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#21
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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notebook computers onboard?
On Wed, 27 Dec 2006 18:08:53 -0800, Bob wrote:
Last year I bought a Panasonic CF-29 Toughbook. Its heavy and not that fast. define "fast" Whygo to the tripple expence? why buy new? Much rather have one that can be droped from 6' and keep on working.And Im hopping to have a few years of relible use. my guess is you will |
#22
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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notebook computers onboard?
G'day Group
My 2 cents worth: I went through this about 2 years years ago. I went for a high end Toshiba (Portege M300) that has a solid magnesium case, gel mounted H.D. and a spill resistant keyboard. It does triple duty on board: 1. Navigation - used with a Garmin 276c *plotting *real time tracking: *chart and map management.( Map Source 6.5, Bluecharts V8.0 ) 2. Printing my "chart-of-the-day" from Garmin Map Source 6.5 via Bluetooth to a Canon IP90 printer 3. DVD player 4. Communication when WiFi is available (Skype). This is also the puter I use at home 95% of the time (like right now). It is "tough". I haven't dropped it but it is showing some battle scars: worn (shiny) keys, small dents on the cover, and signs of wear around the mouse pad. No problems so far. That being said, of course it is not dedicated to my boat in that it goes home with me so exposure to salty air is kept to a minimum. I reckon there are three choices: 1. Buy TWO used laptops. One to work with, one for a backup. You should be able to buy something suitable in an older "name brand" in the thousand dollar range (for both). If you are in Canada have a look he http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/st...goryId=2576396 If you can find a used tough book in decent shape that would be a great choice in my opinion. 2. Buy a NEW high end unit and hope that it is as good as its reputation and advertising. I opted for the Toshiba Portege because a new Panasonic Tough Book was out of my budget. 3. Buy a dedicated "marine" PC that will likely be even more $$$ than the Tough Book. (it was when I bought my Toshiba) Have a look here for what I *think* is a good unit (only heard feedback from one purchaser) http://seapc.se/ Whether you buy used or new consider your purchase carefully. Avoid the big screen "multi media" notebooks. They can suck more juice than your fridge. Stay to a small screen size. A 12 inch is best but harder to find and more $$$. Another note... A boat is about the worst possible place for a computer. As soon as you bring it on board the circuit boards, contacts etc are being exposed to moist salty air and start corroding. In the meantime when the engine is running there is vibration. Sooner or later it will take its toll. Some of the traces on motherboards are as fine as a hair. It doesn't take much of a "smudge spot" to develop into corrosion causing an open or short circuit and a dead computer in need of a Mother Board. Rest assured this will not happen while you are tied up in a Marina watching a DVD. It will wait until you are in the middle of re programming your GPS/Plotter. My comments are based on my own experience and that of my former customers. I owned a retail computer/software store for 9 years. I have owned 10 or more notebooks during that time and since. Things to avoid for SU "no-name" or "house brand" laptops NEW OR USED. Most are impossible to get repaired. Again in *most* cases if you have problems and are not close to the selling dealer - you are screwed. regards, Sam I am.... |
#23
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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notebook computers onboard?
G'day Group
My 2 cents worth: I went through this about 2 years years ago. I went for a high end Toshiba (Portege M300) that has a solid magnesium case, gel mounted H.D. and a spill resistant keyboard. It does triple duty on board: 1. Navigation - used with a Garmin 276c *plotting *real time tracking *chart and map management. 2. Printing my "chart-of-the-day" from Garmin Map Source 6.5 via Bluetooth to a Canon IP90 printer 3. DVD player 4. Communication when WiFi is available (Skype). This is also the puter I use at home 95% of the time (like right now). It is "tough". I haven't dropped it but it is showing some battle scars: worn (shiny) keys, small dents on the cover, and signs of wear around the mouse pad. No problems so far. That being said, of course it is not dedicated to my boat in that it goes home with me so exposure to salty air is kept to a minimum. I reckon there are three choices: 1. Buy TWO used laptops. One to work with, one for a backup. You should be able to buy something suitable in an older "name brand" in the thousand dollar range (for both). If you are in Canada have a look he http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/st...goryId=2576396 If you can find a used tough book in decent shape that would be a great choice in my opinion. (I couldn't at the time) 2. Buy a NEW high end unit and hope that it is as good as its reputation and advertising. I opted for the Toshiba Portege because a new Panasonic Tough Book was out of my budget. I reckon the Portege to be tough but not crazy tough like the Panasonic. 3. Buy a dedicated "marine" PC that will likely be even more $$$ than the Tough Book. (it was when I bought my Toshiba) Have a look here for what I *think* is a good unit (only heard feedback from one purchaser) http://seapc.se/ Whether you buy used or new consider your purchase carefully. Avoid the big screen "multi media" notebooks. They can suck more juice than your fridge. Stay to a small screen size and pay attention to battery consumption/time. Mine is good for 5 hours (still!) Another note... A boat is about the worst possible place for a computer. As soon as you bring it on board the circuit boards, contacts etc are exposed to moist salty air and start corroding. Sooner or later it will take its toll. Some of the traces on motherboards are as fine as a hair. It doesn't take much of a "smudge spot" to develop into corrosion causing an open or short circuit and a dead computer in need of a Mother Board. Rest assured this will not happen while you are tied up in a Marina watching a DVD. It will wait until you are in the middle of re programming your GPS/Plotter. My comments are based on my own experience and that of my former customers. I owned a retail computer/software store for 9 years. I have owned 10 or more notebooks during that time and since. Things to avoid for SU "no-name" or "house brand" laptops NEW OR USED. Most are impossible to get repaired. Again in *most* cases if you have problems and are not close to the selling dealer - you are screwed. regards, Sam I am.... |
#24
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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notebook computers onboard?
On Thu, 28 Dec 2006 05:15:21 GMT, Sammy Spamson
wrote: I am not the OP, but would thank you for this contribution, lots of good information. G'day Group My 2 cents worth: I went through this about 2 years years ago. I went for a high end Toshiba (Portege M300) that has a solid magnesium case, gel mounted H.D. and a spill resistant keyboard. It does triple duty on board: 1. Navigation - used with a Garmin 276c *plotting *real time tracking: *chart and map management.( Map Source 6.5, Bluecharts V8.0 ) 2. Printing my "chart-of-the-day" from Garmin Map Source 6.5 via Bluetooth to a Canon IP90 printer 3. DVD player 4. Communication when WiFi is available (Skype). This is also the puter I use at home 95% of the time (like right now). It is "tough". I haven't dropped it but it is showing some battle scars: worn (shiny) keys, small dents on the cover, and signs of wear around the mouse pad. No problems so far. That being said, of course it is not dedicated to my boat in that it goes home with me so exposure to salty air is kept to a minimum. I reckon there are three choices: 1. Buy TWO used laptops. One to work with, one for a backup. You should be able to buy something suitable in an older "name brand" in the thousand dollar range (for both). If you are in Canada have a look he http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/st...goryId=2576396 If you can find a used tough book in decent shape that would be a great choice in my opinion. 2. Buy a NEW high end unit and hope that it is as good as its reputation and advertising. I opted for the Toshiba Portege because a new Panasonic Tough Book was out of my budget. 3. Buy a dedicated "marine" PC that will likely be even more $$$ than the Tough Book. (it was when I bought my Toshiba) Have a look here for what I *think* is a good unit (only heard feedback from one purchaser) http://seapc.se/ and I look at this system, and think it is worth it to have a integrated system, with a laptop as a backup. Whether you buy used or new consider your purchase carefully. Avoid the big screen "multi media" notebooks. They can suck more juice than your fridge. Stay to a small screen size. A 12 inch is best but harder to find and more $$$. Another note... A boat is about the worst possible place for a computer. As soon as you bring it on board the circuit boards, contacts etc are being exposed to moist salty air and start corroding. In the meantime when the engine is running there is vibration. Sooner or later it will take its toll. Some of the traces on motherboards are as fine as a hair. It doesn't take much of a "smudge spot" to develop into corrosion causing an open or short circuit and a dead computer in need of a Mother Board. Rest assured this will not happen while you are tied up in a Marina watching a DVD. It will wait until you are in the middle of re programming your GPS/Plotter. My comments are based on my own experience and that of my former customers. I owned a retail computer/software store for 9 years. I have owned 10 or more notebooks during that time and since. Things to avoid for SU "no-name" or "house brand" laptops NEW OR USED. Most are impossible to get repaired. Again in *most* cases if you have problems and are not close to the selling dealer - you are screwed. regards, Sam I am.... -- Woodsy, Off the Grid, Off the Road, Off my Rocker... |
#25
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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notebook computers onboard?
mr.b wrote:
On Sun, 24 Dec 2006 14:19:58 +0000, Shaun Van Poecke wrote: Is anyone shockproofing their laptop, or just sitting them on a table? It's been done for you already. Search for Itronix or "Panasonic Toughbook" on ebay. Many bargains available. Toughbooks are pretty popular among firefighters and in the military, but I still had issues pretty fast with mine when I was living on my boat. It didn't seem to hold up any better than a Toshiba that I had, but it could be that I had a lemon. Good thread! |
#26
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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notebook computers onboard?
Sailor Brian wrote: Toughbooks are pretty popular among firefighters and in the military, but I still had issues pretty fast with mine when I was living on my boat. It didn't seem to hold up any better than a Toshiba that I had, but it could be that I had a lemon. Hi: Lemon? What happened? How long before it went to fruity? Bob |
#27
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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notebook computers onboard?
Bob wrote:
Sailor Brian wrote: Toughbooks are pretty popular among firefighters and in the military, but I still had issues pretty fast with mine when I was living on my boat. It didn't seem to hold up any better than a Toshiba that I had, but it could be that I had a lemon. Hi: Lemon? What happened? How long before it went to fruity? Bob I could have said I had an apple. :-P |
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