Feb 20 2009
Panasonic Toughbook CF-F8 torture tests
As we mentioned in our review today (PDF or text), we made a video showing what we put the Panasonic Toughbook CF-F8 through during our tests. It was shot on a digital compact camera and the editing’s amateurish (the cheesy piano song takes the cake) but we reckon it’s still worth watching because no one would put their laptops through such tests. The tests were far from scientific but here’s what we put the Panasonic Toughbook through:
- A 1m fall on its bottom surface (we had to use a carpeted floor to avoid scratching it)
- A 40 cm drop on my desk from different angles
- A 95kg man stood on it momentarily and then walked on it repeatedly
- Poured a glass of water on its keyboard while it ran
Except for the third test, we actually exceeded Panasonic’s claims. What can we say? We live dangerously. According to Panasonic, the Toughbook can stand up to a 76cm fall on its bottom surface, a 30 cm drop from 26 different angles, up to 200ml of liquid spillage on its keyboard and touchpad and up to 100 kg of force on its screen lid.
Unfortunately, we still managed to crack its screen (you can see the damage as we pour water on its keyboard) when my 95kg colleague stepped on it. I actually winced and felt sorry for the laptop. In Panasonic’s own tests, it spread out the weight evenly with a wooden or glass panel to avoid damaging the screen.
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