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

Stick with a laptop rather than a smaller GPS. You get a much better picture of the route. Just remember that MOST routing software was not originally designed for big trucks, so alway confirm your route with an approved commercial carrier atlas. There is no replacement for basic map reading skills in this industry.

 

Hell, if you read the reviews, even the GPS standalone units that advertise that they do truck specific routing do not work. Thus, no matter which way you go, always make sure your routes are truck legal.

 

Rand/McNally Atlas is a truckers' best friend!!

 

Gotta agree with the laptop opinions here. A well-mounted laptop with MS Streets and Co-Pilot Truck for navigation, an electronic log, and a Verizon air-card is the way to fly. The company drivers who move trucks a lot find this harder having to switch things around, but like others have said, big screen, louder speakers, internet access, email, games, movies, etc.
LSU, I like your posts as they are informative and well-written, but "ALK products are crap" I have to "agree to disagree" with you on. I beat up all of these products for a living and I've never seen a bloodier battle than 2009 for this stuff (Teletype, ALK PC Miler, Garmin, Goodyear, Rand McNally) as they are "leapfrogging" each other every few months. The CoPilot Truck laptop 11 product is quite "tired" right now in terms of its maps and features but I like to use it with the 2009 S&T program (total of $254 for both) to combine truck routing with new NavTeq maps. When the new version of CPT comes out in the fall using the V23 PcMiler maps that are on the dash-mount units now, I think it will bear a second look. Same with the Rand McNally offerings very soon.

The only issues I've seen with the laptops is having the hard drives burn out due to truck vibration / poor mounts. In-cab laptop use is one of the few times that I recommend those "extended service" plans which are normally a total rip-off. I had some Dells burn this way, but switched to Acers and have been very happy. The Panasonic toughbooks are virtually indestructible, but expensive. Levono's also have held up well. As far as losing cell signal on my Verizon it definately modulates stronger (i.e. faster) and weaker (i.e. slower) as you move from place to place, but it rarely disconnects all the way except in the most rural of locations. I'm not sure why you would want it on for exteneded periods while driving though.

 

Dont you need to keep ur laptop on during navigation. Dosnt it tell you when to turn and stuff like for the 4 wheelers. Thats why I ask about an internet card. wouldnt you need to leave your puter on.

kkburr73

 

GPS does not work through the internet.

 

Oh ok. So explain. How does it work through ur laptop. Im really computer challenged.

kkburr73

 

Through an antenna that picks up the satellite signal.

Personally, my computer contains too much valuable information to be on going down the road. I have tax clients info on it as well as business records.

 

oh I see. Yeah Im thinking I dont want to use my laptop. That I would rather just get a truckers gps.

 

Not necessarily. PC Miler on laptop has an option to print turn by turn written directions out, which is what I use. If you can read Mapquests written directions, you can use this. It does require a printer, though. Or alot of handwriting, if you prefer. I don't bother with GPS, since I prefer the turn by turn directions, and I usually already have a good idea of where I'm at.