What PC for mapping?

[dkw_dude]

What pc do you use for mapping? I need a new (preferably second hand to save some cash) pc as my old IBM A31p has "signed out".

My priorities are a screen with good illumination, want it to be (halfway) usable in daylight (the IBM was no good in daylight), not too big (13,3-15,6" or so) and a full keyboard with numerical buttons would be very nice too.

Lately I have borrowed a Compaq NC8000 which have been quite ok.

If you have a tip regarding which pc I should get, I'll appreciate it!

[prj]

I use a Samsung NC10.
Small, nice keyboard and battery lasts for over 6 hours.

[QuattroFever]

I use a Samsung NC10.
Small, nice keyboard and battery lasts for over 6 hours.

Same here

Has xp and ive had no trouble with it since buying a decent usb - 232 lead - jamo recomended easysync and can say it works flawlessly.

[cooperquattro]

panasonic tough book..6 hour batery and touch screen

[dkw_dude]

Thanks guys!

There's a used one for sale locally, but the additional cost of a new similar ne is not too bad (NC10 is NLA but Samsung N145P looks much like it spec wise and also has some good reviews.) Will be looking into it a bit..

[S2_Dave]

My priorities are a screen with good illumination, want it to be (halfway) usable in daylight (the IBM was no good in daylight), not too big (13,3-15,6" or so) and a full keyboard with numerical buttons would be very nice too.

Dell D630 ATG. It is more rugged than most (mine's taken many bashings) and with a small secondary battery too (i think just 40WH), I get around 10 hours. It's best bit though, is the screen, which is 500 nits. I understand that the norm would be more like 200. It's not perfect outdoors in really bright light, but still useable. There's a secondhand one on eBay at the moment, although not an SSD model, for £325. No number pad though.

I don't do this, but for night-time mapping, when there's less traffic and nice cool air :mischeif:, it's even got a (switchable or light sensitive) little red light built in to the screen frame to gently illuminate the keys, which would fit right in inside an S2 cabin.

[repo]

I have used the same panasonic toughbook cf-18 basically daily for 8 years, and it is still running on it's original 40G HD.

I have dropped it like 20 times, it's been on pouring rain, in -30 celsius winter, at 45 celsius alabama heat. No issues. Only batteries wear out every now and then.

I recently bought used cf-18's from canton computers on ebay for 330usd a piece, and they work like charm.

Battery life in these is around 8 hours, when new.

[cooperquattro]

I have used the same panasonic toughbook cf-18 basically daily for 8 years, and it is still running on it's original 40G HD.

I have dropped it like 20 times, it's been on pouring rain, in -30 celsius winter, at 45 celsius alabama heat. No issues. Only batteries wear out every now and then.

I recently bought used cf-18's from canton computers on ebay for 330usd a piece, and they work like charm.

Battery life in these is around 8 hours, when new.

dropped mine loads..and my battery needs replacing now... 330 is cheap..more like £500 on uk ebay
no cd drive tho..i have too use external

repo..do you use the sim card in the back(cant get mine to work?)

[AndyP]

I have a CF-27 Toughbook, don't use it for mapping but it's great for general diagnositc duties, really is tough as old boots, and only £50 off the bay.

[dkw_dude]

That Toughbook looks like it deserves it's name! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_ZAG...eature=related Many good suggestions here, thanks again..