Hi there,
I was looking at them today and they use SD memory sticks. Being different to a conventional hard drive, will they be a better option?
I'm thinking just lump it in a camera case.

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The Road To Rio - Locokiwi

As mentioned earlier ... harddrives, when spinning, WILL break if shocked!
So here's an idea:
An alternative would be to replace the HD with solid state memory, such as flash-cards. For only a few euro you can buy adapters (like ths one) to modify your laptop (or pc).
If loking for a laptop, Asus Eee PC is small, wighs 0.89kg, builtin camera & mic for logging, usb for your gps(-logger)/camera/printer/scanner/usb-rocket-launcher... and has flash mem. instead of a HD... al in all seems like a good candidate for 'this sort of thing' ...

That said it all, I was 'going' to post a question about all the issues mentioned... plus the 'Sat Phone'... and, nice but no... but I've been answered. I salute you sir

Dave.

I am currently on the road with the following gadgets:

1. Asus EEE pc.
Weighs less than 2pnpd (920gram) does not have a harddisk that can break, is very rugged, has everything except a drive for cd, dvd.
At a price of only 400$ this is simply an amazing gadget and you can afford to loose it too. No problems going off road with it yet.
Another plus is that the charger is quite compact and has a long cable.
Everyone I meet inquire about it and where to get one!

2. Garmin Vista HCX.
Very usefull gps in a compact design and at a good price too. I chose it over all their other models because it has: Light weight, long battery life, can use standart AA rechargable batteries, has slot for memory card, is affordable to loose, is small enough to put in your pocket while sightseeing on foot in a big city (very cool IMHO)
I have a RAM mount which is simply fantastic. I have done nasty nasty offroad with it and it takes it.
8 AA rechargable batteries + charger that can be used with wall plug or cigar lighter.
Comes with a USB cable which can also power it and you can therefore have it permanently powered from the bike. Never needed to do it yet though as one set of batteries last more than a full day.
Note that the "H" in "HCX" stands for "high something" which practically means that the gps can catch the signal inside a building or in a dense forest. This is amazing and as a former owner of a non "H" unit I would never ever buy a Non "H" unit again. No matter how cheap it is on ebay or whatever. The "H" rocks and my GPS is way more effective than Garmins gps 60 units or other more expensive models. (you can of course get a 60 with H, but just make sure you do!)

3. Olympus SW790 Camera with 2 batteries. Camera is waterproof to 10ft (3 meters) and it really is. I wash it under the tap when it is too dirty. It is also shock resistant.
Doesnt take as nice pictures as canon fx, but it is the most convenient camera I have had. I always carry it in my pocket and I never have to worry about rain, or sitting on it etc...

4. Petzl Tikka plus torch with headstrap. Compact and fab. I use rechargable batteries and have 2 sets (6 pcs)

5. Thingy that has a cable with a male cigar plug and a box with 2 USB and 2 female cigar plugs.

6. Cellphone with USB charger. Meaning than you can only charge by USB. I can charge it either from the bike or from the laptop. USB chargeunit is much smaller than standart wall charger.

7. Creative ZEN Vision:M (use whatever you fancy) I only have the USB cable with me to save on weight as the wall charger is heavy. Can charge same way as cellphone.
I use this for music on my laptop too since the ASUS doenst have room enough for my MP3 collection. But the speakers are decent and it does nicely as a stereo. Another plus is that I get my ZEN recharges at the same time from the USB.

8. Power inverter for charging the laptop on the road. Never used it, but maybe convenient when I get to bolivia.

I wouldent know how to list them as I find everything very convenient and it is a daily joy to have on the road. The inverter and the cellphone is the least used item i have, but I would bring them all the same.

I have some cds with me in a fake leather carrying case (the cheap ones with plastic folders for the cds) Light, cheap and works like a charm. Dont put underneath your toolset though (-:

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Peter Kongsbak
South East Asia, USA, Central and South America and Scandinavia.