Question:
I would like to know if there is any good software out there that would help in the trip planning process, and what is a good laptop to start with that is powerful enough yet affordable.

Answer:
When I was an OTR Drvr, I used a Compaq Presario.(I've had it for about 4yrs & it's still going strong.)
Some people would Not own a Compaq if their life depended on it, but it has served me well....I have no complaints with mine.(although, I think I may try a Dell for my next one.)
As for trip planning....
I use the Rand McNally Trip Planner, that came installed on the laptop when I purchased it.
I also use the Laminated Version of the Motor Carriers' Road Atlas.(I also have the STREET version of Rand McNally.)
http://www.mapquest.com
http://www.mapblast.com
Those are just a few of the less costly ones.
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A few of the more costly ones that can be used with or w/o GPS are...
http://www.delorme.com
http://www.promiles.com
http://www.pcmiler.com

Answer:
I carried a Dell Inspiron with a Celeron processor on the the road a few years ago. It was a hold over from a previous job, but it did a wonderful job for me.
My son has been shopping for his own personal use and is still looking at the Celeron processor because the price is right and it has enough speed and power for his purposes, but then he drives for Swift LOL!!
I am seriously considering a move to a MAC. I like the MAC operation, but I do not know if all the software I want is available in Mac format.
I have a PALM PDA and so far I am amazed at the capabilities they are putting in these smaller machines.
I guess it really comes down to personal uses and budgetary constraints.

Answer:
depends on what you want to do with it. First, check out the software you want to get. Somewhere on the box, usually in small print, it will list the minimum system requirements. 64 meg of ram is a bare minimum. With ram - more is definitely better.
Your priorities should be 1- amount of ram memory, 2- fast enough Mhz speed for your software 3- cache memory(more is better) and last is size of hard disk.
Ram is where the work is done, hard disk is general storage, and cache memory allows computer to be quick in every day tasks. You can save some money by not buying the fastest computer.
Don't buy from a truck stop. They have no clue about computers.

Answer:
thanks everyone for the input. Have anyone seen or heard of software put out by a company called copilotTruck

Answer:
First off, understand the difference between what you WANT and what you NEED.
What you WANT is a 2.8 P4, 64mb ATI or Geforce4 Go graphics chip, 60 gig hard drive, and all the other goodies you heart wants.
But what you NEED is a functional machine to work and play with. Big difference there, especially in price. Your basic laptop needs are as follows:
Anything over 1 Ghz in processor speed will absolutely be sufficient to do any type of computing you could ever need. See, most mobile processors, regardless of the advertised speed, will ALL run MUCH less than that. All the P4m's will be running around 1.3 Ghz unless that speed is absolutely needed. Why? Saves battery juice. You'll see folks bragging about their new laptop that "blazes" at 2.4 Ghz. And there are some manufacturers that DO put desktop procs in a laptop. (Alienware is one) These desktop procs don't have the ability to "step down power", so the drawback is a battery that lasts for 1 1/2 hours MAYBE. Always look for the P4 "M", or Athlon "M".
A 1 gig processor is certainly fast enough to play games, and unless you are using voice recognition software, you will NEVER NEED a faster processor. It's a selling ploy to make you believe you just gotta have the fastest laptop made. If all you do is surf, email and do paperwork on your laptop, don't fall for the hype that faster is better.
Now memory is certainly an area you DO need to pay attention to. Windows XP is NEVER going to work right if you have less than 256 mb of memory! And this is definately an area where "more is better". Memory is still cheap these days, so get 512 mb if you can. All these wonderful programs designed to make your life easier are TOTAL MEMORY HOGS. Windows 95 & 98 worked fine with 64 mb. But Windows 2k and XP MUST have a MINIMUM of 256 mb! When you've gobbled up your memory, Windows and the other programs will start getting goofy and you're heading for a famous crash.
Now laptop manufacturers are glad to offer memory upgrades....but at three-times the price. I'd strongly recommend you buy one with 256 mb of memory, then go somewhere like Ebay and get another 128 or 256 mb stick. But make sure you have a slot for it! Some cheapo (HP/Compaq) vendors will put two sticks of 128 mb memory in, leaving you with no upgrade slot, unless you want to remove one stick. Make sure your memory is a single 256 mb stick for future upgrades!
Upgrading memory on a laptop isn't real difficult, and there's usually a plate you remove on the bottom to get to it.
Now I'm also a firm believer in a graphics card. There's just no sense in trying to save a few bucks to have the dreaded "integrated graphics memory". That's where the graphics chip on the motherboard "borrows" memory from your system memory. This is bad, simply because with that fat Windows hog gobbling up what you have, it really hurts your performance when your machine must get video memory this way. Much better to get a machine with a graphics board with 32 mb of memory as a minimum. Either the ATI or Geforce laptop boards will do a great job.
And I also think a CD-RW drive is a must. You can get one for around $75 more than one without. If you can't write CD's for music or data, what's the point of even having a laptop? Gotta get those porn pictures off the hard drive before your spouse sees them! (I'm kidding alright?)
A spare battery is certainly nice, but so long as you have the ability to charge in your truck, (either with a cigarette adapter or an inverter) that would fall into the WANT category. A decent case is also recommended to protect the thing from the hazards of being in a rolling truck.
Large hard drives are certainly nice, but a 20 gig drive should be plenty for mobile computing. Go with the largest you can afford, and you'll not go wrong.
At least two USB ports in the back, an integrated modem and network card, and this laptop should fill your needs quite nicely.
Now I'm an AMD kind of guy, and I have been since 2000. I'll never go back to Intel unless I absolutely have to. Sure, they make great processors, but they'd STILL be gouging you on the price unless AMD hadn't of shown up and made competition do what it was designed to do. And an AMD-powered laptop is generally going to cost you much less than a comparable Intel machine. There's nothing wrong with a Celeron or P4 except they cost too much. Sony and HP/Compaq sell laptops with AMD processors. They can be found at any Best Buy, Cicuit City, and some Sam's Clubs. Look them over.....
With the specs I talked about, you should be able to pick up a nice laptop for under $1200. The more things you add, the higher that price will go up. But think about what you will be using your laptop for, then go price some. Dell, Gateway, and the ones who build both P4/Celeron AND AMD I listed above, are all good trustworthy vendors. And remember this: Nearly every single named company DOES NOT build laptops! Dell only assembles pieces together they got from Taiwan. But Dell also offers the absolute BEST customer service and warantee options. And go to their website and build the laptop you think you need. Even though I recommend AMD processors, (and Dell don't handle those) the absolute BEST laptop you could ever own will come from Dell.
So there you have it. How to buy a laptop. DO NOTBUY A LAPTOP FROM A TRUCK STOP!!!!!!!!!
Me? well, I happen to be the proud owner of a Dell Inspiron 8200. A 1.7 Ghz P4m, 64mb Geforce4 Go, 512mb PC2100, 40 gig 5400 rpm hard drive 24x10x24x8 CD-RW/DVD and the 3-year on site complete care. Windows XP Pro runs the show. It cost me $2470. I got what I Wanted.......................
Head Warrior, TFBU
On The Mend.....

Answer:
Is it possible to have your desktop in the truck instead of the notebook computer or will it eat the batteries ?
Thanks

Answer:
Sure it is, so long as you have enough of an inverter, which should be a minimum of 500 watts, though higher would be better. And I'd recommend you don't put your $2000 desktop in your truck. Inverters are not considered a stable power source. I have seen trucks that had desktops wired up and functioning. You just treat the monitor like it was a TV and mount it carefully.
But it's a bulky setup that takes up a bunch of space, which is why a good laptop is the only way to go......
Head Warrior, TFBU
On The Mend.....

Answer:
I suggest you buy the January 2003 issue of "Computer Shopper" magazine on news stands now. They have an article on buying a computer. You can usually find this magazine in large chain grocery stores.

Answer:
When I drove for Action Carriers, there was an O/O that had his desktop set up.(he also had an all-in-one, printer, scanner, copier, fax)
He is a solo drvr & he built his own stands/cabinets to put everything on.
He has a double-bunk Volvo....he used the top bunk for storage & for his all-in-one.

Answer:
I orderd it with a wall and car charger and hook to the net by Sprint PCS.
As far as trip planing goes I use MicroSoft Streets and Trips True it is not truck spicific but with QC and company directions and My Rand McNally Moter Carrier Atlas I have not gone too far wrong.
So Far I have Gotten good service except for MicroSoft up dates, becarful with those.
Seek to know God and Jesus who was presented as the sacrifice of full payment for sin.

Do the VI maintain your following distance maintain your lane position observe the speed limit observe the things around you and keep good records

Safe driving to you.
Joe