Standard
From$449
- CF-53 mk1, 2.5GHz Core i5 (mk2–mk3 optional)
- 4GB RAM, up to 8GB
- 128GB SSD, up to 2TB
- Wi-Fi (Bluetooth optional)
- Standard keyboard (emissive backlit optional)
- Touchscreen, 4G LTE, GPS optional
Grade A Refurbished · CF-53 · mk1–mk4
Panasonic Toughbook
CF-53
Semi-Rugged 14" Laptop
The Toughbook CF-53 is the semi-rugged 14" workhorse for offices, shops and vehicles: tested to MIL-STD-810G, with a spill-resistant keyboard, a built-in DVD drive and the ports older equipment still needs, like true serial, VGA and Ethernet. Every CF-53 we sell is a Grade A, like-new refurbished unit, tested and ready to work, from the mk1 to the mk4.
Starting at $449
The CF-53 is end of life, so every unit is refurbished. Looking for new? See the Toughbook FZ-55, Panasonic's current semi-rugged 14" laptop.
Free shipping
All computers include free ground shipping to anywhere in the continental US.
No Fees
No hidden, costly fees before or after checkout. The price you see is the price you pay.
Lifetime Support
Receive complimentary lifetime support via email, chat, help docs, and our YouTube channel.
Choose Your CF-53
Pick a ready-to-ship bundle, then choose memory, storage and extras on the product page. Every price is the live shop price.
Performance
From$499
- CF-53 mk2, 2.6GHz Core i5 (mk3 optional)
- 8GB RAM, up to 16GB
- 128GB SSD, up to 4TB
- Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
- Standard keyboard (emissive backlit optional)
- Touchscreen, 4G LTE, GPS optional
Elite
From$549
- CF-53 mk3, 2.7GHz Core i5
- 16GB RAM
- 256GB SSD, up to 4TB
- Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
- Emissive backlit keyboard
- Touchscreen, 4G LTE, GPS optional
What Our Customers Say
A few recent 5-star reviews from verified buyers on Trustpilot, in their own words.
I did a lot of comparison shopping before purchasing a computer a few months ago. Not only does Tough Outlet have some of the best pricing, they have more customization options than other vendors. On top of that, their customer service is OUTSTANDING. When I needed another unit this week, I didn't to shop around. Tough Books will have my business always!
The cf-33 i bought from them has been a trooper for me. Laptop had no scratches, broken/cracked plastics, missing parts, nonfunctional interfaces etc. I am completely satisfied with their service and support.
Very good, reliable, sturdy PANASONIC CF53 PC and excellent service when I purchased a new, rubberized keyboard; and now when I purchased a new Windows 11 hard drive to update the PC. Brian's customer service is commendable.
Emails with Brian were sooper fast. Answered my questions rapidly and sent me a quote that i couldn't refuse which included the place order box. I've always had a ton of respect for these Toughbooks !!!!
Great price and great customer service. And shipped fast as well. Couldnt ask for more.
Need a different build or a volume price?
Get a Quick Quote. We build CF-53s to order, match generations across a fleet, add a touchscreen, 4G LTE or GPS, and price volume orders.
Every CF-53 Includes
- Grade A / like-new condition
- Windows 10 Pro
- Wi-Fi
- Built-in DVD drive
- AC adapter
- Warranty up to 3 years
- Free ground shipping
- Lifetime support
Optional: sunlight-viewable touchscreen, 4G LTE with GPS, dedicated GPS, Bluetooth, emissive backlit keyboard, webcam, 2nd LAN, smart card reader, fingerprint reader.
Toughbook CF-53 Key Features
Semi-rugged, full-size and built around the drives and ports offices and service crews still rely on.
14" HD Display
1366 × 768 LED screen. Add the optional sunlight-viewable touchscreen (up to 850 nits) for outdoor and in-vehicle use.
Semi-Rugged Build
Tested to MIL-STD-810G, with a magnesium-alloy case, a carry handle, a shock-mounted hard drive and a spill-resistant keyboard.
Intel Core i5 vPro
From the 2.5GHz i5-2520M in the mk1 to the 2.7GHz i5-3340M in the mk3 and the efficient 2.0GHz i5-4310U in the mk4.
Up to 16GB RAM and 2TB SSD
The mk2–mk4 take up to 16GB of memory, and every CF-53 can take a solid-state drive up to 2TB, and some bundles up to 4TB.
Built-in DVD Drive
Install software and read discs without an external drive, a rare feature on a laptop this rugged.
The Ports You Still Need
True serial, VGA, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, four USB ports, SD card, ExpressCard/54, PC Card and a docking connector.
Connectivity Options
Wi-Fi standard. Add Bluetooth, 4G LTE with satellite GPS, dedicated GPS, a 2nd LAN port or a smart card (CAC) reader.
Warranty and Lifetime Support
Refurbished units carry a warranty extendable to 3 years, plus our free lifetime support by email, chat and phone.
Toughbook CF-53 Buying Guide
Which CF-53 generation should I buy?
Every generation shares the same 14" body, DVD drive and ports. The mk1 is the budget choice for basic and legacy software. The mk2 and mk3 add more USB 3.0 and up to 16GB of memory, and the mk3's 2.7GHz Core i5 is the fastest of the line. The mk4 trades a little speed for a cooler, more efficient chip and 802.11ac Wi-Fi. Not sure? Ask us and we'll match a generation to your software.
What you get with a Grade A CF-53
Every CF-53 we sell is a Grade A, like-new refurbished unit, tested, ships with Windows 10 Pro and an AC adapter, and carries a warranty you can extend to 3 years. Ground shipping is free in the continental US, and our lifetime support by email, chat and phone is included.
CF-53 vs CF-52, CF-54 and FZ-55
The Toughbook CF-52 is the CF-53's older predecessor. The Toughbook CF-54 is thinner and lighter, with a Full HD touchscreen option, but VGA and serial are add-ons. The Toughbook FZ-55 is Panasonic's current semi-rugged laptop. Choose the CF-53 when you want a built-in DVD drive plus serial and VGA at a refurbished price.
Toughbook CF-53 Rugged Ratings
Tougher than a business laptop where it counts: drops, spills and daily travel.
810G
MIL-STD-810G
Tested for drops, shock, vibration, rain, dust and temperature extremes.
30"
Drop Tested
Survives a 30-inch drop, with a shock-mounted, floating hard drive.
Spill
Spill-Resistant Keyboard
Keyboard, touchpad and DVD drive are protected against accidental spills.
850
Sunlight Viewable
Optional touchscreen up to 850 nits, readable outdoors.
Toughbook CF-53 Gallery
The CF-53 from every angle: keyboard, ports, handle and the easy-access panels underneath.
1 / 9
Panasonic Toughbook CF-53 open, angled view of the screen and keyboard
Toughbook CF-53 Ports
Some optional ports are shown. USB 2.0/3.0 differ by generation; if it matters, ask us before you buy.
- Ethernet
- USB-A (×2)
- HDMI
- VGA
- SIM card slot
- Serial
- Battery
- ExpressCard/54
- SD card reader
- Wireless switch
- USB-A (×2)
- AC adapter
- DVD drive
- Smart card reader (optional)
Toughbook CF-53 Specs
Specifications by generation. Full spec sheets
| Type | Semi-rugged (business rugged) laptop |
|---|---|
| Condition | Refurbished, Grade A (like new) |
| Processor | mk1: Intel Core i5-2520M vPro 2.5GHz, Turbo 3.2GHz (i3-2310M 2.1GHz on some units) mk2: Intel Core i5-3320M vPro 2.6GHz, Turbo 3.3GHz mk3: Intel Core i5-3340M vPro 2.7GHz, Turbo 3.4GHz mk4: Intel Core i5-4310U vPro 2.0GHz, Turbo 3.0GHz |
| Display | 14" HD LED 1366 × 768. Optional touchscreen, sunlight viewable up to 850 nits |
| Memory | mk1: 4GB, up to 8GB DDR3-1333 (Core i3: 2GB, up to 8GB) mk2–mk3: 4GB, up to 16GB DDR3-1333 mk4: 4GB, up to 16GB DDR3-1600 |
| Storage | SSD up to 2TB on all models, up to 4TB on some bundles. Original drives: 320GB HDD (mk1), 500GB HDD (mk2–mk4) |
| Optical Drive | Built-in DVD drive |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Pro 64-bit (Windows 7 Pro and XP Pro optional) |
| Durability | MIL-STD-810G, 30" drop, spill-resistant keyboard, shock-mounted hard drive |
| Keyboard | 87-key keyboard; emissive backlit keyboard optional |
| Camera | Optional 720p webcam |
| Ports | Docking connector; 4 × USB (1 × USB 3.0 + 3 × USB 2.0 on mk1; 2 × USB 3.0 + 2 × USB 2.0 on mk2–mk4); HDMI; VGA; serial; Gigabit Ethernet (2nd LAN optional); SD card (SDXC); ExpressCard/54; PC Card Type II; headphone/speaker |
| Wi-Fi | mk1: Atheros AR9285 or Intel 6205 802.11n · mk2: Intel 6205 · mk3: Intel 6235 802.11a/b/g/n · mk4: Intel AC7260 802.11ac |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 2.0 (mk1, on equipped models), 4.0 (mk2–mk4) |
| Options | 4G LTE with satellite GPS, dedicated GPS, webcam, 2nd LAN or FireWire or modem, insertable or contactless smart card reader, fingerprint reader, hard drive heater |
| Size and Weight | 11.1" × 13.4" × 1.8–2.2", 5.6–6.5 lbs |
| Warranty | Refurbished: 180 days, extendable to 3 years |
| In the Box | Toughbook CF-53 and AC adapter |
Who Uses the Toughbook CF-53
Crews in these industries have run on the CF-53 for years.
- Police & Public Safety
- Aviation
- Automotive & Trucking
- Auto Body & Mechanics
- Transportation & Logistics
- Telecom
- Plumbing & Trades
- Utilities
CF-53 Spec Sheets & Manuals
Panasonic spec sheets and operating instructions for each generation (PDF).
CF-53 Upgrades & Services
Upgrades, repairs and setup for the Toughbook CF-53 and the rest of your fleet.
Windows UpgradesMove your fleet to a newer Windows version.Get a quote →
Repairs & Virus RemovalDiagnosis, parts and repair for the units you already own.Get a quote →
Hardware UpgradesMore memory, a bigger SSD, 4G LTE, GPS or a backlit keyboard.Get a quote →
Trade-In & CleaningTrade in old units toward new ones, or get them cleaned up.Get a quote →
Factory RestoreA clean, factory-fresh operating system install.Get a quote →
Dual Boot OSTwo operating systems on one machine, set up and tested.Get a quote →
Toughbook CF-53 FAQ
How much does a Toughbook CF-53 cost?
Refurbished CF-53 bundles start at $449: Standard (mk1), Performance (mk2) and Elite (mk3). Upgrades like touchscreens, 4G LTE, extra memory and larger SSDs are priced on the product page, and volume orders get a Quick Quote.
Is the CF-53 new or refurbished?
Refurbished. Panasonic has stopped making the CF-53, so every unit we sell is Grade A, like-new refurbished and tested, with a warranty you can extend to 3 years. For a new semi-rugged laptop, see the Toughbook FZ-55.
Is the CF-53 rugged or semi-rugged?
Semi-rugged. It is tested to MIL-STD-810G, survives a 30" drop and has a spill-resistant keyboard, but it is not sealed against water jets like the fully rugged CF-31.
What is the difference between the CF-53 mk1 and mk4?
Each generation (mk) has a newer Intel Core i5. The mk1 tops out at 8GB of memory and the mk2–mk4 at 16GB. The mk1 has one USB 3.0 port and the mk2–mk4 have two, and the mk4 adds 802.11ac Wi-Fi. See the specs table above for each generation.
How many USB ports does the CF-53 have?
Four USB-A ports: one USB 3.0 and three USB 2.0 on the mk1, and two USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 on the mk2–mk4.
Does the CF-53 have a DVD drive?
Yes, every CF-53 has a built-in DVD drive.
What is the CF-53's screen resolution?
1366 × 768 (HD) on a 14" screen, with or without the optional touchscreen.
What ports does the CF-53 include?
HDMI, VGA, true serial, Gigabit Ethernet, four USB ports, SD card, ExpressCard/54, PC Card, headphone jack and a docking connector. See the port diagrams.
Does the CF-53 have a touchscreen?
A touchscreen is optional. It also makes the screen brighter, up to 850 nits for sunlight viewing.
Does the CF-53 have a keyboard?
Yes, a built-in, spill-resistant 87-key keyboard. It can be upgraded to an emissive backlit keyboard.
How much does the CF-53 weigh?
About 5.6 to 6.5 lbs depending on options, and it measures 11.1" × 13.4" × 1.8–2.2" with a built-in carry handle.
Can the CF-53 have 4G LTE and GPS?
Yes. 4G LTE with satellite GPS, or a dedicated GPS receiver, are options you can add when you configure your CF-53.
Does the CF-53 have a webcam?
Not as standard. A 720p webcam can be installed; ask us before you order.
What warranty comes with a refurbished CF-53?
A 180-day warranty, extendable to 3 years, plus our free lifetime support.
Shop All TOUGHBOOK Models
Every rugged laptop and tablet we carry, new and refurbished.
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Panasonic Toughbook CF-20
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Panasonic Toughbook CF-29
View models →Refurbished Toughbooks
Our full range of refurbished Panasonic Toughbooks.
Shop refurbished →TOUGHBOOK Accessories
Keyboards, vehicle docks, batteries, chargers and more.
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