Which laptop for tuning?
 

I'm an old guy that doesn't know much about computers (I can find free porn okay!)

Seriously, I finally decided I wanted something along the lines of an IPod or a competitor, but realized that I may need, or want, to tune with it someday. I don't know if one of these will even work for that. Can anyone give me some direction?

Thanks!

What ECU are you tuning?

If it's a Megasquirt, then the makers of TunerStudio are working on an Android application as we speak. That makes that decision easy.

If it's anything else, you're stuck in Windows. For that, any of the $200-$300 netbooks will be just fine. (Some folks have reported that the AEM software doesn't scale well to very low screen resolutions.)

Im looking in to getting a netbook, either that or using my old dell laptop with a Pentium II if I can come up with a copy of windows 2000...

An Android based TS app would be sweet for MS!

So, if I understand what your saying, an Android application is needed for the Ipod. Would something like a Kindle Fire work for most tuning software that is already available? Are there minimum amounts of memory etc needed?

No, android vs. ipod is literally like windows and mac, they're not compatible.

ipod runs it's own operating system, and the android is an operating system that pretty much everything BUT the ipod/iphone runs on.

There WILL BE an app to tune with your android soon, but it is NOT out yet.

If you want to tune your ECU (you still haven't told us which one you're using), you NEED a windows based laptop, not a smartphone.

You keep mentioning tablets and smartphones, but all* of us currently tune with lap tops.

*the 3 or 4 people experimenting with beta tablet software don't count. It's not mainstream enough yet for this dude.

Father, forgive Curly, for he knows nothing of days gone by.

Until fairly recently, I used a tablet for tuning of both Megaquirt and the Greddy EMU.

Specifically, this one:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1331177120

Fujitsu Stylistic 3400, made in 2001, running Windows 2000 on a 400Mhz Pentium 3 in 64 MB of memory.







Ok, I know that's not what you meant.






:D






In all seriousness, there are a couple of Win7-based tablets presently on the market, but they're extremely expensive. If you want something Right Now™, then just buy any of the $200 netbooks. Seriously, any of them. Doesn't matter which.

I had previously used my roomate's toughbook touchscreen in tablet mode does that count :D

but seriously not too long ago HP and Dell both experimented with laptops that converted into tablets, they were pricey new but I have seen used ones as cheap as $200 locally. and they are leaps and bound more functional than a tablet would be for this purpose in my opinion.

that or wait for the android based phone app if your buying an MS

I bought a $350 Acer Aspire netbook from Costco. It has the best specs/price ratio that I could find. Dual ATI processor, 4Gb RAM, 500Mb hard drive, 11.6" screen and actually has Win 7 Home Premium. From what I understand the Win 7 Starter that comes on most netbooks is pretty useless. The netbook I bought fits perfectly in the little pocket on the back of the passenger seat. Battery life is VERY long, everything is well up to the task of running TunerStudio, VE Analyze Live, etc.. Very satisfied.

Read this

https://www.miataturbo.net/showthrea...+advice+needed

Thanks all! I'm now going to read the link from Viper

Tom O

Interesting...

Honestly if you're going to buy a laptop, just make sure it's < 5 years old and running at least a Core 2 Duo of any Penryn (45nm) vintage. You'll get a decent compromise of price, speed, and battery life.

I use an old Fujitsu Core Duo laptop for every day stuff and it runs windows 7 just fine. It's 6 years old. Only its battery and hard drive have been updated. Only recently has its fan decided to make goofy noises so I disassembled, futzed, and now it's quiet again.

This is the machine I use for tuning my megasquirt and it's perfect.

I've been starting to shop for my next victim in the mean time. Should be ready to buy in June-ish when the Ivy Bridge stuff comes out. I don't mind paying a lot for something I'll have this long.

What specifically do you all recommend for < $500? I'd like to surf the net, watch DVDs ocassionally, tune (I'm not sure what, probably MS), webcam, email. I have a desk top already, so it won't be my only computer. I'd like it to be small/portable, but not at the expense of not being able to see/read the screen. IPad/Kindle is what first got my interest, but then realized I may want to use it for tuning someday, movies on an airplane, access to internet while traveling, etc.. Thanks for the help!!

Look up my thread labeled "$400 laptop" or something like that. Joe did extensive research for the perfect unit and it shows. Bought mine for $440ish, plus a $22 4gb stick of ram, it's awesome.

i have a $260 netbook from walmart that works great for tuning and logging.(used for school also) acer 1.6ghz atom n570 with 1gb ram. i bought it from the website.