I've been looking for a laptop-type computer to take on the boat for electronic charts, copying movies I take from the videocam, downloading pix from the still digital cam to the computer, emails, watching DVDs, etc. I've seen recommendations I get a "marinized" machine. Most of the stuff I'm really concerned about using it for has backup options (paper charts, additional SD cards & tapes for the cameras, books rather than DVDs, etc.), so having the computer ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY working ALL THE TIME isn't a real concern. Is a marinized computer really worth $2500-4000, when I can get a perfectly good regular laptop that does everything I want for $500? I am in saltwater where I plan to use this machine.
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Check Practical Sailor, July 2006
has a good article re computers on board albeit they are discussing, primarily, customized computers. They do, however, compare laptops with a "custom" desktop and do talk about issues such as cost, water resistance, power needs, and similar. Unless cost is not a factor, an off-the-shelf laptop might be a good option especially considering it will prpbably be outdated in 4 years, or less. Compared to the cost of a "marinized" one that could cost 3-5 times as much. If you don't subscribe, you might try the local WM for a copy.
has a good article re computers on board albeit they are discussing, primarily, customized computers. They do, however, compare laptops with a "custom" desktop and do talk about issues such as cost, water resistance, power needs, and similar. Unless cost is not a factor, an off-the-shelf laptop might be a good option especially considering it will prpbably be outdated in 4 years, or less. Compared to the cost of a "marinized" one that could cost 3-5 times as much. If you don't subscribe, you might try the local WM for a copy.
Buy the Cheap One
I have had a laptop on the boat since 1998 and its still working fine. I did decide about a year ago to get a backup which is now the main boat computer. It was a $500 Compaq. It has worked fine for a year and the old Toshiba Pentium 2 backup still works fine also. I use for charting, emailing via SSB, internet when close enough to WiFi connections. $2500-$4000 would keep me in cheap laptop computers for many many years. Bill
I have had a laptop on the boat since 1998 and its still working fine. I did decide about a year ago to get a backup which is now the main boat computer. It was a $500 Compaq. It has worked fine for a year and the old Toshiba Pentium 2 backup still works fine also. I use for charting, emailing via SSB, internet when close enough to WiFi connections. $2500-$4000 would keep me in cheap laptop computers for many many years. Bill
Agree with Bill
Buy the cheap one. Have been using an old Toshiba laptop with electronic charts connected to a hand help gps for about seven years. Works great. Am using a newer Dell for wireless internet hookups and to watch DVDs. We keep both below decks, but they have worked fine and we've taken them on many trips including out on the ocean. Save your money for other goodies. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
Buy the cheap one. Have been using an old Toshiba laptop with electronic charts connected to a hand help gps for about seven years. Works great. Am using a newer Dell for wireless internet hookups and to watch DVDs. We keep both below decks, but they have worked fine and we've taken them on many trips including out on the ocean. Save your money for other goodies. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
Marinized computers
In the mid 90's I was involved in the R&D that was ongoing with ECDIS and ECS. We were using marinized computers from a well known computer manufacturer. I now work on a $800M drillship that has computers for everything. We are running all of our DGPS computers on Dell computers. Go figure. IMHO,... I wouldn't waste the money on anything with the title 'marinized' Just my $0.02. Regards, Chris
In the mid 90's I was involved in the R&D that was ongoing with ECDIS and ECS. We were using marinized computers from a well known computer manufacturer. I now work on a $800M drillship that has computers for everything. We are running all of our DGPS computers on Dell computers. Go figure. IMHO,... I wouldn't waste the money on anything with the title 'marinized' Just my $0.02. Regards, Chris
Will it get moist?
I think it entirely depends on the environment that it will be operated in. I don’t think there is a blanket answer to the question. You don't say what your boat is like. My boat is always dry inside with humidity not over 50-60%. So I have not chosen marinized versions of any electronics unless that happened to be the standard configuration. But if your computer will get wet, or be in high humidity, then that is a consideration. I think it depends on just how moist it will get. In some conditions non marinized electronics could conceivably fail in a matter of weeks. On the other hand, if it will be dry, then no problem.
I think it entirely depends on the environment that it will be operated in. I don’t think there is a blanket answer to the question. You don't say what your boat is like. My boat is always dry inside with humidity not over 50-60%. So I have not chosen marinized versions of any electronics unless that happened to be the standard configuration. But if your computer will get wet, or be in high humidity, then that is a consideration. I think it depends on just how moist it will get. In some conditions non marinized electronics could conceivably fail in a matter of weeks. On the other hand, if it will be dry, then no problem.
Avoid Dell Laptops
Buy the extended warranty. I had a mother board fail on my dell 5150 after 14 months. There is a well documented and understtd problem with this model (and a few others) but Dell won't fix them unless you have the extended warranty
Buy the extended warranty. I had a mother board fail on my dell 5150 after 14 months. There is a well documented and understtd problem with this model (and a few others) but Dell won't fix them unless you have the extended warranty
My .02
Panasonic makes a "ruggedized" laptop (Toughbook) that many police and fire departments use. It can get wet and be manhandled and costs about $3k. If you go with a regular laptop don't avoid Dell. At work we buy them by the dozen and are very happy with them. I do agree, though, that you should also get the complete Dell Care for 3-4 years and they will even come to you to do repairs if needed.
Panasonic makes a "ruggedized" laptop (Toughbook) that many police and fire departments use. It can get wet and be manhandled and costs about $3k. If you go with a regular laptop don't avoid Dell. At work we buy them by the dozen and are very happy with them. I do agree, though, that you should also get the complete Dell Care for 3-4 years and they will even come to you to do repairs if needed.
Check out this site for used Dell laptops.
look at the on-line store. They sell these things for about $350. You can have one that you use and 9 spares.
look at the on-line store. They sell these things for about $350. You can have one that you use and 9 spares.
Dell E1505 w/warranty $899 New - Costco
Here's the link: http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11152657&whse=&topnav=&browse=&s=1 But I still recomend a Macbook, have the best of both worlds Mac/PC $1099 Good luck! -Sean
Here's the link: http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11152657&whse=&topnav=&browse=&s=1 But I still recomend a Macbook, have the best of both worlds Mac/PC $1099 Good luck! -Sean
im a computer tech
And i also like dell, used to deploy dozzens of them a week with before i went indi. IBM thinkpads are also great. On my boat, i have a think-pad T41. I killed one with salt spray so on my current one i took it apart when i got it and sprayed the boards with Bullfrog electronics protector, which displaces water and prevents corrosion. so far so good...
And i also like dell, used to deploy dozzens of them a week with before i went indi. IBM thinkpads are also great. On my boat, i have a think-pad T41. I killed one with salt spray so on my current one i took it apart when i got it and sprayed the boards with Bullfrog electronics protector, which displaces water and prevents corrosion. so far so good...
Serial Ports
I considered the Panasonic toughbook. However I took 2 regular laptops on our 2 year trip. Foolishly at times we kept it in the cockpit on night sails. The humidity took it out! No problem though it was old. I would take a spare along or more. Also if possible have a serial port on them. I've found the USB ports a pain. The nav software sometimes conflicts with the USB adapters. We found the USB memory sticks invaluable for typing up email on.
I considered the Panasonic toughbook. However I took 2 regular laptops on our 2 year trip. Foolishly at times we kept it in the cockpit on night sails. The humidity took it out! No problem though it was old. I would take a spare along or more. Also if possible have a serial port on them. I've found the USB ports a pain. The nav software sometimes conflicts with the USB adapters. We found the USB memory sticks invaluable for typing up email on.
There is no such thing as a...
moisture proof computer! If you buy into that you're a sucker. The Panasonic tough books are designed to be handled rougher (suspension cushions for hard drive, thicker pc boards etc.etc. but not moisture resistant). Buy a cheap laptop and leave it plugged into the 12V with a 12V cigarette lighter adapter for a few hours each day and you'll keep it dry. The best thing you can do for a laptop on a boat is to keep it on! The heat generated by the processor and electronics keeps moisture at bay naturally. If your not running it keep it in a pellican box with dessicant. My cheap HP laptop is now 4 years old and running strong although I would like to have USB2 vs USB1 for transferring pictures!!
moisture proof computer! If you buy into that you're a sucker. The Panasonic tough books are designed to be handled rougher (suspension cushions for hard drive, thicker pc boards etc.etc. but not moisture resistant). Buy a cheap laptop and leave it plugged into the 12V with a 12V cigarette lighter adapter for a few hours each day and you'll keep it dry. The best thing you can do for a laptop on a boat is to keep it on! The heat generated by the processor and electronics keeps moisture at bay naturally. If your not running it keep it in a pellican box with dessicant. My cheap HP laptop is now 4 years old and running strong although I would like to have USB2 vs USB1 for transferring pictures!!
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