Which is best Laptop for camping

better days

Guest
Hi All,
My 10 year old Toshiba Satellite laptop is showing its age now, it was a refurbished one when I bought it.It overheats and crashes alot specialy when I am out in the campervan. I am thinking of getting a new one but am at a loss at which one to get.
I need internet and maybe TV on it and google earth and autoroute to find my way around .Lots of RAM and a good hard drive perhaps 100gbt. I am 72 and only got into computers after I retired and they change so quick so a bit of help to buy a new or secondhand one would be much appreciated.
Thanks for reading this
Ron (better days)
 
I'm no Computer Buff but I would have thought that any Lap Top that works well for you will also work when camping as long as you can power it .So buy the best you can afford .
 
Last edited:
I have just got a new Acer Aspire one good for take out a bit on the small side i now wish i got the next size up but dose all i want it to do and was cheap over here dont know about the TV side only use it for watching films i download onto a stick and emails when i,m away for 123 euros not bad.
 
As Vindiboy says, any one that suits you.

From what you say, you don't need an all singing all dancing PC because all you use are simple programmes without the requirements of massive processors, ram or hard drives.

What I would say is choose one that can give a good screen resolution, I'm only 60, but a good clear screen helps, especially if you need to wear varifocals etc.

Unless you store loads of images and video's on your PC then a large disk will be wasted. Anyway, it's good practice to archive onto a CD/DVD then copy the disk. Mark one User Volume, the other backup.

Once backed up you can delete the images from your PC. The number of people who have lost photo's etc because their hard drive died is unbelievable (me included I'm ashamed to say).

Maybe your existing PC if cleaned up and all the unwanted files removed will behave better.

Does it crash at home or just when in the Motorhome?

Is it warmer ie in the sun in the MH?

How do you charge it, does it fail when on battery or on charge?

It's just possible that if you remove all of your personal data and do a complete reload of windows and other programmes your issues will go away.

Failing that, get a PC that you can see the screen clearly, look out for "Managers Bargains" ie it's now an "Old" model and not the latest or failing that if you know anyone who's upgrading and make them an offer.
 
Depends entirely on your budget.

But if your Toshiba only crashes because of overheating, but otherwise still ok, may be worth seeing why it's overheating. May be dust, laptops do get bunged up. If the battery is knackered and needs to be plugged in virtually permanently, that will generate extra heat too. On an laptop I had, it crashed all the time because it couldn't get rid of the heat generated by battery. What I wouldn't do is spend any money on it, ie, new fan etc. New batteries can be pricey too.
Decent laptops start at not much over £300.
Looking at laptop for my van at moment, usually buy Apple stuff, but not forking out what they want for a laptop,
 
Best Laptop for camping?

One that I won't be upset if it get's nicked!

Anything new'ish will do what you need it for. 2GB RAM is plenty!

As others already said, watch out for screen resolution on newer laptops. Yes, they are brilliant for watching full HD films
in 1920x1080 but typing an email with that resolution will be difficult without a magnifing glass IMHO

And..... BACK UP. BACK UP and one more time, BACK UP your stuff! :lol-053:

I have a few old laptop HDD's and bought USB cases of ebay for £10 each. I use one for pictures, one for personal stuff and one for my work stuff.
 
Best is a panasonic toughbook, however you said best not best value.

You need to balance quality, features and price to suit yourself.
 
I'm very much into value and reasonable quality and ASUS fits the bill for me. I have an ASUS EEEPC clamshell at the moment and it is a great size for a small van. Fantastic for internet, and a big hard drive for a small machine, I think 350 GB. You may want a bigger screen and more RAM though. ASUS do larger machines. I also have had Acer in the past which is OK.

I don't think top build quality is imperative in today's market unless you are into street cred and showing off to your friends what gear you have. Because usually you are going to upgrade in 3-4 years so it doesn't matter if your machine will last 10! But if you want quality and not necessarily value, then brands like Panasonic, Apple, or Sony spring to mind.
 
A laptop in the van needs to meet slightly different requirements than at home, namely size/weight and power.

We have 3 laptops (lol I know, but I run my own IT business) - a Netbook for general surfing and backpacking; an Asus UL series laptop for main use, and a Dell XPS for power lab use.

The Asis is 13.3" which is perfect and the battery easily lasts 6-8+ hours. Its low power makes it ideal for the van. Any smaller than 13.3" screen and its too small, and any bigger takes too much power. IMO the Asus is the best all rounder. Not the most powerful, but for van work, GREAT. Its only 1.2Ghz single core, but does everyting a normal user would want (and more). My review of it here: New Laptop – Ideal for taking in van Sadly obsolete now :(

You also want one that can charge off 12v, and see Which 12v charger for laptop in the motorhome? for my tip on 12v charger :)

So I'd suggest you looked at laptops/notebooks in the 13" size bracket.

Thats my advice, but all this depends on budget and what you really need the laptop to do, so without a 1-2-1 chat its not possible to recommend anything specific, or indeed if you need a new laptop. For instance, in "sunny" Brighton today and fixed someones laptop here, 4yo and took 4-5+ minutes to start up and they were talking about a replacement; after a bit of work its now almost as good as new and they won't need to consider buying a new one. Hope this helps.

Ryan - Some IT FAQs and hints and tips on my home IT support site: IT Help and Support for Home Computers and Small Businesses
 
Do you need a laptop at all when you're away? If not, consider an ipad.

We have an ipad which is great for use in the van, takes up little space, recharges on cigarette lighter type socket (plus regular 3 pin, or you can get a solar power packs etc. also). Bought the ipad 2 as soon as the newer one came out, so reduced in price :)

We use it for internet surfing, watching movies (downloaded), and watching TV (iplayer), reading (downloaded books/magazines/newspapers etc. - saves space on books!), downloading maps, satnav, chess, Monopoly, and all sorts of other things! Has access to thousands of app's which cater for whatever your needs may be, including 'Pages/Numbers/Keynote' package (similar to Microsoft 'Office') if you ever need them.

Don't know if the program you mentioned re mapping has an ipad app, but there are many out there so sure you could find something to suit. You can also get apps which translate languages if you're abroad, find campsites if you're not wildcamping etc. etc. etc.

We use it tethered to an iphone (unlimited data on 3), so we also have free internet access wherever we go (unless the signal is very poor), so no paying extra for internet access at campsites or similar, and the connection is secure (as any mobile connection can be!).

You will not have as much storage on an ipad as on a new laptop, but sounds like you probably don't need a huge amount anyway? However there is a free automatic (online) backup system called icloud which means your photos & data is all stored safely in case you do lose the devise (don't like to think about that one!). You can also use an external hard drive as suggested too. The screen resolution is brilliant (sorry not a technical term!) both for viewing media/films etc. and for reading, and you can adjust the print to any size you like using simple swipe movement on screen. It's very light and packs away really easily (don't know if you have a safe on board your van, but depending on size you may be able to lock it away), battery life is good too, definitely comparable if not better than laptop.

Don't know how much you're considering spending, but ipads are selling around the same as mid range pc/laptops, and we've found it so much more intuitive and useful than taking the laptop away with us, also there are second hand ones out there which bring cost down further. We're very happy with ours for traveling, but you'd need to check out the spec yourself (or borrow one for a weekend if you know someone who wouldn't mind a lend!) and make sure it would meet your needs. Hope this helps. Happy surfing! :)

PS (The main reason we like it is it's so easy to use and you don't need to know anything technical - the older I get, the less patience I have with 'getting things to work'! Ha ha! :pc: )

PSS! (If you go for a laptop, you might think about getting it from QVC? Only because you can buy an Acer or similar, get it sent to you, and then use it for a whole month - if you don't like it you can just send it back and get a full refund. Obviously you pay cost of P&P, but we often do this, as means you can really use it properly and find out if it suits, and if it's not exactly what you want, there are no arguments about sending it back/refund etc. Works for us!)
 
Last edited:
I am 78 and have two laptops, both Toshibas that have proved reliable. The oldest is 10 years. This one gave me problems eventually but it came with rescue disc.

I downloaded all my files onto a memory stick and used the rescue disc that came with the laptop when I bought it,
which re-installed the operating system (Windows XP home) and other software. It was like new after that. I had to re-install Microsoft Office etc and, I must admit, lost my old emails.


However, I agree that you do not need an all singing (all have wireless these days), all dancing laptop if you decide on a replacement. I would get a laptop,
rather than a notebook. The latter has no CD/DVD drive which means that it is difficult to load new software and also you cannot watch films on DVD. Quite useful if you want to watch in bed (a deux!)

I would go to John Lewis as you will get good advice when you explain what you want and of course their prices are competitive and you can get an extended warranty at a reasonable price if you want it.

Incidentally, I have no relationship to John Lewis, in case anybody ..............

One final point, consider getting an inverter, in case you want to use your laptop and there is no hook up.
 
iPads are great but you can't do Autoroute on it, which is essential with all the motorhome GPS datapoints :)
Can't do accounts packages, web design, invoices blah de blah :p

As for inverters/12v - rememeber inverters are heavier, costlier, and much less efficient at the voltage conversion. If you have one then why not, but if you don't I'd not recommend one. Everything we have/need runs directly off 12v. (Also - can cheaper inverters damage AC/DC power supplies as used for laptops? I know they can bu**er up things with motors). Other benefit, is our multi 12v charger is a single device that replaces 3x different 240v laptop chargers we'd need to carry. OK - we're not that tight on space, but.... ;)
 
I have a Toshiba Laptop for sale. about 5 or 6 years old. I have had four the same up for sale that came from a customer where I replaced their kit. Ive sorted them out and this is the best one left. eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace

Probably will go for about £50. Not state of the art but fine for chucking in the van and not too big an issue if it gets nicked.


For me I use an Acer Timeline 14" laptop which has a 9 cell battery so it lasts 6-8 hours off charge. It means I can use it all day long out and about without a power lead. If you spend a lot of time off hookup this could be important.

If however you spend most of your time at home at a desk then perhaps a 17" screen may be better. Get down to PC world and get a feel for a few but dont let them rush you into buying something you dont need.
 
Yup, you're right re ipad not doing web design. I use Dreamweaver on my laptop (Macbook Pro), but I can't change/upload to my website directly on the ipad when I'm away (unless I take the laptop of course!). I have set up various links which feed into my website, so that I can change things like online availability charts, pricing charts and other things with just the ipad, just not the major content etc. If you need to work and/or use heavy duty programs whilst you're away in the van then you definitely need a decent laptop (not an ipad or notebook) which is capable of running all your software. Also if you need 'Autoroute' and you know that will only work on a laptop (PC?), then laptop it'll have to be (unless you can find an comparable app)!

I do accounts and invoices and have put together presentations on Apple's Pages/numbers/Keynote (like Microsoft's 'Word/Excell/Powerpoint') all on the ipad which works fine (recommend using a blue-tooth keyboard to aid touch typing), you can also read and change 'Word' documents (in Pages) if you need to do this kind of work on the ipad whilst you're away.

But ipad will never be a fully fledged laptop, that's not what its about, so its important to work out what you need to do whilst you're away in the van, and what hardware is best for your needs. If I had the choice of only an ipad or a laptop, then I'd have to choose the laptop, as I need to use it for work.

However for traveling in the van we prefer the ipad cos its easier to use & stow (and suits the things we want to do) and wouldn't want to take the laptop unless we intend to use full capability (and I do try not to work if at all pos whilst I'm away!!).

Would always recommend putting in the time & research before buying any laptop/ipad/notebook/whatever, to make sure it really matches your needs & budget! Good luck! :idea:
 
Last edited:
WOW
So many replies and so much advice, thanks to you all. I am going to spend some time browsing through it all. Asus, acer. panasonic where to start, I dont understand all the technical stuff but things like screeen resulution and size seem to be relavent to my needs. Internet,TV, Mapping when I am out in van and all the normal computer things when I am home.
Barryd, I looked at the one you have on ebay and it looks good, can I watch telly on it and get internet the price is great.
Thanks again :)
Ron (better days)
 
better days said:
WOW
So many replies and so much advice, thanks to you all. I am going to spend some time browsing through it all. Asus, acer. panasonic where to start, I dont understand all the technical stuff but things like screeen resulution and size seem to be relavent to my needs. Internet,TV, Mapping when I am out in van and all the normal computer things when I am home.
Barryd, I looked at the one you have on ebay and it looks good, can I watch telly on it and get internet the price is great.
Thanks again :)
Ron (better days)
Click to expand...

You will be able to watch TV on any laptop with an internet connection online via bbci player or itv player etc but if you mean watching live TV you can get special adaptors and software to do it but I dont know how good they are as Ive never used one.

Yes its not a bad little computer for the money and everything works on it. The other two went for about £50 at the end of the auction. I think it has a few days to run.
 
I am now using an Acer Aspire netbook because my old laptop crashed. I find it much better as it has a long battery life and is only 40 watt.

The only downside is that my Maplin laptop voltage converter does not have the correct tip for the netbook and I will have to take the mains power lead and use a 240 volt inverter instead.
 
maingate said:
I am now using an Acer Aspire netbook because my old laptop crashed. I find it much better as it has a long battery life and is only 40 watt.

The only downside is that my Maplin laptop voltage converter does not have the correct tip for the netbook and I will have to take the mains power lead and use a 240 volt inverter instead.
Click to expand...

I've got 2 acer laptops, one 17" screen and a little netbook. Both run on the same voltage about 19v, i bought a maplin car charger powerful enough to run the large one and like you found that it didn't have the right tip. So I purchased a mains charger off ebay for about £15 I then unsoldered the lead from the mains charger and used it to replace the one on the Maplin charger, so i now have a 150W or 120W (can't remember exactly) car charger which I can use on either Acer model with the correct tip.
A good solution if you can use a soldering iron - much better than an inverter

Paul
 
barryd said:
You will be able to watch TV on any laptop with an internet connection online via bbci player or itv player etc but if you mean watching live TV you can get special adaptors and software to do it but I dont know how good they are as Ive never used one.

Yes its not a bad little computer for the money and everything works on it. The other two went for about £50 at the end of the auction. I think it has a few days to run.
Click to expand...

I have a TV freeview dongle (& software) for using with my laptop (and previously with my now deceased notebook) which I got from Aldi a couple of years ago when we went digital, I think it was about £20, and I've used it a few times to watch live tv through the laptop at several different locations and it works great, with loads more channels than I can get at home. I even recorded (onto my laptop hard drive) the last episode of a series I'd been watching but was going to miss as I was away for the first time in the Tranny - I couldn't get an internet or mobile phone signal where I was staying in the van but I got great tv reception even with the tiny little antenna which comes with it. I have now upgraded the antenna to a better one with a battery powered booster built in but I wish I'd bought an outdoor one so that I didn't have to fiddle with wrapping it up in plastic bags if it has to go outside onto the roof (not often).

You might find them in Argos or in Aldi in areas which are about to transfer to digital in the near future. I'm sure you'd be able to get one on ebay.
 
Being totally new to this whole campervan thing (as well as the wild camping thing, as well as going away on my own ;-)), I didn't want to take my laptop away with me in my very old and probably not secure at all van, so I decided to get a netbook (figuring that I could carry it around with me).
I looked up Which? best buys and then went on EBay: after buying something else (and being let down by the seller who told me it had water damage) I ended up with a Samsung N150 which was also featured on the list for around £100. Was a bit slow at first, but a couple of months ago I went to stay with a friend who's an IT wallah and he did all sorts of tweaks that now means it's as fast as my laptop (and in fact I tend to use it a lot of the time at home now as well). It's even good enough to watch TV on at home now :)
Ideas about carrying it around with me all the time have slowly gone out of the window as it's really quite a heavy thing to lug around with my lack of strength, but I have found somewhere in the van to put it where I hope it might not be totally obvious.

As ever, though, it's a matter of power. When you are Wild Camping or at Festivals, unless you have a decent solar power set up like some on here, there isn't any unless you drive around for ages every day topping up your battery (which is a fairly environmentally unfriendly thing to do if not necessary for other purposes). I assume a netbook uses a bit less than a larger laptop, but I couldn't recommend this one for that as I only get around 4 hours from a fully charged battery. Going to buy a spare battery so I can double that, but obviously that's still pretty limiting if you are away and not driving all that far for a good few days.

I have a separate TV which is pretty clever (though far too small: the screen is about 4") and just has a tiny indoor aerial that picks up Freeview (well, depending on signal strength). The problem with that is that it doesn't even have a removable battery, so it's good for 5 hours but can then only be topped up by plugging in.

Wish more of these things had the option of running on normal batteries, then I could take a load of charged up ones with me and also know that if I ran out I could go and buy some more! (And yes, I recharge all of my disposable batteries as many times as possible, as well as the rechargeable ones ;-)). Will probably end up having to take a separate radio again for that very reason (which is seriously annoying, especially when I've got a much better one installed in the van!)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Back
Top