What's the Best In truck laptop/tv/internet set up

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by mrgnomer, Mar 26, 2012.

  1. Typhoid36

    Typhoid36 Light Load Member

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    Mar 23, 2012
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    This is what I used:

    Laptop = Toshiba Satellite. $275 at Walmart. Great laptop for the money.

    Wifi = Verizon 4G.
     
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  3. mrgnomer

    mrgnomer Bobtail Member

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    Mar 26, 2012
    Toronto, Ontario
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    Thanks for the advice. Good price. My wife will definitely approve :smt057
    Right now she's not too approving of what I have in mind but she'll agree to it as long as I can work it off :smt079
     
  4. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    i have a toshiba laptop.

    and i use my verizon 4g android phone. it's rooted so i don't pay that wifi fee.

    i also have a usb tv tuner. but it's not the greatest when you have trucks next to you.

    digital tv may be nice from a govt stand point. but really sucks for us.
    digital signals are a straight wave so anything in the way can block the signal.

    wasn't a problem when analog signal was around.
     
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  5. G/MAN

    G/MAN Road Train Member

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    Sep 3, 2010
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    I have owned Toshiba's in the past. I currently own Dell. It seems to work best for me. I have a Sprint air card for my lap top. I spend about $65/month including taxes and service. I don't recall having a problem accessing the internet anywhere I might be at the time. If you want to save money starting out you could use WiFi that is available at most of the major truck stops. They charge by the day, week, month or year. The downside is that you will only be able to access the internet while on their property. If you want to be able to access the internet anywhere, then you will need to get an air card or have a phone that can access the internet.
     
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  6. egreet

    egreet Bobtail Member

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    Feb 5, 2018
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    My wife and I are a team and over the years we have found that the expensive laptops really don't hold up any better than the cheap HP's from Walmart so about 7 years ago we started buying a new laptop every Dec. for a tax write off and keep the laptop with all our info for taxes, loads and load confirmations with that years taxes. These laptop run about $200 to $250 and have everything we need on them. As far as streaming tv shows we have a Charge 3 wireless speaker and it kicks out plenty of volume going down the highway. We subscribe to Netflix $7.99 per month or $9.99 for HD resolution. Netflix along with free Youtube shows and Movies and Hulu give us all the programming we need. We use the laptop for booking loads during the day and to scan in our loads confirmations with a $35 all in one Fax Copier and scanner also from Walmart! Its really the most economical and cost effective way to stay out here every year with equipment that is reliable!
     
  7. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    Jul 6, 2009
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    I always stopped at Wal-Mart or best buy when 1 broke down. Then I learned to keep laptop off when starting up truck. My last purchase is 3 years and still works.

    I used to keep laptop on since it was also my logs.
     
  8. Ckrobin

    Ckrobin Bobtail Member

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    Feb 1, 2018
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    If you have cable or satalite at home most channels have a xxxnow app that is free when you provide your cable provider login. In addition I pay $15 for HBONow $8 for Netflix $99(yearly) for NHL Network and occasionally I will pay for the $5 Motor Trend on Demand. This gives me plenty of viewing. Recently I have been using Moviebox which is a torrent based streaming site you can get on your iPhone. I stream all these apps on my iPhone and use a cable that goes from my iPhone to an hdmi in my 23” tv. I also have a ps4 and lots of cooking appliances. I run this off of a 2500watt inverter. You will also want good agm batteries if you plan to run this type of hotel load very long as the factory batteries only lasted 6 months for me till I upgraded to Optima batteries.
     
  9. 417bigK

    417bigK Light Load Member

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    Apr 5, 2018
    Southwest Mizzery (MO)
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    As far as laptops, I'd definitely recommend Dell over Toshiba.
    Remember, you also get what you pay for. I've owned both, and I had one of those cheap low end Satellites myself. Not a year or two after I got it, the motherboard or something major failed (can't remember what the Dell tech told me), and Blue Screen Of Death-ed on me. Of course it was right after the manufacturer warranty expired, and both Toshiba & Walmart refused to help me in any way.
    But Dell was so nice that when my landlord had a service tech out to fix his, he even took the time to look at mine for free.
     
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