laptop on board

[catalac08]

hi
used laptop and plotting/AIS software (Tikki Navigator, very pleased with) last year a little - wish to use more this year. my worry is that the laptop screen will woble about on its hinges in rough weather and this will cause a premature failure of something. Is this a real problem and if so how is it best to stabalise the screen. Is there a purpose built frame made to secure the laptop from slipping about and to secure the screen or is it a DIY job?

 

[All_at_Sea]

DIY job l think. I use an old IBM Thinkpad on my Nic 38, unsecured, it gets thrown around a bit and works just the same. Been out in some pretty rough stuff. Some bungy cord on the chart table would work, or make a wooden base to sit it in on the chart table. There are arms for laptops which are fine if you have the room for them. Most of the the time the 'lid' can stay closed, only needing to be opened when actually working at the chart table, so this will minimise the wear and tear factor. Mind you on a Cat l can't seeing there being any problems.....

 

[Searush]

I have an old thinkpad too. It has fallen on the seats & the floor from time to time when we have broached or hit overfalls or similar. But still works fine.

Mostly it stays on the dining table using cheap anti-slip matting (available from Poundstretcher or similar). I don't take it into the cockpit when there is water about tho'.

 

[Frontier]

You could fit an external flat monitor which you could screw down or wall mount, leaving the laptop closed. Could also have a bigger screen that way.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

What you need is one of these screen support systems its about half way down the page...

 

[Talbot]

catalac doesnt bounce around as much as these halfboats. I have had no problems with mine. But I do locate it on the chart table, with the sceen resting against the soft cushioned bulkhead above the chart table.

 

[billcowan]

Yes Thinkpad is great for boats

But my one suffered some sort of seizure in the end so
I got a newer Thinkpad, a T41 (£250 'factory' referb on e-bay with still 3 months original IBM guarantee left)

It has an intelligent protection system, if it detects falling it turns off the hard drive, so on every roll - guess what.

It didnt like the vibration from the Thornycroft either.
But I found that you could bypass it, so it works fine now.

I find one of those non slip rubbery mats that are made of blobs is very good. Even if you put the boat over 45 degrees the laptop stays stuck to the chart table!

 

[Talbot]

[ QUOTE ]
I find one of those non slip rubbery mats that are made of blobs is very good. Even if you put the boat over 45 degrees the laptop stays stuck to the chart table!


[/ QUOTE ]
He is in a Multihull, If he is at over 45 degrees, worrying about the laptop will not be high on the agenda!