what is everyone using to keep a laptop computer powered ON inside the truck without using the laptop's battery? :usa:

My Dell had an option to order an Auto/Air adapter, so I did. Works fine, lasts long time.

Go to Targus's (http://www.targus.com/us/accessories_power.asp) web site, you should be able to find what you need there. Or call them if you are having problems, it's complicated, they have lots of models.

Did you get that Jotto Desk?

no, not yet, but I will soon. I was kinda waiting to see how you liked it.

what is everyone using to keep a laptop computer powered ON inside the truck without using the laptop's battery? :usa:


Lind electronics makes 12 volt adapters for laptops....

My Dell had an option to order an Auto/Air adapter, so I did. Works fine, lasts long time.

That's what I used. My battery seems to last a decent amount of time so far though.

The only thing I don't like about that adapter is it gets hot and begins to shut on and off.

Yeah, the adapter supplied by Dell is actually the Targus adapter I recommended to moregrip. Haven't had any problems with it yet. And yes, my battery also lasts quite a while since I have a 1.4Ghz Celeron M (Centrino), the best processor for power conservation out there.

If you're having problems with your adapter, Flyer, I'd suggest going through Dell to get a new one.

More, I guess I'm going to have to get that Jotto Desk (since you won't :suspiciou ) and report back the results.

I am going to get it too, I've been looking at others and the jotto seems to be pretty darn good, only thing that I might not like is the manner in which is secured, i.e. the cables across the top......

Yeah, well, I guess they had to do something to get it to be universal with all the different sizes of laptops out there. :(

I'm going through LawSupply.com, they seem to have the best price. Let me know if you find something cheaper. I'll probably order Wednesday or so. :thumb:

well, I went and finally bought my laptop today.......

Ended up going to the Navy exchange for their Labor Day sale:)

Got the HP zd7140us, its got the following:

3Ghz P4
60 gig hard drive
512mb RAM
64mb video memory (discrete)
800mhz front side bus (which I have no idea what that's for)
hyperthreading (again, no idea)
wireless 802.11 b/g
17" widescreen
Full keyboard
5 way media reader
PCM card slot
4 USB 2.0 ports
DVD/CD-RW

It was 1699.00 no tax plus, 200.00 in rebates for a grand total of 1499.00.

Now I need to get a serial port PC Card!

Bye Bye iMac......

Congrats! I'll keep you posted on that mount. I left messages for the guy at LawSupply.com who I had been exchanging emails with, and he never called me back last week. On Tuesday I'll give him one more chance, then someone else is getting the commission.... :D

Congrats! I'll keep you posted on that mount. I left messages for the guy at LawSupply.com who I had been exchanging emails with, and he never called me back last week. On Tuesday I'll give him one more chance, then someone else is getting the commission.... :D

Thanks for the congrats, you have any idea what 800mhz front side bus does? or hyperthreading?

the wireless is shweet! I'm in my recliner surfing the web and watching Hot Rodding TV!

Yep, next step is the jotto desk, after your thorough review of course :usa:

The 800Mhz front-side bus is the CPU-to-RAM bus speed. You'd never know the difference between that and the prior 533Mhz bus, so it's no big deal really. The hyperthreading is Intel's technology that allows different CPU tasks to take different paths through the processor, which can increase overall processing. The CPU can make the decision which processes/tasks go through which path (thread) automatically, or you can program them yourself. This capability could come in handy if you want to run both a wideband, and HPT logging software simultaneously.

i have a centuro 1.4 and the batery lasts a loooong time. like 4-5hours.

i can run efi live, wide band, talk on the intnet(from my truck in the garage), and watch a video all at the save time. i use the hell out of my lap top and prety much abandoened the desk top. it isn't very old and the leters are worn off the keys and their is a indentation in the space bar. scratched to hell and even a couple of cracks in the plastic.

The 800Mhz front-side bus is the CPU-to-RAM bus speed. You'd never know the difference between that and the prior 533Mhz bus, so it's no big deal really. The hyperthreading is Intel's technology that allows different CPU tasks to take different paths through the processor, which can increase overall processing. The CPU can make the decision which processes/tasks go through which path (thread) automatically, or you can program them yourself. This capability could come in handy if you want to run both a wideband, and HPT logging software simultaneously.


Thanks Bro, sounds good to me :usa:

Yeah, well, I guess they had to do something to get it to be universal with all the different sizes of laptops out there. :(

I'm going through LawSupply.com, they seem to have the best price. Let me know if you find something cheaper. I'll probably order Wednesday or so. :thumb:

check this sight out, takes a while to piece it together, but seems real sturdy

http://www.ram-mount.com/

Yeah, the adapter supplied by Dell is actually the Targus adapter I recommended to moregrip. Haven't had any problems with it yet. And yes, my battery also lasts quite a while since I have a 1.4Ghz Celeron M (Centrino), the best processor for power conservation out there.

If you're having problems with your adapter, Flyer, I'd suggest going through Dell to get a new one.

More, I guess I'm going to have to get that Jotto Desk (since you won't :suspiciou ) and report back the results.
back in 99 when I first had my truck I used a power inverter.. ate 2 of em up over the years.. still keep one in there for a space, but same with me, I have a dell now with dual batteries and the car adapter.. it's nice.

i have a centuro 1.4 and the batery lasts a loooong time. like 4-5hours.

i can run efi live, wide band, talk on the intnet(from my truck in the garage), and watch a video all at the save time. i use the hell out of my lap top and prety much abandoened the desk top. it isn't very old and the leters are worn off the keys and their is a indentation in the space bar. scratched to hell and even a couple of cracks in the plastic.

Yeah, Centrinos rock, I've got a 1.3Ghz Celeron M (Centrino), the only diff between that and the Pentium M is the Celeron 'only' has 512MB L2 cache...it's actually a Pentium with half the cache disabled...but hell, 512MB is what the P4 desktop chip has, so it's good enough for me...I get 4.5 to 5 hours on the battery as well... :thumb:

wonder what my battery life is like?

I'd bet 1.5 - 2 hours max, since you have a desktop processor in there.

I better get that Targus Auto/Air Adapter then, How does that work since the laptop runs of AC?

Laptops run off DC. The bricks you plug into the wall outlet at home convert 120VAC to 12VDC, so the auto adapter has a much easier job than the home adapter. It is more of a regulator/surge protector than anything, since cars already supply 12VDC.

Laptops run off DC. The bricks you plug into the wall outlet at home convert 120VAC to 12VDC, so the auto adapter has a much easier job than the home adapter. It is more of a regulator/surge protector than anything, since cars already supply 12VDC.

sometimes I wonder how I made it through life, BUT, that's great news!

Dude, I'm a geek, don't compare yourself to me. I have way too much knowledge in some areas (much of it useless), but sometimes it comes in handy...as in this instance :thumb:

I use a heavy duty inverter and the regular charger. Actually I have an extension cord that runs into my laptop case which also houses my printer and both the printer and laptop are plugged into that cord. Since I have to write a lot of estimates in the field I use it a lot and never have any problems with it. I need to use an inverter since I need to have power to my printer as well as the computer to print up the estimates. Its about an 8"x6"x2" unit with 2 grounded sockets, a cooling fan, and a fuse. I've never had any problems with it and its sometimes running for hours at a time.

Just a heads up.... I poped two autotap modules using the car adapter from RadioShack till the guy at Autotap asked me if I was using one. Evidnetly there is a ground loop in them that back feeds thru the Atap module and cooks 'em. So from now on, I only use batt power when using Autotap or Edit.

Just a heads up.... I poped two autotap modules using the car adapter from RadioShack till the guy at Autotap asked me if I was using one. Evidnetly there is a ground loop in them that back feeds thru the Atap module and cooks 'em. So from now on, I only use batt power when using Autotap or Edit.
thanks for the heads up

Personally, I wouldn't use anything supplying electrical power from Radio Shack. Maybe wires or resistors, perhaps potentiometers, but nothing supplying power.

Congrats! I'll keep you posted on that mount. I left messages for the guy at LawSupply.com who I had been exchanging emails with, and he never called me back last week. On Tuesday I'll give him one more chance, then someone else is getting the commission.... :D
hey bro:) any update?

looks like my battery will last 2.5 hrs according to the battery monitor icon.

I'm not impressed with LawSupply.com. Three different people and a week to take one order. When I told them I wanted the mount for an event (California Speedway next weekend), and that I thought they should pay for at least part of the 2-Day shipping, because it took them a week to finally take my order, they politely declined. I decided it wasn't worth $59 more for FedEx 2-Day over Ground. I would not recommend them to anyone else.

AFAIK, it will get here next week. Whether or not it gets here in time for my race is up in the air. I'll let the board know when it comes it, how the install goes, and of course, I'll post pics.

Regarding your laptop battery and icon, I recommend sitting down and just using it to see if it lasts 2.5 hours....some of those battery life indicators are accurate, some of them aren't. And as soon as you start using CDs/DVDs, they really start sucking down the juice... :secret2:

cool, standing by:)

I'm not impressed with LawSupply.com. Three different people and a week to take one order. When I told them I wanted the mount for an event (California Speedway next weekend), and that I thought they should pay for at least part of the 2-Day shipping, because it took them a week to finally take my order, they politely declined. I decided it wasn't worth $59 more for FedEx 2-Day over Ground. I would not recommend them to anyone else.

AFAIK, it will get here next week. Whether or not it gets here in time for my race is up in the air. I'll let the board know when it comes it, how the install goes, and of course, I'll post pics.

Regarding your laptop battery and icon, I recommend sitting down and just using it to see if it lasts 2.5 hours....some of those battery life indicators are accurate, some of them aren't. And as soon as you start using CDs/DVDs, they really start sucking down the juice... :secret2:

Hey Naked, I was checking out my AC plug and converter and noticed it was rated for 120W, with the truck adapter should I be looking for a 120W model or is the 75W job I saw at Circuit City OK?

Well, the answer is that it depends on your laptop. They could be using one AC/DC converter/adapter for many machines, so it could be overrated for your laptop. But then again it might not. Especially since you have a desktop processor in there - all bets are off since the desktop processors really pull power.

I would call Targus tomorrow and see if they have a unit for your particular laptop. If they do, ask them what the power rating is for it. That will give you an answer, then you'd know if the Circuit City one is okay. You also might look through the literature for your machine and in the tech specs you might find the power draw. Or you could call the mfr. of your laptop. If it were me I would probably do all three, because in the area of electricity and electronics, I take no risks.

Well, the answer is that it depends on your laptop. They could be using one AC/DC converter/adapter for many machines, so it could be overrated for your laptop. But then again it might not. Especially since you have a desktop processor in there - all bets are off since the desktop processors really pull power.

I would call Targus tomorrow and see if they have a unit for your particular laptop. If they do, ask them what the power rating is for it. That will give you an answer, then you'd know if the Circuit City one is okay. You also might look through the literature for your machine and in the tech specs you might find the power draw. Or you could call the mfr. of your laptop. If it were me I would probably do all three, because in the area of electricity and electronics, I take no risks.

see, that's why I like getting advise from you, thourogh!

do me a favor and check out STS vs Radix and tell me/us what you think in closing.

I have one of the hp models similar to the one at the exchange. My battery lasts at least three hours before I have to charge it - so far. I thought about getting a power source for it, but frankly have never needed one.

Got it at the NEX, so I guess you're in the Navy?

Yep, 8years.

19 for me. Rate?

OS1 and you? 32yrs young.

CTTCM. Almost 39. Prior EW, so know much about your rate. Ship?

God Damn! How you doing Master Chief! You CT's don't care for OS's too much:)

I'm good-thanks. Most of the guys I got along with were OSs. So I never had a problem with them. You on a ship?

USS Peleliu 6+ years, currently at Shore Duty, Instructor Billet, FCTCPAC, S.D.

Instructor duty is cool. I'm in that billet now in Pensacola, but when I made E-9 two years ago, I got moved to the Center for Cryptology. You guys up NMCI? We are and I'm in the worldwide.

Instructor duty is cool. I'm in that billet now in Pensacola, but when I made E-9 two years ago, I got moved to the Center for Cryptology. You guys up NMCI? We are and I'm in the worldwide.
Thats affirmative, I've been at instructor duty about 16 months, about 20 left, then I'll be at 10. I added you to my buddy list MC, if thats OK by you.
Shit, a full blown MC right here on LS1Tech, I better watch my peas and q's.
Small World.

That's cool, just don't call me MC. What's your name?

Roger that, my wifes dad is a retired MC, 42years active, he was one of the first MC when the rate was made. To this day I call him MC, and uncover in his house, etc. etc.
you get the picture.

My name is Devin.

BTW, what do I call you?

Wife military also? 42yrs? Damn. I will be lucky to make it to the 26 I want to do.

No, she's a full blown civilian. Yeah, he's a character. Never calls me by my name, just Sailor.

I can bet the sea stories are good.

Before marraige, as good as anyone else's.

Phuket, Bali, Perth, hell even Dubi wasn't horrible.

do I just call you BenKey?

I'll just call you Ben till you tell me otherwise.

Hey Naked, looks like my laptop battery is pretty accurate. I'm just surfing though.

When is that Jotto due in again?

did you get a chance to check out my link to RAM mount?

Got it today....

I'd really like to get your input on it before I install it. It's not what I expected. It's much thicker and heavier than I thought it would be.

Perhaps we could even put it in together, so you can get an idea of what it is and how it works. We'd have to do it either today or tomorrow, though, since I am going to Fontana to the drag strip on Friday, and I'd like to have it in by then. What's your schedule like? I might even be able to do it Friday AM before I leave for Riverside County.

I'll PM you my phone numbers.

Yep, I'd like to help. Thursday night will be best for me. In the afternoon I've got to go to the Stereo Shop and meet with the owner one more time:(

Naked, did you take pics of the jotto with the laptop mounted up? love to see them!

also, I decided to get the jotto as well, I went to that same website as you but didn't find the part# listed for our trucks.....

Lastly, I was checking out the jotto website, they have a second arm you can mount for a writing table they have and a brace for the actual laptop post, since mine is a ten pounder I'll be getting that!

peace.

No, didn't get pics yet, I'll take some this week and post them.

Thanks again for your help on the install, it worked really well. :thumb:

No, didn't get pics yet, I'll take some this week and post them.

Thanks again for your help on the install, it worked really well. :thumb:

no problem dude :usa:
we couldn't have done without your electrical tape idea :cheers:

Naked, do I just call up law supply and ask for the kit by part#? cause it's not on their website...

Yes. Mine wasn't on their site either, but it doesn't matter, they had it drop shipped from Jotto.

Yes. Mine wasn't on their site either, but it doesn't matter, they had it drop shipped from Jotto.
cool brotha!, thanks :drive:

cool brotha!, thanks :drive:
:thumb: :burn:

just ordered up the Jotto Desk, same price as you, I also ordered the additional Brace since my laptop is overweight:)