On the other hand, no matter the size of your rig, perhaps you've already got
stuff crammed into every nook, cranny, and cubbyhole. You've got a TV and
DVD player. You always seem to park so far from the truck-stop coffee shop
that you've considered strapping a scooter to the frame. Or you just don't
want another shoulder-strap bag to carry into the truck stop or motel. But
you do want access to e-mail and browse the Web -- so the Personal Digital
Assistant (PDA) might be just what you're looking for.
Of course, choosing between laptop and PDA is just one piece of the puzzle.
You also need to think about issues and equipment that affect wireless con-
nectivity and usability. When it's decision time, size up the contenders and
their offerings by how they fit with your honest evaluation of your work-
spaces and habits. The following list can help you sift the details:
Durability: Whatever equipment you choose to use will be doing duty
in an OTR environment; make certain that it'll stand up to the job. The
device doesn't need to be armor-plated, but do some research into
make, model, and manufacturer reputation for durability.
Laptops and PDAs are designed for travel, but durability isn't necessar-
ily a given. Over the years, I've found the reviews, user ratings, and opin-
ions at Web sites such as www·cnet·com and www·epinions·com to
be excellent tools for judging roadworthiness.
Adaptability: Whether you're adapting a device, laptop or palmtop for
wireless, GPS, or any other function, you'll need expandability via vari-
ous slots and ports. Most laptops have at least one PCMCIA slot and
two USB ports -- but twice as many would be really nice. The minimum
requirement for a PDA is a single Secure Digital or Compact Flash Type II
slot. If you can get both, great -- and if you can get a USB port, even
better! (I dig into Wi-Fi adaptability later in this chapter, under the head-
ing " Adapting Your Laptop or PDA for Wireless"; Chapter 13 tackles GPS.)
Even if you choose a computer with built-in Wi-Fi, you may have to use
a wireless adapter when you're on the road. Here's why: Integrated wire-
less capability has proven more than adequate for use in busy airports
and coffee shops, where you often find those same fine folks from Silicon
Valley who designed 'em (coincidence? I think not). Apparently they never
figured out that some travelers enjoy a wireless Internet connection
while relaxing in the bunk of a truck or reclining on a couch in an RV --
sometimes parked in the back forty.
Compatibility: Any device you choose has to be completely compatible
with every aspect of your OTR environment -- not only the 802.11b/g
standards in use at the various hotspots, but also with you. Before buying
anything -- whether PDA or laptop -- give it a good going over at a local
retailer. Type on the keyboard, maneuver the mouse, and use as many of
the features (those enabled by the store, anyway) as you possibly can. It's
your money; make sure you're spending it on something you really like.
Part I: The Wonderful World of Wireless Fidelity
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