Computer

I use two computers, an emachines M6805 Laptop and a Shuttle XPC SK83G Desktop.

As a former IT Manager, I always liked the AMD chips, never had a compatibility problem and AMD gives me more "bang for the buck".

Both computers have the 64bit Athlon processor, 3000+ in the Laptop, 3200+ in the Shuttle and they both run Windows XP PRO.

I buy most of my general computer stuff from New Egg or from Tigerdirect, but shop on the Internet for special deals.

I always buy my systems with the least available (cheapest) amount of main memory and buy my memory upgrades from Crucial, this can save a significant amount of money.
For computer manufacturers, memory and other upgrades, are, what vinyl roofs and undercoating are to car dealerships - ultra high margin items.

The laptop is primarily used in the Van for navigation, it will also be used to monitor all available parameters on the Van via the ODBII/CAN interface.

The original Ford shop manual for the E-350 is also on the laptop, so I can take it with me to the shop, in case there is a problem.

For WiFi connections in the CG I use a Hawking Dish adapter.

When in camp I can use the laptop outside of the trailer via IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN.

Inside the trailer I am using the Shuttle XPC with a wireless keyboard and trackball. I use a 19" LCD from Sceptre.

The Shuttle is a full-fledged desktop, only a bit larger than the size of a shoebox. It is eminently usable in the confines of an RV. Cooling is via a patented heat-pipe system and the box is very quiet and generates very little heat.

I make extensive use of FireWire and USB devices which I can exchange between the computers.

2X       Ultra Mini Disk enclosures IEEE 1394/USB 2 with 200GB each
1X       Liteon dual layer DVD burner USB 2.0
1X       Creative Sound Blaster Extigy , USB
1X       HP 1315xi all-in-one printer, scanner, copier, USB
1X       Brother PT 2610 P-touch label maker, USB

The Shuttle is used mainly for photo, audio, and video creating and editing, for email, office applications, and web related activities.

 Some pictures of the system.