All-In-One Computer

[Gunny]

Someone had a thread a few days ago about a desktop tower type computer in an RV. I have a Dell all-in-one that has served me well. Also an IPad with a keyboard but I rarely use it.

Any of the computer types think the all in one will work or not? 

Rob

 

[LeeRevell]

It is simply a matter of space. If you can fit it in, no problem. One reason I got my laptop is for the easier mobility, but it has certain limitations compared to a desktop/tower unit. If you intend on having a flatscreen TV, then you have your monitor too. Increased power requirement might be a concern.

 

[DannyB1954]

If you have the power to run it, the desktop doesn't care where it is.
Tablets and laptops have chips that are designed to use less electricity.

 

[lenny flank]

I prefer a laptop simply because I can take it with me and use it when I'm not in the van. But desktops are, in general, faster and more powerful.

 

[eDJ_]

I've owned a few AO1 Power MAC's  that were CRT screens and they were heavy.  
The newer AO1's with flat screen displays may possibly mount to the wall and do possible double
duty as a TV Screen to display movies or streamed TV programming if you have WIFI or a Cell
that could support that. 

Myself,  I think I'd rather have a larger screen Lap Top as the battery back  up is built into it and can be recharged at a Fast Foods place or elsewhere when there using the WIFI.  With the newer SSD hard drives
you could set it on it's side when open and lay in bed on our side and watch TV or movies that have been saved to a large USB jump drive. 

One rule I always observe.  I try to park so that if I'm laying in bed my head is directed to the safest area of that environment.   Such that if another vehicle would hit my vehicle during the night it would most likely be at the end my feet are at.   Also I'd be facing the side doors if I heard something outside approaching.

 

[rvpopeye]

Sure it will. Just need the space.

Keep the Ipad though. It will come in handy if you want to grab free wi-fi at a restaurant etc....

 

[Gunny]

My first few months will be a shake down and find out what will or will not work. This Dell has worked well but does not have a SSD and the Apple notebook I am looking at does.

I am not tech savvy, but can usually muddle my way thru issues. IPad works fine for 90% of of the things I do.

My intended hobby, photography, needs a decent resolution screen. But since I've taken about 50 photos with about 3000 worth of gear, I may just be wasting my money.

Thanks for the answers.

Rob

 

[AbuelaLoca]

I've been looking into a new camera, but software and screen resolution I did not think about... I have gimp2.0, which I love for most any editing, and a 17" Dell Studio laptop that probably doesn't show the colors the way *I* intend LOL!! For me, though, I think the ability to really zoom would be wonderful. Right now I have a little coolpix s9100 that takes pretty good pictures but get to the digital zoom before I'm ready!

 

[Gunny]

My Canon came with one lens, I have bought 4 more, all but one in the mid range price (for amateur photography) and one I had to put on layaway and pay out. I have used it twice, which equates to about $750 per picture.

I don't even look at the pro lenses. Sticker shock sets in.

Rob

 

[LeeRevell]

My Toshiba laptop has a 15" screen, which is fine for most of my needs. But, I have recently bought an HDMI-to-HDMI cable, to connect it to a larger flatscreen TV. Works well. I also use a wireless mouse, as I find the touchpad utterly useless. Less cable clutter too.

 

[frater secessus]

Laptop plus dock is probably the cleanest solution.

 

[jimindenver]

Rob

How will you set up and use the All in one? I ask because it will have to be packed up every time you want to move. Set it up on your table and it will need to be moved around every time you eat there. I miss my dual screen, high powered desktop but now realize it would be a pain unless I were staying in one place long term, even then I'd need a table for the couch to eat.

For a while I was using my 17 inch laptop. It has a decent screen but even it clutters up the table considerably. I understand having the better screen and more power for photography work but only when I'm doing it. Day to day I've been using my 2 in 1 tablet. It doesn't take up much space, has a pretty decent screen and doesn't use a lot of power. It also sits close enough that the smaller screen is less of a issue. It is also fast enough for most light duty photography work. I'd want more if I were doing it a lot with lots of editing but I'd need a reason to work at pro level again.

One thing I'll add is put some type of filter material over the vents of the All in one. It's not just dusty out here, it's gritty and that will do a number on it.

 

[Ballenxj]

You guys might want to consider checking calibration of your monitors. This is an older tutorial, but may be helpful in giving you an idea of where to start,

 

[Ballenxj]

You guys might want to consider checking calibration of your monitors. This is an older tutorial, but may be helpful in giving you an idea of where to start,

Found a later tutorial.

 

[Zizzer_Zazzer_Zuz]

Desk top PC's are not built for the sort of vibration and shock that they will experience in a vehicle. With some creative fabrication you could minimize this but it would still be a concern.

If you were to suspend the CPU in a high tension net of bungy cords you could reduce the shock and some of the vibration.

Replacing the standard hard drive with a solid state drive will also help. Old style hard drives have moving parts and the solid state drives do not.

Things like CD drives are particularly vulnerable to shock and vibration.

Since you have an All-in-One PC (CPU, hard drives, CD drives, etc. are all part of the monitor) you have less of a space consideration (no separate CPU box) but since it is all integrated if the PC part goes bad then you can not reuse the monitor or visa versa.

You may find that your tablet makes more sense day to day on the road. A camera that can send it's images via wi-fi would be convenient. I for one can't do that since I shoot in RAW and must use a proprietary image transfer and post processing suite, Nikon D3100.

You might consider selling the *n1 and get a laptop that is built for video and image processing, Avio comes to mind.

I would discourage you from taking the *n1 on the road with you without some planning for the shock and vibration totally aside from power consumption.

 

[Gunny]

My all-in-one is an older Dell, already been back to Dell when the sound card bit the dust. I'll just stick with the IPad and IPhone for what I need, at least until I am more solvent and can invest in a good laptop with a solid state drive.

Thanks to all for the advice,

Rob

 

[LeeRevell]

If you use a tablet for true productivity uses, I would highly suggest one using Windows or other true computer OS. The Apple, Android and other phone/small device OSes simply do not have the full capabilities as computer systems. Depends on your usage of course, but though I use my Android Smartphone much more often now, every few days, I must go online with my laptop to do certain things.

 

[Gunny]

I want to start using this 4,000 dollars worth of camera and lenses I bought and have used very rarely. Not much scenery at Budget Suites unless you count the SWAT raids and domestic fights almost daily. Actually wasn't a SWAT raid, they just happened to be in the area when a guy threatened to kill the maintenance man. Wish I could taken a picture of the look on his face when four cops piled out of an unmarked car. Priceless.

I will sort of miss the activity around here, something new everyday.

Launch date is 7 April...


Rob

 

[Zizzer_Zazzer_Zuz]

... Not much scenery at Budget Suites unless you count the ...

Apologies in advance for the thread jack ...

Dude, Alfred Stieglitz could take pictures of his toe nails and they would be magnificent.

Ansel Adams could take pictures of dung heaps and they would move you.

Annie Leibowitz could .. um ... and did take pictures of drug addicts and prostitutes that would prove the old adage that a picture speaks a thousand words.

Take pictures. Take pictures of anything, everything, all the time.

Maybe a challenge will motivate you. Maybe I'll play along. Maybe this needs another thread ...

One picture a day until you are mobile. 
(rotate through lenses every day if you have options but focus on just one thought out image a day) 
Find a subject. Compose the image. Get the exposure. Work on a little post processing and post somewhere.

 

[Gunny]

Not hijacking the thread, good information. The issue (in my point of view) is I tend to see things in black and white, or as they are. I do not have the creative ideas of talented people like that. There are things I am good at, but abstract thinking is not one.

I know what I like and a friend who is very talented has offered to help and I will accept the help.

I take pictures that amuse me, but they would not fit in on this forum. And as I mentioned while talking to another member on the phone, I am still learning what the hell all the settings are on the camera.

I'm a bit leery of setting my camera up on a tripod with a good lens when there are kids or other people about.

Thanks for the ideas tho,ZZZ

Rob