Laptops for the Boat

Ed Schenck · Nov 18, 2010

Was I just lucky? Used my standard HP with Windows XP constantly between Lake Erie and Tampa Bay. Had a Verizon air card and downloaded charts several miles offshore. It was open a lot, usually sitting in the v-berth. Used often in the cockpit. That was between June 2007 and April 2009. Still using it today.

kenn · Nov 18, 2010

On our small boat I use a small computer- one of the first ASUS eee netbooks with the 7" screen, running Linux. We took that little guy to Europe where it performed awesomely. Two and a half years later, it's still great. I've bought a USB GPS fob to use with it for a cheap chartplotter and backup GPS.

But I appreciate that something larger would probably be more useful. A standard laptop might survive if you take precautions.

Panasonic Toughbooks are expensive, but I recently discovered that they're often available off-lease for a steep discount. For example Tiger Direct has some available for around US$330. It's not the latest and greatest, but for email, web-browsing and charting applications, you don't need a monster laptop. It's still a Toughbook, and readable in daylight.

I wouldn't use a laptop as my primary or only chartplotter or GPS.

JerryA · Nov 18, 2010

Laptop

The Toughbooks are overrated. I have guys using them in a manufacturing environment. I have just as many service issues with the Toughbooks as any HP or IBM. I use an HP Tablet on my boat, however that is in fresh water. Just my 2 cents, hate to see you spend money and not get what you expected.

JerryA

dparilla · Nov 18, 2010

I have a toshiba tablet (portege). While not particularly ruggedized, it has survived a year in the Afghani desert as well as being "launched" athwartship and shooting its pcmica card out at my wife. Picked it up, put the card back in and its still works like a champ. 2 years of VERY rough life, it has been a great computer all around.

Steve Dion · Nov 18, 2010

Keep them plugged in and turn on and the moisture will not be an issue.

Almost every computer failure that we had (in the old days) happened when we powered down the equipment for some type of service. Things cooled off and you never knew what would happen.

Find a good way to secure the PC and you will probably be fine with any of the major brands.

Ed A · Nov 18, 2010

If you really want to kick up the deal put on a copy of chart navigatior pro. Everything but the sick. awsome. you can also concider satalite weather from sirrus or the like.

sinnettc · Nov 18, 2010

I have an Acer 10" netbook that worked out great on our Capri 22. I have OpenCPN and GPS-Babel for route planning and transferring data between the netbook and my Eagle chartplotter. Works great.

inarathree · Nov 19, 2010

I use my iPad 3g. Its gives me Navionics navigation app, web, and email, music, games, and movies (playing locally, and with netflix). Battery life is about 8 hrs, which is better than any laptop.

Bob 04 H260 · Nov 19, 2010

there are small computers designed to be used in cars,they have a 12 volt supply, low power consumption, many are fanless in small sealed cases with more than enough power for email, surfing, navigation, combined with a wireless mouse and keyboard should be just the ticket. A Google search will bring up a nuimber of sites offering these products.
Bob
one site here,
http://store.mp3car.com/Car_Computer_Systems_s/25.htm

Bill Roosa · Nov 19, 2010

Panasonic Toughbook

I've used the 810 milspec computers. For the record they are tough but I'd not operate on in the rain. I might leave it in the rain after I plugged all the ports with the rubber stoppers that it has but it is not THAT rugged. Pretty waterproof but only during transit not while in use.
With that said, the primary mode of failure is not shock and vibration it is water and salt corrosion.

Seattle Scott · Nov 19, 2010

Re: Panasonic Toughbook

I have a 10 year old HP that has been strapped to the chart table for 10 years, winter and summer. No problems.

John Nantz · Nov 19, 2010

Be careful with your coffee!

When we were up in Alaska we met a fellow who single-handed his Baba from Hawaii and lost his laptop - along with all his navigation support - all due to a cup of coffee.

He was at the computer with his coffee cup when a wave hit the boat and the boat learched which caused the coffee to spill onto the laptop and you probably guess the rest. So much for his weather forecasts, digital charts, and everything else you might want to use your computer for on a voyage.

The bad part is the trip from Hawaii to North America is a really long one. From Oahu you head approx due north for a few days, standardly with nasty wave patterns, and continue north and then gradually clock around to the east to hit Sitka, or thereabouts. Did I say that's a really long trip? And it can be a nasty one, too.

The good part was that just before he left Hawaii he found out that he passed his Ham license and had the appropriate equipment on board. Also, he did have some paper charts and was able to talk to a few ham operators who helped guide him and provide information like weather info.

John Nantz · Nov 19, 2010

uhhh...... running XP?

Primetime - be careful. Just read your post where you said you'd be running XP.

Prime Time said:
I need to be able to run XP or windows 7. I am a MAC guy, so this is kind of like crossing the Mason-Dixon Line!

Well, there is shock, water, moisture, coffee, and.... but.... maybe the worst part might be running Windows XP.

I think in Mac language, the XP stands for "Windows 10 Preliminary."

For the record, I'm running XP on my desktop and it's given me nothing but grief. I can't talk to anyone at Microsoft (even though at times I'm only about a 30 minute drive from their headquarters). It's been a total headache for years. I've been in the process of switching and it has been a learning curve but I'm mostly over that now.

This post was written on a MacBook. My wife has the Pro model but then nothing is too good for her!

David in Sandusky · Nov 19, 2010

HP running Windows 7 -> iPad

We have an HP running Windows 7, and the Garmin navigation software that can with our 72c handheld GPS. I worked fine through the summer, including our 6 week cruise to Mackinac and back. I think any good laptop would do.

If I were buying again, I'd definitely buy an iPad. We ran Navionics on the iPhone, and it's a great program. And the iPad package is just the right size.

RichH · Nov 19, 2010

Ive used a plain vanilla mac for several years of long distance sailing, my wife uses WinDOZE.
As other posters have listed keep the power ON so the computer stays warm. I also cover it with a thin film of saran-wrap to keep the salt crystals from settling and entering though the 'ports', etc. I usually put cellophane tape over all 'unused' ports/connectors and also over the speakers when traveling.
If not ON then I put into a plastic bag and store it in the oven; and do so immediately when turning it OFF.

Condensation usually forms 'inside' a computer (and virtually on everything else) during periods of large drops in 'dewpoint' .... ie. a passing cold front, approaching storms (dropping barometric pressure), etc. Dewpoint and its changes can easily be guesstimated .... by looking to see how close or how far the clouds (includes fog/mist) are to the ground/sea. My computer nearly always goes into the oven, etc. before impending or expected large drops in dewpoint.

Its the ever present minute airborne salt crystals/'dust' that get inside plus the 'condensation' that will 'kill' a computer onboard.

Joe · Nov 19, 2010

I've never had problems with XP... I like it way better than Vista.