Panasonic Toughbook Extreme... thoughts?

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On second though

I read the listing, too much is missing, and the hard drive caddy is not replaceable
 
Hey, just bought mine a couple of days ago, now just waiting for it to arrive. I got the one that has the Celeron M, 256MB RAM, 8GB drive, CD-RW, car adaptor, carrying case, w/less keyboard, etc, etc. With shipping it comes to just over $300 Can. Can't wait to put it in. What do you recommend for a GPS antenna, I've been looking and there are a bunch of choices. Soon as I get it I will make a custom braket and post pics, and maybe even take orders if others are interested.
 
Holux GR-213U for GPS, because it is cheap and uses the Sirf III chipset for 20 satellites. Anitec is the place to get it... $59.00

For software, if it is a touch screen I would recomend RoadRunner which has the following features:

GPS
MP3
DVD
Internet
FM radio
TV tuner
etc...

RoadRunner turns the whole screen into a nice touchscreen with BIG easy to use one touch buttons on the screen.

Look at Ram Mounts for the mount, or ideas.

I have mine set up with RoadRunner, and GPSGate 2.0 so that any GPS receiver can run Garmin's software. I will get some shots up of my screen for you to see. Easy to setup, and easy to use.

I will hook up my setup to an amp, and then to 4 speakers for sound. No need for a CD/DVD deck when my whole multimedia entertainment system is the laptop itself. It's awesome, and very customizable!!! :bounce:
 
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Here is someone's screenshot to give you an idea of what RoadRunner looks like, and how it functions.

menu_green.jpg
 
There are a couple of things needed to working with Garmin working with non garmin hardware and software. A program called GPSGate 2.0 (only $30, but worth it) makes Garmin programs work, as well as non Garmin GPS receivers work perfectly.

RoadRunner is a front end shell that works in Windows 2000 or XP, but not Win 98 or Millenium. You can set it up to boot up right away with Windows when you turn the system on.

RoadRunner is free, and customizable! If you have a slightly slower system, there is a downloadable version of Windows XP that someone has stripped down called TinyXP revision 5, which only takes 8 minutes to fully install. It functions like Windows normally, but has a lot of the useless background resources removed. It was designed for gaming to make a system speedy. It works beautifully for RoadRunner and various programs, and still has all the drivers needed.

MP3car.com is the place to find info... but be careful, because the forum isn't too kind to newbies (computer geeks with attitudes). This explains thread what you need to install RoadRunner.
 
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Oh, btw, I bought a couple of Targus Slimline PCMCIA external CD/DVD-ROM for the toughbooks to allow an easy install of software :)

nwdvd02_accessories_b.jpg


Even the latest toughbooks have the optical drives external, so there is less to break inside the toughbook. Getting an external DVD-RW is the way to go, because you are not going to be using the DVD drive while driving, unless you want to damage your DVDs.
 
Well, I have loaded it up, and I am slowly testing everything out (on my Dell), but what do you think?

All I need now is an amp, some speakers, and a RAM laptop mount and I am good to go in my Rover.

This is the "Crystalblue" skin, and the neat thing about this one is that the center logo can be Toyota, Land Rover (as seen), VW, etc.

If you click on the picture, it will take you to more screen shots to get a better idea of all the features.


 
Well, the bug got me, and I've a toughbook too. Been learning lots, and slowing modding it. Sporting a 7200prm 80gig HDD, the rw/DVD mod install and maxed on RAM. Next up is a rubber backlit keyboard. Would love to internalize the WiFi card, and have the 13.1" screen.

Right now I need to learn how to set up and use Road Runner, and get the GPS to map in real time with Mapsource. What did you use for the base on the RAM mount?

The more I get into this the more I realize the nicest way to go is a remote HDD, with touchscreen pad mounted near the dash, or on a pulldown from the ceiling. Even a tablet mounted, so it could be removed and used as a laptop when stopped at hotspots. That said, it's been fun learning so far, and the laptop suits my need to travel between vehicles.

gb
 
I thought about the secondary USB HD but it the main one crashes you are still screwed. For faster access the programs will still have to be on the primary. What I am going to do is pick up another internal HD and clone the original once all the programs are installed. If the main one dies all I have to do is replace it and no loss other then maybe some waypoints or tracks. Every trip do an update and no worries. Besides they all that stuff is cheap now. I will have to post some pics up (when I have time) of the Fujitsu mount I've done.
 
Matt, I have thought of doing exactly that with a second HDD. Also, someone posted on a laptop forum they placed thier maps for the GPS program they are using on a flash drive. http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=173004 Dunno if you have that option with your Fujitsu.

Anyway, that forum is a wealth of info if you are planning on tweaking/hacking your mobile. I've not been to the Fujitsu section so don't know how active it is.

And yes! Photos of your mounting system would be great.

hth's

gb
 
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search in the 80 section. A few of those guys have laptops mounted in their trucks. Nice mounts too. If I get bored today I will try to pull some links.
 
I know this won't intrest the majority, but I'm going to hardwire a Mac Mini into my trail truck. Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. WIFI to upload music and playlists from my house, DVD player for the kids. You can boot the system from an external Firewire drive if neccessary, but with WIFI hooked to house you could do a daily/weekly back up. You guys do back up at least every week, right? Just need to figure out a mounting system for the 17" monitor. I'd like to design something like in an airplane tray, but flip down would be good too. Do away with the portable GPS unit and just mount a permanent receiver attached to the mini. I would rip the DVD's for the kids (or me) and upload them to the hard drive (WIFI). I should be able to pick one up for $500.00.
GG
 
Jeff, that's funny.

Phil, nice setup..

bb, undecided what is the best way for me yet, and looking at options.

I'm having fun playing around with these things so far.

gb
 
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