Laptop v Mini Tower PC ?

laika said:
GHA's system is atom based and uses a solid state disc. Even assuming the N/Z series I would have thought 2A was a more realistic target for the system as a whole than 1: Is it really 1 or 1 point something maybe greater than 5?

The PSU for the car pc is going to be rated at over the maximum draw of the computer and the fuse at over the max normal draw of the PSU. A computer is going to draw much more spinning up than it does operating normally so the PSU size doesn't indicate what the thing actually uses. As you say tho, car PCs are designed to be mostly used with an engine running so may not be ideal for the boat but GHA's system sounds like something that does work for this scenario.

Personally I prefer a laptop simply because I can take it to a bar to do my planning and so it's not left as a nickable item when I'm away from the boat, but serial port issues, especially where you have a lot of things wired up, might swing the decision the other way
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I am surprised (or may be haven't looked hard enough) that there are no mini pcs built around laptop technology but in a compact metal case with panel mounted usb/hdmi/Esata etc sockets and a single Dc power input socket. Or an optional separate remote mountable module with the ports on it a bit like a laptop docking station connected to the main unit with one cable.

I suppose you could build one with:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-Pavili...=100010&prg=8339&rk=5&rkt=15&sd=221307791276&

Fit in metal case, with hd, extend all the ports. Job done once you've bought and fitted the cpu, ram etc.
 
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GHA said:
Major benefit is having proper com ports to talk to everything, and getting it all hardwired tidily. Using usb/serial adaptors to talk to satphones and radios can be an unpleasant experience.
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I think that point is worth explicitly +1-ing. I have wasted a lot of time trying to do some off-menu stuff which is fine with a "proper" serial interface but runs into problems with implementation defects in usb to serial converters. Not much laptop hardware short of the 2 grand+ toughbooks which have proper serial ports any more
 
nigelmercier said:
Laptop ticks all the boxes, but don't even think about using an inverter. Only problem is bulk on the chart table. When I can find a decent 19" 12V monitor, I'm going to remove all the screen components from mine and mount it below the chart table.
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Com ports! :) Probably be OK for just getting gps/ais in there but even then I've found the USB /serial converters can get grumpy coming out of sleep or hibernate.

Monitor worth having a look at, runs straight off boat 12v...
http://m.samsung.com/ae/consumer/computers-peripherals/monitors/led/LS19A300NS/ZN
 
As a bit of a tech geek... id suggest a current spec laptop. The new Haswell processors take less power so they use less, and being a laptop car adaptors are possible, meaning its then in the 12v system.

Also with current units they mostly have hdmi out which you can put to a 22" 12v TV for the display. A simple Bluetooth keyboard/trackpad to operate and your sorted.

The new laptops are also pretty slim so wouldn't take up much room but also has the ability to be a media centre, DVD player etc.. on and off the boat.
 
The problem with modern laptops is the voltage requirement. My old Toshiba with the battery removed ran happily straight off the ships 12v system. My newer Toshiba with the battery removed needs 19 volts and a step up transformer. This works fine but obviously uses more power, the transformer gets warm! Yesterday whilst out sailing I had interference on the VHF radio. I eliminated the noise by sitting the step up transformer on its edge! Its not a perfect system. the perfect system has to be a 12volt mini computer and a 12 volt led lcd/monitor.
 
It seem to me that there might be a case for a YBW mini tower pc. As far as I can see it would need the following (not in order of merit):

1) low power processer
2) 10 to 26v input
3) at least 4 USB ports perhaps more
4) one or two serial ports
5) Graphics card to be able to run HD monitor
6) Monitor able to act as a TV
7) DVD
8) wireless
9) bluetooth (keyboard & mouse)

Any other requirements?

And it would be great to have all this for less than the price of an average laptop!! I have seen bundles out on the web but I do not have ther savvy to be able to specify what is required - can someone put me out of my misery - please!

PS a spell checker is also urgently wanted.
 
Yes a SSD hard drive for the system and a 2 Tb brick for the films & music!
I know this might sound silly but can you get a dolby surround sound system card for this type of pc?
 
The main advantage of a mini atx is that you can keep the important bits dry.
We used to use them in some equipment we designed, but that must be out of date now.
I would want a fixed screen and a waterproof keyboard, unless we are talking about 50ft Oysters with staff to do the wet bits.
When it's raining in the swinge and you need to check something, the drips off your oilies will kill a laptop in no time.
Laptop for non nav purposes, you can take it ashore to charge it and use wifi.
 
I use a Logitec roller trackball mounted on a wooden pad that is screwed in place so that water from wet gloves run clear. This is the version on my fishing vessel which I have now sold. Same set up on my yacht with a laptop. Keyboard is rarely used with Seaclear2.

 
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