Technologically inept person needs laptop for travel. Please help!

[LallyTrek]

Hi all, I'm looking to get a small and durable laptop for travel. I need it for writing, uploading photos (but not doing any fancy editing), and perusing the ol' interwebs from time to time. I'll probably upload some music too, but no video games or anything fancy. The laptop I have now has served me well for years, but the hard drive crashed (physical damage. started clicking etc), and I was told it was because I was too rough with it. Maybe that's why the screen's one hinge was broken and there was a crack in the case. Hard to say for sure though....could be coincidence....

Obviously I need something durable, and small but not so small that I can't write/type up stories on the keyboard. I considered a tablet but I need the full physical keyboard to bang away on. And I've seen Acer laptops, but they seem too flimsy.

The other catch is that I'm on a tight budget, but I prefer buying used gear anyway.

Any suggestions??

 

[java]

Just bought one of the Lenovo small laptops for my wife. So far its a nice little package for $500

 

[MotoDave]

They arent particularly cheap, but I have had terrific results from IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad laptops. They are built much sturdier than cheap consumer laptops are, with a pretty impressive cast magnesium internal framework and metal support for tyhe screen too. I think some of the other business class laptops (dell latitude?) have similar construction, but I don't have any experience with them.

If a keyboard is all that's keeping you from a tablet there are some good options out there for bluetooth keyboards, or even cases that have a keyboard in the cover.

 

[haven]

Lots of folks here use the Apple MacBook Air. Pricy, but it's among the very best of the "ultrabook" portables.

 

[Maverick1701]

they are selling refurb toughboox CF29s on amazon for about $100. I bought one for personal use after my department bought a few for the jail.

They work well for simple stuff (writing, internet, pictures, etc). I also ran the zune software to manage my media (music, podcast, video) on the laptop and I had no issues.

 

[SiliconTi]

Look for a used Panasonic CF-18 or CF-19. If you want a DVD drive, a CF-29 or CF-30. These are fully ruggedized computers, and though expensive new, are cheap used. I just bought a Cf-18 with built-in GPS that works perfectly for $150. Dust, water, shock resistant, convertible to tablet mode. I use a CF-30 as well, but it is heavy and big.

 

[eviioiive]

iPad?

 

[HenryJ]

Another vote for the Panasonic Toughbook CF-29

Mine is a refurb. Lots of miles logged in the truck over the years now. A little slow, but does the job
If you need a smaller package the ASUS eeePC has also been an excellent investment. No CD/DVD drive though.

 

[nwoods]

I think the MacBook Air would be a good way to go. easy to use, all the software you'll probably need built right in (especially now that Apple is including iWork with every purchase!), and that magical 10 hour battery life and super lightweight formfactor, and the superb touchpad, and backlit keyboard for evening/nighttime use. Plus USB3.0 ports for high speed camera image importing.

 

[Quest4ADV]

Buy one of these: Ebay Link



I bought one to take to customers sites. Small, portable, plenty of power for your needs. Just add some more memory and maybe put in a SSD drive to extend battery life.

I like it for the waterproof keyboard and small size.

 

[the59sound]

I have a Lenovo yoga 13" ultrabook and absolutely love it. It's touch screen and the keyboard folds back to make it interact like a tablet. As far as it being solid it traveled with me everyday for a year back and forth to work. Its been tossed in my jeep, taken in the woods and everywhere else I go. It is quick and does everything that I use it for. ( which I do the same as you minus the writing) I would recommend it everytime

Sent using the force

 

[LallyTrek]

computers!

Thanks, everyone. That's a huge help. I didn't know where to being.

I started doing a bit of research on all the computers you folks mentioned. A couple questions...tablets and chromebooks and the like seem to have a processor, like a smartphone, instead of a hard drive with a disk like my old laptop, correct? Does that make them a bit more tolerant to being banged around?? I can get a good case for whatever computer I buy, to protect the exterior, but it might not do me any good if it is being bounced and jumbled around in the back of an UAZ or motorcycle. Are the processors generally more durable than a hard drive in that regard? Thoughts??

And as far as tablets go, I think even with the little kickstands and keyboard accessories (which I didn't know existed until this post, so thanks again), it would be a bit easier for me to have an actual laptop so I could just drop it in my lap while on a bus or on the move. The kickstands and keyboards seem to work with a table or flat surface, but not so well in your lap.

 

[SiliconTi]

The CPU/chip makes no difference. What makes a difference is the hard disk. If it uses flash drives (some Chromebooks and others do) it will be "ruggeder", but you still have a vulnerable screen, keyboard, etc. The CF-18 and -19's can be converted to tablets, but will shrug off water, dust, getting stepped one, etc.

 

[LallyTrek]

Yea the CF 18s and 19s are pretty tempting. What is the difference between the two?

 

[Cole]

I've had Panasonic Toughbooks!....durable? Yes! Heavy as **********!!! YES!

No way would I consider ever taking a tough book on a motorcycle!!....or even a trip these days! Massive bulk!

I lived off my KTM for 6mo/18k miles of mostly dirt travel. Can't beat an iPad! Super durable! Easy to upload no edit pictures from, water resistant, built in cellular! MUCH easier to whip out on a bus and consume data.

I'm 6'2" 220lbs with massive paws and I don't mind typing on the glass screen at all, just takes some practice! But....if you plan on sitting down to type 5-10 pages its easy enough to ad the bluetooth keyboard for those moments!

The iPad has several advantages for traveling over a laptop IMO. Built in GPS, built in cellular! I've laid mine out on the motorcyle many times and had strangers manipulate (zoom, scroll, etc) the map to show me cool routes, etc. Everyone already seems to know how to use it!

iPad works great with greasy fingers! Just wipe it off when done! If you kill a keyboard with dirt, etc you can just get a new one without having to replace/repair a laptop! Plus you still have the on screen keyboard to get you by!