What Hardware?

[nickt]

Ok Ladies and Gents,
As a follow-up from the Which OS? poll, I'd like to know a bit more about your hardware. Netbooks really took off last year, and I, for one, welcome our mini, cramped-keyboard and underpowered overlords.

Let's see what comes out off this one. I've categorized the options thus:

Conventional Laptop: any 13" screen or above, that runs OSX, Windows or *nix, has a full-size keyboard, etc.
Netbook: any 11" or below screen, usually around/under $400, smaller keyboard.
MID: Small, not very powerful, but can access the interwebs. Let's include iPhone, iPods, smartphones, etc in this category.
Carputer: Ooo, fancy. A computer integrated into your vehicle, typically permanently mounted and hidden. Sometimes incorporates a touchscreen and/or wireless keyboard.
What with a what now? Pass me the Astrolabe: Luddite.

 

[nickt]

So, to answer my own question. I take my 15" Macbook Pro with me. I've usually preloaded my GPS with waypoints and routes, but keep a copy on the Macbook. I write blogposts offline with Marsedit, catalog my images with Aperture (which is a bit of a resource hog), Geotag them with HoudahGeo, as well as the usual email and browsing activities.

It's not a toughbook, so I keep it in a Peli 1490 case if it's a long trip, or my Maxpedition Operator Tactical Attache if it's a shorter trip. The Macbook Pros are pretty well made, and mine has been banged about in the bag of a Land Rover enough for me to be happy taking it on the road.

 

[off-roader]

I use a netbook (Acer Aspire One) configured with an 8GB SSD and a 16GB SD card. This model has one SD card slot and a 2nd combo card slot where I can add a 2nd SD card or XD or Memory Stick card for that matter.

I elected to go with an SSD (Solid State Disk) instead of a standard hard drive because I don't want to be replacing the laptop drive too quickly... i.e. I want this to last til after Vista is no longer the defacto Windows OS.

Unlike many who only use their Laptops occasionally during their trips, I use mine full time w/ Nat Geo's full hi res state by state gps mapping software (not the low res full USA maps). For the actual gps receiver, I simply purchased Microsoft's Streets & Trips along with the included GPS (Sirfstar III chipset). While I know this isn't the latest gps chipset technology it's good enough for most of my needs.

As far as added reliability about the only thing I would add to this netbook would be some kind of dust proof keyboard cover but for now, I'll simply clean it out using canned air if it happens to 'ingest' too much trail dust.

 

[cybercat]

I use the Fujitsu Stylistic 5000 series tablet w/ Otter Box inclosure. Then topo software to record the journey.

 

[Scott Brady]

MBP here...

 

[proto]

Sony Vaio notebook, the ultra-slim one -- so it's not quite as small as a netbook.
Built in 1999 -- so it's not quite as powerful as a netbook.
Running strong thanks to Linux!
(But still looking for the perfect GPS/Nav/APRS combination.)

 

[AndrewP]

Compaq LapTop running Vista. Sits on a 3 leg Ram Mount. Topo USA and USGlobalsat BU-353 GPS "puck"

Back up is Asus Eee1000 Netbook, likely to completely replace the laptop.

 

[Schattenjager]

MacBook Black - small and powerful with everything built in. Robust build quality as well.

If you decide to launch a rocket with the intent of putting a satellite into orbit - then a MBP.

 

[TEJASYOTA]

Currently a handmedown lap top from my bro, he was getting rid of it.
It's a HP with XP....but I am looking to get a netbook computer sometime this year. Much easier to bug out with, than a full computer.

 

[BKCowGod]

Eventually gonna netbook it, as soon as the next gen of Atoms comes out. Then I'll hackintosh to have OSX and call it a day. I like removable.