portable dvd or lap top

[stahshee]

Whic would you prefer for a 20 hr drive? How long do the charge last in voth?

 

[nucpharm29]

We prefer the portable DVD player--we've taken both with us on flights and the battery in the DVD player lasts quite a bit longer than our computer. Also, it's a lot smaller--takes up less space

 

[PlutoPony]

Depends on the age of your kids.... If they're very young and don't use a computer at home without supervision then go with the DVD player (plus it's less expensive). We bought a laptop when DS was 9 and he uses it in the car for movies, computer games, etc. For us it made more sense overall than a DVD player - we "needed" a 2nd computer at home and DS, like many kids now, has very good computer skills, so we were comfortable that he wouldn't mis-use the laptop w/o direct supervision. He actually spends more time playing computer games on it than watching movies. You can get a converter for car use so battery life isn't an issue. Plug the laptop (or DVD player) in to it, then the converter plugs into an outlet in the car and you're good to go.

 

[linda_loo]

I prefer the DVD player, and we usually bring a cable with us, so we can play movies on the hotel room TV as well.

 

[skuttle]

We used our portable DVD player for our 10-12 hours drive in December. Ours can be plugged in to the cigarette ligther in the car. Also, we brought the wires to hook it up to the TV in the hotel room...DS really enjoyed winding down with a disney movie at the end of each night.

 

[HiddenMickey3018]

I drove from Kansas to Virginia with 3 kids in a dodge status. My 10 inch portable dvd player was on the entire time!!! I advise you to get a cigeratte charger and use that. Also, if you dont have the player hooked up to your stereo in the car, please buy an I Rock. I got mine at Radioshack for about $30.00. It hooks into the headphone jack on the dvd player, it has 4 radio stations on the i rock. Match the station on your fm dial in the car, and the sound comes through the car speakers! It runs off of 3 AAA batteries, and it is a god send cause, once you start the car you can't hear it at all. The portable DVD also takes up less room.

 

[mjh8955]

We just bought a 7" Zenith portable dvd player on Best Buy's website for about $130. There was a web only special going on and they threw in a case to sit it in (between the seats), a dual splitter, two headsets, and cigarette lighter adapter. With the cigarette adapter we won't need to recharge the battery until we arrive. The battery lasts three and a half hours.

 

[Kahana-ri]

We like the portable DVD player much better. The lap top was a bit more of a liability if something happen to it and a bit bulkier/heavier. The DVD player is so light and easy to carry with us.

 

[la79al]

Go with the laptop if you have a digital camera and will want to download pics on a regular basis during your trip.

 

[TENIA66]

dvd player, much cheaper, smaller, and holds charge. i'm all for the cigarette lighter battery packs at radio shack but watch out, you can fry a piece of equipment. even though the fittings may "fit" the power supply may be slightly more than the player can take..sadly we learned the hard way.......also, the computer would be more prone to damage, take up more space and be a more valuable target for a theif.......if you have multiple kids i hope you have a plan for determining who picks the movie...also try getting ear plugs and an adapter for two sets if needed......you'll need the quite time

 

[momsgoofy]

The DVD player is our DS's choice and he's 13. We have a portable one that lasts (on battery alone) about 3 hours, but we bought a converter for the car...it can be used for DVD players, laptops, and even the game systems...cost about $40 at Best Buy. Last year when DS and I road tripped from Illinois to Virginia with my Dsis and Dniece it was the best investment...the kids watched movies and played Nintendo the entire time...not once did we hear "Are we there yet?"