Anybody travel with a laptop?
#12
I have a macbook and at&t air card and use it all over if my cell has signal I can get on the net. Make sure the area you are traveling to has the signal for what cell card you get. And if you are going to go and get one remember you will be in a 2 year agreement. Most of the netbooks have wireless on them and there are a lot of places with wifi so make sure you want a 2 year at $60.00 plus taxes a month.
#13
About two months ago I bought an Acer netbook with 1gb RAM and 16gb SSD on sale at Mwave.com for $250. I purposefully selected one without a mechanical HD because I feared the vibration would kill the drive. I just returned from a week-long 3K-mile ride in the Smokies and the netbook survived.
Unfortunately I was never able to load Garmin Mapsource with the CN 2009 upgrade like I had hoped. I did manage to load Mapsource and CN 2008 but the upgrade process for CN 2009 insisted that I needed more storage space, which was a false claim. I only needed about 1.5gb and although I didn't have it on the 8gb boot partition there was a full 8gb usable on the second partition (added card showing as the D: drive). I gave up but was able to load the Power Commander software and some other apps. A mechanical HD with more space would've helped here, but I still wouldn't want to subject it to that environment.
I decided not to use Mapsource with CN 2008 since the Zumo had CN 2009 loaded and sometimes these differences cause problems for the software. I still may uninstall some apps and try installing CN 2009 again some day.
Since most motels now have wifi or connection via Cat5 cable I had internet access at all destinations except one (Motel 6). That was a big help in determining weather for the remainder of the ride in various locations. The Weather Channel on TV gives local weather and general forecasts for other regions, but not the detailed info you can get in the 'Net.
Unfortunately I was never able to load Garmin Mapsource with the CN 2009 upgrade like I had hoped. I did manage to load Mapsource and CN 2008 but the upgrade process for CN 2009 insisted that I needed more storage space, which was a false claim. I only needed about 1.5gb and although I didn't have it on the 8gb boot partition there was a full 8gb usable on the second partition (added card showing as the D: drive). I gave up but was able to load the Power Commander software and some other apps. A mechanical HD with more space would've helped here, but I still wouldn't want to subject it to that environment.
I decided not to use Mapsource with CN 2008 since the Zumo had CN 2009 loaded and sometimes these differences cause problems for the software. I still may uninstall some apps and try installing CN 2009 again some day.
Since most motels now have wifi or connection via Cat5 cable I had internet access at all destinations except one (Motel 6). That was a big help in determining weather for the remainder of the ride in various locations. The Weather Channel on TV gives local weather and general forecasts for other regions, but not the detailed info you can get in the 'Net.
Last edited by iclick; 05-20-2009 at 10:57 PM.
#15
I have a Lenovo T400 and a Lenovo S10 Netbook. The netbook is less powerful and less battery life, but it will run just about any software and will connect to the Internet via wifi or wireless card. The screen and keyboard on the netbook leave something to be desired, but it does work and is very portable. You can always plug in a keyboard, mouse, and monitor if you need to.
#16
Strapping a Dell Lattitude laptop to my rear fender every day required three replacement "shells", that is, everything but the hard disk drive (hdd). Strangely, the hdd never failed. Since I began carrying it back and forth to work across my back in a messenger bag, I have had no more trouble. (I use one of Aerostich's made-in-the-USA bags.)
#17
I carry a full size laptop, I usually just stick it between layers of clothes and put it in the saddlebag, standing upright. But between the laptop and the power brick, it does take up quite a bit of precious space. If I toured more often, I might justify a smaller laptop.
I never have a problem finding a connection while traveling, motels and coffee shops usually have free wireless. If you're looking to be able to connect in campgrounds and parks, you'll need an air card, but the monthly fee is kinda hefty.
I never have a problem finding a connection while traveling, motels and coffee shops usually have free wireless. If you're looking to be able to connect in campgrounds and parks, you'll need an air card, but the monthly fee is kinda hefty.
#18
#20