To the techie drivers out there.

Having a gaming laptop in the truck doesn't seem like it would be the difficult part of it. Getting the data on the other hand would be. This has been one of my concerns getting into trucking, but work comes before pleasure and I can adapt.

Downloading games, updates for the games, updates for the PC, playing the games online, streaming video, general web surfing, etc... All eat up data at a monstrous rate. I typically require about 300 gB or so per month at home for the above tasks.

While many truckstops have wifi, it can be expensive and during peak hours could potentially be unreliable.

Mobile data is even more expensive, and most carriers are not truly unlimited (even though they may advertise as such...gotta read the fine print to find this info). After using a certain amount of data, they will reduce the speed of your connection (usually to a point where you really can't do anything online) or shift your account's data priority behind other users.

I've also looked into satellite internet. That's even more expensive than mobile data. You can get dishes that can track a satellite while the truck is moving to have any downloads running while the truck is moving, but they're in the ballpark of $5k. Then the data costs are ridiculous and out of reach for most individuals.

I'm pretty sure there's a solution. I just don't know what it would be beyond reducing data requirements.

 

Also Oklahoma and other locations have radio telephone, your downloads and digital services may not exist. But that was 20 years ago. Patching a dailup modem in a copper based mouse trap exchange did not work in some of those towns.

 

I have a PS4, don't always have time or inclination to switch it on though. I would wait until you are in the job to figure out how you will be running.

 

Gaming is definitely possible as long as your truck is equipped with an inverter or whatever. I would suggest against a computer and any games that require the internet. Finding a consistent source of data that will make an online game playable is not practical unless you want to pay crazy money to tether your phone and eat crazy data charges. Also laptops and computers can push out some crazy heat in that little truck cab. Consoles with some sports games or adventure games are much more manageable. In reality if you are doing things right, you will only have time to play for a few hours a week.

 

I bought a Republic of Gamers ASUS STRIX gaming laptop. I only play it maybe once a week like during a Reset or at slow shippers. Otherwise, use it for internet and other techy projects when I have time.

I play a few rounds of Mortal Kombat X in offline mode. I haven't really tried to play online. I have Verizon Unlimited Data, but I'm not sure how the latency would work.

As for power, until recently I had an Idlefree APU battery that supplied wall outlets in the sleeper. That quit working for some reason, but I bought a mere 300W inverter that can recharge the laptop while I'm driving. That provides enough power for a few rounds of Mortal Kombat or like now just doing internet browsing.

 

Been playing Xbox OTR for most of my five years. It helps to have a backup phone to use as an unlimited hot spot. Theres no way you're playing anything unless you're at home or have unlimited data. To play now days you have to download the game to the console, ranging from 45-80gb

Playing right now, of course.

 

Lol

 

I'm usually up around 100gigs per month mostly from downloading games and streaming my shows. I'm on Verizon's unlimited
I've never been prioritized bad enough to that it prevented my downloading or streaming. $ 85.00 i could drop it to $80 if elected to have autopay.

 

I've got a decent Asus 17inch ROG( laptop) there is absolutely no issues with heat. What your saying just does make any sense.

Including not being able to get a consistent source of data . I've got Verizon's unlimited and even when I'm getting prioritized ( throttled) it's not bad enough to create issues. Only $ 85.00 a month.

 

Get a laptop, buy an xbox controller, get the verizon unlimited plan.

You're set, works most areas, it's what i use.