Frankly, I think you should purchase a Mac, or Apple product.

I've got windows, and I would love to see that idiot Bill Gates tarred, and feathered, and boiled in oil. He creates a product, that has more problems with it, then it's worth. I've never been happy with any of the software programs, everyday there is a new problem, and I would love to throw my computer out the window, and be done with it.

If I had known then, what I know now, I would have gotten an Apple, or a Mac...

The other problem is that when they first put PC computers on the market the big selling point was that they would get cheaper to buy as the technology progressed. What a bunch of bull that was...

Like when CD's came on the market to replace Cassettes... Well, we've all been fooled again by American business, and now it costs as much for a computer as it used to cost to buy an old used car. CD prices haven't dropped, and they still take up more space in your vehicle, then cassettes ever did, sigh....

I really couldn't advise you, other than I hate anything to do with Microsoft... :roll: Or the latest so called technologies for that matter.... :lol:

This is how I really feel about Bill Gates, and Microsoft.... :lol:

As far as Bill Gates....he let all the Software companies know well ahead of time his new OS was coming out. These companies could have been decent about developing patches. I think you're looking at the wrong person/persons to blame Red Raven.

As with XP OS...the new Vista OS will need some time to develop. It is a good system for those who are savvy enough to tweak it to true optimum performance.

I would recommend staying with XP for another couple years. You can still purchase laptops with XP. I just bought a HP business class with XP Pro. With the frustration over Vista...many of the merchants are wise to the fact...and are offering you XP.

PM Vavega...she mentioned to me there is a way you can buy a Vista machine, and save the OS and put XP on there. Later down the road, you can reinstall Vista. If you do go with a Vista machine...get one with a lot of memory.

For wireless...I use Sprint...and use my cell phone as a modem. I love it. You can also have an aircard, or a USB modem, for the same service, and therefore you are issued another phone number, so you do not tie up your cell line, while on the computer.

I use Delorme, and PC Miler for a laptop mapping/routing system, with an Earthmate GPS receiver. The PC Miler system is ultra expensive...but it is a Commercial base system. Prior to that I used the Delorme for years, and it is reasonably priced...although non-com. If you are patient....this Market is rapidly expanding, and many new competitive systems are about to emerge.

The laptop GPS mapping is nice, but better suited for routing, storing and upgrading info, and viewing full results.
You may wish to consider a GPS stand alone unit for your actual enroute aid. I use a Garmin stand alone....and find it worth every penny. I bought a Garmin Nuvi 350 for $320 off eBay.

The stand alone GPS are also about to emerge with Commercial base mapping systems. This summer Cobra is scheduled to come out with a Commercial mapping system from Seimens VDO.
You can install updates and extra info to them off your computer. Some also can be used as a Bluetooth handsfree device for your phone, and an MP3 player for music and audiobooks...linked to your Truck sound system.

We have recently done a number of threads on all these subjects. A search will help you enormously.


$20 bucks says this gets rerouted without GPS to Surveys forum. :wink:.....Recalculating.... :lol: (inside joke for stand alone users)

I have a HP DV8000 laptop in the truck with Windows XP Media Center Edition. I use the laptop for everything. Entertainment (games and watching movies), gps routing (CoPilot and Microsoft Streets & Trips 2007), Quicken, logs (drivers daily log), and the internet via a Sprint wireless card (I only use the built in wireless when I'm at home).

At home I have a "small footprint" HP machine with Vista Home Premium on it. While I've never had a single problem with it, it does seem to be slower than XP. The machine at home is much higher on the scale as far as a machine. It's Vista that's gotta be slowing it down. However, it's a very reliable machine.

As far as going with a Mac, the only problem you're going to have there is finding the software to use. I don't see many options for the GPS or logbook programs.

I like Toshiba notebooks myself but have to agree stay with xp I will be buying windows XP to put on here I hate vista its a mem hog. its slower BUT it sure is pretty.

Another forum you might like is....

Trucking Product Reviews by Truckers for Truckers.

Lots of info you are requesting in that forum.

I have the HP DV9000 and went with the Vista upgrade. It came with 512MB of DDR and also upgraded that to 2GB and she hums!!! I have had two issues with Vista, in the new Media player it has a Fair Use program built into it so you can't download movies or remove the Media Player. The other thing, it took me a while to Sync my Treo, after a while I figured it out but was a hassle (was a PALM issue not Microsoft's). Other than that I like Vista. My wife has a Toshiba with XP and cannot stand to use it, it's slow and luggy compared to mine with Vista. If your going to spend some money on a laptop with some speed I would say go with Vista, if your going to get a average laptop go with XP. Microsoft has released several updates already and most of the bugs are getting worked out.

Just do your home work and figure out what will be the best for you!, here's a great site for Vista and other windows editions. http://www.winsupersite.com/vista/

Well...it has been one of the most profitable tax-free Industries for thousands of years. :roll: ....often times even considered a "community service." :mrgreen: