Panasonic Toughbook CF-53 Review (Replacement of CF-51 and CF-52)
This Panasonic CF-53 review explores the usefulness and benefits of the unit. The Panasonic CF-53 Toughbook is built to withstand the everyday mishaps that send other laptops to an early grave. It is ideal for professionals on the go, such as insurance claims adjustors, property inspectors and salespersons.
Panasonic CF-53: Built Tough
Built to MIL-STD-810G certification standards, temperature extremes, drops, dust, spills, and humidity are no match for this rugged performer. The CF-53 Rugged Laptop features magnesium alloy construction that can endure drops from waist height. The 500GB 7,200 rpm flex-connect hard drive is shock-mounted to protect against the bumps and vibrations caused by travel over rugged terrain. The keyboard and touchpad are sealed to resist moisture and dust, the hinges are water and dust resistant, and the display is protected from everyday abuse by a thin, replaceable film. The AC adapter cable features 4 inches of ribbed reinforcement at the plug end to protect against aggressive yanks and pulls.
Travel Friendly
This Panasonic Rugged Laptop CF-53 review explored the mobile benefits of the unit. The CF-53 is designed for users on the move, and is mobile broadband ready with a SIM card slot for 3G Gobi or 4G LTE. It is equipped with 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. The 14-inch display, with 1,366-by-768 resolution, is readable in direct sunlight. The Toughbook is connection and protection ready, and features locking port covers over the LAN connection, serial port, SDXC card reader, 2 USB 2.0 ports, 2 USB 3.0 ports and HDMI and VGA outputs. A case lock provides extra security. A briefcase handle provides the notebook with easy portability.
The Panasonic CF-53 is Work Ready
To qualify as a rugged workhorse, a laptop has to go the extra mile. This Panasonic Rugged Laptop CF-53 review investigated the unit to see if it fit in the workhorse category.The CF-53 arrives preloaded with a 32-bit version of Windows 7 Professional. It has a 2.6GHz Intel Core i5-3320M processor, and has 4GB of memory that is well suited to basic applications. The 9-cell, 69Wh battery puts in a full workday, and lasts an impressive 9 hours. The tray-loading DVD Super Multi Drive lets you read or burn DVD-RW CD’s and discs. The CF-53 supports external videos up to 1920 x 1200 at 16.7 million colors, and has integrated stereo speakers with volume and mute controls on the keyboard.
Panasonic CF-53 Review: The Cons
This Panasonic Rugged Laptop CF-53 review uncovered a few cons. Weighing in at 5.8 pounds, the CF-53 is heavier than other laptops. The small size, 2.2×13.4×11.1 (HWD), is great for portability, but limits the size of the touchscreen to just 2.0 x 3.2 inches. The computer has right and left mouse buttons, but their ease of use is limited by their stiffness. While this model is an excellent solution for most mobile workers, it does not support high-end applications. The operating system is not the newest, and the speed is a little slower than models equipped with a quad-core processor.
The benefits and features far outweigh the minor drawbacks on this rugged laptop. This Panasonic Rugged Laptop CF-53 review indicates the unit is a good option for workers on the go who do not have time to baby and pamper their laptop. The MSRP for the Panasonic Rugged Laptop CF-53 is $1,909.00. Panasonic covers the Toughbook CF-53 with a three-year warranty.