[slider64683]

The ones I sell only weight 6 1/2lbs. Nothing heavy and they are small. I will even make deals with other drivers on my laptops. Hope I can help someone out

Happy Holidays

[tumbo1]

i also use dell they seem to be very rugged this is the second one i have had and no problems at all and they start around 600 bucks i think i paid nine for mine

[tbaarr]

i use a 700 buck toshiba that i bought from best buy with 0% financing

its satellite ready

connects to all truck stop wi fi inside my truck anywhere in their lots

as well as free internet at all iowa rest areas and the free bosselman/pilot

wi fi hot spots

and for 99 bucks i got a 2 year no hassle warranty

comparing a toshiba to a dell or a compaq or hp is like comparing a

cadillac to a kia sedona

i will pay the extra 100 for the cadillac

my opinion only

but then i used to repar computers before outsourcing became

good for this country not

[flood]

Originally Posted by fatman

hi there. i've recently returned to trucking and plan on getting a laptop for both entertainment and utility purposes. my budget is around 2K. my questions are:

1. is there a particular brand of laptop that has proven itself more sturdy and reliable over others?

2. what components should I get hardware wise? I have a sprint phone and the unlimited data plan now, but no idea of how to interface them. should I bother with a wireless card?

3. what software should I get?

4. how can I best protect my laptop while driving and what about those notebook stands i've seen that attach to the passengers seat? is there something cheaper and/or better? should I get a padded briefcase for carrying the laptop in and out of my truck?

5. what warranties should I consider?

I am a company driver and drive a 2003 columbia freightliner.

thank you in advance for any and all responses.

i am also a company driver. this is what i have and it works great for us
HP ze4900 with 768mag's ram dvd-cdrw, 40gig hd, verizon air card, built in wyfi. my gps is DeLorme 2007+ i also have streets and trips ( i like DeLorme better), i have a 5 X 7 touch screen monitor on the dash IN-007VG 7 from mp3playerstore.com (anything you can do with a mouse i can do by just touching the screen) also DeLorme has voice command so i can ask it thing or move the display and zoom in and out by voice.

i have a HP all in one and it fits in the overhead so i can make copies as needed of just scan things into the laptop that i MAY need print later.

i also use a chill pad to keep tha laptop cool

i have look at alot of holders to keep my laptop in that will work in a company truck (no drill) i do have a cydertrucker laptop work station (what a pick of junk for $249) the best i have found and is the one i use now is a ram-mount.com thy have mounts for laptop's stand alone gps and more. check out the website then if you can't find retailer near you (this will sound dumb) check ebay a retailer in vegas sells then new on ebay for $177

i have less than $1200 in all of it and btw tech tv did a torture test on laptop's and the only one still working then thy were done was the dell

it realy comes down to this any new laptop will do what you want as long as you make sure that is has the things you need like a pcmcia type 2 for an air card, 2-4 usb ports for printer, gps, extra hd, chill-pad, keyboard lite. wyfi,

[spencerian]

I owned a computer store before I became a trucker.
(thinking heavily about goin back to it because the only other store around got sued by Microsoft and went bankrupt.)

1. is there a particular brand of laptop that has proven itself more sturdy and reliable over others?
Dell. I have repaired too many Toshiba, IBM, Sony, and HP/Compaq laptops. I have a Dell Inspiron 9400 I am typing on right now. It has all I need! And parts are available should I have a malfunction.

2. what components should I get hardware wise? I have a sprint phone and the unlimited data plan now, but no idea of how to interface them. should I bother with a wireless card?
You need a Pentium or AMD grade processor. Celeron processors are too weak. I use GPS software and tried it on a Celeron based laptop. It took too long to draw the maps!
Processor: A good dual core processor will work great
Memory: At least 512mb of memory.
Hard Drive: Any size will do here. BUT if you are a software/MP3/Video nut and need space look for 80-120Gb. Another option is to get an external hard drive. I rip DVD's to mine and watch them while I am on the road.
WIFI: You'll probably get a laptop with integrated wifi. This works great at truckstops, etc. The only problem is that most truckstops have their own service that runs upwards of $20 per month. So if you have a cellphone with data capability, you can use a USB cable to get internet. Or you can buy a data card from Sprint/Cingular that will access the internet.
TV Tuner: Don't want a TV/DVD on the truck? Use the laptop! A laptop with DVD will curb the need for a seperate stand alone unit. I have a Hauppauge USB TV tuner. I pick up all local channels. A good USB tuner will set you back about $60.

3. what software should I get?
GPS: I use Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007. I only use it to reference how far/how much time it will take to do a run.
Other applications: Winamp (video/MP3 playback)
NetStumbler (detects wifi spots)
Avast (virus protection)

4. how can I best protect my laptop while driving and what about those notebook stands i've seen that attach to the passengers seat? is there something cheaper and/or better? should I get a padded briefcase for carrying the laptop in and out of my truck?
The notebook stand is a pretty good idea. They can be had for about $140. As for a breifcase, I would just get a laptop backpack. They're plenty padded, and go over your shoulder.

5. what warranties should I consider?
That's the toughest question for me to answer. I didn't get a warranty. If the laptop quits working and has to be sent in, how long is the turn around to getting it back? How much is the warranty? I have seen HP/Compaq laptops take as long as 3 months to be repaired.

[devildice]

[quote="spencerian"]I have a Hauppauge USB TV tuner. I pick up all local channels. A good USB tuner will set you back about $60.

Spencerian, I have heard that "Hauppauge" mentioned before. Does it require internet access to use it?

[spencerian]

No. The TV Tuner plugs into your USB port. It has software included that acts like a TV. Most even have a PVR like software that will let you record a show to view later.

Say you are a Letterman fan, but have to deliver at 6am. Record the show and watch it later!

Here's a list of them!

[devildice]

Thanks for the link....I'll check it out......can it also be used with a TV or just your laptop?

[Malaki86]

Originally Posted by devildice

Thanks for the link....I'll check it out......can it also be used with a TV or just your laptop?

It's only for a computer.

This is the one I have:
http://www.hauppauge.com/pages/produ...sb2mcekit.html

If you don't have Windows XP Media Center Edition, this one will work as well:
http://www.hauppauge.com/pages/products/data_usb2.html

[devildice]

Originally Posted by Malaki86

It's only for a computer.

This is the one I have:
http://www.hauppauge.com/pages/produ...sb2mcekit.html

If you don't have Windows XP Media Center Edition, this one will work as well:
http://www.hauppauge.com/pages/products/data_usb2.html

I checked out the website and it seams like a pretty cool device. I wish it had the capability to connect to a stand alone TV as well.

What do you use or suggest for an antenna?