I'm a big screen user. But i want a little table

[insomnia]

I'm a big screen user. But i want a little tablet(12.1 max) So i want to setup a hardcase that has a regular lcd monitor in it(19") that i can carry my tablet in as well. That way not only will i have a 19" screen but i'll have the extra tablet screen real estate. I figure a slate w/ a detachable keyboard would be best for aligning the two screens with the keyboard at a reasonable angle and distance from the screens. But i'm going to stick with a convertible anyways. Of course I am going to have to plug in the monitor to a 120 volt outlet, which isn't a problem most of the time. But i just though i would ask before i went to all this trouble.......SO my question is are there any monitors that i can run off 12volts or another battery friendly voltage for those rare occasions i can't plug in but need my screen? I know the main issue will be the much higher power consumption of the monitors(relative to tablet lcds) so i guess thats another question. And anyother advice or ideas you have are weicome. I know this might seem a little extreme but i get into alot of situations out in the field where this is the kind of setup i need and i can still take my tiny-tablet w/me too. Heres a pic for the general idea but thats a 14.1" monster and the case will have to be 2" taller to fit the screen.

Oh anybody know good places to find a big assortment of cases?


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[Steve S]

insomnia: (Great name, by the way)

I'd suggest that you look into a 50W portable inverter. 19" LCD monitors look like they consume about that much power, give or take 10%. Maybe consider a 70 inverter so that you'll have a bit of margin.

Many of these units are designed to plug into the "accessory socket" (what some of us used to know as the cigarette lighter!) of your car. With 110V output, you can choose the monitor of your choice...

[insomnia]

hey thanks for the reply. I actually have a 7000watt power inverter in my truck and a couple spares but i was referring to actually having a battery in the case to power the screen because theres times when i'm not near a vehicle or a an outlet when i'm on a job. I shouldn't have used the 12volt reference. I would look into automotive lcd screens but i figure a 19" would be about $4000, I was just hoping there was an exception

[Steve S]

<<i was referring to actually having a battery in the case to power the screen...>

...And I hope this case is a backpack?

Figuring in inverter efficiency, your LCD display will suck about 5-6 amps at 12V. My friendly Mouser catalog says that a 12V, 5A-Hour rechargable lead-acid battery is about 4-5" on a side and weighs about 4 pounds. 10-12 A-Hours are closer to 6 pounds. That case is starting to get awfully heavy...

[insomnia]

I know...thats one reason i was looking for a lcd that runs on low voltage, to forego the inverter. I'm sure they have internal regulators I just need to find one that has a wall wart and will handle DC. HAHA

[Steve S]

<<...i was looking for a lcd that runs on low voltage...>>

...However, power is power. A "low voltage" LCD screen is still likely to suck several 10's of watts. You have a point that you might save the (not inconsiderable) weight of an inverter (and the transformer in the display PS), but you're still going to be lugging a significant weight of batteries...

PLUS... you may find that that DC-powered screen is much more expensive than an ordinary AC screen. The usual weight-vs-cost trade...

[Toekiller]

What about one of those Wireless monitors? I think they get up to 14"?

[dochogan]

quote:Originally posted by Toekiller

What about one of those Wireless monitors? I think they get up to 14"?
I have one...Philips DesXcape...it's 15"

But these aren't truly 'monitors,' but thin clients that work via Remote Desktop Sharing. This causes several problems in this scenario: 1) VERY slow* display/draw speeds (*relative to the native, or wired, display)...no support for *any* kind of video playback, etc; 2) Remote Destktop Sharing blanks out the desktop on the Host (ie, no display on the TabletPC while the Wireless Monitor is active!)

Wireless monitors *definitely* have a purpose, but not in any way with a TPC ;)