what features are prefered for a tuning laptop?

specific model?
brand?
processor speed for best battery and performance?

im trying to find a decent one for around 100 or less. (used)

 

Even netbooks can run tuning software in my limited experience. It doesn't really matter what you get.

 

I've been running my IBM ThinkPad T22 for 5 years now. It is a minimalist approach to tuning. No it doesn't have 2.4ghz, quad processor with 5 gigs or ram or a terabyte drive... It has enough to run everything that I have to tune with.

It is big enough to see easily and it takes a **** kicking. Mine has fallen from the top of two cars onto a cement floor.... off the passenger seat and onto the floor a number of times. Never had any screen, HD or boot failure issues....yet :knocksonwood:

I guess what I am saying is that bigger and newer isn't always the best bang for your buck. Just try to find something that has a bit more than the minimum system requirements for the tuning hardware and software that you will be using.

The one thing you have to ensure is that it has enough compatible serial or USB ports available. That is one thing that I had to upgrade on the T22. Had to buy a 2 port 2.0 USB PCMCIA card. The T22 only has 1 USB port and it's ver 1.0. $30 well spent!

 

Im running on a 10" netbook. That should say enough.

 

anyone use a trackball mouse when road tuning?

 

The best part about a netbook is that it fits in the seat pocket. I always have mine with me.

The only down side is the 10.1 screen, doesn't give me much room to spread out.

 

The best laptop for tuning is any laptop that you can use for tuning. Makes no difference what so ever as long as its not a Mac.

 

Actually if you have the money a MACBook and Neptune would be the best option IMO!


Microsoft & the Windows family of OS's really Suck!

To each his own!

 

Been ising windows since 95 with no issues.

 

I use the Samsung Q1U. Touch screen, stylus, built-in keyboard and mouse, runs XP with no problem. It isn't the fastest unit out there...it is slightly choppy with youtube videos, but runs Neptune with no slowdown whatsoever compared to my desktop. Still faster than my roomate's EEE. I picked up mine for $80 on ebay several months ago, but you have to keep your eye out for deals like that. I usually see the cheaper ones hover around $100.

Battery life is great too, with the extended batteries that came with my unit I get about 4 hours of tuning time during the day (max brightness) and 5-6 at night when I can turn the brightness down. And while it's small enough to easily hide inside my car (seat/door pocket, glovebox), I don't like to leave it in there if it's too hot or cold outside. Touch screen is resistive, so you can use it with gloves during the colder months.

 

People who use macbooks really don't know how to use a PC and think its the greatest invention of the Box with a window.

 

I think I know how to use a PC....lol I know them both inside and out. MAC hardware is hands down much more simple to use and way easier to work on.

Why would you want to make pointing and clicking harder than it has to be.

 

i hear cries of lazyness.

i use a netbook. fits in glovebox and is ready to go whenever you need it.

 

now that i think about it this was kinda dumb question lol.

i should have asked what features are preferable on a tuning laptop.

but after using one for few weeks i can list my own

1)at least 3 usb ports(RTP,wideband serial connection, thumb drive to save maps etc)
2) at least 15 inch WIDE screen to stretch out the 2d graps and boosted tables.
3)double stack battery
4) light color or backlit keyboard( cant see sht when driving at night )winter time
5)i personally prefer not to touch windows vista just like windows ME.
windows XP or windows 7 is good

i would also say that if a gaming pad could be programmed for certain shortcuts like switching lo/hi cam maps or navigating and adjusting maps without reaching for keyboard that would be cool.or even a trackball mouse.
for street tuning i mean. because we all know that even tho its not very safe we still try to do it anyway and adjust settings while driving...

 

1... wire your wideband into ecu and keep maps on laptop(has far more space than any flashdrive)
2... most tuning can be done rather easily on 10/11inch or bigger but i can see how bigger would be nice.
3... you can plug the ac adapter into the car...why need a bigger battery?
4... laptops with backlit keyboards are a lot more money than ones without
5... win 7 all the way. MANY reasons behind this i will not go into.

why spend $600+ on a laptop for tuning that may get stolen if someone spots it in your car when you can get a cheap netbook that works just as good for ~$100 of craigslist(or new for ~$200+) that you can put in your glovebox or under the seat.

use the money you save not buying an expensive laptop on more car parts to make the car better.

 

1 - RaverX is right, at least 2 USB is a must if you want to direct serial log, which is way better than logging AFR off the ECU
2 - I get by on a Netbook but I agree more screen space is better. My 14" laptop has a 1600 x 900 monitor and that is :thumbsup:
3 - Having 2-3 hours of battery life is useful but I've never wanted more than that
4 - I see your point about backlit keyboards, but I street tune during the day when it's safer, and I pull over to use the keyboard (and hit the map lights if it's dark)
5 - yup Win7 FTW

Those are my preferences!

 

dont have map light at the moment lol. interior leaks are being worked on(del sol)
and serial log is like windows 7 compared to windows ME being through ecu...
**** is not acurate at all compared to direct logging.

i store my files on thumbdrive so i can use my desktop with dual monitor setup to stretch out the 2d maps. lol its nice to have tables and maps at full rez on 2 monitors.
not that thers real need for it but its easier on the eyes.

 

Use Dropbox to store your files. It's super convenient, it just becomes a file path on your computer(s) that always stays synced up. If you're using NepTune, just make sure to keep you preferences native to each computer.

 

has it been hacked yet? the dropbox?

 

I love Dropbox. I use it to sync my workplace file system on my work PC, the workstation at work, my home PC, and my home laptop. I can modify any files on any computer and all the other computers automatically update the moment they connect to the internet. For security I just keep backups on several hard drives. I think Dropbox has backups, too. Dropbox stores all files locally so you can work offline and it seamlessly updates when you get connected. It is very good about notifying you when there are sync conflicts.

 

Not that I'm aware of. I don't really care either, if someone wants to steal my maps or my old homework they can have them. I have like 16 gigs on there, it's a really handy for anything that doesn't need to be secured.

Just like Gagnar said, when you move between multiple computers it is indispensable.