On Sun, 05 Dec 2004 14:36:43 GMT, Geoff Schultz
wrote:

The problem with a system of this type is that there's no easy way to
bring it to shore to an Internet cafe to download e-mail. If you want a
general purpose computer, then this looks OK. IMHO it's expensive for a
1 Ghz macbine.

Any kind of specialty PC (extra-rugged, low-power, whatever) will cost
more, and I think the "best buy" here can be dictated pretty easily.

1) Portability. A laptop is always more expensive than a box, but a
box can be better protected. On the other hand, you can't take a box
ashore.

2) Flexibility. Box wins for component upgrades and configurations in
most cases. Also, the various "black boxes" that bring nav, GPS,
weather and radar data to your PC are going to connect more readily to
a box than a laptop in many cases.

3) Power draw-down. Are you "on" constantly or not? Even a bulky, hot
350 W desktop unit won't draw much if you leave it off most of the
time. On the other hand, if you are building your electrical system
(charging, inverting, etc.) around the idea of having electronics,
then any PC while running probably draws less than say, any radar and
many common items like spreader lights and running a hair dryer.

4) Current software requirements. Laptops are always less bright for
the buck than boxes, but you have to look at the software requirements
to determine if this is a problem. I can't find any charting/nav or
comm software that requires more than, say, a PIII, 256 Meg of RAM
level of "strength", and that means you can spend, say, $400 for a
superannuated "fleet" Dell or Compaq laptop and run nav all day long.

5) Thieving and replacement. Laptops can be stolen, but if you put a
PC inside of a locked vented mini-locker, it looks like any
miscellaneous electronics. If you use a "mini-ATX" motherboard and
case, you can make them quite inconspicuous. Wireless networking can
reduce the cable runs, as well.

Taking all this into consideration, I would say I would have a
reasonably current "box" PC squirrelled away on board with a portable
LCD monitor and wireless accessories. That way, I could swing a
charting screen into the companionway on an armature and use an IR
mouse to change screens/displays.

I would have a three year old laptop, strategically covered in duct
tape, to take ashore or to compose e-mails on deck or wherever. It
would be networked when needed to the box and used to back-up logs,
ongoing work and "ship's data".

Of course, I plan to work while I cruise. Your situation may vary.

R.