Metal tag or antenna attached to Panasonic Toughbook. (lemmy.world)

submitted 2 weeks ago by P00Pchute@lemmy.world to c/whatisthisthing@lemmy.world

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Recently purchased a refurbished FZ-55 Toughbook and it has this black metal square securely attached to the back side of the screen. What is this thing?

I tried prying on it a bit to see if it's stuck on with adhesive tape but it is firmly attached. Either screwed in or adhered with epoxy. I don't want to break it off if it is useful.

I asked the seller and he had no clue despite running a shop reselling heavy duty laptops.

Nothing I've seen online of other Toughbooks have this. I am assuming someone expoxy glued a metal RFID tag or tracking card to it. Similar to Tile. I have tried reverse image searching the card, as well as the logo without any real results.

Can anyone identify this or perhaps recommend a way to scan it if it is a RFID tracker or asset management device of some sorts.

Thanks 🙂

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[-] Fondots@lemmy.world 8 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

That is a sidetrak swivel metal plate for attaching a secondary monitor

I know nothing more than that, I just ran it through Google lens and it came right up (it can be hit or miss but it's usually pretty good at recognizing anything with a logo on it.) I'd imagine it's probably just stuck on with some heavy duty double stick tape or similar and could be safely scraped off or maybe loosened up with some rubbing alcohol or something, also pretty sure it's just literally a metal plate that a magnet can stick to.

[-] P00Pchute@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

SOLVED

Thanks for finding out what it is. I might have to try multiple image searches from now on not just one built into my phone. Now that I know it's probably just taped on I will not worry about being more aggressive with its removal.

I found the exact plate now that I have the manufacturer info.

https://www.shopluxorworkspaces.com/swivel-monitor-metal-plates-configurable

Thanks again!! The Internet can be wonderful.

[-] NarrativeBear@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

If it stuck on with adhesive then I recommend a heat gun to warm up the adhesive and make it easy to remove.

If you don't have a heat gun a blow dry / hair dryer will work just as well.

[-] SpikesOtherDog@ani.social 0 points 2 weeks ago

It also appears to be a RFID tag to me—the kind used for inventory control.

this post was submitted on 28 Sep 2025

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