New Niner on the block...

[ares93]

Hiya, my name is Johnny and I'm an addict...

Right, I recently purchased a CF-29 MK4 (CF-29LTQGZBM) for various reasons. While the unwarranted murder (drowning) of my laptop contributed, I think I simply wanted a new (well, new for me) Toughbook. And my old CF-28 is getting too tired. I should be getting it around the 20th.

It will be used in both an office environment (school) and at the workshop, running various diagnostic software for cars and trucks (LGV/Lorry). I'm planning the following mods:

SATA conversion, even if it kills me. Corsair F120 SSD.
Mobile Internet (3G)
GPS
Bluetooth (unless its already installed)
Possibly that fancy chiclet type keyboard I'm so fond of.
Install a back ports cover (currently missing)

Anything I have missed and is considered proper for these things?
Btw: It looks pretty good, but has 10100 hours on the clock. Is that high for an MK4?

Cheers

EDIT: Bugger, I'm slipping back into Manc again... Corrected.

[Rob]

I have the rear door for you $65 shipped and it's yours (they are $60 + $25 handling fee directly from heartland). Welcome to the nuthouse!

Thanks

[ares93]

^ One of me mates bought a dead Toughbook I can take parts from (he only needed the screen). So I think I'm good, unless its missing the cover too. I haven't seen it yet. Ta anyway. If it doesn't pan out, I'll throw a PM your way, mate.

[toughasnails]

SATA conversion, even if it kills me. Corsair F120 SSD.

Well it almost killed me and my 29... We do have a thread on this mod which I did but in the end I switched it back. What happened was my 29 got bumped and it would not start to windows so took it apart and put it back together. It started up no problems. The next week I was heading to the camp in my truch with the 29 sitting on the seat. Well it ended up on the floor dead again. You see to do this mod you must remove a lot of padding which turns your toughbook into a toughlessbook

[ares93]

Luckily I'm using an SSD, so padding will be more or less superfluous. Its not often I have an SSD laying around, but this time, I do.
Cheers

[toughasnails]

Let us know how you make out. If you can make a note on the parts you use and the brand or seller where you get it. This was a big problem we had, some worked...some did not. Also you will not get the full speed of the SSD in the 29's or 30 's...

[ares93]

I will. I bought two different adapters. If it doesnt work in me cf29, i'll try it in me cf28. Regarding the speed, I was expecting that. Its not me first SATA conversion. Even if it is limited to the speed if the PATA interface, its still faster than anything I have. Me 7200rpm Hitachi recently copped it.

[ares93]

Just got me machine. This turned out better than i thought. i even got a cd/dvd combo with a caddy.

Damn, i've had the bloody thing for ten minutes and i love it.

[ADOR]

Just got me machine. This turned out better than i thought. i even got a cd/dvd combo with a caddy.

Damn, i've had the bloody thing for ten minutes and i love it.

Wait till you get your hands on a CF-30, lol.

[ares93]

Just got me machine. This turned out better than i thought. i even got a cd/dvd combo with a caddy.

Damn, i've had the bloody thing for ten minutes and i love it.

Wait till you get your hands on a CF-30, lol.

Nah, next Toughbook will be a brand new one. But i just got this one, and its got it where it counts. So any upgrade is at least a few years away. Probably gonna be a CF-33 or something.

Just tried out the SSD. Works fine. But i broke the adapter while trying to get the damn thing into the caddy, so I gotta wait until I get the new one. But it worked with just the cable, adapter and SSD.