How many have laptops...

Without repeating a previous post, I carry a laptop and internet through Sprint.

The story of why I started "packing" goes back to realizing some years ago that DOT officers were using them--and nearly all have PC Miler or some variant of mileage-producing software. These they use to confirm your story. An inevitability if ever one was (and not need expressed). Of course they have additional uses as well. My theory quickly became if it's good enough for them it should be good enough for me. I adopted the technology.

As for being a necessity, that somewhat depends on your operation. Some companies use internet for communications with drivers picking loads from virtual private networked load boards. Brilliant use of technology in my view.

To have or not to have is largely a matter of choice. As I mentioned I adopted my laptop for the above but found it has become a one-stop source of entertainment all around. I use it for nearly everything now. Online banking, digital financial record keeping, I have a digital postal meter through stamps.com, it prints all my outgoing checks for bills to be paid, digitizes all the paperwork I generate from every load I haul (and I am a company driver), etc, etc, etc... And last but far from least, I enjoy a good game of Spider Solitaire once in a while.

I've traveled with a laptop since back in 2000. I could better do without my cell phone than have my laptop be down for any length of time.

 

I have had a laptop for a while now, I have sat in the J"s lot and seen 10 20 30 drivers with laptops just a typing away. I would say the percentage is pretty high.

 

I have an old Gateway I plan to use for a while, but I'm curious to know what brand of laptops others are using and why?

Also, what features: memory, HD size, other components have you found useful/essential?

Is your laptop mounted on a mount such as those sold by DieselBoss, or do you just pull it out and prop it on the steer wheel?

And finally, what software are you using for routing, record keeping, etc.?

 

I also have a Gateway. 450xx with WIFI. I use Streets and maps with GPS piped to the stereo by a FM modulator. Gives voice directions. Turn by turn. I also use Truckmiles when I can get on the internet. Also doubles as a DVD player.

 

One point to consider when using memory intensive programs like GPS/mapping (and incidentally video playback from DVD as well) is max out your RAM capapacity with good quality memory modules. My Averatec 6200 series came with 512mb of RAM. I just upgraded one of the 256mb modules with a 1gb module and now it acts like a different machine. One of my favorite memory-sucker-programs is Dragon's Naturally Speaking V.7 voice-recognition. It eats memory like there's no tomorrow. I'm figuring when I upgrade the other module to a 1gb it'll zing through voice recognition tasks.

More RAM makes for much improved performance.

 

I currently use garmin gps on my laptop for directions( also check rand mcnally) and I use a new bookkeeping program called trucktrax for storing info concerning my records. works pretty good for me

 

It'd be a ballpark figure, but I'd guess around 60% of truckers at least HAVE a laptop. -D Clearly the figure will be higher with the members of this forum. ) Myself, I consider the cost of the setup to be among the best $ I've ever spent.
From gps/mapping to scanning, faxing, and communication. It's all run wirelessly from my laptop, and makes life/business MUCH easier.