DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS | BASIC Prepping 101 | Water Storage, Filtering, Purification | Shallow Water Wells | Prepping Books
Radio Communications | Prepping Technology | Prepping Videos
UPDATED: May 31, 2026
A Deeper Look into Strategies, Equipment, and Modern Technological Advancements in:
Computer and Electronics Use in a Grid-Down Situation
This includes listening radios, 2-way radios, and rugged low-power laptops and smartphones.
Advancements in Power Systems
This includes motors, lights, battery technology, and energy generation like wood, solar, wind, and water.
Mechanical Replacements of Daily Use Equipment
Water Wells, Sewage, Automobiles, House-Hold Equipment like Washing Machines, Refrigeration, Pencil Sharpener, etc.
Remember the days when America Manufactured it and it lasted forever? Today, it breaks and we throw it away. American Society has become a throw-away economy and manufacturing has stopped making equipment that lasts. In a Grid-Down and/or War Economy this option will not be available. America must look to equipment that has a majority mechanical design for the equipment's longevity, reliability, and lower maintenance/repair costs.
Without Electricity... Can You Live Like It's 1880!?
THE MOST SERIOUS THREAT WE FACE IS...
The Power Grid being hacked and disabled if at war.
“If the grid went down for a long enough time…
90 percent of the U.S. population would die from starvation, lack of water, and social disruption. We are talking about total devastation.”
-- Ambassador Henry Cooper, Former Director of U.S. Strategic Defense
COMMON TERMS: a SHTF event (Shit Hits The Fan, i.e. a major disaster), HOMESTEADING (backyard garden/farm to a full family farm/ranch)
COMPUTER TECH
Everyone occasionally buys a new computer. When you you purchase, and if purchase wisely, you can use it now and after a Grid-Down Event.
In a Grid-Down Environment, you must create all the power your laptop and computer equipment uses. This reality must be balanced with your specific hardware needs (cpu speed, screen, hard drive). The more equipment the more power it uses. There is often a trade-off or compromise in buying a Grid-Down Laptop. Long gone are the days of a full powered desktop workstation or a simple desktop PC with a monitor. Major adjustments are required in one's thinking, expectations, and a reality-check.
WHY? Why would you 'NEED' a Computer in a Grid-Down Environment?
REASONS NOT TO: Video Games. Surf the Internet, Email, NetFlix, YouTube (there will be no internet).
REASONS TO: Business Software. Engineering. Writing. Archived eBooks. Radio Communications Software.
Watching Archived Movies, TV Shows.... a need: no but... entertainment can be a stress reliever and help during a crisis.
Watching Documentaries, Educational Videos, Reading How-To eBooks... a need: maybe yes, it could actually save your life.
Watching School Educational Videos... a need: maybe yes, it may provide a portion of your children's schooling.
Not water-resistant or rugged, but a good overall daily use laptop and desktop replacement that also has a lot of features useful in a 'grid-down' situation.
ThinkPad T14 Gen 1 (AMD - Ryzen 5 or 7 CPU) [see specs and features]
- Older Refurbished Laptops, that were once top of the line 6 years ago - now the price is 50% to 75% more affordable
notes: Gen 1 = Generation 1, AMD Ryzen CPUs on the whole operate faster than Intel CPUS.
PROS: $250 to $650, Windows 11 PC (runs Windows Software),
-- uses an SSD Storage Drive/Chip (low-power) instead of a traditional Hard Drive (much higher power consumption)
-- uses a USB-C Charging Port (similar to a cell phone charging port) which can be charged by a portable solar panel (sold separately).
-- has an internal modular design (pop-in, pop-out) for easy upgrades and repairs that the customer can do themselves.
CONS: Not Rugged. Not Water Resistant
WHERE TO BUY:
New Egg .com For the last 20 years I've bought refurbished PCs/Laptops at New Egg. Why buy new when you can pay 50% to 75% less for a fast but slightly older PC?
PERSONAL NOTE: 6 Years ago it cost $1700, now refurbished for only $350. I personally bought a AMD Ryzen 7 model (8 core) with 16GB RAM and 512 SSD Storage Card. It has room for another memory chip and the SSD can be replaced with a higher capacity one. It's crazy fast. Love it. No slow downs and I'm a 'power user.' I have it hooked up to my 4K monitor as a 2nd screen. Absolutely no complaints. Totally light and portable. All my cell phone battery banks can charge the laptop when out. The most perfect situation.
Low-Power Laptops will never be a 'desktop' replacement type of laptop, nor could they ever be. They will be slower, yet still usable.
ASUS BR 11xx Series
- Student Laptop/Tablet with Military-Grade Ruggedness (drop, dust, water resistance).
PROS: $200 to $500, Windows 11 PC (runs Windows Software), Rugged, Low-Power Design with 8 to 10 hour battery life,
-- uses an SSD Storage Drive/Chip (low-power) instead of a traditional Hard Drive (much higher power consumption), has 1 expansion SSD Slot
-- uses a USB-C Charging Port (similar to a cell phone charging port) which can be charged by a portable solar panel (sold separately).
-- has an internal modular design (pop-in, pop-out) for easy upgrades and repairs that the customer can do themselves.
CONS: Popular and Sometimes Hard to Find. Sold Globally.
-- Slower CPU. Most of the 'cons' are due to the rugged and low-power design like: Video Screen is only 720p (entry-level HD Quality).
-- RAM/Memory cannot be upgraded due to them being permanent on the main board. Unfortunately, most available models come with only 4GB RAM (makes software run slower). Harder to find are models, if you're lucky, come with 8GB RAM or 12GB RAM. If your budget allows, try to find and get one with at least 8GB for a few hundred extra.
WHERE TO BUY:
AMAZON.com -- FEATURED MODEL: BR1102FGA for $240 (model details) 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD
ASUS BR1100
Strong, flippable power for learning
2 min
Asus BR1100 FK In-Depth Review
20 min
Reduce Down Time and Costs for Servicing
3 min | also 7 min demo video
COMPUTER TECH
If you have a Smart Phone, you already have a low-power a computer that can be used in a Grid-Down Environment. You just have to know how to prepare it and customize it ahead of time.
more details coming soon...
