Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Marine-proofing a Computer

Posted by michael on from the not-those-kinds-of-Marines dept.

thaddjuice writes: "I'm interested in installing a computer on my sailboat to interface with the ship's navigation and communication systems. What I'm wondering is what needs to be done to a computer to protect it from salty air, potentially damp surroundings, and temperature extremes. What parts are most vulnerable? What about peripherals - can you protect keyboards, mice, and monitors from these conditions? Power is also a concern, it has to run off of boat batteries. Should I start with a laptop, desktop, or rackmount system?"

1 of 45 comments (clear)

  1. Watch the prices... by jmaslak · · Score: 4, Insightful

    My recommendation is to buy a few CHEAP laptops.

    Don't spend a lot of money, because you are going to destroy these.

    Sure, you can buy marine laptops, but, as you know, anything with the word "marine" in it immediately costs 5x what it should. If you can buy enough laptops to last the life of a marine laptop at the cost of one marine laptop, you are doing better then fussing about marine certified laptops. Besides, you'll want a new one in a couple of years anyhow!

    You might even consider used laptops.

    This is especially an option if boating for you means "going out on the weekends" versus "sailing around the world." If you sail around the world, then, yes, it probably is worth the money to buy a hardened laptop. Otherwise, spend your money on other parts of your boat! :)

    I would definatly recommend AGAINST desktops, as other posters have mentioned.