View Single Post
  #14   Report Post  
Old November 12th 08, 09:22 PM posted to rec.radio.amateur.homebrew
JIMMIE[_2_] JIMMIE[_2_] is offline
external usenet poster
 
First recorded activity by RadioBanter: Nov 2008
Posts: 77
Default Article about a portable PC that runs on 12v?

On Nov 12, 11:59*am, "JB" wrote:
"Bob" wrote in message

...



JIMMIE wrote:


I know I dont have a problem with Linux either but casual users here
in the states are afraid of it. I use Linux or various versions daily
at work and love it. They are selling for about $270 here in the states.
Still a bargain. I was in the process of building a car PC but that
project ended when I found net-books.


I can't understand the reluctance of the Americans to use Linux. *There

has
been no real reason to use Windows for a long time (unless you want to

play
games, but a PS3 is best for that). *Over here in Europe, Linux uptake
continues rapidly - as each new Windows virus or worm hits, ever more

people
and businesses migrate.


The last time I entered the 'States, the Customs guy demanded to look at

my
laptop, and see that it would actually work and that I wasn't importing a
bomb. *I started it up, and got my very pretty 3D Gnome desktop up, and he
asked me what it was. *I then got a lecture about how it was "un-American"
and "Commie" not to use Windows! *The fact that I am a Brit, and that

Fedora
(my usual distro of choice) is American, entirely passed him by...


Bob


Obviously just joking with you. *Comedy is often a stress releiver. *Apple
is the one with the Soviet corprorate model.

Many of the laptops will operate well at 13.8 if you disable all the alerts
and auto shutdown features. *You also need to remove the battery so that it
won't run it down. *Some will get goofed up thinking there is a shorted
battery though. *I used to run my old Panasonic on 12v direct to the battery
input terminals without incident.

I have an APC TravelPower adapter which claims to pull 10 amps at 11-16 v
input. *for 3.6 amps at 18v. *Ouch! *A small msw 120v inverter seems to be a
lot more efficient than that.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


I have a little APC UPS that I use with vehicle battery in my RV.

Jimmie