Rugged Mac Solutions

[Scott Brady]

As I get pulled further to the "Mac" side (I am the last PC holdout on the Overland Journal staff), I have started to research rugged Mac solutions.

They do seem to exist:

Mac Mini: VictorSystems

I thought there was a laptop solution coming out too, but can't seem to find it now.

 

[DaveInDenver]

I'm completely clueless about ruggedized Mac stuff, but you'd think there would be some since they used in school and labs a lot. At least protected against moisture and stuff.

 

[GeoRoss]

For what it is worth, I have 100's of field days and a couple thousand miles using my old G3 bronze powerbook out in the field.

Right now it needs an new battery, but otherwise it doing great. Even the screen hinge is intact and is happy after all those washboard roads.

Eventually I am going to move to a separate 7-8" touchscreen. I haven't decided if I'll use the old laptop or go MacMini.

I do wish that Garmin would release the Mac OS version of their software for navigation on roads. That is the major hole in Mac Navigation systems unless you are willing to piece together a system or run a PC program through dual boot or emulation.

 

[Mike S]

Windows on a Mac

GeoRoss,

I just moved to a MacBook Pro recently and am running their Parallels Desktop, a virtual machine that allows you to run Windows in a partitioned space with dedicated memory. You can run Mac OS and Windows app side by side. Also allows drag and drop interaction between Mac desktop and some Mac-Windows compatible apps. My partner has a similar machine and uses BootCamp to run Windows. He has to reboot the machine to run any WIndows apps. I am really liking this machine with the virtual PC available without re=booting.

I made an image of my enrire Windows machine on a 500 GB external drive (My Book from Western Digital). This outboard drive also hosts my images and maps, and provides back-up, which can be automated. It also transports over to my PC. I am trying to figure out how to migrate my OtLook contacts DB over to the Mac. I am using Mac Mail, and don't need virus protection - one reason for the better performance.

The performance is is actually faster than the Dell machine (Inspirion 5100) that I have been using. You can suspend the Paralles Desktop with a single click, and when you re-open the Parallels desktop, you can resume without rebooting your app, it puts you right back where you left off.

Scott - you NEED to get one of these MacBooks, and a nice foam lined, airtght, waterproof case to carry it in.

 

[bigreen505]

I don't think there is one, but the new MacBook Pro with the Santa Rosa chipset and LED monitor is probably the best bet. My problem with Macs (and you know I'm a die hard) is the screens are not bright enough in sunlight. The new LED screen is supposed to solve the problem. The advantage of going with a Mac Mini is you can use a decent screen and solid state storage.

 

[jeffryscott]

MacBook or MacBook pro with one of these:

http://www.sandisk.com/Corporate/PressRoom/PressReleases/PressRelease.aspx?ID=3841

While 64gigs is on the small side, for a ruggedized laptop this would be ideal. No moving parts. You could always put something like a 200 or 250 gig 2.5-inch drive in a portable case for backup, basecamp.

Then for the keyboard, use something like this:

http://www.onlycooltoys.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=8&pg=1&gclid=CJqIr66x0IwCFQdfYQodYQiHsA

 

[thallca]

The only tablet option for the Mac that I know of is this http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ModBook
That rugged mac mini looks like a good option.

 

[Desertdude]

The killer will be dust and dirt finding its way inside the unit. All the new MBP's need to breathe (alot) so placing it in a case or a wrapper could cause serious heating issues.

GeoRoss has the last of the solid rugged Apple Powerbooks code name "Pismo"

I've had this 2.16 MBP since last April. Its been through quite a bit outdoors. (Desert heat to the Arctic freeze) It's still working well and looking fairly clean. However it has not been set up openly in the vehicle, or been through the Scott Brady training. :shakin:

 

[Scott Brady]

While a little dated, I thought this was relevent:

Mac Laptop reliability

 

[bigreen505]

The only tablet option for the Mac that I know of is this http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ModBook
That rugged mac mini looks like a good option.

That is very cool. That with solid state storage make nifty combo.

Scott, I'm not sure that link is what you had in mind.

 

[Desertdude]

While a little dated, I thought this was relevent:

Mac Laptop reliability

Link goes here?

http://www.expeditionswest.com/vehicles/ewvehicles/tacoma/prsct_shoot.JPG

 

[Scott Brady]

Ooops, fixed