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In Truck Computer- Desktop or Laptop?

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by Hyper, Nov 30, 2008.

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  1. Nov 30, 2008 #1
    Hyper

    Hyper Light Load Member

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    Just getting into a 780 Volvo with LOTS of room. I am considering a laptop or desktop for use in the truck. There are advantages to both. I do not like the laptop stand taking up space. I CAN use the sprint "Air-Card" for either. The larger Flat-Screen Moniter can be used for DVD's and when in good signal area, I can watch TV with my high-speed connection. Again, I could do the same with a laptop. I am thinking of going with a small 2nd moniter to install on my dash for use with navigation software. What do you all think?
     
    Hyper, Nov 30, 2008
    Hyper, Nov 30, 2008
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    Fyr Thanks this.
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  3. Nov 30, 2008 #2
    jeepskate99

    jeepskate99 Road Train Member

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    I have always used a laptop. And I had WAY less room than you would have in a modern tractor. I prefer them when it comes time for route planning. I can take a laptop into a restaurant and work while I can not do anything else.
     
    jeepskate99, Nov 30, 2008
    jeepskate99, Nov 30, 2008
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  4. Nov 30, 2008 #3
    Coonass

    Coonass "Freshy Fresh"

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    I also use a laptop for some of the same reasons stated above. I can bring it in a restraunt, TS, and other places and work while lounging around. I also use it for directions, movies, internet, and many other things. I really like the laptop because it is all in one making it eaiser to move around, not a bunch of wires laying all over, etc you get my drift.
     
    Coonass, Nov 30, 2008
    Coonass, Nov 30, 2008
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  5. Nov 30, 2008 #4
    rookietrucker

    rookietrucker Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I noticed in another post, you were concerned about the hard drive(hd). You are absolutely correct about the vibration and shock a truck puts on a computer. Unless manufacture specs have changed, hard drive actuator arms are "parked" when the system is powered off. When the system is powered on, the hard drive actuator arms are free to move. The hd may not be writing data at the time but the read/write heads on the actuator arms are free and can damage the spinning platters from road shock/vibration. A good bump in the road can cause what is called the 'click of death'.

    I only know of two companies who build systems to address this issue. Panasonic is the first company I seen to address this issue. They make a notebook called Toughbook and they are pricey but worth the money. Dell just recently introduced Latitude XFR, its similiar to the Panasonic's Toughbook.

    The only important factor here is, How important is your data to you ?




     
    rookietrucker, Nov 30, 2008
    rookietrucker, Nov 30, 2008
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  7. Nov 30, 2008 #5
    Hyper

    Hyper Light Load Member

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    Data, Software....Very.

    Thanks!
     
    Hyper, Nov 30, 2008
    Hyper, Nov 30, 2008
    #5
  8. Nov 30, 2008 #6
    rookietrucker

    rookietrucker Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Sorry, I totally forgot to mention a technology called Solid State Drive(SSD). This is the future of hd's in computers. These drives are a bit pricey but are expected to drop this next year. So maybe buying a cheap notebook and installing this drive might be your solution. Hope this helps ya...................
    http://compreviews.about.com/od/storage/a/SSD.htm
     
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2008
    rookietrucker, Nov 30, 2008
    rookietrucker, Nov 30, 2008
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  9. Dec 2, 2008 #7
    Pur48Ted

    Pur48Ted Road Train Member

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    In over 10 years of using laptops in a truck, I have only had 2 HD failures, and the HDs were OVER two years old at the time they "passed away". I am not really convinced they suffered from "road shock".

    There are good ways to protect data these days with the advent of USB storage drives. I have THREE (80G, 250G and 750G) and when I "back-up" my data (usually every other day), I back it up to all three drives for redundancy, except the videos which I back-up only on the two larger drives.
     
    Pur48Ted, Dec 2, 2008
    Pur48Ted, Dec 2, 2008
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  10. Dec 2, 2008 #8
    Pur48Ted

    Pur48Ted Road Train Member

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    Asus has a laptop called Eee PC that is about 1/2 the size of a regular laptop. PRICE $269 to $499
    What I saw, they have 3 USB ports, 10/100 Ethernet port, 802.11 g/b Fast Internet (wireless) 1.5 to 2.0 Ghz Intel CPU, 10G to 20G "flash" drive, 1GB DDR2 SDRAM,
    WSVGA TFT Screen 8.9", run WindowsXP Home (or Linux). You can always use a USB Mass Storage Device to load all your program files on to (and use an additional one for "backup")
    I didn't see a CD/DVD slot but one can purchase a USB CD/DVD drive at a reasonable price online from TigerDirect.
    I might consider getting one this year to "test" it in the trucking environment.
     
    Pur48Ted, Dec 2, 2008
    Pur48Ted, Dec 2, 2008
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  11. Dec 2, 2008 #9
    Markk9

    Markk9 "On your mark"

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    You will a big inverter to run a desktop. Inverter should be rated 20% higher the max draw of the power supply. Then don't forget to add any other items you would plug into the inverter. Average desktop power supply is 500W or more.

    Mark
     
    Markk9, Dec 2, 2008
    Markk9, Dec 2, 2008
    #9
  12. Dec 2, 2008 #10
    rookietrucker

    rookietrucker Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I only tried to provide him the information he was asking for. My 25 yrs of computer experience and credentials will back up this information, but please feel free to prove anything I said is wrong. I love a good debate.     :biggrin_2558:
     
    rookietrucker, Dec 2, 2008
    rookietrucker, Dec 2, 2008
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    Fyr Thanks this.
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