Shopping for a laptop for the boat.

[Buck]

My wife and I are in the market for a laptop computor to use while we are on the boat or just out of town. I would really appriciate some input on what is required or desired in a laptop for on board movies, charts and e-mail. I will also want to be able to download digital photo. We are looking to spend around $800 to $1000. I don't have a auto pilot yet but that will probably come very soon as I do a lot of single handed sailing. I guess whatever we get should be able to hook up to a chart plotter. I have a fairly old Lowrance Globalmap 1600 that came with the boat.

[James V]

Most any will do. If you keep it on the boat you may want to get a used one as the salt can damage the computer.

Most systems will handle it. My problem is to small of hard drive as I have taken a lot of pics but an 80 gig external does store them well.

Good wireless is helpful but I do have an external WiFi booster that really helps and doubles my range as well as helps my speed. A must.

[Russ]

I'm thinking something small and lightweight, low power draw (Centrino). Just about any notebook can play movies and run charting software. Sony makes some very small and nice notebooks.

I wouldn't leave it on the boat. Damp environment and consumer electronics don't mix.

If you need Internet access, some marinas offer WiFi, but you can also get a wireless broadband card from your cell phone provider that might give you some coverage within range of shore towers.

I have a couple of Dell notebooks. If you google "Dell coupons" you can find lots of great deals. I saved $400 on my wife's notebook this way.

[John Christian]

Buck, I bought a 17" Toshiba widescreen a year ago, I travel quite a bit and wanted something to watch DVD's in a hotel room. Big hard drive for all those digital pictures, Media card reader so you dont need extra connections to view your pictures, and wi-fi so you can get your email if your maina has a hot spot.

The 17" is a little heavier to carry but makes all the difference when you watch a DVD.

here's a link..

JC

Toshiba

[Buzz]

Watch Tigerdirect.com they have some great deals on laptops.

[Frank C]

In that price range you can get a Latitude (the business version) from Dell's outlet/refurb center. Choose the business version and they automatically include their 3-year, on-site service plan ... at no extra charge. That means they come to you if you have any problems. Guess that means you could call 'em to follow you to Bimini or the San Juan Islands??

Dell's refurb center has three categories of machine. Those that were ordered and returned, those that were returned for a defect, and those that were ordered but never delivered. I like that third category ... purchased two of them in years past, never needed to call Dell for anything. Refurb pricing is about 60 percent of retail.

[Highlander]

I just bought a hp 5450 17" for $600 refurbished from future shop web purchase only it says but if you go into the store and order it online there you dont have to pay the $20. shipping charge saved over $300

J

[kmclemore]

Whatever laptop you get, try to get one with an extended battery capacity. My Thinkpad T60, for example, has the extended battery in back, plus I've got the optional battery that replaces the DVD-ROM drive (but I can still swap back if I need the DVD). This gives me quite literally 8 hours of computing every workday. Very likely, with limited usage on a boat, you may never need to charge it on your weekend trips.

9-cell extended life battery:


"Ultrabay" battery:

[c130king]

For laptops, and other AC charged items, like cell phones, how do you recharge their batteries on the boat? I have 2 x 12v outlets...no shorepower.

I have seen small inverters for use in cars. In fact I think we used to have one for the kids to run/charge their gameboys and other devices on road trips.

Does anyone have recommendations? I am thinking small and inexpensive. Not looking to power a microwave or anything. And what are the specs in terms of their power draw on the house battery?

Thanks,
Jim

[Frank C]

Speaking only re Dell, they offer an optional Auto/Air/AC adapter. Most laptops are rated at 65 to 90 watts, max, and usually ~20 volts. These adapters offer a 12-volt plug that runs through their proprietary converter brick ... a much better choice than converting the house power to AC with an inverter, then plugging in the standard laptop power brick.

Still, 90 watts is a pretty big load for the house batts, which is why Kmac suggests getting the biggest possible laptop battery. The Auto/Air/AC adapter usually sells for about $80. Univeral versions are offered by Targus & others .... check Best Buy or Circuit City.

[c130king]

Targus 150-watt inverter

Can any of you smart electrically-savvy type guys explain the pros/cons on using something like this? Price sure seems right...only $20.

I was thinking it could be used to charge cell phones and laptops. Would it make a difference if it was only used while the engine was running?

Thanks,
Jim

[Kelly Hanson East]

You have to be careful that a third battery DC supply (air auto) will actually charge your battery and not just run the computer

Dell, for one, chipsets the adapter so that if it the computer doesnt recognise the charger it wont charge the battery

Targus is a good and recognised third party supplier that should be good for the above issue.

I store all of our electronics in a large PLANO sealed box with silica gel (all those little packages that say DONT EAT) to keep them dry.

Kevin - 8 hour battery life is great. My Dell only lasts 2 hours - when it runs out I log a help desk ticket and take the rest of the day off...

A MACgregor really should have a MACintosh though.....

[c130king]

How bad will a 150-watt inverter drain a battery? Will it only draw what the item plugged into the inverter draws or will it always draw the full 150-watts?

How much power does a cell phone or laptop (in recharge mode...not actually operating) draw?

What about a small TV. Anyone know what sort of power draw that is?

Does anyone have any experience with something like this? Does it work well?

Thanks,
Jim

[bastonjock]

the only way to keep and eye on your batteries is to fit a monitor,it should show you what power your are using and what you have in reserve,to try and rely on calculations of power consumption will leave you short one day.

even the electronics inside the inverters have a power draw,it all adds up

[c130king]

My "simple" plan is to get a second battery and when I install that battery I will install some sort of electrical monitoring system.

And then I will also get an inverter for phone/laptop (and possibly a small TV).

And I will always have my portable jumper battery just in case I accidently drain the batteries and can't start the motor. I consider this essential...just like flares, life jackets, radios.

As to the original post on laptops. I will go with my current standard laptop (nothing special) and will take it off the boat when I leave the boat (not too worried about salt air or moisture). Must have DVD player and card readers for digital cameras (which mine does). Must have Wi-Fi for those marinas that have that capability. Will look into internet via cell phone...wonder how expensive that is?

Even while sailing I would probably get the shakes/tremors if I couldn't surf the macgregorsailors.com website each night...

Jim