for those of you with standalone systems (hondata, EMS, ect.) what laptop do you guys recommend using and how much am i looking to pay for one TIA

 

Any old pentium laptop will work fine for this use, just check to make sure its got the proper port to connect to the ecu. Most use the com or pararell port. I personally use an ibm760 which is a pentium120, they're sturdy and can be found on ebay for $200-$300. Most of the old low pentium laptops are about that price.

 

how much memory do you need?

 

I have a 266mhz with 32MB of ram for my Hondata Stage 4b. Works great, burns ROMs quick too

 

I picked up a Dell Latitude on EBAY that was a lease return. Like new condition (except needed a new battery). 366Mhz 10GB drive 14" screen for $413. Still has 6months on the extended warranty!

Can't beat that. Check out stuff like that.

 

It depends on what standalone your getting. Some of them still use DOS software (Motec, Haltech, Autronic, older DFI). You can pick up a laptop that someone throwing away to run these things. The windows software requires a little more metal.

 

I really need to get a laptop.. ebay is such a PITA.. one moment you see something selling for a sweet deal, but then the next time you try to buy something, it's a complete ripoff!


i emailed Doug @ hondata a few months ago and here's what he said:

> I do not have a PC laptop yet, but I plan to buy a used one. How much RAM
> and what speed processor do I need to effectively use the Hondalogger and
> Romeditor software?

We recommend a 166 Pentium with 32 Mb ram and a serial port. I have used the
datalogging on a 16Mb Pentium 90, but it is a bit slow.


[Modified by Xerxes, 9:53 PM 3/12/2002]

 

go to like computer surplus store. Theres many in the DFW area where i am at but most places like that sell laptops cheap. I got me a p166 32mb ram color external cd and drive for like 50 bucks.