Laptop Minimum Requirements
Submitted: Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 21:08
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Bitsumishin - Mike A (WA)
OK guys, I have the GPS but am thinking of adding a laptop to my trips. On the longer trips, it needs to have a DVD player to keep the kids entertained (only on the blacktop drive), and sufficient space to run some mapping for my GPS & maybe room to hold a 500meg or so of photo's. Given that
my home pc is basic I was also considering CDRW so at at least one unit had it. Given that it will be bounced around in a fourby, I'm not keen on spending thousands. Would welcome your
views on minimum requirements & perhaps things to look out for.
Reply By: Bitsumishin - Mike A (WA) - Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 21:24
Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 21:24
I should have mentioned, second hand is fine
AnswerID:
58746
Follow Up By: Baz (NSW) - Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 08:59
Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 08:59
G/day Mike, also try www.bargenseeker.com.au, and laptops.com.au they start from $500 with all the stuff you need we have just been through this, happy hunting.
Baz.
ps, i forgot to mention the trading post.
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Reply By: joc45 - Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 01:18
Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 01:18
Mike,
Believe it or not, I was running an old 486-DX4 laptop, which struggled, but ultimately ran OziExplorer ok. Photos were a breeze.
Picked up a cheap Pentium 233MX on Ebay, which runs OziExplorer like a breeze on Win98. With a cd-rom, I can download the maps I require, while leaving lots of space on the hard drive for photos. I have a 3GB HD and it's heaps.
The best part is that if it gets knocked off, there's only a couple of hundred bucks lost. A CD writer would be a good idea to off load pics before they get knocked off with the laptop. You can get a USB external CD writer for not all that much money.
Alternatively, there are some bargains going now on new laptops running Celerons for under $1400 which will play your DVDs. One problem with modern laptops is the lack of RS232 port to interface the GPS; some USB-RS232 converters don't seem to work with the GPS. Check OziExplorer; I think they're writing a USB interface for some model GPSs.
Use a proper DC-DC converter to run the laptop off the vehicle's 12v rather than an AC inverter (check Dick Smith or Jaycar).
Gerry
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58763
Follow Up By: Bitsumishin - Mike A (WA) - Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 09:34
Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 09:34
Thanks Gerry. I wasn't aware that the newer PCs didn't always have the required port. Certainly something to look for
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Reply By: Peter 2 - Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 08:41
Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 08:41
Another great site for GPS and mobile mapping is www.gpsoz.com.au
They also have a lot of the necessary cords and attachments to connect gps/laptop/pocket pc/12v
AnswerID:
58768
Reply By: crowie - Monday, May 17, 2004 at 20:13
Monday, May 17, 2004 at 20:13
Mike A
I( have been thinking the same thing. Saw some reasonable second had ones on Allclasifieds.com.au the other day.
Crowie
Canberra
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58966