Field Research Computer

[jurksztowicz]

I often go into remote areas and have no access to electricity for extended periods of time. I currently use a wonderful Psion 5mx running linux on AA batteries, which allows me to do data entry for months without being near a power source. Are there any newer machines, or homebrew machines that can give me a bit more than 36mhz speed?

I DON'T need: Wi-Fi, Color Screen
I DO need: Keyboard input, Looooooong battery life (at least 60+ hours with a few backup batteries).

I know this is a real long shot, but I have to believe that there is a company or hobbyist somewhere who has built such a machine.

Thanks Everyone,
Jeremy

 

[Paperdoc]

How about a system of rechargeable batteries plus a solar-powered recharger? Is there such a thing? Surely there must be. With that you might be able to choose from a broader range of computer devices, as long as it could use replaceable batteries (as opposed to its own internal odd special one) of the type available in the rechargeable system.

 

[donpacific2k]

Any reason not to consider the XO-1 laptop?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OLPC_XO-1

 

[Shadow703793]

^Agreed. Probably the best bet. Not sure if OP could get his hands on one tho as the Give One,Get One campaign has ended. BUT, IIRC the hand crank was/is not included?

 

[Shadow703793]

@OP:

Is there any possibility of using a generator or carrying 12v car battery?