Last year we cruised a better part of the summer on our 320, so in planning for this year, we are looking to buy a portable DVD to use while we travel---7-8" screen. We especially thought it'd be nice at anchor as we wouldn't need to worry about power. Now, however, we're wondering if we would be better off with a laptop---so we could also have games, an easier way to log our trip, and possibly even email home. (We normally use the local libraries for this as we cruise from town to town.) A laptop is bigger, and more money. The DVD's are coming down into the $200-$275 range, and smaller to store. Does anyone have any strong opinions or experience?
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DVD Drive Generates Heat
The one thing that I'd be concerned about is that the DVD drive generates heat and depending on the particular lap top this might cause a problem if it's used for long periods like for movies. If the laptop has a good fan this might mitigate the heat problem. Something to consider.
The one thing that I'd be concerned about is that the DVD drive generates heat and depending on the particular lap top this might cause a problem if it's used for long periods like for movies. If the laptop has a good fan this might mitigate the heat problem. Something to consider.
What a wonderful opportunity you'll have
if you don't bother with a DVD player at all...to catch up on your reading (find stores that swap used books instead of libraries) while you listen to your favorite music...to actually talk to each other again...play Scrabble, gin rummy or other non-video games...explore the towns you visit...learn new knots and splices, or navigation without without a GPS... Iow, all those things that people did before there were any video games or DVDs, or even TV.
if you don't bother with a DVD player at all...to catch up on your reading (find stores that swap used books instead of libraries) while you listen to your favorite music...to actually talk to each other again...play Scrabble, gin rummy or other non-video games...explore the towns you visit...learn new knots and splices, or navigation without without a GPS... Iow, all those things that people did before there were any video games or DVDs, or even TV.
Depends on your use
Larry, I use both on my 320 although I must say unless I am going to be away for very long I usually opt to carry the ligher, smaller DVD player because I want to get away from email and sitting in front of a computer. Also, if for whatever reason it was to get wet it is easier to part with $200 than $1,700. However, if you have the need for multifunctionality I would not hesitate to get a laptop and use if for all the the things you mention...plus, your DVD viewing area will be improved! I don't believe the heat to be an issue with either device at all. If you are counting amps however you might want to investigate the draw on both units before you decide. Another suggestion...if DVD and email are the two key uses I suggest the DVD player and a Blackberry!
Larry, I use both on my 320 although I must say unless I am going to be away for very long I usually opt to carry the ligher, smaller DVD player because I want to get away from email and sitting in front of a computer. Also, if for whatever reason it was to get wet it is easier to part with $200 than $1,700. However, if you have the need for multifunctionality I would not hesitate to get a laptop and use if for all the the things you mention...plus, your DVD viewing area will be improved! I don't believe the heat to be an issue with either device at all. If you are counting amps however you might want to investigate the draw on both units before you decide. Another suggestion...if DVD and email are the two key uses I suggest the DVD player and a Blackberry!
Peggy, you are right!
Last year that is just what we did!!! It was so wonderful. I guess we thought the DVD might be nice if you have long periods stuck somewhere because of bad weather-----or it just rains for days! Last year was our first cruising year, and this year we are heading for the North Channel for 6+ weeks. We rarely saw a newspaper or a TV, and we made lots of wonderful friends.
Last year that is just what we did!!! It was so wonderful. I guess we thought the DVD might be nice if you have long periods stuck somewhere because of bad weather-----or it just rains for days! Last year was our first cruising year, and this year we are heading for the North Channel for 6+ weeks. We rarely saw a newspaper or a TV, and we made lots of wonderful friends.
viewing angle
The portable DVD players I've seen can be viewed from many angles, whereas our laptop is somewhat limited in that respect.
The portable DVD players I've seen can be viewed from many angles, whereas our laptop is somewhat limited in that respect.
Talking to Each Other is Way Over Rated
I could stay home and do that. On a serious note though could the movie be copied over to the hard drive and viewed from there? I would think the hard drive would use less power as well.
I could stay home and do that. On a serious note though could the movie be copied over to the hard drive and viewed from there? I would think the hard drive would use less power as well.
Big unit in L&A
I just saw a "big unit" thing advertised in Latts & Atts (I think). It was kinda like a very large hard drive to store DVDs and CDs on. It was made especially for boats. I bet it's pricey and would require an LCD screen, but it sounded like the top of the line.
I just saw a "big unit" thing advertised in Latts & Atts (I think). It was kinda like a very large hard drive to store DVDs and CDs on. It was made especially for boats. I bet it's pricey and would require an LCD screen, but it sounded like the top of the line.
No Contest -- Get a used laptop
Larry and Carol, Look around for a used laptop with DVD play and CD write capability. You should get one for $500. In negotiation say you'll need to be getting a new battery because the ones used for a few years don't hold nearly as much charge time -- that will take $100 off the asking price. The battery doesn't make any difference anyway if you use it plugged in to a power source. Enough people are upgrading their laptops to new models with DVD write capability that you should be able to find one with DVD play only and CD write capability. The BIG thing is you can now get a digital camera and save the pictures on your laptop. Not to mention compose your emails on-board and just transfer them with a floppy disk to the computers at the town libraries you use. And then copy emails you receive and work your replies on-board or in a park. Your library visits are now just 10 minutes long. Laptops are so versitile, you have to take one cruising.
Larry and Carol, Look around for a used laptop with DVD play and CD write capability. You should get one for $500. In negotiation say you'll need to be getting a new battery because the ones used for a few years don't hold nearly as much charge time -- that will take $100 off the asking price. The battery doesn't make any difference anyway if you use it plugged in to a power source. Enough people are upgrading their laptops to new models with DVD write capability that you should be able to find one with DVD play only and CD write capability. The BIG thing is you can now get a digital camera and save the pictures on your laptop. Not to mention compose your emails on-board and just transfer them with a floppy disk to the computers at the town libraries you use. And then copy emails you receive and work your replies on-board or in a park. Your library visits are now just 10 minutes long. Laptops are so versitile, you have to take one cruising.
About the
When you use a DVD in a laptop, you better have several batteries, as it eats them very fast. If you have power, consider a tower instead, as you can find components in any country, whereas laptop components are strictly proprietory. With a tower you can do all your boat stuff as well as easily hook it to a flat panel display anywhere in the salon.
When you use a DVD in a laptop, you better have several batteries, as it eats them very fast. If you have power, consider a tower instead, as you can find components in any country, whereas laptop components are strictly proprietory. With a tower you can do all your boat stuff as well as easily hook it to a flat panel display anywhere in the salon.
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