Which of these laptops for Autotap and PCM tuning?
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 45,353
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From: Chicago, IL
Which of these laptops for Autotap and PCM tuning? I'm looking at some used laptops, they would probably sit in the car for long periods of time...
Which one do you like for Autotap and pcm tuning? I will be using a tuning setup similar to FAST or DFI...
#1
IBM Thinkpad 770Z
IBM Thinkpad 770Z includes:
External Floppy 1.44 mb
A/C Adapter
Carrying Bag / Case
Specifications:
Pentium II 366 Mhz
No Operating System Installed (not a prob for me)
256 mb RAM
Trident 4 mb Video
13.1 GB H.D.D.
DVD Rom
Sound
Modem
1 USB
~$425
#2
IBM Thinkpad 380ED Laptop
IBM Thinkpad 380ED Laptop
Carring Case
AC Adapter
Specifications:
Pentium mmx 166 Mhz
32 mb RAM
2 GB
20X CD-Rom
Sound
Modem
Lithium - ion battery
1.44 mb floppy
~$225
Please tell me what you think. I think #1 might also be powerful enuff to use for the web? I already have a laptop but it lacks a serial port so if I sold that for $300 that would be cool.
<small>[ April 03, 2003, 04:34 PM: Message edited by: Pro Stock John ]</small>
Which one do you like for Autotap and pcm tuning? I will be using a tuning setup similar to FAST or DFI...
#1
IBM Thinkpad 770Z
IBM Thinkpad 770Z includes:
External Floppy 1.44 mb
A/C Adapter
Carrying Bag / Case
Specifications:
Pentium II 366 Mhz
No Operating System Installed (not a prob for me)
256 mb RAM
Trident 4 mb Video
13.1 GB H.D.D.
DVD Rom
Sound
Modem
1 USB
~$425
#2
IBM Thinkpad 380ED Laptop
IBM Thinkpad 380ED Laptop
Carring Case
AC Adapter
Specifications:
Pentium mmx 166 Mhz
32 mb RAM
2 GB
20X CD-Rom
Sound
Modem
Lithium - ion battery
1.44 mb floppy
~$225
Please tell me what you think. I think #1 might also be powerful enuff to use for the web? I already have a laptop but it lacks a serial port so if I sold that for $300 that would be cool.
<small>[ April 03, 2003, 04:34 PM: Message edited by: Pro Stock John ]</small>
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From: Oklahoma
Re: Which of these laptops for Autotap and PCM tuning? Try looking at www.pricewatch.com John. You can find much better laptops for the same or less. Get as powerfull a one as you can, never hurts to have too much, and you dont want the thing to bog down for no reason during a PCM write.
--glitch77
--glitch77
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 45,353
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From: Chicago, IL
Re: Which of these laptops for Autotap and PCM tuning? Wow that's a nice link.
Any suggestions of which Thinkpad series are good for say under $500? I like how these folks have limited warranties too.
Any suggestions of which Thinkpad series are good for say under $500? I like how these folks have limited warranties too.
Re: Which of these laptops for Autotap and PCM tuning? I *highly* recommend any laptop you consider have a RS232 / serial port on it. Don't get one with 'just' USB - you will regret it.
My personal favorite laptop is the Panasonic Toughbook. Its shell is made of magnesium, the hard disk is encapsulated in gel, and it's got a built in metal carrying handle - it is *perfect* for the automotive environment.
I picked up a PII-266, 32MB, 4GB CF-27 Toughbook (CDROM drive was DOA, otherwise it was fine) for $400 on Ebay. Yeah, it was a little higher than the typical plastic case units, but these suckers are just about indestructable. I added 128MB of memory ($35 from http://www.buymemory.com ), an external USB based CD-RW drive ($150 from Best Buy), and it's a great laptop now. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> The CF-27 has both USB and RS232 ports on it.
I'd get 32MB of memory at a minimum if you want to run Windows. A CDROM is definitely nice to have if you want to load any kind of software. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> Batteries are optional, but nice. I run a $40 Wal Mart inverter in the car when working with the laptop. I trust car batteries more than laptop batteries.
IMHO, no matter what software you're running, for an in car laptop, you really don't need much more than a PII.
Hope that helps,
Andrew
Edit - I noticed the TP380ED. Honestly, Thinkpads can be finicky, especially the 380 series. I've had a number of customers have issues programming OBDI PCMs with those laptops (the 380). The serial port doesn't like to work under DOS (I still use DOS AutoTap because it's faster than Windows).
<small>[ April 03, 2003, 07:54 PM: Message edited by: Camaroholic ]</small>
My personal favorite laptop is the Panasonic Toughbook. Its shell is made of magnesium, the hard disk is encapsulated in gel, and it's got a built in metal carrying handle - it is *perfect* for the automotive environment.
I picked up a PII-266, 32MB, 4GB CF-27 Toughbook (CDROM drive was DOA, otherwise it was fine) for $400 on Ebay. Yeah, it was a little higher than the typical plastic case units, but these suckers are just about indestructable. I added 128MB of memory ($35 from http://www.buymemory.com ), an external USB based CD-RW drive ($150 from Best Buy), and it's a great laptop now. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> The CF-27 has both USB and RS232 ports on it.
I'd get 32MB of memory at a minimum if you want to run Windows. A CDROM is definitely nice to have if you want to load any kind of software. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> Batteries are optional, but nice. I run a $40 Wal Mart inverter in the car when working with the laptop. I trust car batteries more than laptop batteries.
IMHO, no matter what software you're running, for an in car laptop, you really don't need much more than a PII.
Hope that helps,
Andrew
Edit - I noticed the TP380ED. Honestly, Thinkpads can be finicky, especially the 380 series. I've had a number of customers have issues programming OBDI PCMs with those laptops (the 380). The serial port doesn't like to work under DOS (I still use DOS AutoTap because it's faster than Windows).
<small>[ April 03, 2003, 07:54 PM: Message edited by: Camaroholic ]</small>
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From: St Louis, MO
Re: Which of these laptops for Autotap and PCM tuning? Damn Andrew, I want one of those toughbooks!
My dell works well but I know what I'll get if it ever lets me down.
Btw, if you're using Autotap, you're missing out on a whole bunch of data.
An example of 13 seconds of EFILive data:
http://c5.kicks-***.net/~eclark/junk/run4.html
Eric
<small>[ April 03, 2003, 09:09 PM: Message edited by: 66ImpalaLT1 ]</small>
My dell works well but I know what I'll get if it ever lets me down.
Btw, if you're using Autotap, you're missing out on a whole bunch of data.
An example of 13 seconds of EFILive data:
http://c5.kicks-***.net/~eclark/junk/run4.html
Eric
<small>[ April 03, 2003, 09:09 PM: Message edited by: 66ImpalaLT1 ]</small>
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 45,353
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From: Chicago, IL
Re: Which of these laptops for Autotap and PCM tuning? Awesome replies I really owe you guys!!!
That Toughbook sounds very very interesting.
Any of them at auction now or for sale online anywhere?
I'm taking notes, I really need something solid since I will be using something a step beyond LS1 Edit.
That Toughbook sounds very very interesting.
Any of them at auction now or for sale online anywhere?
I'm taking notes, I really need something solid since I will be using something a step beyond LS1 Edit.
Trending Topics
Re: Which of these laptops for Autotap and PCM tuning? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...6&category=177
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...3&category=177
And the list goes on...
Just do a search at Ebay on CF-27 and you'll get hits. Pick up a PII if you can, at least. Some CF-27's came with P133/P166s.
Edit: one caution about the CF-27 of the PII era. It was designed for Win95. The Win98 and higher video drivers pretty much don't exist. Therefore, the max colors I get out of it on my screen are 256. This doesn't matter for in-car stuff, but if you want to do Photoshopping or graphics design stuff with this laptop, this level won't do. The only drawback I have is that the cool burnout photo of my '94 Z28 that I use as a backdrop doesn't show up as well as it should. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
-Andrew
<small>[ April 04, 2003, 10:04 AM: Message edited by: Camaroholic ]</small>
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...3&category=177
And the list goes on...
Just do a search at Ebay on CF-27 and you'll get hits. Pick up a PII if you can, at least. Some CF-27's came with P133/P166s.
Edit: one caution about the CF-27 of the PII era. It was designed for Win95. The Win98 and higher video drivers pretty much don't exist. Therefore, the max colors I get out of it on my screen are 256. This doesn't matter for in-car stuff, but if you want to do Photoshopping or graphics design stuff with this laptop, this level won't do. The only drawback I have is that the cool burnout photo of my '94 Z28 that I use as a backdrop doesn't show up as well as it should. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
-Andrew
<small>[ April 04, 2003, 10:04 AM: Message edited by: Camaroholic ]</small>
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Re: Which of these laptops for Autotap and PCM tuning? My .02,
I'm very pleased with an IBM Thinkpad 380z I bought at usedlaptops.com for $369.00. Almost like new--even shrink wrapped and packed in a box like new. 300mhz, 96mbs Ram, 4gb hard drive, serial port, floppy and cd-rom drives. I'm running Windows 2000 Pro based on NT technology (not XP) with an NTFS file system, very stable, no issues with Edit or EASE, and definitely a step up from Windows98. I wouldn't get a processor less than 300mhz though. If you use software like EASE, it takes a minute or two to load a recording, very usable though. This IBM seems to be built like a tank too.
I'm very pleased with an IBM Thinkpad 380z I bought at usedlaptops.com for $369.00. Almost like new--even shrink wrapped and packed in a box like new. 300mhz, 96mbs Ram, 4gb hard drive, serial port, floppy and cd-rom drives. I'm running Windows 2000 Pro based on NT technology (not XP) with an NTFS file system, very stable, no issues with Edit or EASE, and definitely a step up from Windows98. I wouldn't get a processor less than 300mhz though. If you use software like EASE, it takes a minute or two to load a recording, very usable though. This IBM seems to be built like a tank too.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Chicago, IL
Re: Which of these laptops for Autotap and PCM tuning? I'll bid on one of those Toughbooks and see what happens, I like the idea of something being that durable...
Teching In
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From: NJ
Re: Which of these laptops for Autotap and PCM tuning? I was helping a friend out today who's installing Gen 7 DFI. Just FYI Gen 7 DFI needs at least a PII 2 350 Mhz to run. We found that out the hard way after an hour or two of not being able to connect to the ECM.
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Re: Which of these laptops for Autotap and PCM tuning? PSJ, why don't you contact Russ (ram air01)? He got me a great deal on my current Thinkpad. It's only a 380XD, PII 233mhz, and it's been fine for Atap and LS1 Edit. Granted, I upgraded it to 96Mb RAM, but still all in total I spent under $300 and it works flawlessly, also it was in perfect shape. Came with CD drive, floppy drive, RS232 port, modem, etc. Came with opperating system and AC charger + battery as well.
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Re: Which of these laptops for Autotap and PCM tuning? Also, PSJ, why pay a premium for more durability than you'll probably ever need (unless you're taking it to Baghdad)? The IBMs are plenty durable for car stuff.
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From: Chicago, IL
Re: Which of these laptops for Autotap and PCM tuning? I bought the current laptop (the one without a serial port) from Russell and well I need a serial port I just did not know enough about computers to look for that port. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />
Launching!
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Re: Which of these laptops for Autotap and PCM tuning? Looks like you're drifting away from it, but I have an IBM 770Z that runs next to me at the strip (Autotap). Good workhorse.
(BTW, I'm in Chicago this week at the Courtyard on E Hubbard...Maybe we can get a beer or coffee)
(BTW, I'm in Chicago this week at the Courtyard on E Hubbard...Maybe we can get a beer or coffee)
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Re: Which of these laptops for Autotap and PCM tuning? A final thought, I promise <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> , what else I appreciate about these paleolithic IBMs is the availability of spare parts. There are so many of them around that businesses have evolved that pretty must subsist just by selling Thinkpad parts. Instead of replacing it, if you just use it for car stuff, you can swap out parts. It's sort of like photographers and Nikons.
Good luck!, whatever you get.
Good luck!, whatever you get.
Thread Starter
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From: Chicago, IL
Re: Which of these laptops for Autotap and PCM tuning? I bid on one of the Toughbooks, (ryan@rsmr.com) but some other guy got it I wasn't willing to go over $405 and I was frankly worried he was a shill.
Any other links for Toughbooks, I am still very interested in one.
Any other links for Toughbooks, I am still very interested in one.
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Re: Which of these laptops for Autotap and PCM tuning? Hey Andrew, Baghdad is like the Garden Of Eden compared to a Camaro's trunk <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> , especially the way we drive <img border="0" alt="[driving]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_driving3.gif" /> , but doesn't PSJ have a Firebird? It's more civilized back there <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> .
Thread Starter
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From: Chicago, IL
Re: Which of these laptops for Autotap and PCM tuning? If anyone sells refurb'd laptops holla at me I am looking for options... Pat let me know I am a short walk from there...
Re: Which of these laptops for Autotap and PCM tuning? </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Predator:
<strong> Also, PSJ, why pay a premium for more durability than you'll probably ever need (unless you're taking it to Baghdad)? The IBMs are plenty durable for car stuff. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">My Toughbook is in a worse place than Baghdad. It's in the trunk of my Camaro. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> With tools, a jack, a spare tire, etc. And no, it's not in a case.
And I don't worry about it. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
-Andrew
<strong> Also, PSJ, why pay a premium for more durability than you'll probably ever need (unless you're taking it to Baghdad)? The IBMs are plenty durable for car stuff. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">My Toughbook is in a worse place than Baghdad. It's in the trunk of my Camaro. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> With tools, a jack, a spare tire, etc. And no, it's not in a case.
And I don't worry about it. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
-Andrew