What Is The Minimum Needed?
 

My team has recently decided to attempt to buy a new laptop for the incoming season. We have been wondering what type of laptop to buy. We will be using this to program and to use the DS. My question is what are some of the teams requirements for a driverstation and programming laptop. We don't plan on spreading a ton of money but would definitely consider suggested laptops.

Re: What Is The Minimum Needed?
 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe several teams used the Teammate laptop for 200 credits from FIRST Choice last year.

Re: What Is The Minimum Needed?
 

Programming and the DS software does not require a very powerful computer. Pretty much any modern processor will do. You probably want a minimum of 4 gb of RAM. An SSD is nice for fast boot times. Also a built-in ethernet port is convenient but not absolutely necessary because you could use a dongle.

My personal recommendation is the Lenovo Thinkpad 11e. Its a small laptop with an ethernet port and its very durable for the occasional accidents.

Re: What Is The Minimum Needed?
 

As has been noted, the minimum is pretty low. Going over that minimum will greatly reduce your compile & deploy times. While 3946 has only used java, I understand that c++ has the fastest compile/deploy times, with java not too far behind, and NI Labview being much longer. (I have not seen any comparative numbers on python.)

When selecting a computer, the one thing I can think of that has been a constant for at least 20 years (I clearly recall advising a 286 vice 386 buy decision this way ca. 1996) is to ensure that you have ENOUGH RAM. For a computer which typically has one or two applications running at a time (e.g. robot programmer with some help screens on a web browser) on windows, this is usually about 4x the "box spec minimum" RAM. If you run lots of apps and windows and tabs at the same time (like my home and work PCs), the numbers are 8x or 16x the box spec. On any given date, a "current" version of Linux will typically perform at least as well as a "current" windows box with about half the RAM of the windows box.

For programming and casual browsing (web help and occasional graphics and streaming non-HD video), the graphics capability is not an issue these days; even the smallest built-in chipset graphics do way more than you will need. If you plan to do HD video or CAD, you will probably want as much or more RAM in your video card(s) as on the PC proper.

Edit: And I concur that a Lenovo Thinkpad is a good platform - built as IT for the business road warrior, they are rather resistant to the rigors of FRC. There are several times I have suggested a used Thinkpad over a new "generic laptop", and a couple of times I've done that with my own money.

Re: What Is The Minimum Needed?
 

One thing I will advise is that the laptop have a built in ethernet connection. A lot of new laptops do not have a built in ethernet connection and you will have to use a USB to ethernet dongle.

TechFire uses Lenovo T series Thinkpads for driver stations as well as scouting and CAD thanks to one of our sponsors.

The Lenovo laptops have held up very well for the last couple of years when we started using them.

Re: What Is The Minimum Needed?
 

I assume you're referring to the Classmate. These will serve basic needs, but I don't miss programming on these machines. It'll do if you're short on cash, but I can't recommend them.