[Acoustics] ruggedized laptop

[Nick j Everard]

David

The fella you want is the Panasonic Toughbook CF18. I have been using
one since August for all my field activities - ADCP, dataloggers,
telemetry systems etc and it is superb.

It can be used in normal laptop format or as a tablet (the screen folds
and rotates so that it can sit on top and be used like a clipboard). It
is a lot smaller and lighter than older Toughbooks (which put me off due
to their bulk) and has shrugged off our drizzly UK climate no problem.

One note of caution; make sure you buy the model with Windows XP Pro
rather than XP Tablet. If you order XP Tablet you don't get the serial
port that comes with XP Pro machines. Both types can be used in Tablet
format though - I guess the XP Tablet one just works a little more
easily in tablet mode.

Another feature I like is that the hard drive is removable/swappable.
This allows me to run one HDD for office (networked) activities and
another for all my field software - most of which is not allowed on our
network.

An excellent laptop, and the first to convert me from the temptation of
cheap HP laptops that cost almost nothing but are not ruggedised or
terribly robust in long term.

Best regards, Nick Everard.



Nick Everard
FMD Officer 1 (Hydrometry)
Environment Agency - W Area
Thames Region 
Windrush House
Howbery Park
Wallingford
Oxon, OX10 8BD
UK

Tel: +44 (0)1491 828400
Mobile: +44 (0)7831 559379
E-mail nick.everard at environment-agency.gov.uk
Internet www.environment-agency.gov.uk


>>> David M Hernandez <dmhernan at usgs.gov> 16/02/06 20:13:40 >>>
Hello - I am considering a ruggedized lap top for use with an ADCP in
the 
boat and the elements. Has anyone had good luck with a specific brand
and 
make? I would appreciate any feed back on brand, size etc. If found on
a 
government contract that would help also. Thanks David Hernandez
                     USGS South Dakota WSC
                      605-352-4241 ex. 221

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