I'm about to move on my boat full time on 9/15. I'm really wanting to take my laptop aboard, although for the immediate future I keep an office in my hhome port marina. Will my Dell laptop crumble and corrode in the high humidity/salt environment? Anybody have experience with a laptop on board for extended periods? Got any suggestions? Funny, giving up shower, closets, TV, fridge........and the laptop prompts my post! IslandJack
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No problem....but....
keep your laptop in a large ziplock bag, when not in use, also throw in a desicant crystal bag to absorbe any moisture. Using your laptop will produce enough heat to repel any moisture, but the problem comes after it cools down. It it only sits (off) for a few hours, don't worry about the bag, but if it is more than say twelve hours, put it in the bag. The moisture will not harm the components, it can cause corrision on contacts and that is where the problem lies. A zip-lock bag is a cheep way to keep the repairman away. (I design and build computers, and repair laptops). Good luck on your boat, and enjoy. Dave
keep your laptop in a large ziplock bag, when not in use, also throw in a desicant crystal bag to absorbe any moisture. Using your laptop will produce enough heat to repel any moisture, but the problem comes after it cools down. It it only sits (off) for a few hours, don't worry about the bag, but if it is more than say twelve hours, put it in the bag. The moisture will not harm the components, it can cause corrision on contacts and that is where the problem lies. A zip-lock bag is a cheep way to keep the repairman away. (I design and build computers, and repair laptops). Good luck on your boat, and enjoy. Dave
Watch the Coffee!
This isn't an answer about the salt air interaction problem but about another kind of problem. Talked to a fellow who single-handed his Baba 38 from Hawaii to Alaska and a few days out of Hawaii the boat was hit by a wave that was different from the rest and shook the boat which then caused his coffee cup to tip over onto the keyboard - causing something to short out and ruin the computer (lap top). Moral: backup, backup. Since this was what he was using to "run the boat" is was a severe blow. Fortunately he had just got his ham license in Hawaii the day before he left so he was able to get weather info via radio. He also had all his charts in it and only had a few paper charts. After having worked on the keyboard of my iBook it appears the keyboard area is reasonably well sealed. However, as you know, the laptop heats up from the battery and cools off again after use or after charging. It would seem that every temperature change is going to create some air movement in and out of the computer. If the air is salt air then it seems reasonable to assume it will cause some problems. A friend of mine who was an electronics technician in the Navy, and later the Coast Guard (as a civilian) said they coated everything on the inside with something -shelac? laquer? There are enough people that take their lap tops on board and I've never heard of a corrosion problem so if there is one it must be relatively small.
This isn't an answer about the salt air interaction problem but about another kind of problem. Talked to a fellow who single-handed his Baba 38 from Hawaii to Alaska and a few days out of Hawaii the boat was hit by a wave that was different from the rest and shook the boat which then caused his coffee cup to tip over onto the keyboard - causing something to short out and ruin the computer (lap top). Moral: backup, backup. Since this was what he was using to "run the boat" is was a severe blow. Fortunately he had just got his ham license in Hawaii the day before he left so he was able to get weather info via radio. He also had all his charts in it and only had a few paper charts. After having worked on the keyboard of my iBook it appears the keyboard area is reasonably well sealed. However, as you know, the laptop heats up from the battery and cools off again after use or after charging. It would seem that every temperature change is going to create some air movement in and out of the computer. If the air is salt air then it seems reasonable to assume it will cause some problems. A friend of mine who was an electronics technician in the Navy, and later the Coast Guard (as a civilian) said they coated everything on the inside with something -shelac? laquer? There are enough people that take their lap tops on board and I've never heard of a corrosion problem so if there is one it must be relatively small.
My experience
I had a Dell laptop on my boat for two years in Gulf Coast areas of Florida. I even used the laptop, Garmin GPS and battery operated fish finder in my dinghy to do some detailed mapping of areas where I had run aground. I didn't do anything extraordinary to protect the laptop. I had NO FAILURES!!!!!! The same laptop is now in use on another boat in Oklahoma.
I had a Dell laptop on my boat for two years in Gulf Coast areas of Florida. I even used the laptop, Garmin GPS and battery operated fish finder in my dinghy to do some detailed mapping of areas where I had run aground. I didn't do anything extraordinary to protect the laptop. I had NO FAILURES!!!!!! The same laptop is now in use on another boat in Oklahoma.
This is most encouraging!
Appreciate the input. Now if they could just give us $19.95 internet access for the boat... As to guys that answered....will the CD/RW fare as well as the Dell machine itself? Thanks IslandJack
Appreciate the input. Now if they could just give us $19.95 internet access for the boat... As to guys that answered....will the CD/RW fare as well as the Dell machine itself? Thanks IslandJack
Sure...
Just keep the dust out, and keep the cd's clean. You should have no particular problems, other than normal. Dave
Just keep the dust out, and keep the cd's clean. You should have no particular problems, other than normal. Dave
Actually....
When I was a full-time cruiser, I had unlimited wireless access using CDPD for $250/year. That's close to 19.95. Right now, I have a wireless phone plan through Sprint that gives me free Internet access through a USB cable to my phone. Doesn't even cost me minutes and is relatively fast when compared to dial-up. WORD OF WARNING... Heat can effect the silicone that makes up the keyboard touch-circuits. Heat killed one of my notebook computer keyboards that way in Florida. Otherwise, I had no problems! Wouldn't be without one...and anymore, you can watch DVDs on them too! Griffin. s/v Brighid's Crossing Erie Islands
When I was a full-time cruiser, I had unlimited wireless access using CDPD for $250/year. That's close to 19.95. Right now, I have a wireless phone plan through Sprint that gives me free Internet access through a USB cable to my phone. Doesn't even cost me minutes and is relatively fast when compared to dial-up. WORD OF WARNING... Heat can effect the silicone that makes up the keyboard touch-circuits. Heat killed one of my notebook computer keyboards that way in Florida. Otherwise, I had no problems! Wouldn't be without one...and anymore, you can watch DVDs on them too! Griffin. s/v Brighid's Crossing Erie Islands
I Killed a Laptop
I always had the relevant chart on the nav table with the laptop on top. The paper charts were not flat and I believe they bulged up to cover the air inlet louvres for the cooling fan. This caused it to overheat and shut down after about five minutes. I did not realise what was happening and repeated this many times as I was using it for navigation. It died RIP.
I always had the relevant chart on the nav table with the laptop on top. The paper charts were not flat and I believe they bulged up to cover the air inlet louvres for the cooling fan. This caused it to overheat and shut down after about five minutes. I did not realise what was happening and repeated this many times as I was using it for navigation. It died RIP.
CDPD
CDPD is a communications protocol using packet data. CDPD runs at 19.2 kb, so is rather slow. CDPD requires use of a special modem or modem card for a laptop, with service offered by several major carriers (AT&T Wireless and Nextel in some markets). I would suggest that if you do not already use CDPD, do not buy a modem or card, as the major carriers have all announced that they will be shutting this service down in 2004 or 2005. An attactive alternative is 1XRTT service offered by Sprint and Verizon. Both can be utilized by a modem card (I use a Sierra 555, but others are available). This service currently runs at 56 kb, so is equivalent to your local dial up service. In the near future in selected markets, both Verizon and Sprint will be offering EV-DO serice that will allow you to use a modem card similar to the one noted above, but with DSL equivalent speeds. This service is being rolled out in Washington, DC next month and will be available in some markets shortly thereafter.
CDPD is a communications protocol using packet data. CDPD runs at 19.2 kb, so is rather slow. CDPD requires use of a special modem or modem card for a laptop, with service offered by several major carriers (AT&T Wireless and Nextel in some markets). I would suggest that if you do not already use CDPD, do not buy a modem or card, as the major carriers have all announced that they will be shutting this service down in 2004 or 2005. An attactive alternative is 1XRTT service offered by Sprint and Verizon. Both can be utilized by a modem card (I use a Sierra 555, but others are available). This service currently runs at 56 kb, so is equivalent to your local dial up service. In the near future in selected markets, both Verizon and Sprint will be offering EV-DO serice that will allow you to use a modem card similar to the one noted above, but with DSL equivalent speeds. This service is being rolled out in Washington, DC next month and will be available in some markets shortly thereafter.
Laptop Alternative
I-Jack Have You looked into the mini pc's? I have lived aboard for over 3 yrs now. I bought a 'book-sized' pc 4 yrs ago for use with Nav software and have been using it onboard with no problems ever since. The There are disadvantages: you will need an inverter when not at your slip, you will have a few more wires. But the advantages are in cost savings and it is easily upgradable. My laptop gets little use onboard. Fair winds Dave
I-Jack Have You looked into the mini pc's? I have lived aboard for over 3 yrs now. I bought a 'book-sized' pc 4 yrs ago for use with Nav software and have been using it onboard with no problems ever since. The There are disadvantages: you will need an inverter when not at your slip, you will have a few more wires. But the advantages are in cost savings and it is easily upgradable. My laptop gets little use onboard. Fair winds Dave
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