Laptop Computer Onboard?

[BrianW]

I know it's done, and fairly popular. I had a question about using a trackball rather than the touchpad on the computer. The space where I mounting the computer is limited, so a normal mouse would not work well. Any recommendations on trackball brands, and type of connector?

Plus, I know I'll have a GPS plugged into the computer, but I'm not sure if they use a USB or a serial port. Any thoughts there?

What I'd really like to avoid, is running out of ports on the computer and still need to hook something else up.

Thanks!

[SC-Lion]

I strongly feel that a trackball is the way to go. Mice tend to roll around too much and are hard to use with any accuracy in swell. Touch pads don’t work well with wet fingers and have the same problem in swell.
My GPS cable is an old (as computer stuff goes) home made job and it uses a serial port to connect to a Garmin45. If you go with USB you can now get very small USB hubs for very cheap, it’s also not so easy to find laptops with serial ports anymore.
It’s a great way to navigate if you back it up with paper charts and traditional navigation tools.
-Gary

[Meerkat]

Yup, USB hubs reduce the likelihood of running out of ports. If a serial port is needed, there are no end of serial<->USB adaptors available.

Another option is a bluetooth gps module. No wires at all, but the laptop becomes the display and controller for the GPS unit. If bluetooth is not built into the laptop, there are also USB<->Bluetooth adaptors.

[George.]

I've thought about moving a lap-top, and therefore the office, on board, in order to be able to cruise while working (work while cruising?)

Questions for those with experience:

- How long do they last in the salt air and motion?

- Is there a practical and cheap way to hook up to the web (that would work down here)?

[Donn]

The best, and most accurate trackball I've used is the big Kensington, with a billiard ball sized ball. It isn't very space conscious, but works wonderfully well.

[Donn]

There are a few PC's made for marine use. OceanPC is one of the best known. They feature adaptable power sources, anti-corrosion treatment, and daylight-visible displays.

Web access when cruising is limited to satellite and fairly slow cellular modems, as far as I know.

[SC-Lion]

I’ve used standard laptops and I generally expect about 4 years of use before replacing them, about the time they’re too old for work anyways. I currently work from my boat about 50% of the time but I’m in a marina and have DSL. Last year I worked off the boat about 80% of the time. I do have a GPRS card and it works OK, as long as you have a GSM/ GPRS network down there you’ll connect at about 40k. Cost through T-Mobile in the States is around $40 a month for unlimited use.

For navigating on trips I use an older standard laptop because I don’t want to risk my work machine. You don’t need a very fast machine for navigation, mines an old 300 MHz Sony. I have several friends cruising Mexico and the Caribbean and they all use normal laptops. One friend has (or had, his boat was on the hard in Grenada, he’s in Asia and I haven’t been able to get a hold of him ) a Sat phone setup, but I don’t remember the details of his system except it was very expensive and slow. Most of the people I know cruising in Mexico only connect when they go ashore.

One more issue with laptops: I have a Heart 1000w inverter and the laptop doesn’t draw enough current to trigger it to turn on. So for the laptops I use one of the small cheapo 300w portable inverters and it works like a charm.

-Gary

[BrianW]

Thanks for the help folks!

Looking closer at the area where the laptop will sit, I realize that there's not even room for a trackball to sit.

I may have to go with a desktop using a flat screen on the computer shelf. That will leave room for the trackball.

[Noah]

Brian,

I have read many reports that you can now get smaller "desktop" IE non-laptop computers for cheap. These are often small and can handle 12v power supplies. The upside is that you can hide the CPU in a waterproof locker somewhere and use a wireless keyboard and mouse. Many feel that laptops are too fragile to be used offshore. Typically the nav station is close to the companionway, and water will find it's way onto the computer. I will see if I can find the article where specific models were mentioned. I think it was in practical sailor.

Also, most GPS's use serial ports I believe.

Noah

[Concordia..41]

Meerkat - where in the specs would it give the Bluetooth info & what are your thoughts on Athlon 64 vs. the other processor classes?

(Currently looking at a Presario 43240us - based on Athlon 64 recommendation. I've been putting off the laptop purchase, but am about to take the plunge.)

[ 09-10-2004, 03:40 PM: Message edited by: Concordia..41 ]

[BrianW]

Just for reference, here's a picture of the wheelhouse. You can just make out the desktop computer behind the seat...



...and of course the flatscreen up near the windshield.

Thanks for the advice, I'm still listening and shopping. I too am interested in learning more about the Bluetooth GPS.

[Meerkat]

Originally posted by Concordia..41:
Meerkat - where in the specs would it give the Bluetooth info & what are your thoughts on Athlon 64 vs. the other processor classes?

(Currently looking at a Presario 43240us - based on Athlon 64 recommendation. I've been putting off the laptop purchase, but am about to take the plunge.)

I would not buy a compaq (pressario) trash can Margo. They'd be too likely to crash! I also do not think they represent value for money. My favorites are IBM and Toshiba, especially the trackstick equipped ones. Tracksticks, in my personal experience, don't cause carpal tunnel like touch pads did for me. FAR less wrist motion!

As for Athlon 64, I think they're about 3-6 months out for something decent and reasonably priced. Right now they're at a bit of a premium. T'other issue is that there is little to no software available that takes advantage of 64 bit processing power, unless you like Linux.

WRT computers on board, my thinking leans towards a small, relatively slow computer based on a Via chip called the C3 "Nemiah" running at 1 Ghz (make sure it's a Nemiah as there are other versions of this chip that are slower, especially in floating point calculations, a navigation and graphics staple). You can squeak into one for ~$600 or so, including cpu, memory, hd and DVD-ROM/CD-R/W (monitor extra), and it has all the graphics, sound and etc. you'd want. It is LCD-ready and it can even do DVD movies well. (Anyone interested: ask me for more details.) It runs off of 12 volts and is about the size of a small pizza box. Add a bluetooth mouse and keyboard, a long display cable and you can hide the box in a (ventillated!) locker.

Another, less small option, are computers made by Shuttle (accept no substitutes!!). I have one and it's by far the nicest and smallest desktop I've ever had. To use the vernacular: killer good!

I think it's Garmin that makes the bluetooth "hockey puck" GPS receiver. About $300, possibly plus needed antenna.

I'm not sure what you mean about "where in the specs would it give bluetooth info"...? Any desktop or laptop (more usual) that's bluetooth equipped will make it plain. Per usual, absence of information does not imply presence

[ 09-10-2004, 10:19 PM: Message edited by: Meerkat ]

[Meerkat]

BrianW; as an alternative to a track ball, consider a keyboard with a trackstick built in. It's a little eraser like thing mounted between the "H" and "J" keys on the keyboard and you lean on it with your index finger to navigate. IBM sells keyboards so equipped. Builds a bit of a callus on your finger, but it works like a charm and takes up no extra space at all.

[Ross M]

Gotta second Meerkat on the Trackpoint; I also share his dislike for Compaq.

Ross

[capt jake]

Panasonic Tough Book!!!!!

Built to Military specs and 'nearly' indistructible! We have them on the fire engines and also in our police cars. They are tough and also feature a touch screen. [img]smile.gif[/img] Removeable hard drive, if you just have to carry it with you. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Meerkat]

I'll bet the price is tough too!

[capt jake]

Yup, I think they are down to about $4000-$4500 now. They can stand a 4 foot drop while running and they won't miss a beat. Water 'resistant'.

The touch screen is an awesome feature. [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img]

A link to their test documentation. panasonic

[ 09-11-2004, 11:11 AM: Message edited by: capt jake ]