2nd hand laptop

[tuckerbox]

hey guys


just wanted to know some of your opinions

i am considering purchasing a 2nd hand laptop for when i go away mainly. Something that can play dvd's, usb port for transfering photos from digital camera, storing information, and using it as a diary while on trips.

Ive tossed up between in dash dvd player, portable dvd players small hard drive units(creative zen and iriver) and have almost come to a point where a laptop would be the way to go.

would it also be possible to run some sort of gps thru a laptop ?

Can laptops be charged with the cigarette lighter in the car ?

I guess the size of the laptop isnt an issue and i just like the idea od notetaking or watching a dvd in a tent/hotel..whatever..

what you guys reckon. thought it may be a good topic for discussion

evan

[Gildo]

Sounds like a good plan to me, just that one of the things I enjoy about getting away is that there arent any DVDs, computers etc.
Downloading pics and viewing them on a bigger screen is a good thing, and having a GPS on board would be graet too. Being able to match the time on pics to the gps tracking could be handy for knowing exactly where the pics were taken, and being able to keep notes for future reference.
Thats My2cents anyhoo

[Wolfe]

I was told by tandy salesman that a normal power supply run off the lighter would stuff up the laptop in no time flat and that i would need a special power supply, problem is they want like $450.00 for one. Could have just been sales hype?

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by Wolfe

I was told by tandy salesman that a normal power supply run off the lighter would stuff up the laptop in no time flat and that i would need a special power supply, problem is they want like $450.00 for one. Could have just been sales hype?

It's best to run an inverter, most laptops will run on either 240v and/or 110v, check your laptop but either should be ok. I run a 110v 70w and have had not problem at all using it with a new DELL laptop.

Something like this would do.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/12V-DC-to-220...QQcmdZViewItem

[Gildo]

DC power in, DC power out. shouldnt be that hard, though some Laptops do run on higher voltages -like 18VDC, its tricky but you can get a 12v psu to do that.
Not the general multi voltage type that youd use for a CD player etc.
Having said that, there is a level of protection by having a battery in the laptop that gets charged and can smooth out some of the voltage variation that can happen in a 12v charging system. Just avoid starting/stopping the engine while you are hooked up.

Option 2 is run a small inverter and the std 240v psu, same issues as any non mains supply, variation in voltage and waves. Tends to use more power as some have fans and control circurtary that waste power, and produce heat.

[tuckerbox]

so something like this should do the job ?

http://www.aerpro.com/p.php?pcode=CAI150&xno=14

[Buzz]

Looks good to me tuckerbox