I replaced Rachel's laptop last year and I had this 4 year old laptop lying around. I took it on trips like Moab and the Black Hills. It still works fine for the web and most office type applications.
I had a Dell Pocket PC I used as a GPS. The one thing I didn't like is it provided a small view based on its screen. When I expanded out it was hard to see.
So I researched computer mounts and seemed a lot of people had success with the RAM Mount III.
I went ahead and installed the setup. Using it for GPS and detecting wifi spots. In addition to my company provided broadband card, it provides a lot of flexibility on the road to surf the internet, look up my PDF engine repair manual, use MS Office for anything needed and to use for GPS for on and off road. I can also watch movies (Not while I am driving). So I also bought a 12V plug for the laptop to run off one of my aux ports
Not sure how much punishment it can take so I will try it out at Moab. If I like having the laptop and this doesn't hold up, I can get one of those smaller tough books.
If I don't like it, I can go back to my PocketPC setup
The RAM Mount was fairly simple to install, kind of a PIA though the way You had to drop nuts down a hole and shove something in it to hold it in place while you ran a screw from the other side.
The base has a spring that slides to open different sized laptops and keeps it in place
Pretty stable setup. It does vibrate a little bit, but thats to be expected.
I had a Dell Pocket PC I used as a GPS. The one thing I didn't like is it provided a small view based on its screen. When I expanded out it was hard to see.
So I researched computer mounts and seemed a lot of people had success with the RAM Mount III.
I went ahead and installed the setup. Using it for GPS and detecting wifi spots. In addition to my company provided broadband card, it provides a lot of flexibility on the road to surf the internet, look up my PDF engine repair manual, use MS Office for anything needed and to use for GPS for on and off road. I can also watch movies (Not while I am driving). So I also bought a 12V plug for the laptop to run off one of my aux ports
Not sure how much punishment it can take so I will try it out at Moab. If I like having the laptop and this doesn't hold up, I can get one of those smaller tough books.
If I don't like it, I can go back to my PocketPC setup
The RAM Mount was fairly simple to install, kind of a PIA though the way You had to drop nuts down a hole and shove something in it to hold it in place while you ran a screw from the other side.
The base has a spring that slides to open different sized laptops and keeps it in place
Pretty stable setup. It does vibrate a little bit, but thats to be expected.
i mounted my lap top the same way works well.
Starting to look like one of those old ham guy trucks. 
