I am thinking about buying a Panasonic Toughbook CF-29 and am wondering if anyone has had success loading some flavor of Linux on it ? Kinda a netbook with a little heft in my opinion but I don't want a Windoz only machine. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You, Michael

Here is a link to the specsheet. Bear in mind it is a discontinued product, but I scanned through the specsheet, and didn't see anything problematic. The only thing I might worry about is the WiFi card, but it seems it is supported.

Thanks indienick for your post. I am still debating on whether to spend the money for the Toughbook but if I do, there is, of course, no shortage of Linux distro's to try. Part of the plan will be to get mobile broadband from Sprint and fuss with getting that to work on Linux.

Again, Thanks, Michael

Some Links below that might be of some Help. I run a CF-48 which runs AntiX,Puppy, and Ubuntu.

http://byrd740.wordpress.com/linux-on-cf-29/

http://forum.notebookreview.com/pana...thread-64.html

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1511765

Thanks rokytnji for the long links on the Toughbook. I will wade thru them tomorrow or this weekend but am getting more jazzed about buying the CF-29. We have some larger notebooks at work that get passed around for various audits and there is always a feeling that you are dealing with a fragile object. And they are a bit bulky in my opinion. I think a Toughbook the size of the current crop of 10 inch netbooks would be great.

Again, thanks for the links. Michael

I found that Linux Mint 7 booted and installed ,but the mouse is very sluggish..Everything else either doesn't boot or the screen go's black after the cd boots..

I have a Panasonic C-29 and am very happy with it. It runs Puppy Linux of various flavors, I have run the last 3 or 4 latest Puppies and they all work fine. I have installed the distros to a USB flash drive and with the disk in the drive to start it up, the OS is very speedy. You can remove the disc after start up to use the drive for other purposes. Give Puppy a try and I am sure you will be pleased.

Regards, Michael

I just installed Mint Linux 12 on my CF-29, it set up without a problem, it even detected and installed the drivers for the touchscreen, wireless card and bluetooth during setup with no prompting from me. I did have to download a touchscreen calibration program because it was a little right and low from where I touched the screen, but not a major problem. As soon as I entered the password for my wireless router, it got me online in seconds, no problems there. The touchpad mouse was a bit slow, it took 30 or so swipes to cross the screen, but just opening the settings for the keyboard and mouse allowed me to change the acceleration rate and now it works fine. One of the easiest Linux installs I've ever had. Don't be afraid to try it.

The /MY Panasonic CF-29(1 GiG Ram) runs beautifully on Linux Mint "15" also on the other LinuX Mint software from 10 12 13 14 16 17 and 16 has some problem with Passwords for bank accounts and Ebay sign-ins which might actually be wonderful if you want to make sure no one in your household can use the Laptop to break into your/acess your Bank Accounts or other details? like hidden Security?

Linux Mint 15 World YOUTUBE / News music is excellent and the fast WIFI connect at the local Libraries here at the Gold Coast Australia is amazing!!
I personally have had Linux Mint 15 connected up to Mobile Broadband Carries here also such as Vodaphone , Telstra and also Optus and all are excellent!!
Now the BIG News for you is that LINUX Mint 16 has in accessories section 2 tools for you to make your own Flash drive software system so you don't need a working hard-drive anymore on any compatible Computer!! WAHOO!! go the Mint!! you're free!!
So what does this mean? you can go buy a Panasonic CF-29 that has no working Hard drive / Optical Drive or even Battery and you can make this Laptop sing!! for JOY!! Turn on Laptop press F2 get into the BIOS and change the Order in the list putting the USB Flashdrive first and if scared just write down the sequence before you start changing things so you can change it back ......its that simple... like Woosh! The Flash Drive speed is about 2X the speed of your old Hard-Drive......Woosh and you can buy on Ebay a Stainless Steel Waterproof Flashdrive($20) to put your Linux System on so it won't get broken or lost or scratch like DVD's and it also will install on 1000+ Latops for the price of making the one Flashdrive active!!! Woosh no Copyright stuff Windows!! but wait there's more!! This lovely little software system will dual install if you want alongside XP Windows(that has all the trouble with the no sound lost drivers etc...........Yawn)if you can't let go of windows that is.It is also supposed to intall beside Windows 7 but I haven't proved that yet.
SO PANASONIC CF-29 with LINUX MINT 15 out of 10......9 but with at least 1 GBz Ram
and NOTE the Panasonic CF-51 is not very good with this System for internet use in comparison but could get you through an emergency.
Ubuntu works on Panasonic CF-29 reasonably well.... give it about 7 a bit slow ......need more patience large system though very popular with many people but not fast as MINT no way.

NOTE:You need to find out about free ISO images that are downloadable (about 1 hour on your Hard-drive)from the LinuxMint Homepage and many other places once you get your Laptop connected to the Internet and this will sound a bit strange at first.......Mirrors.what the what?
Well that's it from me people hope that helped everyone.

If you need to get on with everything LINUX MINT 15 with Panasonic CF--29 and the Flash Drive Linux Mint 15 is wonderful once you have that......and what a breeze to burn DVD Copies for all your friends or Customers?