Thank you for highlighting the CF-31 features. I am doubly glad that I recently invested in a (thankfully) very nice used MK3, for my sole proprietor field service business.
Hey Bob! I have a CF-31 laptop that I got from a mom-and-pop shop here in Calgary AB, and it is quite the incredible device! I came across your website while trying to learn how to address the serial port in C programming, and then came to see you have a TH-cam channel too! It's fantastic to see someone as passionate about these laptops as you, I will have to drop by if I'm ever in Delaware! You certainly have a new subscriber, and a future customer! ❤
Hi John! So happy you enjoyed it. Glad we could help. If you have further questions or need help on your selection, don't hesitate to give us a call 877-202-7788.
Bob, I love my cf-31 even if it is a mk1. Didn't panasonic discontinue making these? No longer listed on any of their websites that I can find. Thanks for video. EDIT: Well, i lied. I just checked US website and there it is.....CF-31 apparently still in production. I could have sworn the last time i looked, it wasn't there. Glad they are still making them. Would rather have a new generation CF-31 than a CF-33.
How do you determine which version of the CX-31 you have? When closing the latch on a CX-31 the latch is pushed inward and does not go forward to latch down to secure the unit. Can the latch be repaired or do you have to replace the whole screen assembly?
I have a CF-31 that I use in the field extensively to program two-way radios. It's the most reliable laptop I've ever owned and I can say that it holds up to wear and tear incredibly well. The only issue that I recently ran into is that because it's a MK1 it cannot be upgraded to W10, and some of the newer two-way radio software does require a W10 environment. You can upgrade the laptop to W10, but, several of the drivers are not compatible with W10 and Panasonic has not updated drivers for the CF-31 to accommodate W10. A good example is the TouchPad and Mouse driver, it just doesn't work. I downgraded back to W7, and that's just fine, this laptop will continue to be my go-to unit for field work for many more years. Thanks for your video, I enjoyed your comments. OK, now I know I can add a second battery, I did not know that!
The CF-31 MK1 is very limited on its upgradability. You might want to consider purchasing an newer unit. For example you could got to the MK3 which gives you the ability to upgrade the memory and run windows 10 without a problem. Here is what we have in stock: (they happen to be on sale today) www.bobjohnson.com/rugged-laptops/?_bc_fsnf=1&Model=CF-31
Hi Nik, unfortunately we do not carry the Black Cobra edition, however we do have the CF-31 MK3, MK4 and MK5, all refurbished, in grade A condition. You can check them out here: www.bobjohnson.com/rugged-laptops/?_bc_fsnf=1&Model=CF-31&Condition=Refurbished. If you need further help, feel free to give us a call at 877-202-7788.
What do I need to do to get the SD card to work? I just purchased a refurbished CF31 and I'm trying to view the videos on the SD card from a trail camera. Nothing happens when I insert the card in the SD slot.
I've already checked that. I also inserted a brand new SD card and still nothing. I then purchased an adapter for the USB port to SD card and nothing there either.
@TrentSchneider888 The best way to answer this question is to simply fill out our Tech support form. Our in-house technicians will answer with the links and info you will need. Here is the link: www.bobjohnson.com/tech-support-form/ Thanks for Watching.
Just bought a CF-31. Has a DVD player in it. What do I need to do to put a 2nd battery instead. Is it simply buying a battery or do I need to add something else. Thanks Ed
wondered if you had any ideas on an issue with my cf-31, the display backlight stopped working suddenly, i replaced the screen but still have the same problem, i can see the screen is working by shining a torch at it, the touch screen works and the hdmi output works fine too, its just the back light led's that dont work. Any ideas? thanks very much!
That is a system board issue. Basically it was a result of either it went out on its own or if you did not drain the power and remove the battery before removing the screen you may have shorted the board. Another thought is that it might be in conceal mode. If you turn the unit on and go to the BIOS, if that shows up properly you can disable the conceal mode there. Otherwise if the BIOS is dim as well, you most likely have a system board issue.
@@Bobjohnson yeah i was worried about that being the case!! It worked one day and the next the screen was black, not in concealed mode, I will look for a system board i think, Thanks very much for your time!
I have a used CF 31 but don't know it's make I want to upgrade by installing a web cam and a chicklet keyboard with back lights. Can it be upgraded even with a mic.
The GPS module in the toughbooks simply returns the longitude and latitude of your location. You would need to add software that can translate that info into your location. We wrote a blog article about some software that will do that: www.bobjohnson.com/blog/how-to-use-the-gps-in-your-toughbook-for-turnbyturn-navigation/
@@Bobjohnson Aw I see. By the standard keyboard you mean the regular non backlit chiclet keyboard right? Can I replace the chiclet keyboard with one from a CF-30/19?
![เปิดใจ “ต้นหอม ศกุนตลา” หลังโดนพาดพิงธุรกิจที่เคยทำ และผลกระทบทำถูกปลดฟ้าผ่า! | แฉ 24 ต.ค.67 [2/3]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vCi5OIqlxaE/mqdefault.jpg)
Thank you for highlighting the CF-31 features. I am doubly glad that I recently invested in a (thankfully) very nice used MK3, for my sole proprietor field service business.
Hey Bob!
I have a CF-31 laptop that I got from a mom-and-pop shop here in Calgary AB, and it is quite the incredible device! I came across your website while trying to learn how to address the serial port in C programming, and then came to see you have a TH-cam channel too!
It's fantastic to see someone as passionate about these laptops as you, I will have to drop by if I'm ever in Delaware! You certainly have a new subscriber, and a future customer! ❤
It certainly is an incredible device! Thank you for your kind words!
Informative, and succinct! Thank you Sir, researching for a possible purchase.
Hi John! So happy you enjoyed it. Glad we could help. If you have further questions or need help on your selection, don't hesitate to give us a call 877-202-7788.
Thnx for the timely reply Bob..i think al b ordering th Mk5 end of this month , n add some few upgrades too.
No problem! Great choice- let us know if we can help! 877-202-7788
Bob, I love my cf-31 even if it is a mk1. Didn't panasonic discontinue making these? No longer listed on any of their websites that I can find. Thanks for video. EDIT: Well, i lied. I just checked US website and there it is.....CF-31 apparently still in production. I could have sworn the last time i looked, it wasn't there. Glad they are still making them. Would rather have a new generation CF-31 than a CF-33.
Well they did discontinue this model but there was a customer uproar and they brought it back with the MK6. Seems no one liked the CF-33.
How do you determine which version of the CX-31 you have? When closing the latch on a CX-31 the latch is pushed inward and does not go forward to latch down to secure the unit. Can the latch be repaired or do you have to replace the whole screen assembly?
I have a CF-31 that I use in the field extensively to program two-way radios. It's the most reliable laptop I've ever owned and I can say that it holds up to wear and tear incredibly well. The only issue that I recently ran into is that because it's a MK1 it cannot be upgraded to W10, and some of the newer two-way radio software does require a W10 environment. You can upgrade the laptop to W10, but, several of the drivers are not compatible with W10 and Panasonic has not updated drivers for the CF-31 to accommodate W10. A good example is the TouchPad and Mouse driver, it just doesn't work. I downgraded back to W7, and that's just fine, this laptop will continue to be my go-to unit for field work for many more years. Thanks for your video, I enjoyed your comments. OK, now I know I can add a second battery, I did not know that!
The CF-31 MK1 is very limited on its upgradability. You might want to consider purchasing an newer unit. For example you could got to the MK3 which gives you the ability to upgrade the memory and run windows 10 without a problem. Here is what we have in stock: (they happen to be on sale today) www.bobjohnson.com/rugged-laptops/?_bc_fsnf=1&Model=CF-31
Someone on Reddit upgraded theirs to Windows 11
Hey Bob, am looking for a cf31 black cobra edition..do you have it in your store ?
If not, a new or a refurb c31 in good condition would do..thnx
Hi Nik, unfortunately we do not carry the Black Cobra edition, however we do have the CF-31 MK3, MK4 and MK5, all refurbished, in grade A condition. You can check them out here: www.bobjohnson.com/rugged-laptops/?_bc_fsnf=1&Model=CF-31&Condition=Refurbished. If you need further help, feel free to give us a call at 877-202-7788.
I see you can easily add an ssd and RAM, can you upgrade from discrete graphics to the optional graphics card?
No that is something that is directly soldered on the systemboard.
What do I need to do to get the SD card to work? I just purchased a refurbished CF31 and I'm trying to view the videos on the SD card from a trail camera. Nothing happens when I insert the card in the SD slot.
Double check to make sure that the lever at the top of the SD card is unlocked. If it's locked, the computer wont be able to read it.
I've already checked that. I also inserted a brand new SD card and still nothing. I then purchased an adapter for the USB port to SD card and nothing there either.
@TrentSchneider888 The best way to answer this question is to simply fill out our Tech support form. Our in-house technicians will answer with the links and info you will need. Here is the link: www.bobjohnson.com/tech-support-form/ Thanks for Watching.
Just bought a CF-31. Has a DVD player in it. What do I need to do to put a 2nd battery instead. Is it simply buying a battery or do I need to add something else. Thanks Ed
All that you need to do is insert the new multibay battery and it should add to the battery life of your unit.
wondered if you had any ideas on an issue with my cf-31,
the display backlight stopped working suddenly, i replaced the screen but still have the same problem, i can see the screen is working by shining a torch at it, the touch screen works and the hdmi output works fine too, its just the back light led's that dont work.
Any ideas?
thanks very much!
That is a system board issue. Basically it was a result of either it went out on its own or if you did not drain the power and remove the battery before removing the screen you may have shorted the board. Another thought is that it might be in conceal mode. If you turn the unit on and go to the BIOS, if that shows up properly you can disable the conceal mode there. Otherwise if the BIOS is dim as well, you most likely have a system board issue.
@@Bobjohnson yeah i was worried about that being the case!!
It worked one day and the next the screen was black, not in concealed mode,
I will look for a system board i think,
Thanks very much for your time!
@@finlaybichan1275 Thank you for watching.
Is the ram limit on a mk5 16gb? No way to update to 32gb?
Yes, the maximum amount of RAM in a CF-31 MK5 is 16Gb. The MK6 is the CF-31 that can go up to 32GB of RAM. Thanks for watching!
I have a used CF 31 but don't know it's make I want to upgrade by installing a web cam and a chicklet keyboard with back lights. Can it be upgraded even with a mic.
Hi Sumit, sorry for the delayed reply here on TH-cam, but thank you for reaching out to us! Hope we were able to answer all your questions!
The GPS on the tough books is it like a tom Tom style gps or can you get it like the discontinued Microsoft streets and trips?
The GPS module in the toughbooks simply returns the longitude and latitude of your location. You would need to add software that can translate that info into your location. We wrote a blog article about some software that will do that: www.bobjohnson.com/blog/how-to-use-the-gps-in-your-toughbook-for-turnbyturn-navigation/
How do you put a second battery in????
Slides in just like the Optical drive
Can you use earbuds?
Yes there is both a headphone and microphone jack.
Is this simply the perfect laptop?
BTW, can one replace the chichlet keyboard it comes with the more classical looking standars one?
We think so!
No, sadly you only have three options; the standard keyboard, the backlit chiclet keyboard, and the backlit rubber keyboard. Thanks for watching!
@@Bobjohnson Aw I see. By the standard keyboard you mean the regular non backlit chiclet keyboard right? Can I replace the chiclet keyboard with one from a CF-30/19?