The problem with a laptop for adventure travelling is that if anything goes wrong with it, it can be extremely hard to have it repaired. The parts tend to be very proprietary (and therefore VERY expensive, if you are lucky enough to find them), the particular models are often very country-specific, and expertise is hard to come by.

I made up a "desktop" computer for our vehicle, using standard components, which can be run off a small inverter. The hard drive is a notebook type, so it is reasonably robust. We have a 15" TFT monitor mounted in the vehicle, and a cordless mouse and keyboard.

The big advantage of this is that any component can be replaced, changed, or upgraded in just about any country in the world, cheaply and at short notice.

We rely heavily on the computer for maintaining our website, and for sorting and archiving our digital photos. Losing this facility due to a faulty laptop screen or keyboard or whatever would be more than just inconvenient.

However, our approach does have its drawbacks - it is a fair bit bulkier than a laptop, it can't be easily moved around, and the power consumption is several times that of a small laptop. Also, the option of a "desktop" system is perhaps more attractive in our case as I have some degree of technical computer expertise.

On the whole, it's one of the decisions we have been happiest with, despite the drawbacks. It's certainly an option worth considering.

Regards,

Michael & Sandy
www.expeditionoverland.com


[This message has been edited by SandyM (edited 19 January 2005).]

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Michael & Sandy
http://www.expeditionoverland.com