What computer would you buy, if you had to make a quick decision today?

My current mobile setup is rather simple and inexpensive. It consists of a small, homemade, desktop computer I built some 4 or 5 years ago. The box (tower) sits on the floor of my truck, behind the passenger seat. An LCD monitor is mounted in front of the dashboard. It has served me well, but I'd like my future setup to be easily movable from one vehicle to another - something which is not possible with my present equipment.



My ideal setup would likely include a pocket-sized Windows Vista computer, such as OQO 2 or Sony UX, and a simple suction-cup mount for attaching the Ultra-Mobile PC to a windshield of any vehicle.



Before buying my next computer I would first check if www.ram-mount.com has a mount for it. RAM mounts are available for most popular laptops, TabletPCs and UMPCs, but the suction-cup types can only accommodate smaller/lighter devices.



Suction-cup RAM mounts are currently available for at least three PCs I've been considering: OQO 2, Sony UX, and Fujitsu Lifebook U810. Last week I read a user review of Fujitsu Lifebook P1620, I like what I read, and the Intel Core 2 Duo processor would provide more CPU power than the processors inside the OQO, Sony, or the U810, but while there are various RAM mounts for the P1620 available, there isn't one w/suction cup. Do I go for a more powerful, but larger unit, or should opt for more convenient, pocket-sized computer?



I'm glad a situation is not forcing me to make a quick buying decision today. I'm very much undecided what I would buy. In the mean time I will just read pages of GottaBeMobile.com to keep myself aware of what new laptops, TabletPC's and UMPCs are being released, which could potentially suit my needs. It seems in near future there may be many more choices for people looking for ultra portable computers.

I guess the first question is: do you want a computer that always sit in the vehicle, or do you want something that travels with you no matter where you are?

For pure vehicle use, your current setup is not bad at all. The only problem is there is no touchscreen, but you have the hot keys don't you

For an all-purpose computer, I would get a tablet PC. Make sure it has a touchscreen that can be operated by fingers.

Hi junkyard

Ha ha, well, that's my dilemma:

* My desktop is the least expensive solution I can think of
* It also provides the most CPU power for the dollar

But yes:

* But I cannot (easily) remove it from the vehicle

TabletPCs are nice. They offer quite good CPU power and relatively good price, too. I'd be tempted to get one if suction-cup RAM mounts were available for a TabletPC with fast enough CPU.

The pocket-sized UMPCs (OQO2, Sony UX) are I think just too expensive for me at the moment, and I'm not certain the CPU power they offer would satisfy me for long.

I'll sit on the fence for a while, and I'll watch what new comes to market. I'm in no rush .

Another benefit of the tabletPC is its large screen --- you get a much better view of the surrounding area and that's a big reason to use a laptop instead of PDA/AIO GPS.

On the other hand, a portable solution often means you *have to* take it with you. It's a easy target for theft. Think about all the carrying, mounting and cable plugging work!

Be careful with the suction cup idea --- a 2KG tablet PC falling down from the window can be exciting while driving...

Yeah, that's the reason suction cup mounts are available just for the smaller, lighter units . RAM actually sells suction cup mounts even for larger TabletPCs, but the mounts look quite large, consisting of two suction cups, and they are meant for aviation, I'm not sure if I could use it in a car or truck .

The police all have laptops mounted and they don't seem to have a problem. Somewhere on the net I've seen skookum mounts that should do the job
I got a 17" laptop for its full size keyboard but it's so huge it would be like a drive in movie at night. Have been eyeing the HP 12" touch / swivel screen for vehicle mounting-
much smaller and lighter projectile and touch commands. Must learn voice commands on Vista!

Here's a video of my tablet PC setup:

[ame]http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8736978395986814164[/ame]

I did absolutely nothing to mount it --- my vehicle has a center table between the two front seats, so I just put the laptop on it (with the laptop sleeve cushioned below to reduce shock). It is surprisingly stable and usable...

Gordon, yeah, 12" is a more reasonable size for a mobile setup, even though I currently use a 17"(!), too. I just wish my future equipment to be more movable from one vehicle to another. RAM sells mounts for police cars, too, and they are excellent.

junkyard, thanks much for sharing the video. It looks like you are running iNav iGuidance. What vehicle is it? A few years ago we rented GMC Yukon for a trip, and our laptop fitted there just perfectly, too, without any modification or without any mount.

It's a Odyssey 2008 minivan, but most minivans have a center table like this.
http://picasaweb.google.com/last.first800101/CenterTable

Junkyards photos quite good but how does his laptopkeep cool. It looks like the mat underneath is quilted which can cover the vents. Mine gets quite hot - I use an inverter and 110V so my image is always it's brightest. Used to use an alumium cookie sheet upsige down on my ottoman to keep it cool. Now using a steel mesh laptop stand made by rolodex -Walmart $16.99 ) aluminum cookie sheet $25 - Zellers

Junkyard - how do you keep your laptop from sliding off @ turns or sudden stops?
I strap mine down to the console in my dodge PU which is time consuming, but it doesn't budge.

It is still winter here so heat is not a concern at the moment... I have a two power profiles (day/night) for vehicle use, so the CPU is always running at the lowest frequency and the computer barely gets warm. If heat becomes a concern in the summer, I should probably replace the laptop sleeve with some rubber stuff with holes.

Surprisingly, the laptop doesn't slide at all while I test drove the vehicle in all kinds of situations... The screen lid stops the laptop from moving forward in hard stops. There seem to be enough friction to stop side-to-side movement. The seats are slightly higher than the center table, so even the laptop moves to the side, it won't go very far. That said, I agree that some belts are needed to prevent the laptop from flying around in an accident.

I have an idea to modify the center table such that the center table will have the laptop embedded in itself: when the screen lid closed, it looks like a real table and it can be folded down as the stock center table... but when I lift the lid, a computer appears

Nice pictures! Thanks for posting them!

I bought one from a store on ebay almost 2 years ago and it has held up fine to heavy use. I use mine for work 5 days a week minimum.

Does it vibrate too much while driving?

P.S. If all goes well, soon anyone here at the forum will be able to have his/her own photo gallery. I'm looking forward seeing member's pictures of their mobile setups.

No vibration, I was directed to this auction seller year before last from a fellow driver due to the fact it acts as a shock absorber as you go over bumps etc.

I was very concerned about a mount that was rigid. That would of course resonate vibrations out the laptop.

It is durable but at the same time because of all those adjustment points on that arm it has some give.

They even sent me a longer post for my delivery van.

That sounds very good. How is it attached to the vehicle? The pictures on their website don't show it very clearly, but I think it is bolted to the floor.

Yes you are correct, I bought 4 self-tapping bolts but still needed to pre-drill and they worked perfectly. I think they are 10mm? This is for a full size 14" and up laptop which my T41 is.

In my other vehicle the x31 Thinkpad ( 12" screen ) sits perfectly on the deep low dash out of view.

By the way Marvin I saw a post that you had linked a Deluo NavStick dongle. I checked it out and bought it from them, I love it so far.

The performance is pretty good I tried it sitting on the passenger seat and it worked fine. One thing to note it did come with a USB "extension" cable if you did want to put it up on the dashboard and not use it as a dongle.

The Thinkpad x31 I use on the dashboard has several USB ports all over it one of which is on the back facing away from you as it were. This item works great would've never found it unless I came across your post!!

Thanks for the feedback for Deluo NavStick. I'm glad you are happy with it. If I had to buy a USB GPS receiver for a UMPC, Tablet PC, and even for a small Laptop PC, it would now very likely be Deluo NavStick, too.

I got OK from my better half, and I bought HP tx2000 series. It's a convertible TabletPC - it can be used as a laptop, and as a TabletPC. It has a 12" display. The screen supports both, touch and active digitizer - so I can either use my finger or the supplied stylus.

To illustrate how small this laptop is, I included in the photos a car key.

First I though it would be nice to have a built-in GPS, but the reports from users of UMPCs with integrated GPS seem to indicate the sensitivity is far from comparable to external GPS receivers. The above picture shows the laptop connected to a Garmin USB GPS (and running Garmin Mobile PC software), but I think the best fit would be to use Deluo GPS NavStick - because of it's form factor.

The next step will be to mount it. RAM mount will be used for that, as I think RAM makes the best laptop vehicle mounts.

I have to admit I took quite a long time to decide what the best device would be for my particular needs. I really wanted OQO2 or Sony UX at first. They would offer me the ultimate mobility. But they are too expensive for me, and they don't offer much CPU power.

Marvin,
That is a nice looking unit..and a good price, I understand. I was looking for a tablet several years ago but the prices were out of my reach. HP seems to be opening up a new market.

I'm looking forward to your views on it for GPS and general usage.

Terry

Yes, Cdn $1,049 + tax, at FutureShop. I think it's a very reasonable price.

Even though I have always used a keyboard to control my PC while on the road, I have also wanted to try to experience various GPS navigation software programs from the point of view of touch-screen users. This will let me do that :-)

Marvin, indeed that is a deal on that tablet. Upon using a 12" notebook myself one would think just a few inches off display size wouldn't make that much difference but it really does. It seems to be just the right size not too small and the keyboard isn't tiny as well.

The Deluo Navstick works excellent even as I've been using my other larger notebook just sitting on the passenger seat every day/night. It definetly does not need to be siting on the dash, it does come with a USB "extension cable" if someone wanted to do that.

Looks like a great setup!

Marvin,
I had a chance to look at the HP tablet at London Drugs today. Look and feel is great and it has lots of class. The weight was comfortable and the sceen was good but poor off-angle viewing in potrait mode. Swivel to laptop mode was smooth. I love it!
Now I just need to justify another laptop when I barely use the one I have.
Terry

I talked before about my Fujitsu P1610. I am using a HOLUX M1200 Bluetooth(can be used w/USB also). I bought a cradle for it but decided to build a wood platform that is attached w/velcro to the floor between the the front seats. I use it in tablet mode so I can make changes to iNav4 with stylus. I can readily pick it up (in hibernation mode) and take it with me if needed for security. Only problem is it takes forever to boot up. Only 512 Ram, but can get 1 GB. I thought the Sony and OQO were too small to use as a laptop. Also XP was recommended because of processing speed and constraints of P1610.

Terry, you are absolutely correct about the screen. I read the exact same comment in a review. And on top of that, reviews say that the screen is not as bright as other (more expensive) PCs. But to be honest, it is not worse than what I was used to .

A few days ago I received RAM mount for it. I haven't even open the box yet . I may be in a newer truck soon, so I may need to order a new base for the mount.

gburkhart, I very seriously considered Fujitsu P1610. It's a very nice piece of equipment. And talking about OQO - I just looked at their website, they have a special this month (May 2008). You can buy an OQO2 for only $999(!). Wow!