Spec me a laptop - media centre capable large HD for sole PC when living on a boat

heeeed · 12 Feb 2009 at 11:24

My parents are retiring and have sold the house and bought a boat to live on and sail the seven seas for their retirement.

They need a laptop capable as a media centre for all their dvd's etc. They would like to have Bluray too for futrure video. output via HDMI to a 32" LCD TV is a must. Needs a large hard drive to store all the songs/films they have collected over the years (I suspect they may need an external HD too, but good internal would be bonus)

Low power useage is VERY important, as although they will have a generator they don't want to be running it regularly.

I presume all high end laptops have wifi these days as they would like to be able to communicate with people when they are in a marina etc. as a lot have wifi these days. whatever the wifi system that has the furthest range would be a bonus though

End Creditz · 12 Feb 2009 at 11:36

HP HDX18 would be my first suggestion as I'm using the 16 version currently and loving it. Has everything you want there, although I'm not sure on the range of the wireless.

heeeed · 12 Feb 2009 at 15:47

Thanks,

looks to fit the criteria fairly well on performance. I wonder if it might be quite power hungry though with that huge screen? They can certainly manage with a smaller screen happily, because anything they want large they can go through the TV

"andy" · 12 Feb 2009 at 16:47

what about external 'portable' drives for the storage of films/music etc ?

they could get a couple of 320gb ones that are powered from USB/firewire and then only need to plug tone in when wanting to watch a film.

Scottland · 12 Feb 2009 at 17:21

How about a WDTV Media player for media center abilities as well as a less power hungry laptop for computer use?

I've just picked one up for my parents in Spain and they thought it was very easy to use, and I'd imagine it would use less power than a laptop for when they're watching films. It also plays almost any file format and has HDMI output.

Just a thought

lukext · 13 Feb 2009 at 08:46

well, if the HDX18's screen is too big, take a look at its smaller brother, the HDX16.

oneilldo · 14 Feb 2009 at 11:22

If living on a boat with power constraints I would go for two laptops. One beefed up one for blu rays etc and a samsung NC10 as the battery life is great and it would be fine for browsing the internet etc. This should reduce the need to turn on the generator.
They could also look at the power gorilla + solar charger (solar powered battery).
Hasn't the boat got a 12v feed on when the engines running? If so then perhaps they shouldnt really need to use the generator.

heeeed · 15 Feb 2009 at 13:09

yes when engine is running they have power, but it's a sailing yacht so they dont intend to have the engine running if they can avoid it, but 2 laptops idea may be viable

oneilldo · 15 Feb 2009 at 16:26

Yeah normally though you will have the engine on when leaving and going into harbour which should take about 30mins each time. It might be worth getting a laptop which has a quick charge option so they can utilise this time to charge the laptop. I have just got a NC10 and the battery lasts ages.

Hats off to your parents though. Selling up and sailing round the world sounds immense. What sort of boat did they go for? They might want to look at solar and wind turbines for power as well as you can do without a laptop but if they have an electrical fridge then it will need chilling and you need cold beer.

ste_bla · 17 Feb 2009 at 03:36

Thought of a solar charger? Friend has one and while not brilliant it could charge his 4.4mah (iirc) battery in 5 ish hours of slightly cloudy weather (compared to 2 and a bit on mains) just an idea. Or even a second battery and charge them both when running motor?

Simian · 17 Feb 2009 at 08:25

End Creditz said:
HP HDX18 would be my first suggestion as I'm using the 16 version currently and loving it. Has everything you want there, although I'm not sure on the range of the wireless.

lukext said:
well, if the HDX18's screen is too big, take a look at its smaller brother, the HDX16.

I can't recomend this Laptop (I've the 16".. but the 18" is Fantastic) enough!!!...

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17955728&highlight=username_simian :cool:

"andy" said:
what about external 'portable' drives for the storage of films/music etc ?

they could get a couple of 320gb ones that are powered from USB/firewire and then only need to plug tone in when wanting to watch a film.

Thats what I'm looking at doing.. either a 320Gb or going whole hog and getting a 500Gb external (USB, Firewire or even eSATA).