Total BS, I'm not sure which of you is worse.
The current models that I can see were released 1-2 years back, so they're probably due for a refresh (if that hasn't happened already), but that hardly makes them uncompetitive in their market.
The ultralight (<1.3kg with DVD) version has a 1.2GHz Core 2 Duo, pretty much the same as the offerings from Lenovo etc. It can also withstand a 75cm (30") drop - that would tend to differentiate it somewhat.
The "Semi-Rugged" model has a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo. Not an i3, i5, or Greg's holy grail - an i7 - but still more than adequate for most laptop tasks.
Just to make it clear, these are Core 2 processors with 3MB cache and two cores. Is that what you have in your laptop, Greg?
Time:
I have a 1.6 ghz in my CF-51.
What would make me look at upgrading? Going mobile. Requires Wi-fi, and I'd need a satellite or cell phone I can use as a modem.
Must be able to play Bluray.
Since SATA SSD's are quite capable of exceeding SATA 1, looking for the higher SATA
standards, 3 being ideal.
Must be Skype capable.
Since I'm planning on a SSD, should have trim support, meaning Windows 7, or a non-Intel SSD.
Big battery is a plus.
So lets look at Passmark:
My 1.6 Centrino 401
Apparently Panasonic just upgraded processors on the CF-52
One site I could find base is 1800 with i3 2.13 ghz
Passmark 2001 NOT bad.
options
i5 520M 2.4 ghz 300 dollars
passmark 2375
995 dollars i5 2.53 GHz looks like a fancy screen, 512MV VRAM, 250 gig hard drive and Bluetooth.
passmark 2445
Ships with Vista, and XP downgrade option, so I suspect that would make it VERY fast, and, 4 gigs of ram is only 99 more dollars.
So for a i3 it's about 2 grand, certainly in the hunt, but, without a Bluray player.
For 2700 the F8 comes with a Core Duo SP9300
around 1500 on passmark.
Durabooks look really interesting. They have low base prices, nothing installed, and tough cases.
http://www.ocruggedlaptops.com/semi_rugged_laptops.html
The reason I've been looking at i7 laptops is they tend to include the features I'm looking for, though the faster SATA standard I have yet to find on any laptop.
i5's are nearly as fast, and cheaper.
After all this, it's still not at the top of my list. Adding the cheap, 100 dollar SSD
to the Cf-51 has increased it's functional speed in a HUGE way, and, for what I currently use a laptop for, it works just fine.
I might hook up my external Bluray player and see if that works, but, I wonder, since perhaps the USB is not 2, but 1, and, that may not be fast enough.