Chief Delphi - More Laptops/netbooks

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Re: More Laptops/netbooks

Quote:

Originally Posted by buildmaster5000 (Post 977643)

Just to add a low performance option: I was using a 7 year old XP compaq, with 512 MB RAM and 2.4Ghz processor. It worked, but it sure tried my patience. You can really use whatever you want it seems, but it might be worth your while to pay for speed so you are not waiting forever to compile everytime you update your robot code.

A note on that regarding the Beta Test - Labview teams will once again get a nice surprise in that the Labview team has streamlined and improved the compile times even more.

Re: More Laptops/netbooks

Thank you for your suggestions
sorry i was so long to return i have 3 AP classes and that keeps me from having much free time for robotics and stuff

Re: More Laptops/netbooks

If you are still thinking of something decent, look into a Dell Studio, I have a 1558, with an i5-520 and ATi (sort-of) dedicated graphics, and it was $1000, but they start around 600 with an i3 and 3gb of ram, and was ranked well by CR (hence why I got it). If you can get it through an EPP discount, thats even better. Comes with a DVD drive (slot load), and Up to 8 hours of battery (9-cell upgrade). To be honest, there are a lot of options out there, but a full sized laptop for 3-400 might not have a strong construction. It is your decision though.

Re: More Laptops/netbooks

We tried to use an ACER netbook with Windoze 7 Starter and could not install the drivers station. As I remember, we were able to install Labview - but not use it to drive. Anything we can add to Win 7 Starter that will allow us to run the driver's station?

We have a purchased a couple Dell D420's lease returns with XPPro that work well for programming - Labview (and driver's station), and RobotC and pretty well PTC ProEngineer (a bit slow - and definitely need a 3 button external mouse).

The Dell's are light, have good battery life and have pretty decent power for our uses. One down side is no serial port on the laptop, although there is a serial port on the docking station, and the laptop is still pretty light with the docking station. And the serial port is only needed for the IFI controllers and VEX controllers, both of which are not used by FIRST anymore, but we occasionally still use.

Chuck

Re: More Laptops/netbooks

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckmerja (Post 978301)

I'm running a D620 (ebay lease purchase), and it does have a serial port: Ibought that model specifically for that reason.

Re: More Laptops/netbooks

Since Win7 has increased security policies, it is necessary to run the DS as administrator -- even if logged in as an admin. The specific details are to right click, even on the start menu item, and chose the Run As Administratornoption.

Also, the drivers for the First Touch need to be updated to work reliably in Win7.

Greg McKaskle