The CF-73
The CF-73 is a semi rugged Toughbook. The 73 goes though 5 Mk’s all using the Intel Pentium M. Earlier models used DDR1 the later models (Mk4,5) swapped to DDR2. The screen is a 13.3-inch XGA (1024x768 pixel) and external video support up to 2048x1536 on the Mk4/5. The touchscreens are prone to failure like on the later CF-29’s. Two usb ports on the right hand side. SD card is optional.
Like other toughbooks there is some modular swapping that can go on. I have seen aftermarket GPS put in them. I have used the Gobook 2 PCMCIA GPS in one to try it out.
My personal favorite of this series is the Mk3. Mine is maxed out at 1.5 GB of ram, 80Gb 7200 RPM hard drive. It plays F.E.A.R. fine. I have used the Panasonic drivers with out any problems but like the omega drivers better.
The Mk1 to Mk3 CF-73 has a removable ATI video card. I don't know how the Mk4 and Mk5 with integrated graphics are set up internally.
So does this mean you can upgrade graphics?
I haven't tried it. You may be able to upgrade a Mk1 or Mk2 to the ATI 9000 card. I have tried a similar swap on a Clevo CL50. It is a older gaming pc with about the same specs and hardware as the CF-73. Pentium M and ATI 9000 that is removable. And is hooked up to the motherboard in the same way. The upgraded model is the CL56 with ATI 9600. The one I tried it in was a Voodoo M360 based on the CL56. It uses the same case as the CL50. CL56 motherboards are very hard to find. I wanted to get it back working so I purchased a CL50 base model and put it's board in there. I tried to boot it with the ATI9600 card and it wouldn't work. It still works fine with the ATI 9000 card. I never tried to see if there was a bios update.
Pictures of the removable video card
The CF-73 takes a special caddy just like other toughbooks. It is made of plastic with a thin aluminum cover. With the caddy cable and a silicone case you can make a home made caddy that won't slide out easy. You will have to take the handle off and remove the palm rest cover to do it. Google "down and dirty CF-73 Caddy" or look in the links at the bottom of this first post.
WHAT'S UNDER THE HOOD?
CPU
CF-73E/F (Mk1) – Intel Pentium M, 1.4 GHz
CF-73J/K (Mk2) -- Intel Pentium M, 1.6GHz
CF-73N/Q (Mk3) -- Intel Pentium M,1.7GHz
CF-73S/T/U (Mk4) -- Intel Pentium M, 1.86GHz
CF-73X/Y (Mk5) -- Intel Pentium M, 2.0 GHz
RAM UPGRADE LIMITS
CF-73E/F (Mk1) -- On-board 256MB or 512MB. Expandable to 768MB or 1,024MB
CF-73J/K (Mk2) -- On-board 256MB or 512MB. Expandable to 768MB or 1,024MB
CF-73N/Q (Mk3) -- On-board 256MB or 512MB. Expandable to 1,280MB or 1,536MB
CF-73S/T/U (Mk4) -- On-board 256MB or 512MB. Expandable to 1,280MB or 1,536MB
CF-73X/Y (Mk5) -- On-board 256MB or 512MB. Expandable to 1,280MB or 1,536MB
LAN
CF-73E/F (Mk1) -- Realtek RTL8139DL 10/100
CF-73J/K (Mk2) -- Realtek RTL8139DL 10/100
CF-73N/Q (Mk3) -- Realtek RTL8139DL 10/100
CF-73S/T/U (Mk4) -- Marvell 88E8053 10/100/1000
CF-73X/Y (Mk5) -- Marvell 88E8053 10/100/1000
SOUND CARD
CF-73E/F (Mk1) -- Sigmatel STAC9767CC1
CF-73J/K (Mk2) -- Sigmatel STAC9767CC1
CF-73N/Q (Mk3) -- Sigmatel STAC9751
CF-73S/T/U (Mk4) -- Sigmatel STAC9751
CF-73X/Y (Mk5) -- Sigmatel STAC9751
CHIPSET
CF-73E/F (Mk1) – Intel 855PM
CF-73J/K (Mk2) – Intel 855PM
CF-73N/Q (Mk3) – Intel 855PM
CF-73S/T/U (Mk4) – Intel 915GM
CF-73X/Y (Mk5) – Intel 915GM
FACTORY WIRELESS CARD
CF-73E (Mk1) -- Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 (802.11b)
CF-73J (Mk2) -- Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 (802.11b)
CF-73N (Mk3) -- Intel PRO/Wireless 2200 (802.11b/g)
CF-73S/U (Mk4) -- Intel PRO/Wireless 2915 (802.11a/b/g)
CF-73X (Mk5) -- Intel PRO/Wireless 2915 (802.11a/b/g)
RAM TYPE
CF-73E/F (Mk1) -- DDR-SDRAM, PC2100
CF-73J/K (Mk2) -- DDR-SDRAM, PC2100
CF-73N/Q (Mk3) -- DDR-SDRAM, PC2700
CF-73S/T/U (Mk4) -- DDR2-SDRAM, PC2 3200
CF-73X/Y (Mk5) -- DDR2 SDRAM, PC2-3200
VIDEO CARD
CF-73E/F (Mk1) -- ATI Technologies Mobility Radeon 7500, 32MB or 64MB VRAM
CF-73J/K (Mk2) -- ATI Technologies Mobility Radeon 7500, 64MB VRAM
CF-73N/Q (Mk3) -- ATI Technologies Mobility Radeon 9000, 64MB VRAM
CF-73S/T/U (Mk4) – Intel 915GMm Unified Memory Access (UMA) up to 128MB
CF-73X/Y (Mk5) – Intel 915GM, Unified Memory Access (UMA) up to 128MB
SWAPS
CF-73 DVD drive can be swapped out between the 74,51 and 52 models. The edge cover is shaped at a angle on the 73 but will still physically work.
I haven't tried a 2 GB stick of ram to see if it would take it, but like on the CF-29. You never know.
The 73 takes the same standard keyboard as the CF-29. You can physically use the rubber backlit and the emissive keyboard for typing but they will not light up with out mods to the 73 and the keyboard.
OPTIONS
WWAN
SD card reader
SMART CARD
ACCESSORIES
AC Adapter (3 pin) CF-AA1653AM
Battery Charger CF-VCBTB1U
ComFolio Universal Carrying Case (large capacity) CF-COMUNIV
ComFolio Universal Jr. Carrying Case CF-COMUNIVJR
Desktop Port Replicator CF-VEB731U
Mini dock Port Replicator CF-VEBU03U (Serial, Parallel, PS/2)
DVD Multi Drive (DVD-RAM/DVD-RW/CD-RW**) CF-VDM732U
External USB Floppy Drive CF-VFDU03W
IO Box (Serial Parallel PS/2) CF-VEBU03U
Lithium Ion Battery Pack CF-VZSU26U
Lithium Ion Battery Pack for Multimedia Pocket CF-VZSU1473U
Mobile Data Wireless Display CF-VDW07CHM
Touchscreen Large Stylus with Tether Hole CF-VNP004U
ToughMate CF-73 Sling Carrying Case CF-TM73
13.3" LCD Protector Film CF-VPF05U
WINDOWS 7 INSTALL
The CF-73 only use the Pentium M CPU. It is a 32 bit only CPU so you will be limited to a 32 bit version of windows 7.
You will have problems with ATI Catalyst control center and windows 7. Just extract the files and load the driver through device manager and it will work fine.
(COMING SOON)
WWAN
WWAN BUTTON
WWAN ANTENNA
Q and A
What type of PC cards can I use?
Two type I or type II, or one type III. Please note that the following types of card are not supported: ZV card, SRAM card, FLASH ROM card (excluding ATA interface type), and other cards that require 12V of operating voltage.
How do I reinstall my operating system?
To reinstall your operating system, you must have a CD drive in your multimedia pocket [Note: CF-73S/T/U (Mk4) and CF-73X/Y (Mk5) can also boot to an external Panasonic USB CD drive.]
WHAT DO I HAVE?
CF-73XXXXXXX
CPU
E-1.4 Pentium M
J-1.6 Pentium M
N-1.7 Pentium M, Centrino, 802.11b+g
Q-1.7 Pentium M, No Wireless LAN, Federal Only
S-1.86 Pentium M 750, Centrino, 802.11a/b/g
T- 1.86 Pentium M 750, No Wireless LAN, Federal Only
X-2.0 Pentium M, Centrino, 802.11a/b/g
Y-2.0 Pentium M, No Wireless LAN, Federal Only
LCD
C-13.3” XGA – TouchScreen
3-13.3” XGA – Non Touch
HDD-RAM
K- 40GB, 256MB ram,32MB Vram
N- 40GB, 512MB ram,32MB Vram
L- 40GB, 256MB ram,64MB Vram
P- 40GB, 512MB ram,64MB Vram
Q- 60GB, 512MB ram,64MB Vram
R- 80GB, 512MB ram,64MB Vram
U- 60GB, 256MB ram,128MB Vram
V- 40GB, 512MB ram,128MB Vram
MULTIMEDIA POCKET
T – DVD/CD-RW – MODEM – ETHERNET
V – DVD-MODEM-ETHERNET
S - DVD RAM-MODEM-ETHERNET
A - DVD/CD-RW-MODEM-ETHERNET+SMART CARD
INTEGRATED OPTIONS
X – 801.11 WIRELESS LAN ONLY
A – EVDO (SPRINT)
C – EVDO (VERIZON)
E – GPRS (US1) – 802.11 WIRELESS LAN
F – EDGE (CINGULAR) (UP TO PENTIUM M .17 = AT&T GPRS)
G – GPRS (US 3) – 802.11 WIRELESS LAN
H – GPRS (T-MOBILE) – 802.11 WIRELESS LAN
J – CDMA 1xRTT (VERIZON – NO VOICE SUPPORT)
L – CDMA 1xRTT (VERIZON)
K – CDMA 1Xrtt (SPRINT)
S – SD CARD SLOT
N – NO WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS
OPERATING SYSTEM
B – XP PRO, SP2
D – WIN 2000
K – XP PRO
DESTINATION
M – NORTH AMERICA
THE BELOW IS TAKEN FROM THE CF-18 TBT GUIDE FOR REFERENCE ONLY
THESE WERE MADE IN THE SAME TIME FRAME AS THE CF-18 AND THE CODES MAY OR MAY NOT BE ACCURATE FOR THIS MODEL
Destination
M-North America
E - non North America (U.K.)
F - non North America (FRANCE)
G - non North America (GERMANY)
P - non North America (SPAIN)
S - non North America (SWEDEN)
T - non North America (ITALY)
L = Belgium
H = Hungary
K = Turkey
N = Norwegian
4 = Slovenia
5 = Portugal
6 = Greece
7 = Czechoslovakia/Republic
W = Mixed Specification....e.g. a Spanish Keyboard with a US AC cord
(Credit: CF-18 Tablet - ToughWiki) http://toughwiki.com/index.php?title=CF-18_Tablet
Customer Special Configuration:
When a customer orders multiple units of the same configuration they are designated a Panasonic Customer Configuration Number which replaces the fourth & fifth letters in the standard model number.
In the event of the same customer ordering multiple units of different configurations, they are designated additional Customer Configuration Numbers....These configurations are not available in the Panasonic Configurator....these units can often be of a standard configuration with subtle additions such as external hardware....or more significant such as a non-standard Bios that disables the use of WLAN/Bluetooth/Modem.
A Customer Configuration is just that....tailored to the customers needs.
Example; CF-18xxx90xx....This number (90) is designated to Toyota (US)....the full model number is not available in the Panasonic Configurator....so the configuration....subtle or otherwise, is unknown!!
Partial List:
Zurich Finance (UK)
25
Yorkshire Water (UK)
26
29
Romec (UK)
34
Iveco (UK)
40
Steris (US)
45
Thames Water (UK)
53
Iveco (Italy)
55
Dubai Police
57
Philip Morris (Turkey)
58
Anglian Water (UK)
62
Jaguar (UK)
65
66
89
Ford (UK)
68
69
Verizon (US)
00
70
71
72
Tennent (US)
73
AT&T (US)
83
85
Coca-Cola (UK)
87
Toyota (US)
90
91
US Army (Germany)
93
Hyundai
94
Severn Trent Water (UK)
96
Aston Martin (UK)
97
Belgian Government
99
There MUST be others.... (CREDIT: ORANGE GEORGE)
GPS MOD
GOBOOK 2 GPS MOD
(INSERT HERE)
SD CARD READER
Only found on certain models, you may need two registery entry's in windows XP for it to work on over 2gb cards.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/panason ... -29-a.html
Registry file one http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923293
Registry file two http://support.microsoft.com/kb/934428% ... 4gb%20sdhc
LINKS
http://www.tim.id.au/blog/tims-laptop-s ... -panasonic
http://forum.notebookreview.com/panason ... caddy.html
http://toughbook.wikispaces.com/cf-73
http://www.egmont.com.pl/toughbook/kata ... -73_en.pdf
http://www.panasonic.com/business/tough ... s.asp?f=73
http://www.omegadrivers.net/
http://www.toughbookxchange.com/Panason ... -CF-73.pdf
http://forum.notebookreview.com/panason ... on-do.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/panason ... -73-a.html
http://www.panasonic.ru/images/includes ... 10x297.pdf
http://www.usatcorp.com/images/products ... 3_spec.pdf
http://www.protsys.com/PDF/Toughbook_mo ... ook_73.pdf
(MORE COMING SOON)(collecting pictures to go with it. May 3, 2013)
