Laptop

Beard · 04-21-2006

I presently stumble with a dual boot Inspiron 8200 w/Netstumbler, and occasionally with an HP 3950. I would like a different laptop, preferably with a smaller screen, to use fulltime in the truck instead of the Inspiron. Y'all have a vast amount of experience, covering many different pieces of hardware used in the hobby. I would appreciate it if y'all would share it by advising me on the selection of a different laptop. I'm presently considering a Panasonic Toughbook, probably a CF-72, or a Dell Latitude, with, based on searching the forum, at least a 700k processor, 256k mem, CD/RW and 20 [30?] gig HD . I'm open to other suggestions, with reasons for them, or reasons the ones I'm looking at may not be a good choice. I am planning on triple booting, XP, Auditor/Backtrack, and, although I probably don't have to, another Linux distro . I already have a Fab-corp Omni antenna, Dell 1150, Senao ext, and Linksys WPC54GS cards and a Magellan GPS [serial out]. I have also considered Familiar on another HP handheld or possibly, a WRT54g drone setup. Budget is $300-$500 for the laptop, closer to 300 is better. I am going to learn Kismet to increase my finds.

I'm getting overloaded with info and I can't seem to get it sorted out, I don't have the background or experience. The "this is what I have/use" comments have been of no help.

Beard

dakkon2k · 04-21-2006

I like the HP Omnibook 6000.It meets your min. reqs has a cdrw/dvd available.
Price is about $300~ If you want the CDRW/DVD I'd susgest a USB one, dvd/cd writers are lke $30 usb external case $30 beats a $75-100 notebook only cdrw/dvd.
The Dells are nice, The "C" series were pretty good, the "D" are very nice.

beakmyn · 04-22-2006

I currently have the CF-45 toughbook (266mhz) and I looking at the CF-72 as a replacement. In my opinion the toughbook rates high on my list for a capable wardriving laptop. Being a toughbook it's ruggedized for the environment and it easliy handles being bumped around and dropped off the roof of my car onto the pavement (with no problems). It boots up after sitting in a car at -15F overnight and runs great (screen was little pink until it warmed up). The toughbook can't be beat. However it is a bit pricey but I think it's worth it. Add in their relatively small size and super light weight and it's even better.

My 266mhz is going strong and the battery still lasts 2+hours!!

As far as handhelds go. I wouldn't do it. The handheld can't stand up to the memory requirements of over 100 aps. The handheld slows to a crawl and becomes unresponsive. This is my experience with Kismet and Familiar. That and wifi really drains the power so you'll have to have it plugged in for any real drives.

If you get a laptop make sure it can do at least 1024x768 resolution. While 800x600 is fine for running Kismet it's too small for use in X and web-surfing.

streaker69 · 04-22-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by beakmyn

I currently have the CF-45 toughbook (266mhz) and I looking at the CF-72 as a replacement. In my opinion the toughbook rates high on my list for a capable wardriving laptop. Being a toughbook it's ruggedized for the environment and it easliy handles being bumped around and dropped off the roof of my car onto the pavement (with no problems). It boots up after sitting in a car at -15F overnight and runs great (screen was little pink until it warmed up). The toughbook can't be beat. However it is a bit pricey but I think it's worth it. Add in their relatively small size and super light weight and it's even better.

My 266mhz is going strong and the battery still lasts 2+hours!!

As far as handhelds go. I wouldn't do it. The handheld can't stand up to the memory requirements of over 100 aps. The handheld slows to a crawl and becomes unresponsive. This is my experience with Kismet and Familiar. That and wifi really drains the power so you'll have to have it plugged in for any real drives.

If you get a laptop make sure it can do at least 1024x768 resolution. While 800x600 is fine for running Kismet it's too small for use in X and web-surfing.

I would agree with Beak here. I've done work with the CF27/28's and really liked them. They're heavy, but they're built to last. I know that the 27 and 28's you can get a Touchscreen and a retractable antenna for an internal minipci wifi card.

Beard · 04-22-2006

Thanks y'all, I really appreciate the advice.

I stayed up way too late last night looking at the HP 6000. It looks pretty good.

I'm not going to look at a handheld anymore for the time being, maybe if I fall into one cheap I'll mess with it.

Since I don't plan on carrying it around, heavy doesn't matter. Reliability and resistance to vibration during travel does. I worry all the time about the hinges on the Inspiron even though I keep the lid down most of the time, 1t trucks still ride a little rough. I use it for navigation also.

Beard

beakmyn · 04-22-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beard

Thanks y'all, I really appreciate the advice.

I stayed up way too late last night looking at the HP 6000. It looks pretty good.

I'm not going to look at a handheld anymore for the time being, maybe if I fall into one cheap I'll mess with it.

Since I don't plan on carrying it around, heavy doesn't matter. Reliability and resistance to vibration during travel does. I worry all the time about the hinges on the Inspiron even though I keep the lid down most of the time, 1t trucks still ride a little rough. I use it for navigation also.

Beard

If you're going to use it for navigation then the toughbook gets another point since the screen can be viewed in sunlight.

I wish my Ipaq worked so well.

04-21-2006	#1 (permalink)
Beard Talking softly Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ozark mountains, Arkansas Posts: 349	Laptop I presently stumble with a dual boot Inspiron 8200 w/Netstumbler, and occasionally with an HP 3950. I would like a different laptop, preferably with a smaller screen, to use fulltime in the truck instead of the Inspiron. Y'all have a vast amount of experience, covering many different pieces of hardware used in the hobby. I would appreciate it if y'all would share it by advising me on the selection of a different laptop. I'm presently considering a Panasonic Toughbook, probably a CF-72, or a Dell Latitude, with, based on searching the forum, at least a 700k processor, 256k mem, CD/RW and 20 [30?] gig HD . I'm open to other suggestions, with reasons for them, or reasons the ones I'm looking at may not be a good choice. I am planning on triple booting, XP, Auditor/Backtrack, and, although I probably don't have to, another Linux distro . I already have a Fab-corp Omni antenna, Dell 1150, Senao ext, and Linksys WPC54GS cards and a Magellan GPS [serial out]. I have also considered Familiar on another HP handheld or possibly, a WRT54g drone setup. Budget is $300-$500 for the laptop, closer to 300 is better. I am going to learn Kismet to increase my finds. I'm getting overloaded with info and I can't seem to get it sorted out, I don't have the background or experience. The "this is what I have/use" comments have been of no help. Beard __________________ Beard "We hold these truths to be self evident".... Religous: "Thou shalt not steal." Amish: "You shall burn in hell for theft of wifi." {courtesy streaker69} Secular: What's on the books. {courtesy beakmyn} Redneck; "Thievin' bastard, [blam, blam]" Solutions for the most common problems or questions of new members are here, here, and here .

04-21-2006	#2 (permalink)
dakkon2k proselyte Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Quite a bit EAST & a smidgen south of the world famous Rat. 2 miles from the beach or 1/2 a mile from a golf course and liquor store, or 2 miles from a Gun store or 5 miles from a hooters or a "adult nightclub" Posts: 894	I like the HP Omnibook 6000.It meets your min. reqs has a cdrw/dvd available. Price is about $300~ If you want the CDRW/DVD I'd susgest a USB one, dvd/cd writers are lke $30 usb external case $30 beats a $75-100 notebook only cdrw/dvd. The Dells are nice, The "C" series were pretty good, the "D" are very nice. __________________ Unable to apply patch, Please install M$ Outlook to continue. A journey of a thousand posts begins with How To Ask Questions The Smart Way

04-22-2006	#3 (permalink)
beakmyn Free Public Wifi Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4,992	I currently have the CF-45 toughbook (266mhz) and I looking at the CF-72 as a replacement. In my opinion the toughbook rates high on my list for a capable wardriving laptop. Being a toughbook it's ruggedized for the environment and it easliy handles being bumped around and dropped off the roof of my car onto the pavement (with no problems). It boots up after sitting in a car at -15F overnight and runs great (screen was little pink until it warmed up). The toughbook can't be beat. However it is a bit pricey but I think it's worth it. Add in their relatively small size and super light weight and it's even better. My 266mhz is going strong and the battery still lasts 2+hours!! As far as handhelds go. I wouldn't do it. The handheld can't stand up to the memory requirements of over 100 aps. The handheld slows to a crawl and becomes unresponsive. This is my experience with Kismet and Familiar. That and wifi really drains the power so you'll have to have it plugged in for any real drives. If you get a laptop make sure it can do at least 1024x768 resolution. While 800x600 is fine for running Kismet it's too small for use in X and web-surfing. __________________ ┌──────────────────────────────┐ ╞ NS Icons Explained\|et hoc genus omne ╡ └──────────────────────────────┘ Creating yesterday's future, Today!

04-22-2006	#5 (permalink)
Beard Talking softly Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ozark mountains, Arkansas Posts: 349	Thanks y'all, I really appreciate the advice. I stayed up way too late last night looking at the HP 6000. It looks pretty good. I'm not going to look at a handheld anymore for the time being, maybe if I fall into one cheap I'll mess with it. Since I don't plan on carrying it around, heavy doesn't matter. Reliability and resistance to vibration during travel does. I worry all the time about the hinges on the Inspiron even though I keep the lid down most of the time, 1t trucks still ride a little rough. I use it for navigation also. Beard __________________ Beard "We hold these truths to be self evident".... Religous: "Thou shalt not steal." Amish: "You shall burn in hell for theft of wifi." {courtesy streaker69} Secular: What's on the books. {courtesy beakmyn} Redneck; "Thievin' bastard, [blam, blam]" Solutions for the most common problems or questions of new members are here, here, and here .

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