Is there professional justification for needing a laptop as a truck driver?

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by will7370, Aug 12, 2009.

  1. kkburr73

    kkburr73 Light Load Member

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    Me, I suck with paying attention to my directions. I get a good tune in my head and before you know it. im 20 miles past my exit. I like that the gps will let you know a mile or so before ur turn.
     
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  3. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    GPS is nice in the city at night. Especially when some of the signs have been lost in action.
     
    kkburr73 Thanks this.
  4. kkburr73

    kkburr73 Light Load Member

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    Thanks guys. You have been a big help.
     
  5. Ridgerunner665

    Ridgerunner665 Road Train Member

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    BS...I've had CoPilot 9 Truck on my laptop since it came out...its far, far better than Streets and Trips or Garmin. (in my opinion...map quality matters very little to me...its the routes and miles that count) If I want good map quality I use Google satellite maps.

    Mine has never caused me any problems...is it perfect? no

    But when used with some common sense it works great. I'm going to get version 12 when it comes out this fall.
     
  6. kkburr73

    kkburr73 Light Load Member

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    Im looking at the teletype 7100. There is a web site that sells refurbished ones at $329 New ones sell for 599. Has anyone used this model befor. It has a 7" screen and You put your trucks info in. like length, weight, and so on. What ya think guys..

    kkburr73
     
  7. Dieselboss

    Dieselboss Technology Contributor

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    I'm curious to see any replies on "new" units from that company. I evaluated one for them a year ago and it needed some improvement at that time before I could recommend it. I have not tested the version that is shipping these days, so in fairness can't advise you. But you are doing the right thing by polling the folks here because there are bound to be some who have tried a more recent version. So lets see what the replies are.
     
  8. brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    I'll give you this much. When it comes to buying a computer, you definitely get what you pay for. This is not something you want to skimp on. I know good systems are expensive, but a cheap one up front will nickel and dime you to death UNLESS you are lucky enough to get one of the good ones. I like Dell, but have also heard good things about HP and Sony. Toshiba seems to be 50/50, according to people I have talked to.
     
  9. Big Duker

    Big Duker "Don Cheto"

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    I have had toshiba 17" Satellite since Dec 05. Has been great. Has shut down 3 times for overheating. Blow out fans and openings and right back to like new.
     
  10. kkburr73

    kkburr73 Light Load Member

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    Yeah I have the toshiba 17" also. I have had no problems with it at all. It does get pretty hot if I watch a movie on it. But over all been a great lap top. Still waiting to hear mor about the teletype 7100. Anyone have comments about it. Seems like a good unit. But waiting for feedback from all of you.


    kkburr73
     
  11. wsyrob

    wsyrob Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I sure wouldn't pay more than $500 for a truck mounted laptop. You simply don't need a high end computer in the truck. I have been running a $425 acer bought at walmart on black friday in 2007 since then. No problems whatsoever and it does everything I need it to.

    I am fascinated with the new solid state hard drives that are coming out now. They have no moving parts and should handle vibration better than current disk drives. You could easily get by with a smaller hard drive running the OS and keep data on external usb drives. I plan to replace my laptop every 3-4 years or so anyway.
     
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