Laptop

[Mr Whippy]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

Does that look any good?

Mainly using for...

Running ECU writing software in my car, so I can remap it without running a HUGE usb cable from the house to my car

Running my G-tech software, so I can analyse performance from my car after a run, after trying different ECU maps

Editing maps in my car

Browsing internet in home (using WiFi) so partner can use it and vice versa when other is using home PC

Being fairly nice and new and not old and crap.

Maybe playing to living room TV (just composite or S-video) (think the one above does that)

Budget is £400-500 really. Could push to £600 for a brand new laptop from Sony Vaio (their entry level is quick enough for what I want), main thing is, is it worth it?


Thanks for any help/advice/ideas.

Dave

[K50 DEL]

Probably overkill for the car needs, as far as a general computer goes, no issues with the spec, other than it's not really got enough RAM to run XP, never mind Vista.

One other thing occurs to me, how does your ECU connect - ours is via the serial port, most new laptops don't have one, so be careful what you buy.

[Mr Whippy]

K50 DEL said:

Probably overkill for the car needs, as far as a general computer goes, no issues with the spec, other than it's not really got enough RAM to run XP, never mind Vista.

One other thing occurs to me, how does your ECU connect - ours is via the serial port, most new laptops don't have one, so be careful what you buy.

Doh, I missed the end of the auction.

Erm, might go for an older better one yet, something top-end from maybe 5 years ago. Problem is, I've been told, that most that go on Ebay at that age are really tatty, so not sure.

Erm, my OBDII port KWP goes via USB, so I'm ok there. But I have an RS232 > USB anyway as my new PC system has no RS232 which is a real bugger for some older special devices.


Just need something that is ideally wireless, or can put a wireless card in, and is ideally running XP, not fussed about grunt at all if I decide I just want something that will do just the bare minimum web/simple apps.

Have my, kinda uber desktop PC for all my fancy stuff.

Dave

[PJR]

Would one of those Asus eeePC's do the job? Tiny, very cheap (£200), wireless, and can run Windows (but are supplied with Linux).
http://www.clove.co.uk/viewProduct.aspx?Manufactur...
Not much storage, but thats easy to expand in any number of ways.

P,

[Mr Whippy]

They look pretty nice, but I think I'd need to run Windows for the software I'm using

So difficult because I just know nothing about laptops like I do desktops

Going to have to have a good browse of finished items on Ebay and see what spec goes for what, then try get one in my budget

Thanks

Dave

[PJR]

Mr Whippy said:

They look pretty nice, but I think I'd need to run Windows for the software I'm using

As I said, you can run windows on them.. Its just that it doesn't come supplied as standard.

P,

[Mr Whippy]

Right, guess I can buy a USB mouse and WinXp sharpish (before they stop selling it)

Dave

[Mr Whippy]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

They any good?

Looks ok

Happy to spend £500 if it's a decent all-rounder... honestly just have no idea with laptops

Dave

[K50 DEL]

Mr Whippy said:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

They any good?

Looks ok

Happy to spend £500 if it's a decent all-rounder... honestly just have no idea with laptops

Dave

Got one of those in the office right now.

Not a bad machine, a little on the heavy side perhaps, but the screen is great, it's got a huge (for a lappy) hard drive, enough RAM to run Vista (although I'd still take it off and re-install XP, but that's another thread!)

All in all, for that money, if the seller's legit I'd say go for it, it'll fill every need you've specified and more.

[Mr Whippy]

Can you downgrade to XP if you want, from a Vista lisence, or is it another copy of XP time?

XP would likely be best for me. Vista just seems like 90% eye candy, which I can live without


Yep, seller looks ok afaik. PC World do them for £600, so it's about the right price for an Ebay special... you do have to worry though, paying £500 for something off ebay... hmmmm...

Dave

Edited by Mr Whippy on Saturday 10th November 02:13

[K50 DEL]

Mr Whippy said:

Can you downgrade to XP if you want, from a Vista lisence, or is it another copy of XP time?

XP would likely be best for me. Vista just seems like 90% eye candy, which I can live without


Yep, seller looks ok afaik. PC World do them for £600, so it's about the right price for an Ebay special... you do have to worry though, paying £500 for something off ebay... hmmmm...

Dave

Edited by Mr Whippy on Saturday 10th November 02:13

As far as I'm aware, it's another copy of XP time.

If you want XP rather than Vista take a look at the HP Compaq range on www.ebuyer.co.uk some of those are still available with XP factory installed.

[Mr Whippy]

Ah, some nice laptops there...

Quite like this one

HP 6715B

Right, I'll have to have a good think this weekend, then explain to swmbo why spending another £500 this year on computer things is good

Dave

Edited by Mr Whippy on Saturday 10th November 11:27

[K50 DEL]

Mr Whippy said:

Ah, some nice laptops there...

Quite like this one

HP 6715B

Right, I'll have to have a good think this weekend, then explain to swmbo why spending another £500 this year on computer things is good

Dave

Edited by Mr Whippy on Saturday 10th November 11:27

That would be the model that I'm on right now!!

Good choice

[Mr Whippy]

Balls, decided I didn't really need one, but I've decided again that I really do need one

Is the Ebuyer price of £450 still good value for this laptop?

HP 6715B

Anything wrong with this one for just general use?

6715S

Thanks for any help/advice

Not really sure what I want/need. Is the extra £50 worth it for the features, or will I just not even appreciate them? Can't decide...

Dave

[GHW]

For a £500 budget, the current PC World/Currys/Dixons special offer HP dv9705 looks particularly good...

[Mr Whippy]

Ah bugger, it's got that abomination Vista on it

Really could do with XP because a, it's stable, which is a big + point for when writing ECU data to my car, and also for compatibility with the programs I'll be using...

Sorry, really needs to be XP, but that does look very good value!

Dave

[K50 DEL]

Mr Whippy said:

Balls, decided I didn't really need one, but I've decided again that I really do need one

Is the Ebuyer price of £450 still good value for this laptop?

HP 6715B

Anything wrong with this one for just general use?

6715S

Thanks for any help/advice

Not really sure what I want/need. Is the extra £50 worth it for the features, or will I just not even appreciate them? Can't decide...

Dave

Go for the 6715 S

For £325 (after you get your £50 rebate) you can't go wrong.

[Stablelad]

I bought a Dell inspiron 6400 for £370. 160GB and it's on XP too.

Great piece of kit.

[Mr Whippy]

K50 DEL said:

Mr Whippy said:

Balls, decided I didn't really need one, but I've decided again that I really do need one

Is the Ebuyer price of £450 still good value for this laptop?

HP 6715B

Anything wrong with this one for just general use?

6715S

Thanks for any help/advice

Not really sure what I want/need. Is the extra £50 worth it for the features, or will I just not even appreciate them? Can't decide...

Dave

Go for the 6715 S

For £325 (after you get your £50 rebate) you can't go wrong.

I wish I'd bought when you had said, but I told myself I didn't need to... I'm sure it was only £400 a few months back.

Think I'd best get it ordered tonight

Yay, new toy!

Dave

[Mr Whippy]

Well, I did the right thing, and got this one instead

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/134523

Looks nicer, and decided it was a good in-between of the two I had in mind

Now to get that OBD cable so I can record my cars sensors while I drive

Dave