You are not going to be able to use a cheap, run-of-the-mill desktop
straight from 12v DC power. Inside there is a power supply that produces
several different voltages used by the PC. Your only alternative is to use
an inverter.
I don't think power consumption would be that great if you use a flat panel
monitor. If your activity caused your hard drive to run a lot this would be
increased. Additional RAM would reduce this need.
FWIW, John Neal comments in his cruising book that he has used common
desktop computers on his boat for years without trouble.

"Rolf" wrote in message
om...
"Doug Dotson" wrote in message
...
Laptops tend to be a bit more rugged, but using a small desktop and
a flat panel display will keep the power consumption down.

Doug
s/v Callista

wrote in message
...
Im not a sailor but I have a question out of curiosity.

Is it possible to use small form factor desktops on boats with DC
systems rather than use laptops?

Bottom line.... can one use and modify a desktop to run off 12 vdc
boat system..... or is one just stuck using and buying laptops that
are already setup to use battery DC power?

I would like to use a desk top for the following reasons:
1. Lower cost than Laptops
2. Can be readily adapted to fit my needs by adding cards etc
3. If a drive goes BO it can be changed.

So, how can I get a desktop that maintains the above advantages, but
uses 12 V power and low amps.
I don't want to buy a specialty desktop, then I might jsut as well buy
a laptop.
The suggestion to use a Flat panel screen is good. But what about the
PC itself. How should I confugure that.
Are 12 V power supplies available for a desk top?
One reply said that a 1 GHz Celeron processor uses the same amount of
power in as a laptop.
Wat about drives? I think I would need a hard drive and a CD reader.
Are they the culprit for high power consumption?

What about Cards I need the mother board plus a modem.