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doghouse
08-17-2021, 07:35 PM
looking to buy a laptop for tuning,
any suggestions on what minimums it needs?
looking at ebay, new, like samsung chromebook?

other options?
THX for the help.
steveo
08-18-2021, 04:16 AM
chromebooks don't really run windows software, and all the good software is on windows. most of the tuning software you'll be running is ancient and the requirements are tiny. any half decent windows 10 laptop with a few serial ports and good battery life made in the last 10-15 years would be 100x more than you'd need for tuning.
doghouse
08-18-2021, 04:29 AM
AGAIN..THANKS!
steveo
08-18-2021, 05:29 AM
no problemo. i personally use a refurbished 'thinkpad' with an i5 processor and 6gb of ram, both to write my software and to use it. writing the software is what takes all the power...
2xls1
08-18-2021, 06:33 AM
I've been tuning since 2004 and have never paid more than $150 for a tuning laptop. Started with HPs running Win XP. Realized they were junk with shitty hardware. Hinges constantly breaking. Then switched to Toshibas. I have one Toshiba with Win 7 that I've been using for probably 7-8 years. Maybe longer. It's a tank. I've replaced the battery once. I have a few Dells too that seem to be very reliable. With Dells stay with the Latitudes rather than the Inspiron as they are business models and are built better. I look for Dells now about 3-4 years old on Craigslist and pawn shops and can usually find one in good shape in the $150 range. These laptops are dedicated to tuning only. No other uses. I prefer ones with Win 7 even though it not supported my MS anymore as software like Tunercat OBD1 and 2 just runs better on them. Even if they need a new battery they are pretty cheap on Amazon.
In-Tech
08-18-2021, 09:07 AM
Dell D630's have been my go to. I have one with WinXP, one with Win7 and another that is dual boot WinXP and Win10 SSD. These also have a serial port and 4 usb and usually ebay for ~$100. :jfj:

I have others too, a win95, win98 for the really old crapola that needs a parallel port. :rolleye:
stew86MCSS396
08-18-2021, 10:16 AM
Dell D630's have been my go to. I have one with WinXP, one with Win7 and another that is dual boot WinXP and Win10 SSD. These also have a serial port and 4 usb and usually ebay for ~$100. :jfj:

I have others too, a win95, win98 for the really old crapola that needs a parallel port. :rolleye:
I have a docking station that I use with my D630 that gives me parallel port capability. Only use the dock for my old parallel port pocket programmer. :thumbsup:
dave w
08-18-2021, 03:52 PM
HP Business Outlet: http://www.hp.com/sbso/buspurchase_refurbished.html

dave w
In-Tech
08-18-2021, 06:35 PM
I have a docking station that I use with my D630 that gives me parallel port capability. Only use the dock for my old parallel port pocket programmer. :thumbsup:

Good call, I have a docking port too, I forgot it has the parallel port. I have a couple parallel port intronics pocket programmers as well as an old school parallel Data IO that haven't been used in eon's since I bought a usb eprom programmer :)