Van computer what is da bomb?

dhally · 07-05-2012, 04:27 PM

Can the geeks help with suggestions for a computer to use in the van and also in our kitchen? We have a good monitor for the kitchen. A laptop might work, but they seem fragile, and take up a lot of space in the kitchen along with the keyboard and monitor.

Are there any bricks that have a 12v power option? We could get a dedicated van monitor.

A tablet seems cool but we want to do photo editing and MS Office at home.

We want to do video, email, and maps in the van. Wifi only. Maybe GPS.

Ford_6L_E350 · 07-05-2012, 04:44 PM

A laptop works well for us in the van. We have a simple, small ACER laptop. A tablet didn't have enough memory to make it worthwhile.

For use at home, you could use a docking station for the laptop. It could even be out of sight with only the keyboard and monitor visible. Then you wouldn't have to transfer files like we do (we have a traditional desktop/keyboard/monitor at home).

Mike

larrie · 07-05-2012, 05:00 PM

Except for e MS Office programs an iPad would do the trick. My daughter and husband use the iPad in the kitchen all the time. There are several photo editing apps available as well as gps on some models.

Rumor has it that MS Office is coming to the iPad this fall. Will believe it when I see it.

carringb · 07-05-2012, 11:58 PM

Mac Mini is a powerful device, small, and very power savvy.

Scalf77 · 07-06-2012, 07:04 AM

I would think that a laptop would best meet your needs. They are actually more robust then desktop units, the weakest spot would be the hard drive so if you spend $ for a solid state drive, you should be good. You should be able to find a DC to DC power brick from the laptop vendor. Laptop input power varies but a lot are around 18 volts. If you wanted to go small form factor I would look for a Mini-ITX based system. They would be similar in size to to a mac mini.

some small form factor systems can be found at:
http://www.logicsupply.com/
http://www.mo-co-so.com/default.asp
http://store.myaopen.com/

I currently run a Aopen mini in my van.

-greg

dhally · 07-06-2012, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scalf77

I would think that a laptop would best meet your needs. They are actually more robust then desktop units, the weakest spot would be the hard drive so if you spend $ for a solid state drive, you should be good. You should be able to find a DC to DC power brick from the laptop vendor. Laptop input power varies but a lot are around 18 volts. If you wanted to go small form factor I would look for a Mini-ITX based system. They would be similar in size to to a mac mini.

some small form factor systems can be found at:
http://www.logicsupply.com/
http://www.mo-co-so.com/default.asp
http://store.myaopen.com/

I currently run a Aopen mini in my van.

-greg

What display are you using? A wireless display might work in the van...

Scalf77 · 07-06-2012, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhally

[What display are you using? A wireless display might work in the van...

I actually run two monitors, one is a 8" touchscreen and the other is a input to my Skyworth TV. It has a standard VGA input as well a HDMI. If you use DVI or HDMI from computer to monitor the cable length is not much of an issue in the van.

More details on my setup are here:
http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/vie...t=758&start=15

There have been some changes from the original build, but that should be a good representation

-greg

9pb9 · 07-06-2012, 06:24 PM

I am really pleased with my Asus TF300 Tablet (android)
http://www.asus.com/Tablet/Transformer_ ... ad_TF300T/
forum: http://www.transformerforums.com/forum/forum.php
It uses a mini-SD card for storage, but with the keyboard doc you can add regular size SD cards and USB storage plus get super-duper battery life. There are apps for Office docs and photo editing but I haven't fooled around with them much and prefer to use my home laptop (windows-based) for those applications. (Asus is making the new Google Nexus tablet)