YEAR: 1995
INITIAL PRICE: $8.700, $14.683 in 2020
The Panasonic CF41 is considered to be the world’s first notebook PC to integrate a CD-ROM drive, the first computing product to utilize magnesium alloy chassis for strength and durability. The CF-41 was to be the first in a long line of Toughbooks that would revolutionize field work as we knew it.
This was the very first model of the Panasonic CF-XX series, released back in March 1995. It was not marketed with the name “Toughbook” at that time, and although dismissed by Toughbook enthusiasts as not being worthy of the Toughbook name due to having no handle and lacking robust features that the CF-25 has, it is technically the first model released in the Toughbook line of laptops, also marketed under the “Panasonic Pronote AV” name in Japan.
It was on the market until the October 1996 and was built in 3 models that had improved specifications over time; the CF-41 Mk1, the CF-41 Mk2 and the CF-41 Mk3. The range of processors fitted ranged from the 486DX2 up to the Pentium 120. The included memory ranged from 4MB up to 16MB with an expandability up to 32MB for some models. All models featured ESS soundcard audio, a quad speed CD drive, 1.4MB 3 1/2 inch floppy drive and 2 PCMCIA slots. The screens on most of the models are 640×480 TFT modules, with the very early models offering 640×480 STN modules and some of the later MK3 models offering 800×600 TFT modules. The installed 2.5 inch hard drives ranged from 260MB up to 1.35GB. A unique feature of the CF-41 is that the CD drive is accessed by lifting the keyboard.
| Machine | ToughBook/Pronote AV CF-41 | ||
| Manufacturer | Panasonic | ||
| Introduced | 03/1995 (Mk I), 03/1996 (Mk II), 01/1996 (Mk III) | ||
| Retired | 07/1995 (Mk I), 09/1996 (Mk II), 10/1996 (Mk III) | ||
| Cost | $8700 | ||
| System | MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows 3.1/95/98 | ||
| CPU/Speed | Intel 80486DX4 @50MHz (Mk I), Intel Pentium @75MHz (Mk II), Intel Pentium @120MHz (Mk III) | ||
| RAM Min/Max | 8Mb/24Mb (Mk I), 16Mb/32Mb (Mk II and III) (1x60ns slot) | ||
| ROM (Size) | |||
| Floppy Drive | 1×3.5″ 1.44Mb | ||
| CD Drive | 4xCD-ROM | ||
| Hard Drive | 260Mb-1.35Gb IDE | ||
| Drive Bay(s) | None | ||
| Network | None | ||
| Audio | ESS ES688 AudioDrive (SoundBlaster compatible) | ||
| Video | Chips & Technologies Accelerator – 10.4″ (Mk I), 12.1″ (Mk II and III) TFT Active Matrix | ||
| Resolution(s) | 640×480 (Mk I), 800×600 (Mk II and III) (16-bit) | ||
| Ports | 2xPCMCIA, 1xPS/2, 1xAudio (in), 1xAudio (out), 1xDocking, 1×25-pin parallel, 1xSerial, 1xVGA | ||
| Dimensions | 2.2″ x 11.7″ x 9.25″ | ||
| Weight | 9 lb | ||
| Power Supply | 15.6 V |
I bought this Panasonic for peanut money but it had no adapter and no HDD. The battery had leaked and everything was full of oxidation. After a few bottles of vinegar and a lot of isopropyc alcohol the computer looks just fine. I had also found a compatible power adapter that delivers 15V 4 Amps, enough to power this beast of a laptop. I also had a 1.6 Gb HDD from an old Toshiba that was instantly recognized by this machine.
I had installed Windows 95 but I have no drivers for it so besides the SoundBlaster, nothing seems to work properly. I will try in the future to install the latest version of Windows 95, maybe that one will have a greater driver database. Meanwhile its definitely a fun machine for playing old DOS games. Also the CD-ROM fitted under the keyboard is a pretty unique design!
Do you have drivers for the mouse at all?
It would be great to invert the mouse as the Y axis backward by modern standards.
I found these drivers covered pretty much everything else
http://www.retrocomputing.org/cgi-bin/sitewise.pl?act=det&pt=673&p=674&id=retroorg
thanks
Jonathan
I do have the original CD for the machine. It was sent by Panasonic Canada to my place last year. I will make a copy of the content and share it with you if you like.
Sure that would be great -!
How do you get it to connect to the internet? I have a MKII, I am not sure how.
Also, I’m trying to read .jpg from a floppy, I don’t think there is a way.
You need netscape and a lan card for the internet and also try ACDSee32 for viewing JPG, JPEG, TIFF etc extensions.
I have one of these without a battery. Overall still in good state but the screen is gone somehow as it now has like several straight cracks on it and the liquid crystals have leaked from it. I’m quite sure it didn’t sustain any falls or weights so I wonder what caused it to crack. Just time wear alone? I wonder if I can find any LCD panels to replace it.
Actually I managed to find a similar case on google: https://linustechtips.com/topic/1081413-very-old-laptop-lcd-issue-repair/
This is kind of how it looks. So technically they look like cracks but in truth they aren’t.
Hi Andrew,
I had a similar issue with a laptop panel, it seems there is a foil that doesn’t age nice. This foil is glued on top of the display panel in order to narrow the view angle. I was able to remove that foil by heating it up with a hair dryer. I am looking at the picture you provided and I really haven’t seen anything like it. Are you sore its not a protection foil on top of the screen? If you take apart your display and its cracked maybe I can find a replacement part…
Hello. Could you upload the Drivers Disk to archive.org?
I can do that. sure. I will let you know once done. It may take a a few weeks!
I have a fully operational cf41 that I am trying to sell does anybody know where to sell this or anybody interested
Try vintage \ retro computer groups on FB or eBay is always a good idea!
I need an iso of that original cd. Were you able to get it uploaded to archive.org? I would truly appreciate it.
I will upload the disc and let you know the download link.
Hello.
Thank you for the amazing post. It really is well researched.
I have a MkII CF-41 with the serial number CF41-PT64AAG. Sadly I’m missing the drivers and the utility disks. By any chance, can you please share these files with me?
I would really appreciate that.
Thanks in advance.
I will upload the original support CD on internet Archive and get back to you with a link.
Hello,
I am very happy that I could find you. Is it possible for you to send the disk drivers to my email address or if you upload them on arshiv.org, give me the link? . I just found this laptop and I need its drivers without installing Windows
My email: Abbas.bagherzadeh1384@gmail.com
Hi Abbas, I am currently looking for them. Will get back to you.