Anay Apple laptops aboard?

A

Abaker

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I'm shopping for my next computer, and would like to hear from anyone who has used an Apple laptop while living aboard.
In 1991 I began onboard computing with a Toshiba 386 which never failed, but became obsolete and needed a a new battery. Next came an IBM ThinkPad, which had a couple of dead pixels, a dodgy CD-ROM drive, and finally a failed hard drive and worn-out battery.
Now that Apple laptops are only a little more expensive than comparably equipped wintels, and have a UNIX-based operating system, I'm seriously considering a 15-in Powerbook. Why not?

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Why? Apples are excellent machines, but if you want any marine software then you will find that nearly all of it is Windows based. I have a WIndows 2000 laptop and a Windows XP laptop, both of which will run chart plotting software for several days at a time with no crashes at all. Prior to Windows 2000, I was thouroughly peed off with WIndows reliability, and experimented with Linux (ugh!) but now I am very pleased with the newer OS's.

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We have an apple 12" powerbook used for business purposes - because I like apples, and it packs the biggest punch in the smallest box (and I travel for work as well as live aboard so size really does matter!)

\BUT we don't use the apple for boat type stuff eg navigation because there is no compatible software. For that we use windows laptops and are still getting them properly set up so little immeidate experience. I also wouldn't use an apple for that stuff because the linkages/comms compatibiities all are more compelx and add up significantly in cost.

Which is a pain cos they're much nicer to use



<hr width=100% size=1>Sarah&Pip
 
I used an I Book last summer to run Maxsea and it worked reasonably well.
The I Book being designed for student satchels is quite robust. It runs on 24volts
so you don't need a noisy interfering inverter, just a DC/DC converter.
You can still buy an older version of Maxsea (7.6) which runs on a Mac up to OS9.
Of course I think newer I Books and Powerbooks only run OSX, but you can still
buy the older G3 Books which will have both OS9 and OSX installed. Try Shaye.co.uk
I found the port problem more time consuming. You need an Imate to connect the
Apple dongle to USB. And a Keyspan serial adaptor to connect the GPS. By the way
you may have port problems with the latest all USB PC laptops. My Magellan came with
a 9pin plug and I ordered the bare wire version to cobble it all together. My last hurdle was
nothing to do with Macs. The GPS output setting on the Magellan is OFF!!!!!
(ON page 56 of the CD manual).
However you can run a more modern version of Maxsea with a USB dongle if
you install Virtual PC on your Apple laptop. I haven't done this myself but am
assured by Mac fanatics it works. Mapmedia charts seem to work best, I found it
almost impossible to configure ARCS charts, although again Mac afficionados
manage it. I&M the French producers sent a freeCD of the whole eastern med
on Mapmedia after I struggled with the ARCS (my first choice).
A Mac laptop will last a long time and I Books are much cheaper now.
Also download Multimode from Black Cat Systems for more Mac radio and
Wefax software.
I bought the Maxsea and charts through Marine Computing International who will
suggest you go PC but are helpful if you persist.

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Re: Anay Apple laptops aboard? That\'s Any.

Thanks for all replies. Sorry about the typo in my heading.
Like most longterm cruisers I spend about 80% of the time in harbour. The new laptop will be a home computer that happens to live aboard. Its primary functions will be email, web, word processing, DVD & music. For most of these uses the Apple looks good, and better than PCs for some, e.g. WiFi. The much-hyped Centrino chips are slower than Apple's Airport because they use 802.11b instead of g. When I do get digital charts I'll go for a dedicated plotter that can live with some spray. So I think an Apple PowerBook should suit.

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