Toughpad FZ-M1 with Linux

Today I got Panasonic Toughpad FZ-M1 for one project and this tablet rocks with Linux. I installed Ubuntu 15.04 (AMD64) for evaluation and almost everything worked out from box.

Basically this is not tablet, it's more like a tablet form computer. Meaning that you find full and easily accessible BIOS setup and it allows you to boot Ubuntu installation. I've played with Toughbooks over last ten years and I hardly never had any issues with them supporting Linux.

Since I installed Ubuntu with integrated hard disk encryption (LUKS), I believe I need to have keyboard present (to give passphrase on boot). That's why there is this wonderful iKey attachable keyboard.

This keyboard has nice backlight and totally waterproof keys. They are not as usable as normal laptop keys, but they withstand elements. So this is a thing.

Backlight issue

FZ-M1 backlight needed some tweaking to work with Ubuntu, but I managed to google solution for this. You need to create file /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf and place this in file:

And add this into file:

Section "Device"
            Identifier  "card0"
            Driver      "intel"
            Option      "Backlight"  "intel_backlight"
            BusID       "PCI:0:2:0"
EndSection


So, if you're after Linux tablet with serious professional touch - I would recommend this Toughpad in fully.

Update on modem

Sierra Wireless EM7305 MBIM vs QMI modes. It seems that Modem Manager has an issues with MBIM mode, so we have to enable QMI mode with this:

echo 1 >  /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:14.0/usb1/1-3/bConfigurationValue

After this, modem manager works and you can create your mobile connection just fine. Just remember to insert MicroSIM to your device:

Project

I am working on project where we are looking for small, almost phone sized PC hardware - capable to run Linux as vanilla as it could be. It seems that this FZ-M1 is closest what we have tested. I've checked out Lenovo tablets (Miix), some ATOM based tablets (HP), some Acer's etc. but all them failing either to install or support Linux in this extent. Most miserably is Lenovo MIIX, which has this Intel & Microsoft UEFI32 bit installation quirks.

Upgrades for computing gears

World keeps turning. Just bought second hand Dell E6320, I bet it was brand new from dealer. No dust in anywhere, not even in CPU fan!

I needed something with a little bigger display (13") and robust outfit. So, it be Dell for a while. I have diversity of laptops, mainly because I need to have valid backups for time to come - if laptop gets stolen, broken or otherwise inaccessible.

And of course, I installed Linux on this one. It runs Ubuntu 15.04 with SSD and 8GB RAM. Like a beast. For a price of 269€ - I believe this is a hit for me. 

HP Stream X360 laptop for Linux

Bought today HP Stream X360 laptop for Linux project. Price was 250€ and I consider it to be cheap.

I never ever booted Windows on it, instead configured BIOS for legacy boot and installed xubuntu 14.04 LTS on this. After using USB wifi, I was able to enable proprietary driver for internal Broadcom WIFI adapter and it just works. So far this device is cheap and working linux platform for some embedded projects I have at hand. 32 GB eMMC leaves around 22 GB free after basic install and updates of xubuntu.

So, if you need solid and usable full blown Linux laptop, go for it!

Still kicking

Lot happened since last update. One thing for sure, Linux rocks still and embedded projects has been on our desk lately. Currently running with various Toughbooks and latest 14.04 ubuntu, but starting to trust more on some embedded devices.

I also acquired Jolla for my primary phone in January, and ever since I've been using that wonderful device. Stay tuned for more updates.

Linux enabled 3G on Toughbooks for Governmental clients

Latest Toughbook experiments brought me into 3G card swapping thing. I have CF-53, which works perfectly with integrated 3G (Sony Ericsson miniPCI module) and then I have CF-C2 with integrated Gobi3000, which is total crap from Linux point of view. So, latest is that I swapped Sony Ericsson module from CF-53 to CF-C2 and now my favourite laptop (Toughbook CF-C2) and now it has 8GB RAM, working 3G connection and working touch screen.

All running with secure Ubuntu 13.04.

I have also other measures on stock to enable integrated 3G on Toughbooks. So, make sure Panasonic gets your opinion about using Gobi and Windows. Our governmental clients cannot use Windows for security reasons and every unit we ship, we do this installation of Linux and enabling 3G and security.

Panasonic CF-AX2 with Linux

Friday is most exciting day in a week, always. It allows you to explore and move further. Like I did yesterday. Picked up my brand new CF-AX2, Panasonic Toughbook family member.

Our company "Zero Windows" policy allowed me to explore new things and install latest Ubuntu 12.10 into this small and beautiful ultrabook. So no Windows booted at this time, like never before.

Regading CF-AX2's hardware, I must say it's way beyond my expectations. I have been carried Mac Air 11" before and this is way much similar thing. Things which worked out of box with ubuntu 12.10 are Display, Sound, Hibernating and Touchscreen (!). Gobi3000 3G does not get recognized, but I might tweak it later on. 

Our company projects run around Linux and this little computer is great member when running with latest Ubuntu 12.10. Big thanks for Panasonic for making things compatible with Linux.

Toughbook CF-C2

Last week I got latest and small Panasonic Toughbook CF-C2. Fine little machine with Ubuntu 12.10 is something to look for if you're mobile warrior.

Current ubuntu kernel does not support Wacom touch display (USB ID: 056a:0101 Wacom Co., Ltd) or Sierrawireless 3G (USB ID: 1199:9011 Sierra Wireless, Inc.), but I bet this get sorted out shortly.

I am currently active with these computers in our daily business; Panasonic Toughbook CF-53 & CF-C2, Mac book Pro 13" (retina) and 11" Air. I keep diverting my data, tasks and deliverables over multiple computers partly as backup and version upgrades.

For example, I keep currently Ubuntu 12.10 for main main embedded coding computer (CF-53) and when 13.04 rolls in, I can upgrade CF-C2 first and see how compliers act. No surprises no fuss. Of course computers alone are not only thing which keeps rolling, another measure is removable HD's in these Toughbooks. When new version of OS needs to be applied, it's easy for new HD and old one in safe. Backup and versions, all in that.

Installation

Few words about ubuntu installation on that CF-C2. I never booted Windows 8, USB stick in and installation of 12.10 (32bit/PAE) started. Encrypted HD partitioning and I was in fresh installation in 10 minutes. Compare that to Windows activation. Then I tarred my home directory, dropped tar and extracted it in place. All emails, encryption keys and documents tidy and fresh in.

So - I kind of jump start this way every time I need refresh in OS and computers. And I am actually quite convinced that all my competitors should stay in Windows.