Panasonic ToughBook W4 Review (pics, specs)

I was not able to find a link to confirm my previous claim of w4 having 500cd/m^2 screen brightness.
I may have read it not in English.

However, I found this one about Toughbook CF-18.
"One of the most impressive features of the new model is the 10.4-inch, 1024-by-768 screen, which is especially bright and sharp. The new CF-18 is rated at 500 nits. ... Most notebook LCDs have a brightness between 200 and 250 nits, not easily readable in direct or even indirect sunlight because the screen appears washed out."
http://www.gcn.com/print/24_28/36996-1.html

If you know CF-18, then you know how real is the claim.

 

Well everyone. Heres confirmation that Panasonic USA- tech support and enginerring depts often DO NOT KNOW what they are talking about.

I called tech support and tech support called "engineering". The gentleman in engineering said their tests have the new W4 at 200 nits, not 230 and this compared again with VKYR's finding of 150nits.

Appartently the only answer is to have it measured independantly so I'm definately inclined to go with VKYR's number.

If the machine were to have brightness *close* to the latest Fujitsu's like the 6410- which based on what I have seen must be at or slightly over 200nits- I would have bought one. Now I feel its better to wait for next year and get a "400" nit W5 that measures 200 nits. Until then I'll go with the much much cheaper X60 with the rebate.

 

I had a similar experience checking on the Y4 brightness and hard drive. I was told by one tech that the brightness was 200 nits. Another told me that there was no difference from the Y2. As for the hard drive, two techs told me that they were fully removeable.
Then, another one gave me the email address for 2nd level tech support. The reply I got from them was: 170 nits brightness for the Y4, and that the hard drive was NOT removeable!!

Andrew

 

I have used Toughbook T2, W2, W4 and Y2 from this series-- incredible machines!
The Y5 is a powerhouse: Very light, good speed (runs Photoshop CS2), big 14” screen, and phenomenal battery life. The W5 is just that much lighter, easier to wield, and has a phenomenal battery life.

According to USAT Corp. ( www.usatcorp.com) you can get the new Y5 and W5 with integrated wireless WAN for Verizon, Sprint / Nextel and Cingular, this would be a collapsible antenna hanging off the back, and an on-off switch.

USAT Corp said the weight gain with WAN would be negligible, so the weight should still be ~3.7lbs on The Y5, and the affect on battery life a consideration, but probably less than a PC-Card since this will be an internal module (USAT sales guys opinion). I am a Photoshop and Excel user so the extra screen real estate wins out for me (something like 1400x800 native resolution) so the Y is my choice.

The Y5 was out in Japan in May... so why no internal DVD-R on the US version. DVD-Rs are very inexpensive even dual layer drives are less than $60 retail now!

If you ever travel, even to a coffee shop, carry this or carry a mainframe, your choice. Mine is on order!


One other thing the rep at USAT Corp. ( www.usatcorp.com) keyed me into—the W5 can take a second battery which will drive its runtime to 20 hours! NYC-Sydney runtime—awesome! This was from Lisa at 888-550-8728

 

Does W4/5 has bluetooth? I did not find BT in the spec list. It is so unconvenient without BT today.

 

One question, how about the palm rest when there is a cd inside the drive? Is the palm rest trembling quite heavily?

I tried in Acer 3000 series and felt a obvious trembling when cd is inserted. This make the palm rest felt uncomfortable.

Consider that the drive is actually underside the palm rest, will this be an issue? I hate to feel any movement while put my hand in the palm rest.

 

I have the W5 and CD/DVD drive does not disturb at all. Not an issue.

Neither has Bluetooth, but it can be added with a $20 usb stick.