From all of this discussion I have learned that I have two choices:
Use a cheap, fixable and adptable Desk top PC with an LCD monitor to
hold power usage down, and an inverter to supply the power, or
use a laptop.
The first choice uses more epower, the second choice loses on
varsatility and fixability.

Yep that's what Ive learned as well

Maybe I can use the LCD monitor also as TV for
watching movies and therfore would get a larger monitor thatn usually
comes with a laptop.

That's another reason I was curious abt using a desktop
on a boat/ sail boat. I was thinking that one could
put a TV card in it and use it as a TV as well as
general use PC


see link for such cards and devices

http://tinyurl.com/6vdbb

In the link above there also exists a USB TV card that
I suppose one could use with a laptop as well, correct?