Good laptops for tuning purposes only
 

Miataturbo.net members,

Ordered a MS3 basic from Reverant and need to get a laptop that will be used exclusively for tuning the car and was curious to what the general consensus is on a particular model or criteria it should meet.

Also, I have a AEM digital wideband gauge and ordered a GM IAT so is there anything else I will need to get? What size vacuum line does it use?

I really appreciate everyone's contribution to this topic and hopefully it will help others in the future. :skid:

As a reference to what I have been considering, here are a few examples:

$85: Dell Latitude D420
-Intel core duo @ 1.2 Ghz
-2.5 GB Ram
-60 GB HDD
-external media drive
Dell Latitude D420 Laptop Intel Core Duo 1 20GHz 2 5GB RAM 60GB HDD B29 | eBay

$144.98: Dell Latitude E6400
-Core duo 2 @ 2.26 Ghz
-4 GB RAM
-160 GB HD
-DVDRW
-14" LCD screen with 1280x800 resolution
http://www.ebay.com/itm/161213343425...84.m1423.l2649

Find Joe Perez's favorite Latitude e4200. Around three times as much as the above listed d420, but a very good machine. Everything from it's silent hard drive, to it's full keyboard, to it's awesome mouse pad is just perfect. There's a USB port for your tuning cable on either side.

Look like they're $225-250 currently.

I would stay away from d420. zif connector 1.8 hard drive that could fail anytime and costs as much as the whole laptop.

Thanks curly and Bax for your responses. I have already ruled out the D420 due to the hassle of having an external media drive, still not 100% on which one but the E4200 looks like it will be the best candidate. :skid:

Dont do a netbook. I've only ever owned netbooks (desk tops for life yo), and the small screen blows dick. I dont think I could live with any lap top that got less than 6 hours of battery life though, preferably 8. Which is why netbooks were always the only thing on my radar, tiny dick screen be damned. Having a $250 laptop you can throw across the shop in anger without regret is really nice though.

While the tiny screen does suck balls, for regular use, but for tuning in a tiny car with, small netbook with good battery life is actually pretty nice.

Source: I tune with a netbook

likewise, i have an old asus 904ha that's been sitting around - and now has purpose again. works well with about 5 hr run time. the downside, as mentioned earlier, is the lack of screen real estate. for tunerstudio, it's fine. megalogviewer is useless on 1024x600, so i run it on my main laptop.

one computer I've found to be a decent balance is the ASUS X202E, which has a touchscreen if you want one. some can be found on craigslist for around 300 or less, some with upgraded ssds. When I got one, it was 360 new, slapped an ssd into it and then sold it later for more

it's not a netbook, but is netbook size. resolution isn't great, but it's at least 720p. powerful enough to use for other things than just tuning so the price premium is offset a little bit. Don't expect to play any games, but plays movies fine, has an hdmi out, bluetooth, etc.

If I were to buy something solely for in-car tuning, it would be either a tiny netbook out a Win8 tablet.

If I were to buy something for general use, it would be basically the same ad my current Dell E4200, but newer. The machine is just starting to show its age a bit in terms of CPU power and memory capacity. I'm still perfectly happy with it and have no plans to replace it anytime soon, but I don't think I'd recommend it as a newly-bought primary laptop anymore, assuming that something comparable in quality and form-factor has superseded it.

The hard part about getting a win8 tablet is getting one with the full version of windows 8 so it can do like actual stuff rather than tablet stuff. And of course you're also stuck with windows 8 on it.

Actually it's getting easier because the mfg's have pretty much given up on RT (excepting MS maybe).

You can still find the Samsung ATIV 500 around for not much money that's a full tab + detachable keyboard. I have one and after dumping all the shit on the SSD and reinstalling Windows 8 (now 8.1) I kind of like it. I boot to the desktop though.... I still despise Metro.

I do keep a Netbook with W8 installed just with Tunerstudio on it because I like having 8+ hours of battery and the screen size isn't too bad for TS.

If anyone wants windoes 8 or 7 message me i have it laying around at least 5 people can use it :D

I'm not saying netbook, but I bought a cheap HP Windows 8 machine on line, and it ended up being 17", which is a pain to work with in the small confines of the Miata.

I would say a 13" screen would be ideal. Windows 8 is livable once you get it to emulate Windows 7, but had I known what a junky OS it is I would have paid more $.

This used to be the case, but the opposite is now true. Manufacturers have pretty much given up on Windows RT, and most tablets now use standard Windows.

Basically, if it has an x86-class processor (Bay Trail / Atom, Core, etc) then it probably does not run RT. There are still a few RT machines out there, so check the fine print, of course, but the majority run regular Win8.




Speaking from personal experience, I disagree.

I have tuned Miatas using an 11" laptop (Sony Vaio), a 12" laptop (Dell E4200), a 10" Netbook (Asus Eee PC), and two tablets, a 9" and a 10".

The 12" laptop is too big. The 11" laptop was slightly less too big, but still larger than ideal. The 10" netbook was pretty good. The tablets were actually the most ideal form-factor (as you could just toss them onto the pax seat), but the ones I used were ancient devices with shitty stylus-based touchscreens running Win2k / XP, and so data entry was a horrible pain in the ass on them.

If a Win8 tablet running TunerStudio has a better interface for data entry, it'd be my absolute #1 pick, hands-down. If not, I'd look for a used 10" Netbook (I'm kind of annoyed that nobody makes these anymore. Why is it that every time I pick a favorite ultra-small computer, the whole category winds up getting discontinued?)

Joe, couldnt you buy an x86 based chromebook and install windows/linux? More or less the same thing. My problem with the tiny screen is that if you ever want to tune something other than MS; the AEM, Haltech, Rom Raider, HP Tuners, newer MOtec (the DOS based old one works great, lol) software all are formatted for at least 786pixel tall screens. Haltech is the worst for this, with the other software you can almost always re-size or move a popup window so you can work it (but you have to do it, every. single. time. you open that window), but there's no way to click ok on the properties window in Haltech unless you switch to the 1024x768 scrunched screen resolution that looks like shit. So for me, a tuning laptop needs to have a native screen resolution of 1xxx X 768 or higher, which you just dont get in the netbook form factor.

I use a dell D500 got it used on ebay from a commercial lease was $98 shipped to my door. only thing it ever does is surf the internet and tune works great. I did have to buy a new battery but that was $15 shipped.

Probably could.

I'm just at a point in my life where I don't want to have to fuck around with computers in order to make them work, I just want to pay money and get what I want. And when it comes to recommending something to someone else, I prefer not to recommend things that require them to do hacking / rooting / whatever.


Sounds like they need to fix their tuning software.

The OP, in this case, is asking about a Megasquirt specifically. I know from personal experience that you can tune an MS (or an EMU) just fine in 800x600.

Also, the 10" EEEpcs had a 1366×768 display, so they'd be fine for you. It was the 8.9" machine that had the 1024×600 display.

I know it's a level or 2 above the prices you are looking at, but I've got to recommend a touch screen ultrabook for tuning. I got some acer one for ~$550 or so, and the touch screen is the shit for usability in the car. If you can find a netbook with a touch screen in your price range, that's what I'd go for. Here's an HP one with a touch screen for pretty cheap.

Not all the 10" screens. Both of my 10.1" EEEpcs had 1024x600 screens, that you could run at 1024x768 and cut off the sides (or made it a scrolling desktop depending on the setting), and made it look all fuzzy and shitty because it wasnt the native resolution. My first one was a 1005HA and my current one is like the older dual core brother of the same one.

Oh, yeah- I'd forgotten that the early 10" machines didn't have the 1366x768 display...

Still not relevant to Megasquirt tuning. For that, you could literally use any EEEpc ever made, although the extremely old 700-series models with the 7" 800×480 would probably be a bit of a pain in the ass.

There are so many of these on eBay that it's kind of silly:

Acer Aspire One D150 10 1" Netbook Customized Microsoft Word 2010 Installed | eBay

Acer Aspire One D250 KAV60 10 1" Netbook Runs Great | eBay

Acer ZG5 Notebook 20GB HDD 1 GB RAM 8 GB SD Works Perfect | eBay

(etc...)

Since some of you have mentioned windows 8 tablets, what are your thoughts on the Asus T100?

ASUS Transformer Book T100 Convertible Notebook Tablet, Specs & More

More expensive than a basic laptop, but it should be more than powerful enough for tuner studio. Is the resolution high enough to be useful?

Why not use this app to copy the map on your phone via bluethooth https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...id=com.msdroid

Than you can connect your phone/tablet to your home computer to annalize or modifie it. :D

I have an Android Asus Transformer (the TF201) and liked it a lot. But what I really wanted was a touch screen laptop, and those weren't available yet. I never used it much without the keyboard, so I don't see a need for a detachable keyboard. Holding a tablet can be awkward, but the keyboard acts as a dock holding it up or holding it in your lap.

But like I said, for almost that price I was able to get an ultrabook with an i5 and a 15" touch screen, so I'd be more inclined to go that route.

Here, has more HD space (though it's not an SSD), more ram, a more powerful (though less energy efficient) processor, and is $150 cheaper. All you lose is that the keyboard doesn't detach, which like I said I never did that with my Transformer anyway.

A co-worker of mine has one of those. He likes it.

Screen resolution is a non-issue with the MS tuning software. The resolution-based objections which Leafy et al have posed refer to the tuning software for other ECUs. You can tune a Megasquirt in 800x600, as I have done many times.


Probably because he wishes to use the Autotune (VEALive) function which is available only in TunerStudio. (This is just a guess, but it's the primary reason that I never bought an Android device for use with the MS.)

Similar to my Samsung Ativ PC500. My only advice is to get it with the keyboard upfront if optional.

1. They can be a pita to find after the fact (optional keyboards, accessories )
2. Tunerstudio , from experience, is a pita to use on a touchscreen only especially while in the car trying to tweak something while you're sitting on the side of the road.

I found this to be the case with my old P3 tablets as well.

I solved that problem by carrying a tiny little bluetooth keyboard with me in the car. When I needed to do any "serious" text entry, I used that. Most of the time it stayed in the glovebox.

This is the exact one which I have (I still have it):

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1392230812

There are nicer ones out there, I liked this one because of cursor keys.

Others:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1392230812

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1392230812

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1392230812

Deal or no deal?
Asus Eee 1001PX Netbook Atom 1 66GHz 1GB 160GB Linux Mint 15 Carbon Fiber Editio | eBay

I'd look for one with upgraded ram to 2 gig myself. Rough to run windows especially w7 on 1 gig.

Presupposing that you're comfortable installing XP on it with no support, it looks fine.

If it were me, I'd pay a little extra for one that's already loaded with the proper OS.

Proper OS as in its incompatible with Tuner Studio or it just sucks compared to Windows 7??

I've not run TunerStudio under Linux but the Netbooks are decent Linux machines.

I'd still hold of finding a machine with 2 gig of ram. Look around for one of the later Acer Netbooks. They had the larger battery and came with W7 installed so drivers are still fairly current.

Depends on the netbook my 1005ha and linux never saw eye to eye, which resulted in the processor idling at like 60% and being unable to play youtube videos at 480 and above or even local videos full screen. My 1015PN runs better on linux.

I'm not entirely certain that I follow.

By "proper" I mean simply any version of MS Windows, as opposed to Linux. While it is possible, in theory, top install and run Tunerstudio under Linux, I have tried and failed on several occasions.

By contrast, Windows is quite easy top use and well-supported in terms of community knowledge-base. Personally, I prefer it. If you are comfortable with Linux and sufficiently well versed it to get applications to work from outside of the package manager, then by all means feel free to use it.

I've been using an old Lenovo ThinkPad x100e (2.7 GHz single-core processor) and have been very happy with it. I did stuff 8GB of ram and a solid-state hard drive in there though to help speed it up (since it's not the most powerful thing in the world) though.

Gotcha, thanks Joe and everyone else, sorry wasn't trying to dismiss anyone's advice I didn't see several people had responded before him, internet surfing on a cell sucks. :skid:

Also, regarding that which is being said about Ghz and GB, I'm not kidding when I say that the last dedicated MS-tuning machine I owned had 128 MB of RAM and a processor whose speed was rated in MHz.

Seriously, don't get caught up in the notion that you need a high-end machine for this. Tuning a Megasquirt is less computationally-intensive than browsing this forum.

My Acer has no issues with Ubuntu but I also have 2 gig installed. I have an SSD setup with Windows 7 and the original 160G HD setup with Ubuntu. No particular reason other than I was trying to get more into Linux at one point. Now is just for TunerStudio.

Other than the issue running Office with the vertical screen resolution I'd probably still use it daily but it drives me crazy how it screws with dialogs.

But, you know that from your earlier post.

All things considered I believe my original notion to get a Dell Latitude D420 (Intel duo core @ 1.2Ghz, 2.5 GB RAM, 60 GB HD, 198 minutes battery life and 12" screen with 1280x800 resolution) was spot on, especially for $85 and includes media drive. It has pretty good reviews from what I have seen but the only downside is I will need to get a new OS since it doesn't have one. The seller has 100% positive feedback w/ over 6k transactions, so should be everything he claims it to be. ( condition, etc.) Thanks again for everyones input!

fwiw i run ubuntu linux 12.04 on my netbook with tunerstudio - works well. no issues. 5hrs of batt life. free/stable OS - no brainer to me. mind you, i use the netbook solely for tuning, and basic browsing (youtube will not run at 720p). i'd suggest playing with the desktop settings (auto-hide the launcher bar mainly).

I use my macbook pro on Linux, nice bright screen. If I wanted a dedicated tuning machine I would just pickup any 13" windows box off Craig's list made in the last three years or som

Bumping this. Can you even buy a laptop with a serial port anymore?

Refurb Dell E5510?

even if you could, not much of a reason to? Serial to USB is not too expensive, probably would save by buying a "mainstream" computer over niche computer. I haven't read through this thread, but if you were trying to go dirt cheap Raspberry pi + serial to USB would get you far. I'm hoping to put something like that in the dash someday. But I got a lot more important things to work on before that QOL lol.

Thanks. Seems to be odd report of issues with serial to USB hence I was considering laptop with serial port. Perhaps no real issue (?). Was thinking something 2nd hand for a couple of hundred. The more robust the better.

I’ve been using one for 10+ years for my robotics :p that’s the same one I use for the MS. Not all made equal, some people might have cheaped out and complained? Serial to USB does need a integrated chip to translate the serial to a digital signal.

cheers.

I recently broke my 10 year old tuning laptop

Ive been thinking of picking up a used HP elitebook. Theyre pretty durable, have a good processor, and a proper keyboard.

Nothing is better than having a touch screen. But that's just my opinion.

You can still get Panasonic Toughbooks with a serial port. It is optional, but available.
I use a CF-54 at work and it is near perfect for engine calibration / data analysis:

• Carry handle
• Screen is readable in direct sunlight
• Optional dual batteries are hot swapable (gets a solid 8 hours of heavy use w/o hot swap(1ms recording + math channel calcs + multple display pages + medium brightness)
• Doesn't overheat in direct sunlight in Death Valley in the summer
• Backlit keyboard
• Conventional touchpad with separate physical buttons (not that all-in-one touchpad/button bull shit)

2nd hand Lenovo T430S Core i-5 with SSD is my weapon of choice, 1600x900 resolution and lighter and thinner than the T430.

Lenovo make fairly rugged laptops and the hinge is tough too - the last thing you want is a flimsy/floppy hinge for this use.

Previously I was using a 2nd hand Dell E6420 Core i-7 with SSD but when some of the keys started sticking I bought the Lenovo.
I've since replaced the sticky keyboard but prefer the Lenovo since it's tougher.

As for the serial port, just get a USB<->Serial adapter cable BUT ensure that it's using an FTDI chip and NOT a Prolific chip.
Laptops with serial ports are now niche products so you'll be paying a premium for them - alternatively buy a really old laptop that has one at the risk of not being able to use it for long if TunerStudio requires an OS that cannot be installed on your hardware.

There are a LOT of cheap Chinese Prolific-knockoff adapters available that no longer work with Windows 7..10.
The new genuine Prolific chips do work but not older ones so I suspect that Microsoft and Prolific came to some agreement that knobbled the Prolific driver for early Prolific-designed chips.
Save yourself the hassle of finding out if it's a new genuine Prolific chip and jut buy one with an FTDI chip.

In one of my previous jobs, the customer was complaining that only our units that we installed actually worked on their vehicles, their own installs failed.
It turned out that they'd bought a bunch of cheap USB-Serial adapters instead of the expensive FTDI adapter we specified (http://sg.element14.com/ftdi/us232r-...0cm/dp/1329310) - we specified that one because it uses a genuine FTDI chip was available in large quantities from a single supplier.
You can now buy cheaper FTDI adapters, or if you really want to cheap-out, make your own from a cheap eBay FTDI serial-USB card and an old serial cable (only worth doing if you have an old serial cable lying around).