~Toughbooktalk~

In the CF-18 line it looks like one of the key differences between Mk1-2-3 and Mk4-5 is DDR vs DDR2 memory. Any experience on what that translates to in practice?

Several factors seem to make Mk4-5 feel a little faster. Mk1 is only 900 MHz and feels sluggish with XP SP3 (Panasonic supports SP2 which is less bloated). Mk2-3 are 1.1 GHz and max out at 1.25GB ram, while Mk4-5 clock slightly faster at 1.2GHz and max 1.5GB ram. No real testing to measure the difference tho.

plateaugame wrote: DDR vs DDR2 memory.

If you want to know more about DDR and DDR2 memory check this out http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/printpag ... mories/167

There are some Mk3 units that have 512mb on board, they were made later on and can be upgraded to 1.5 gb of ram. Price right now is going to be a factory between ddr1 and ddr2. There is a little boost in performace but not a huge difference. The chipsets improved also giving the units better intergrated graphics. Check out the CF-18 thread. I have a list of what was changed out between the Mk's.

If you are toughbook shopping and don't need the older hardware save up and get at aleast a CF-19 Mk1 if you are wanting a tablet. 32 bit only core duo and 945 chipset/graphics. Mk2 core 2 duo and 965 chipset/graphics. If you have a budget get at least a Mk3 CF-19. Give you LED screen, core 2 duo of larger size and 4500 intel chipset and graphics. Drop 4gb or ram and a SSD in it and watch it fly.