I'm looking to add a mobile computer and printer to my work truck. Not only will this allow me to look up customer balances (they always ask as if I hadn't sent them an invoice already) but it will also allow me to drop off invoices while I'm working at the customer's property instead of mailing them. I send out between 60 to 80 invoices monthly. I'll also be able to avoid printing out daily work sheets. Heat will be a consideration. Cold will not (near zero winter work).

Unfortunately, it's going to have to be a Windows machine to work with my scheduling and invoicing application. Internet connection will be nice but probably not necessary.

I've installed a motherboard in my truck before but never added a monitor or printer or internet.

What else should I consider? Are there existing solutions?

Why is it unfortunate to use Windows?

Laptop with Cellular connection with a data plan and mobile printer.
Should be GTG.

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Originally posted by smschulz:
Why is it unfortunate to use Windows? ...

I'm, unfortunately, forced to use it on a daily basis. The quirks, the randomness, the required reboots, the daily updates, et al.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Laptop with Cellular connection with a data plan and mobile printer.
Should be GTG.

No cellular connection. That brings me from saving $500/year to spending more. I forgot to mention that.

I've never seen a mobile printer. How do you power it?

I'm also really concerned about heat affecting both the laptop and the printer. It'll be locked up in direct sunlight for hours at a time.

What about a surface pro tablet and a wireless printer? The tablet would allow your customers to review the invoices prior to printing without climbing into your truck and you could take and attach pictures.

Not sure how to address quirks, randomness? ... reboots are not daily nor are the updates.
Everyone loves to blame Microsoft when it is only one part of a system.

Mobile printers can and usually be battery powered.
You could also install an inverter in your vehicle.

https://www.pcmag.com/roundup/...st-portable-printers

Have you considered QuickBooks Online?
You could do all of that with an Internet Data Connection from a phone.

When I needed to produce invoices from a vehicle, I used an older version of THIS.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Not sure how to address quirks, randomness? ... reboots are not daily nor are the updates.
Everyone loves to blame Microsoft when it is only one part of a system.

I was simply trying to avoid getting suggestions for Apple Mini or iPad.

quote:

Mobile printers can and usually be battery powered.
You could also install an inverter in your vehicle.

https://www.pcmag.com/roundup/...st-portable-printers

Have you considered QuickBooks Online?
You could do all of that with an Internet Data Connection from a phone.

i don't think QuickBooks online doesn't have a scheduling system.

quote:

Originally posted by SpinZone:
What about a surface pro tablet and a wireless printer? The tablet would allow your customers to review the invoices prior to printing without climbing into your truck and you could take and attach pictures.

Can the screen survive being left in the truck in 100° weather? That does seem like a decent idea.

quote:

Originally posted by 83v45magna:
When I needed to produce invoices from a vehicle, I used an older version of THIS.

I'll check that out. Thanks.

Not sure about a tablet but our work laptops and printers survive the heat and cold in our police cars.

Mobile printing can be expensive. Either you're using a small inkjet printer with expensive cartridges or a thermal with expensive paper. The law enforcement world (at least where I am) is generally using thermal printers as they use less power and have fewer potential failure points. They are expensive to buy, though, and the print quality is poor. Brother's PocketJet line is probably most common.

Another option would be to find a place to mount a small laser printer and run off of a power inverter. Lasers can be pretty power intensive, though. You would likely save on supplies over the long run being able to use standard paper and toner cartridges with a fairly high yield. I have seen one drug task force guy in my area do this with reasonably good results. He had the printer sitting or mounted in a wood box with handles that sat on the back seat of his truck so it would be easy to move.

For a computer, I would give consideration to just carting around a laptop. The expense and inherent limitation in mounting something in the truck would be pretty limiting unless you are using it constantly. If you are really worried about temps, look for a year or two old Toughbook. They're ghastly expensive new, but generally fairly affordable after a couple years. There are also a number of docks and mounts available. The same with Dell's Latitude series.

Instead of mailing out paper invoices, can you move to emailing them? That would save a lot of time, energy, and money, eliminate the need for a portable printer, and allow you to re-send invoices on the fly from your phone or a laptop. Just a thought.

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What else should I consider?

encrypt the drive with Bitlocker or equiv so when it gets stolen your customer information is (more) safe.

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No cellular connection.

Do you park the vehicle within range of your WiFi? If so, some type of automated backup to elsewhere is nice, as well as syncing records to some other computer someplace else. Or just bring the thing in at night, which is likely best.

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i don't think QuickBooks online doesn't have a scheduling system.

Not a QB expert although I have done many installations.
Looking over the features not sure of what scheduling features you require but it appears they support many other software apps through integration.
Might be worth it to check out.
Of course you will need an Internet Connection of some type.

See your email.

Probably because isn't the superior OS choice -- Linux.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Why is it unfortunate to use Windows?

Mark, What software are you using / needing compatibility with?

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Laptop with Cellular connection with a data plan and mobile printer.
Should be GTG.

No cellular connection. That brings me from saving $500/year to spending more. I forgot to mention that.

Does your cell phone have internet access? If so, you may be able to tether it to your laptop (turn your personal hotspot on, if allowed by your carrier).

I'll stay out of the OS war. I will say that for years I used a Canon PIXMA iP90 compact printer. Now, according to LifeWire, the PIXMA iP110 is "The industry standard for what a mobile printer should be."

At Amazon for $150.

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
Instead of mailing out paper invoices, can you move to emailing them? That would save a lot of time, energy, and money, eliminate the need for a portable printer, and allow you to re-send invoices on the fly from your phone or a laptop. Just a thought.

This is what I would do. Offer to email them an invoice. Print and mail from home, only when necessary.

Also, as mentioned, use online accounting and scheduling applications, so that if your laptop/tablet dies, it's no big deal.

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Originally posted by cyanide357:
Probably because isn't the superior OS choice -- Linux.

Truth! The motherboard I had installed in my old truck ran Linux.

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Mark, What software are you using / needing compatibility with?

Gopher