loaded codeplug) but much faster than others I've run it on.

 

[MTS2000des]

I have a dozen GeTac B300 gen 5's in service since early 2017. These have then current i5s, 8GB of RAM. Recently replaced the 5400rpm slow HDs with SSDs. They fly even running the latest APX CPS. They have real serial ports (2 of them) because I ordered them that way. Battery life is excellent, (just ordered new batteries). They have held up well over the past 5 years with not one failure. They are "like, kind and quality" to Toughbook fully rugged models.
Their support is local (South Carolina IIRC) but I've never had to contact them.

 

[kj4jaq]

Dell Latitude 5420 rugged version are decent. Spec'd out correctly and they can be a beast. We give these to our foremen and the rugged 5420s get thrown into helicopter storage compartments and beaten around while flying the gulf of mexico.

 

[dypstick]

We have CF-33's, and I despise the touch screen. I never want to use it (or the tablet by itself), and I would rather have a full size keyboard. I have been told they are about to replaced with 55's and I can't wait.

 

[P25Radio]

Been using a Panasonic CF-29 for years now, and I mean years. Has never failed me and has dual boot up if needed. XP and Windows 7 still killing it!!

 

[Ravenkeeper]

When I hear the words "tough" and "book" used together, my brain thinks the same as "military grade."