Processor on our Sony Vaio VGN-FS980 we've tested was Pentium M740 1.73GHz, and on Panasonic Toughbook CF-74 was Core Duo T2400 1.83GHz.
Screen size on Sony Vaio VGN-FS980 is larger, 15.4 comparing to 13.3 on Panasonic Toughbook CF-74.
If you like higher screen resolutions than you might decide that Sony Vaio VGN-FS980 is better with its 1280x800 than Panasonic Toughbook CF-74 with 1024x768.
For users who likes more memory Sony Vaio VGN-FS980 with 1GB is better than Panasonic Toughbook CF-74 with 0.5GB of memory.
Video card in use in Sony Vaio VGN-FS980 is Intel GMA900 and in Panasonic Toughbook CF-74 is Intel 915GM.
Both laptops suits more for business users since they use mainboard memory for its video cards.
80GB were on its hard disks.
Disadvantage of Sony Vaio VGN-FS980 is lack of bluetooth which you might need for some mobile devices and cameras.
Infrared is missing on Sony Vaio VGN-FS980.
No firewire connection on model Panasonic Toughbook CF-74.
PCMCIA is available only on Sony Vaio VGN-FS980 and it is needed by some TV cards, external hard drives and external modems.
Modem is built in both laptops.
Only Sony Vaio VGN-FS980 supports fast internet connection (1Gbit/s).
Small advantage of Sony Vaio VGN-FS980 is built-in cardreader which reads 4 card types.
If someone still uses old floppy disks (which we don't recommend since they are quite obsolete), Panasonic Toughbook CF-74 has floppy drive.
Disadvantage of both is lack of DVI output for connection to some modern TFT monitors.
Each laptop has 54Mbit/s wireless
The lack of webcamera in both models makes them bad in video conferencing.
Operating system on Vaio VGN-FS980 is XP Home and on Toughbook CF-74 is XP Pro.
Only Sony Vaio VGN-FS980 has special software pack : Works 8.5.
It is worthy to note that Panasonic Toughbook CF-74 has protection on temperatures, touchpad and touchscreen. Also Sony Vaio VGN-FS980 has some important speciality - .
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