Laptop computers

[tjv189]

I have heard that most truck drivers today have a laptop computer they take with them. To those of you that have one, could you tell me what kind you have and how much it cost you? I'm looking into getting one once I start driving here, and wanted to know what a good deal for a decent laptop computer would be.

Also, if I want one that has wireless internet capabilities, is the wireless internet usually reliable, or do you have trouble connecting often? Also, is the wireless internet hard to install/set up on a laptop? Thanks in advance.

[Collard Greens]

I have a HP with built in wireless card. I like it I have a year subsription with TA wireless to use at their truck stops and Sirrcom to use at Pilots, Loves, and Petros.

[Roadhog]

Mine's a Compaq Presario...really sturdy. Cops use these in the Interceptors. Mine is 5 years old. I'm just now replacing the battery. It is used a lot and used rough. I am on cable broadband at home, and go with WiFi at TS's.

Compaq invented the wireless chip. I think I paid $1100 for this gadget.
I guess HP owns them now. There is no WiFi settings you have to do. They are automatic. Once you set up an account...it will log you in.
I use mainly TA, and Flying J. I've used Petro and also some Motel hookups, and a few Interstate Reststops with WiFi.

Air cards are more money...but you can go online anywhere you get a phone signal. WiFi runs you about $20 a month...like with TA...but you have to be in the TA parking lot. That works fine for me...when I'm driving.

[got mud?]

Mine's a Compaq Presario...really sturdy. Cops use these in the Interceptors. Mine is 5 years old. I'm just now replacing the battery. It is used a lot and used rough. I am on cable broadband at home, and go with WiFi at TS's.

Compaq invented the wireless chip. I think I paid $1100 for this gadget.
I guess HP owns them now. There is no WiFi settings you have to do. They are automatic. Once you set up an account...it will log you in.
I use mainly TA, and Flying J. I've used Petro and also some Motel hookups, and a few Interstate Reststops with WiFi.

Air cards are more money...but you can go online anywhere you get a phone signal. WiFi runs you about $20 a month...like with TA...but you have to be in the TA parking lot. That works fine for me...when I'm driving.

I use a cingular air card and it cost me 49 dollers a month pluse my phone service. it can be a little slow in some places but I can hook up to the wifi at truck stops for free somehow it just jacks the signal (I dont know how lol) its nice for when i'm stuck at a dock and want to get online or if I overnight somewhere other than a truck stop.

[Bigmon]

After rebates you can get a decent one for $300-500. I have a Toshiba. Cost about $1000 before $300 rebate. Got it 5 years ago before the prices came down.

[dpatt]

You can sometimes find a good deal at a yard sale...just make sure it's a model that won't interfere with your driving :wink:

[Roadhog]

TA WiFi Hotspots
This is a price list, but seems to me, as a account holder, you get this slightly cheaper...unless they recently raised the rates.

Flying J WiFi Hotspots

Above are a couple links to WiFi services. Petro uses ....SiriCOMM Wi-Fi...
and most Motels offer free hookup, as are some Reststops.

States are offering free WiFi hookups at more and more Reststops now to encourage Travelers to stop, and take a break. Logging on to see weather ahead, tourist locations, resturants, etc.

The disadvantage to TS WiFi is you must be in the TS to go online. Not every TS has WiFi...and some that do, have poor signals. Of course...those are areas...even cell phones tend to be sketchy.

I like the TS WiFi...because it's cheaper, and I can use my TS Fuel Card Rewards to pay for it. I usually have a hundred or more dollars on most of my Cards...and I never seem to need anything out of the TS Stores. You really..really get tired of TS crap, after awhile. :?

I would have an AirCard ....like say Sprint...if I could use the service at home. But I live so far North...I don't have Sprint service up here. We have Nextel or Alltel. I'm even on the edge of a dozen dead zones. You have to wear a tinfoil hat and stick your middle finger in the air...to get a signal. Your calls drop a lot...but you learn to just keep talking, and forget about it. :evil:
Advantage of the AirCards is you can go online anywhere you can get a decent cell signal.

My outlook is...I run so hard when I'm driving...only time I even have an interest for online is when I finally settle down at a TS, and have eatten, showered and have a couple hours to fool around before I zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. All I seem to do online anyway...is answer a couple emails...and so what I have a cell phone.
Or I come here and chat.
I like being on the road to break my addiction of this place. I really need to cold Turkey...but it's soooo hard to do. Right now I want to log off...but I just can't.

I'm soooo weak.
I have nooo life. :evil:

[mowman]

I also have a Cingular card. Have to, because I also have an IT business and am supporting clients. I also have an iPAQ PDA that is always online. It has integrated GPS and I use Mapopolis on it, which is a pretty decent program for $90 / year and unlimited maps of US and Canada.

Takes a bit to program a route into it that it hasn't picked, but it's peace of mind when going through unfamiliar territory.

You'll run into a lot of places with no signal with the Cingular card, but they're where you'd expect them to be (mountains, hills).

In big cities, the speed is good. Can even do streaming audio and video. The worst it gets is about the speed of DSL-lite.

[rickll]

hi there ya-all ... we have a Toshiba satellite cost around $800 we also have a cingular air-card ... cause were always surfing the net when the other is driving ... we have two different maps software we use Microsoft with GPS and DeLorme with GAPS both are great in their own way ... would be nice if someone would put the two together.... I'd never go OTR without this equipment it has saved us many time and paid for it self time and time again. Next week we are buying a wilson antennea for the cell-phones and air card for better coverage.

[glasman2]

Roadhog.... you crack me up
I hope I run into you one day on the road.

[Roadhog]

:shock: Careful what you wish for... :P

[Born and RaiZed]

I have a Dell inspiron B130. I love it. ($899.00) CD/DVD Player/Burner. I refuse to pay truckstop prices for the internet! rediculous!!!!

I have a Cingular wireless card for $30.00/month and I can use it ANYWHERE I have a signal on my Phone.

Screw truckstop anything!!! To expensive for poor folks like me!

[Malaki86]

I agree with the 'hell no to truckstop wifi' comment. I paid for it 3 different times in 3 different locations. I think it would've been faster if i had a couple tin cans and a long string.

I'll stick with my Sprint card - anywhere the phone works, I'm on the internet.

[Born and RaiZed]

Amen Brotha!

[Back on the Road]

Have a Toshiba Satellite with a cingular wireless card. No complaints.

[Roadhog]

I also agree a wireless card is the way to go. You guy's are right! If you are OTR full time then that is the only common sense choice.

I have advocated the WiFi as...an alternative, or other way to get online from your vehicle. And...it is still not bad considering the plan I first started with. Anyone remember having to use your cell phone as a modem? Nextel Online...remember Packetstream Gold??? That's back in the old days...when we were ALL on dial-up at home too.

If you don't need online service all that much...you can serve your online
needs for about 10-12 bucks a month. And you can use your Rewards Cards to pay for it. You can get more free WiFi out there than you might realize too. More and more Reststops are adding that service.

These TS should be offering the WiFi FREE. Some really suck like you say, but you do learn where the good ones are. WiFi is the dial-up of wireless service. It is going to die and not be missed one day...maybe soon....just like analog radio.

Just imagine...all the gadgets you have right now....crap in 5 years.
You are being assimilated. Resistance is futile!

[Kevinz]

Hi,Everyone. How do you mount laptop support in the cab? Where do you buy it? Expensive?

[Colin]

If I was to go back OTR, I would have a lappy with Verizon broadband access for sure.

maps.google.com is awesome. For most locations you can even get a hi res satellite image of the location to confirm it's what your looking for. Then, go back to the map view and guide the truck right in.

[TK THE TRUCKER]

Just imagine...all the gadgets you have right now....crap in 5 years.
You are being assimilated. Resistance is futile!

" Locutus of Borg" nice !!!

[Rookie McRookerson]

Check out DieselBoss.com. They sell one that bolts to the passenger seat. You just need to know what brand of seat you have. You can also do a Google search for vehicle laptop stands.