Waste of Money for My Go Bag or Not I Need Your Opinion

I bought several new items for my emergency GO Survival Bag the most expensive being a $110 10.1" new laptop that's light. This laptop will never be used unless I need to split with my GO Bag as I have 2 larger, faster, more powerful laptops at home. My question is, I only have about 84 GBS of free space as the Hard Drive was only 160 gbs. Do I spend another $135-175 on a 500GB Hard Drive so I have about 300GBS more of free space? Mind you this laptop will never be used unless I have to use my Go Bag and thus the laptop is for emergency only. Thanks for your advice. I realize this sounds like a petty spoiled type question but it is important to me.

 

Yep, you need to define the need for a gadget, will it actually used post-SHTF, and if so how? Chances are the net will be down, so doubtful you'll be downloading anything.
Laptop batteries lose power with time too, so it'll need recharged periodically, and you need some way to recharge it postSHTFan Day.

 

I agree with the other that say in SHTF the net will be down. If you are using it to store survival information on you might be better off with an ipad mini in an otter box and a small solar charger for it. I know I have a bunch of survival books on my ipad and a small goal zero solar panel and battery set up. However, I also have a paper copy of a survival manual too.

 

That's what I was thinking. As long as the computer doesn't get nuclear EMP'ed and you have a way to recharge it.
Since the primary threat to socal is earthquakes, I don't see it as a horrible idea.

 

Rather than the weight and additional bulk of an external hd, perhaps a couple 256gb sd cards. Lots cheaper, too.

Maps, manuals, copies of important documents, even some entertainment type reading material.

I suspect at that price point it is an Insignia...I went with an iPad for the longer battery life between charges, but our Insignia (wife got one for...well, whatever she does with it ) works well.

Lastly, I would suggest you use it. Electronics do not take well to long periods of inactivity. The battery will last longer than just sitting and you'll be more likely to keep things up to date.

 

The Netbook is a Lenova Think Pad 10S-3. I already increased the memory and changed it to Windows 7 Home Premium (I prefer Windows 7 over 10). Oh, I think this Model can only handle a specific 256 gb card that's around $75 and one that's 500 gbs for $150 or so and if I'm going to add space there's no point not getting the larger of the 2 for $75 more. As to other comments, a computer has more uses than just the internet. This cheap laptop itself is small and weights 2 lbs 7 ounces so its really not interfering with packing other items. The question is, is 84 gbs enough free space or should I spend another $150 or so for more on gbs for a laptop hopefully I'll never need.

 

Very true, sec! But with a consistent 10-12 hours of run time, I couldn't complain

 

I picked up a small computer on sale for $100. About a 10 in screen, takes a 5 v recharge, and had charger for 110 and 12 v. Have output for 5 v on solar and 110 also. Has a keyboard, but can be removed and used as a tablet. Ties into my wi fi internet connection, into public connections, use it when I go to hospital, etc,as it has nothing private on it. Back it up to a 500 gig hard drive that plugs into the USB, no phone charges etc. I find that I use it several times as often now as my laptop, using it now as a matter of fact, can set in chair and drink coffee, use the screen for playing videos when I work on firearms to review assembly procedures, take it to the greenhouse and enter fertilizer inventory, photo plants, look up things on the internet for trouble shooting, keep operating instructions, parts breakdowns etc on it, look up tools on the internet and order parts. Only mistake was not getting 2 of them. I don't know how long it will last, but back it up often and treat it as a throw away. It doesn't compare to a raspberry pi, can't use it to control things, program easily, etc, but I would find it hard to get along with out now, and if it did survive TSHTF, it would be a welcome way of replaying the hundreds of gigs of archived stuff I have and a small solar panel, charger puts out 5 volts at 2 amps for unit which is 10 watts so it is minimal. Would I spend $1,000 on a military grade hardened lap top, no, but I have long ago got my $100 out of this one. Don't think I would take it on foot, but in car, etc, I would and certainly would be a valuable resource if bugging in.

 

I have just played with it, but I think I could easily set it up to monitor remote cameras, intrusion alerts etc. and that alone, it has internet and blue tooth capacity, might make it worth while to carry.

 

Theres a common misconception that an EMP would wipe out all electronics. In reality its the infrastructure that would be devastated. Phones computers cars are fairly well protected as they are. I remember reading about some testing DTRA did a bit ago where they used an emp generator on a multitude of things. One part of the test was testing 10 modern vehicles (about 10 years ago) 8 of the 10 vehicles started right up and suffered no ill effects.

Anyway. Id think a good phone would be better to have than a computer. A couple extra sd cards and one of those portable charging stations will drastically reduce your weight and space without reducing the amount of information you can pack.

 

How about an external HHD! I keep my spare laptop for just this reason! Mine has a 128G SSD which is more then enough for all the files I would ever need! I don't have need of large files or other large Data cashes, so its pretty good as is! Nice and light weight and a battery that can be charged through a small inverter off any good 12 volt automotive battery!

 

My question is does he have a waterproof case like a Pelican to protect his laptop?

 

Here ya go Ed, 3800 Watertight Protective Case - 16-5/16 In.

 

Hipster prepping at its best. Now, what you cynics don't understand, is that carrying unnecessary weight in the form of food, water, tools, weaponry, ammo, bandages, clothing, shelter, sleeping bag, is more than compensated for by a high end laptop....virtual reality software and goggles, hi fidelity dolby sound, and a nifty coffee warmer and USB fan for personal comfort. Delicious VR meals can be prepared and consumed...and using it for ultimate Fallout4 gaming, will offer unlimited diversion from actual reality.

Once plugged in....it would be like Red Dwarf's "Better than Life".

Better Than Life - Wikipedia

Better Than Life (Red Dwarf episode) - Wikipedia