[Elecraft] Logging computer?

[Jeff Burns]

A recent hard drive failure in the family's main computer has me evaluating
all the computing needs at our house. One small part of the equation is the
computer I use for login. I would like to know what others think makes a
companion computer for a K2.

Currently I am using a PII 233 desktop with 196 MB of ram with my K2. It
runs Windows 2000. I use N3FPJ logging software for general logging and N1MM
for contest. Most of the time I have CW Get running. This computer is very
reliable, but is just barely fast enough. Scrolling through the log book is
slow. This setup also takes up a lot of space, and is a pain to haul out to
Field Day. 

A laptop computer seems like the ideal companion for the K2. If cost was not
important I would go for one of the super rugged military grade models, but
unfortunately I will find it difficult to justify the cost of an older used
model. On e-bay I have seen laptops considerably faster than my old desktop
selling in the $150 to $200 range. The lowest priced laptops in the stores
are going for $550, but look very fragile. 

I would like to have a computer dedicated to the radio. Sometimes I will use
that computer for web access if someone else is using the family computer.
If I had a laptop I might take it on vacation to download pictures from the
digital camera. This would make a USB 2 port desirable. 

What model computer would work well for this kind of use? Is purchasing a
used laptop computer a smart thing to do? Where is the best place to look
for a good deal?

Jeff Burns
AD9T