I'm coming way late to this conversation but I have always wanted a Panasonic Toughbook quality device that could do the following:

- RUN or at least charge off 12v DC current (preferably without an external power adapter but I may be dreaming)
- 9" screen size capable of popular resolutions for easier web browsing
- 10+ battery life (Preference on something easy to replace like AA batteries)
- Linux OS so I don't have to pay and pay and pay
- use E Ink brand electronic paper displays (256 level grayscale is all I need)
- Possibly a swiveling touchscreen
- Solid State Drive (32GB+ would be nice)
- 4+ USB powered ports (at least three not right next to each other)
- 3/4 sized keyboard
- built in GPS receiver
- headphone jack
- sound card that can support Phase Shift Keying, 31 Baud for HAM communication
- fanless
- wi/fi chip with the option of digital cellular network communication module
- built in card reader
- sound in capability
- built in surge surpression (no not EMP but dirty power resistant power supply)
- weather resistant
- capable of standing up to field abuse (I love the Panasonic Toughbooks but they are way more than I need, not to mention the weight!)
- Top notch power saving

Don't need: I understand some would be necessary for retail sales
- color screen
- back-lighting for screen
- speakers (at least audio off by default)
- camera/web cam
- optical drive
- Pcmcia or EVDO drive
- loud fan
- look at me I'm cool, shiny brushed aluminum exterior (no I am not an Apple hater)

In fact I almost want something like the old Apple Newton.

Form factor is spot on, built in modem, used AA batteries, no external power brick, touch screen worked great but also had an attached screen cover, and was great for low power usage as it was grayscale video only. Add SSD, some USB ports and capability to run off 12v DC current and I would buy them like crazy. Though I think this technology was pre PDF and that would be necessary.

Yes I realize the Newton died horribly just like nearly all UMPC's have done as the market segment is tiny. Just dreaming here but if you know of any device that can come close let me know!

I just got myself an Inspiron 1210 from Dell, and it is tiny and cheap and works well with all of the apps that I use...it also has a 92% sized keyboard...

Jamie

They do look nice and have many of the things I am looking for. Still I am holding off. Utra low power, combined with e-paper and a great battery would be a start. Sort of a open source Kindle.

I think that isn't unreasonable considering the current technology but then again would it sell? If not then a person will most likely have to build it for themselves.

I carried a 12" laptop for 6 years, its too big.

I use it as my everyday computer (using it now), and find it easy to type with...I had an EEEpc, and found it tricky with my sausage fingers...

If I need a really tiny computer, my ipod touch fits in a small pants pocket....

Jamie

I didn't say it was too big for an every day computer, I was referring to the subject of the thread, its too big for a bugout laptop, I tested it out over 6 years, too too much space in a bob.

What I was saying is that any smaller isn't practical (for me) as a computer, unless I switch to the ipod touch...

I think of the term "Bugout Laptop" as a ZS-ism for really small and light and cool laptop, not one that people will actually bug out with...

I think that even the EEEpc takes up too much space in a BOB when you think about the weight/space/fragility/utility ratio...my BOB is a pack filled with stuff that will insure my survival between points a and b during a disaster or interruption of services, and I can't justify the weight/expense/space of a computer in a BOB...

What will yours do that you NEED in order to survive?

How is it more important/valuable than the food/water/shelter/FAK/useful tools that you can't bring because you brought along a computer?

If able to bug out in my car, I'd bring the laptop, if on foot, it stays...I might make room for the ipod touch, but am not sure...I'd be interested to hear peoples' philosophy of bugging out with a laptop, if that is really their intent...

Jamie

That is my intent, I realize that the chances of my having to bug out from a small local disaster are much greater then the end of the whole world. Think about the people who had to bug out from NOLA some lost their house and everything in it and relocated elsewhere and had to find a job or place to live. That is the kind of situation were more likely to have to bug out from and those situations a laptop/netbook will be quite useful. Its not actaully the physical machine being useful rather the data on it, I have many years of documents and pictures that could be quite useful,things such as my resume or work history. Some people use an external drive for backups and plan to take that with them but they still have to find a system to plug it into, where mu whole laptop is about the same size as an external drive yet will still allow me to print a resume or upload one to monster.com, or print off my last credit report/bank statement/etc to show an apartment complex that I may want to rent from. I can print off inventory lists, receipts, and pictures of everything I own to give to the insurance company. Thats the kind of situation were more likely to face than a bug out to the woods and live off the land like Daniel Boone.

I have an ASUS Eee PC 901 running Puppy Linux (Very small and lightweight installation, runs PDF's, internet, documents and so forth), with a variety of USB flash drives for it? On the 16gb USB flash drive?

http://www.cd3wd.com/CD3WD_40/CD3WD/index.htm

13 gigabytes of data on a range of subjects from agriculture to technologies to be made and deployed in third world countries. I'm looking to pick up a solar panel charger for it at some point, and an extended 9 cell battery. Add in ebooks for reading, a way to keep a record of thoughts, data and so forth and possibly connect to satellite internet if such a unit can be found and powered, and I'd say a netbook with suitable provisions and preperation would be invaluble in a PAW.

Keep it safe, keep your data safe and backed up, and it could help when the time comes to rebuild, or in finding others that have survived whatever may come.

Plus, it has Tetris.

That setup is my choice too.

But i am testing the latest Ubuntu Netbook Remix and it works pretty flawless, from integrated hardware to external modems and Bluetooth dongles.

+ .. If i mess it up i can always use the boot cd to create a new install within 15 minutes.
+ .. no registration, so after reinstall running registration servers (i look at you MS) are not necessary (and unlikely in the PAW)
+ .. with APTonCD i can create a disk or dvd that contains all my downloaded software (good after an PAW reinstall).
+ .. i can create a boot usb stick that will work on other systems (all those crashed PCs that won´t run anymore).
+ .. i can mount almost anything
+ .. i can carry valuable disks (Wikipedia DVD) as image file with me

It won my hearth.

I added a Motorola Droid to my tech arsenal yesterday so now I can actually have data on my phone as well, had windowsmobile before and it was next to useless.

I have a Google G1 original android and love the phone. Tmobile network is the pits but the phone is great.
The Droid steps it up, Have not looked at the plan cost yet for the droid. Unless tmobile improves the coverage I will be switching.

Thats why I've stayed with verizon all these years, their network just works. I'm on a loyalty (unpublished) minute plan and added the $29.99 data with the droid, I was on the pay as you go with my windows mobile phone and just set a password on the data connection and used wifi for everything.
With my %22 percent discount we have two phones, my data plan, text, long distance, etc and still under $100 / month.

I am holding out for 4G Sprint with an Android phone. We have Clear now but I would rather not add another 2-year contract. Though at the rate Sprint is losing money I may be wishing for some time to come.