What kind do you use?

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by Young-Gun-101, Feb 19, 2007.

  1. BearGator56

    BearGator56 "The G stands for GOOD!"

    289
    52
    Apr 11, 2006
    Orlando, FL
    0
    Anything but a Gateway. I've had mine for almost a year now, and it is a piece of junk.

    Next time, I think I'll invest in one of those Panasonic Toughbooks. I can also highly recommend the IBM Lenovo. My last company issued those to us, and it was a great machine that rarely gave me issues.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Outsider

    Outsider Bobtail Member

    34
    21
    Nov 6, 2006
    NC
    0
    No, two things to remember when using ANY routing warez.
    1: You are driving NOT the device
    2: Common sense and experience will tell you what you can and cannot do.

    IF you want to spend ALOT of cash on a Haz-Mat routing proggie, and want truck specific routing, you will spend dearly.
    ALK Technologies has the best truck routing, but it is very expensive.
    After you you use Delorme or Streets and Trips or some Gamin type product, you will learn the maps, which roads are housing and which one are better routes.
    I hope this helps, you can dump a whole bunch of hard earned cash on junk as well as something good :D
     
  4. Outsider

    Outsider Bobtail Member

    34
    21
    Nov 6, 2006
    NC
    0
    All are junk under a certain $ amount.
    IBM is top notch as is the Toughbook.
    The only draw back to ANY notebook is part replacement. Considering everything is built on to the Motherboard.
    I get anywhere from 2-3 years out of a notebook, anything past that and the hardware is too outdated.
    IF you want to go the right way, build a desktop system and find a way to mount a 15 inch LCD. Portability becomes an issue.
    750 bux over 3 years is about what 20-25 bux a month?
    This is why I look at a notebook as a "Throw-a-way" I just back up my data on a CD / DVD. and keep replacing them.
    My last truck I woned I had my Dell notebook, AND a desktop (server) in the bunk with a 15" notebook monitor in the overhead ( flip down mind you :biggrin_25520:)
    I am doing the same on this new truck I am building.
    It will be a gaming machine / server. 4 camera system wil be fed into it , the whole nine yards. Since I am going with a "B" model Cat, I do not have an ECM to tap into. But I will have a cam on the speedo :D
    Most of this system will be "IN CASE" I have a liabilty issue. I will also use it for Cell Wifi, reg. wifi, data entry via a web based accounting system I have been developing the last few years. scanner, printer, etc.
    A complete techno-truck whoop whoop :)
    Not to mention a rolling home theater.
     
  5. MedicineMan

    MedicineMan Road Train Member

    5,799
    6,440
    Jan 13, 2007
    Woodville, TX
    0
    I just bought A Toshiba 6147 from Circuit city for $850 after the mail in rebate. It has a huge 17" screen and great graphics. I'm happy so far
     
  6. Truckerjo

    Truckerjo Road Train Member

    2,314
    341
    Sep 5, 2006
    Indiana
    0
    You will like that Toshiba, they make a nice laptop...
     
  7. joendeniese

    joendeniese Medium Load Member

    107
    1
    Oct 27, 2006
    Dixie
    0
    If you can, go to tigerelectronics.com (may be tiger.com) They sell refurbished computers, and other stuff with the same warranty as a new one. Outstanding bargains and lots of choices.
     
  8. Young-Gun-101

    Young-Gun-101 Light Load Member

    102
    9
    Feb 18, 2007
    Iowa
    0
    My sister has one of them they are nice
     
  9. MedicineMan

    MedicineMan Road Train Member

    5,799
    6,440
    Jan 13, 2007
    Woodville, TX
    0
    this is my third toshiba laptop in about 10 years or so. I'm a lifer.
     
  10. MedicineMan

    MedicineMan Road Train Member

    5,799
    6,440
    Jan 13, 2007
    Woodville, TX
    0
    so you saying I got a girly laptop!!!?? You think I'm funny eh. funny haha or funny in some gay way???:biggrin_2552::biggrin_2551:
     
  11. CommDriver

    CommDriver Road Train Member

    1,315
    479
    Dec 9, 2006
    0
    My Dell Inspiron of 5 years crashed recently while I was on the road. It was time for it to go anyway.

    I stopped at a Best Buy and got a Toshiba Satellite series but it almost immediately began giving me the blue screen and shutting down on me. I don't doubt Toshiba is a good brand, but I got a bad one. I took it back and spent about double to get a Sony VAIO, $1499.

    But I was glad I did. It has double the memory, a built in webcam, and the functionality of commands is similar to Dell which is what I'm used to.

    I didn't get the BestBuy warranty, but if you're not good with computers it might be a good thing to buy one at BestBuy whatever the brand and get the service warranty. That way if you're on the road you can find a BestBuy just about anywhere and the GeekSquad will take care of you.

    If you're using an aircard for Sprint, Cingular, or some other carrier, be careful about getting an HP. All the new HP's are using a different standard for their wireless card slot. It's called PCI Express and my Sprint card would not fit.

    Also there is no upgrade for the Sprint Pantech 500 card for Windows Vista. If you get a computer with Vista, you'll have to manually configure a connection that will work with the card.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.