Computer for our boats

[CapnK]

A new entry in possibilities - the "fit-PC".

Very small - smaller than a paperback. Kind of light on raw computing power (500mHz CPU, 256M RAM) compared to most modern common systems, but *very* light on power consumption (only 5 watts), and since it's a fanless design - there's no noise.

fit-PC Specifications
   w       AMD Geode LX800 CPU @ 500 MHz
   w       256 MB DDR (non expandable)
   w       40 GB Hard disk, 2.5" 44-pin IDE interface
   w       Dual 100 Mbps Ethernet
   w       SXGA graphics controller, from 640x480 up to 1920x1440
   w       Two USB 2.0 high speed ports
   w       Speaker and microphone interface
   w       RS-232 serial port via RJ11 connector
   w       Single 5V supply, 3-5 watt, fanless operation
   w       Size: 120 x 116 x 40 mm, 450 gram
   w       All aluminum case, black anodized finish. Splash and dust resistant
   w       Operating temperature - 0-70oC
   w       Gentoo Linux preloaded, kernel 2.6.20.
Windows XP easily installable using USB CD-ROM drive

Cost is US$285 at pre-order prices.

Would be fun to play with. :)

[CapnK]

However, even with this computer onboard, I doubt Frank could successfully upload pics to the site...  ;D ;D ;D

[AdriftAtSea]

Given the relatively low demands of most navigation software, I don't see why that machine wouldn't make a pretty decent boat computer. You'd probably want a good DC-to-DC power supply.  I'd also recommend getting a good LCD panel for use as a monitor.   Instead of XP, I'd go with W2K, as it tends to need less resources than XP and is a bit less bloated. 

Do you know if the board and components are conformally coated??

Also, you'd probably want more RAM, going up to 1GB is probably a good idea. A larger HDD might also be a good idea.

As for Frank, I think he needs to get a Mac Mini. :D

[Captain Smollett]

Instead of XP, I'd go with W2K, as it tends to need less resources than XP and is a bit less bloated. 

Bite your tongue.  Winders....ick.   ::)

;D ;D

[AdriftAtSea]

LOL... Unfortunately, there isn't much in the way of Navigation software for Linux and not a whole lot more for Macintosh.  And the Mac OS, even though it is now available in an Intel-based variant, wouldn't run on a generic hardware platform.

BTW, I'm not a big fan of Microsoft either...but W2K is better than either XP or Vista.  Vista is still effectively beta software for all intents and purposes.  Most of my work is done on one of three Macs... :D  Right now I'm using a MacBook Pro. :D

[maxiSwede]

That little black box does seem like an idea. BUt, how on earth can you make it work with winXP and 256MB RAM
??? ??? ??? (must admit to being strongly biased to Mac myself, even though I've got to PC' and just one Mac at present.

[Captain Smollett]

LOL... Unfortunately, there isn't much in the way of Navigation software for Linux

I run both Chart Navigator and SeaClear just fine under wine.  No problems, mon.   ;)

[AdriftAtSea]

One problem I see with the box is that it only has 256MB, and it can't be expanded.

[Captain Smollett]

One problem I see with the box is that it only has 256MB, and it can't be expanded.

Why is that a problem?  I run Linux on a VERY old laptop with 64 MB RAM and a 400 MHz processor, and that's with KDE as my 'desktop environment,' so it's not even what I would call a super lightweight installation of Linux.

Ditch Windows, install a real OS and enjoy the tool for what it is - a low cost Internet browser/email terminal/word processor.  Really, this is not a gaming box or anything, and for what most folks would use it for on a boat, 256 MB RAM should be more than plenty unless the OS is hogging all the system resources.

[s/v Faith]

Sounds like it would run anything I would be interested in running.  I am surprised at the price though, something 'purpose built' for the marine environment I would expect to be higher.

  For the money it could be a good platform to experiment with.... man if only the sold state memory (harddrive) would be released.... now that would be a package.
(or is this using one already?  With 5w consumption it must be a thrifty hard drive.)

[AdriftAtSea]

CS-

Hate to break it to you, I haven't used a Windows-based system in many years, aside from when I'm forced to work with them for the work I do.  Even then, I'm often remoting into the Windows servers using my MacBook, instead of working on a Windows box directly.  :D

For the software suite I normally have running, which often includes Final Cut Pro, I do need to have a fair bit of RAM.  My MacBook Pro has 2GB of RAM and 250GB of HD space. Video editing takes a fair bit of both.

Why is that a problem?  I run Linux on a VERY old laptop with 64 MB RAM and a 400 MHz processor, and that's with KDE as my 'desktop environment,' so it's not even what I would call a super lightweight installation of Linux.

Ditch Windows, install a real OS and enjoy the tool for what it is - a low cost Internet browser/email terminal/word processor.  Really, this is not a gaming box or anything, and for what most folks would use it for on a boat, 256 MB RAM should be more than plenty unless the OS is hogging all the system resources.

[Captain Smollett]

For the software suite I normally have running, which often includes Final Cut Pro, I do need to have a fair bit of RAM.  My MacBook Pro has 2GB of RAM and 250GB of HD space. Video editing takes a fair bit of both.

You need that on your boat??

Sure, I've got a cluster comprised of Athlon 4200+ dual cores with 2 GB ram PER NODE, but I ain't carrying that on my boat.  No need. 

"Tool for the job" is all I'm saying.

[CapnK]

Another bargain - a laptop, for only $421 (including tax) from WalMart.

Nothing special, not quite the hardware as those nerds ^^up there^^ have ;D, but I thought I'd pass the word on to you sailFarers...

1.86G CPU, 512M RAM, 80G hard drive, CD-RW/DVD. It's an Acer Aspire 3680. I shopped *hard*, 'cause 4 boat bux is a lot of money to me, and this laptop is hands-down the best regular deal out there right now. I don't know how long they'll be around, though - it might be kind of a close-out thing.

The laptop comes with Vista Home Basic on it (yuk), so you'll need to add another 512M of RAM (preferably, the exact same kind - Samsung - so that it can be used in "dual channel" mode, which helps speed things up). With the 512M RAM that comes with it, Vista runs kind of slow. It would probably work great running XP.

That said, what I actually use on it is Mepis Linux version 6.5.02, and it flies. Mepis detected all the hardware wonderfully, wireless etc worked right out of the box. I can even run the 3D desktop (the Windows version won't allow itself to be run on this hardware).

So if any of you are looking for a good deal on a new computer, and have been wanting a laptop, this one gets 2-thumbs-up from me. :)

[Frank]

Ram?pro?GB? HD space?(sounds like a garage for a Harley) ....Divinci...what is the code???

[AdriftAtSea]

Usually, I just use a 12" PB on-board...but some weeks I have to do more wor than it can handle. :D

For the software suite I normally have running, which often includes Final Cut Pro, I do need to have a fair bit of RAM.  My MacBook Pro has 2GB of RAM and 250GB of HD space. Video editing takes a fair bit of both.

You need that on your boat??

Sure, I've got a cluster comprised of Athlon 4200+ dual cores with 2 GB ram PER NODE, but I ain't carrying that on my boat.  No need. 

"Tool for the job" is all I'm saying.

[Joe Pyrat]

Consider that once you add a monitor, keyboard and mouse you have effectively increased the size to that of a laptop and it still will require an A/C source or inverter to operate and it will not be as portable as a laptop would be if you want to take it ashore to an Internet cafe, for example.

Also consider software availability, if running other then a Windows variant OS.  It can be done, but what do you want to accomplish?  Do you want to mess about with computers or do you want a tool to help navigate your boat.

This system looks like a nice Windows 95 setup.  With a 500Mhz processor, 256M of RAM and a 40G HD it will probably boot XP, but that's about it.  I tired it on a similar system and immediately replaced XP with Linux.  It would run Linux, but then you are back to the software availability issue.  Also keep in mind that XP can easily grow to around 10G, leaving you only 30 for everything else (Win2K would be a better option on this system for sure). 

Finally I would think you'd wind up having some issues with the video running any chart plotter type of software.  When I first saw this system I was thinking it would make a great MythTV box (MythTV is a Linux based system similar to a TiVo or ReplayTV system), but it looks like the video is on the mobo so you couldn't add the appropriate video card. 

[Bubba the Pirate]

Sailing Magazine just ran an article on a fairly large gamut of nav software.   They listed two pieces for the Mac that sounded fairly complete.   It may be worth browsing. 

TrT

[Captain Smollett]

Also consider software availability, if running other then a Windows variant OS.  It can be done, but what do you want to accomplish?  Do you want to mess about with computers or do you want a tool to help navigate your boat.

I'm sorry to belabor the point, here, but you are setting up a false dichotomy.  I am telling you that I use navigation/charting software on my Linux computer ALL THE TIME, and it took NO EFFORT to get it to work:  Loaded the software on my computer, clicked the icon, and it worked.

Is Windows any easier than that?  How can it be?

[CapnK]

The fit-PC itself can be run directly off of DC current, and there are monitors that can do so as well, you'd just have to hunt for them.

Most of these computer thingamajigs actually use DC, and the power brick is simply an inverter that sits between them and the wall socket (I bet you know that already...). You can look on the power brick and see just what kind of current it's providing, at what rate, and the polarity of the connection to your appliance. Find one that outputs 12V, and you can splice a plug onto it, or wire it directly in.

I've done that with a few things that were AC powered - most notable, some PC speakers, so I can set them out in the cockpit for music/movies under the stars. :)

Me - I'd use a fixed system for 'net connection when possible, MP3 jukebox, nav software chart repository/library***, and to watch movies from disc maybe. Typical other usage might include some light photo editing, journaling, that sort of thing - nothing too heavy.

Most likely, it's primary usage would be to store and play music.

SeaClear II runs just fine under Linux using Wine - try it. It's free, a 2M'ish download, and can use free BSB charts. Runs well.

John has experience using that and another nav software.

Win2K (or even 98SE) would be a better OS than XP for the fit-PC, I agree. But since you can't buy it anymore (from MS that is), most people might have trouble finding it, I dunno. That's why I initially mentioned XP - plus the fit-PC site says XP, too :)

---------

***I much prefer paper charts to nav by, but it'd be nice to store charts digitally, and print them at will - they'd take up less room that way. It's just an idea/possibility at this point.

[CapnK]

PS - Fixed 'puter vs. Laptop:

Could this be the 21st century equivalent of the Inboard vs Outboard debate? :D