Laptop Suggestions?

[jspangler]

Hi

Need some suggestions on a decent ( inexpensive) laptop that can handle basic MC Mill level one stuff. Not many solids, minly using it for toolpaths, and transfering files to the control. My PC doesn't like staying in the shop, and is starting to give up.

 

Looking to spend UNDER $2000 if possible. What's the minimum I need, and what should I definitely stay away from.

 

Thanks

 

John

[Charles Davis]

laptops have really come down in price, but they still cost about twice what you pay for a desktop.

 

i am very happy with the 3 different Dell laptops I have owned over the last 5 years. look at the Dimension 8200 with the Nvidia video card.

[Bullines]

Video chipset is everything. Look for something with the nVidia GeForce4 Go chipset (460 is tops, ATM). If it's in the budget, consider the Quadro4 Go GL (very pricey). Whatever you do avoid chipsets such as ATI's Mobile Radeon and any chipsets from Trident, S3 or anybody else for that matter. In short, nVidia or bust.

[MACHINEMASTERG]

im thinking of getting a dell in there options there video cards that this post mentions have with tv out and dvi ?? is this bad or good

[Roger Peterson]

If you are going to be using it for serial communications make sure it has a nine pin serial port. I actually came accross a laptop that didn't have one. Like everyone else said make sure you get the video card you want because you can't switch them out like in a desktop.

 

good luck

[Trevor Bailey]

i have the dell 8200 with the latest geforce card with 64 meg with tv in/out and all the bells and whistles. this card to me is great. i can hook my laptop up to my tv and watch dvd's while i work with mastercam at the same time with no gliches. i am pretty happy with it. obviously i don't do this on a regular basis, i just wanted to see if there would be problems.

[MACHINEMASTERG]

thanks for the info

[Bullines]

quote:

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If you are going to be using it for serial communications make sure it has a nine pin serial port. I actually came accross a laptop that didn't have one.

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Most notebooks no longer ship with serial ports anymore. In that case, you could use a USB-to-Serial cable, if need be.

 

On a side note, the next PC specs do not include ISA ports, COM ports or floppy drives.

[jspangler]

trevor, if you don't mind me asking, what'd you pay for your laptop. That sounds like something I could use.

 

Thanks

 

JOhn

[Roger Peterson]

Bulliness, can you do serial communication throuh a usb port? If so is there anything special that needs to be done to communicate from mastercam, cimco edit, or any serial communication application?

[Bullines]

quote:

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Bulliness, can you do serial communication throuh a usb port?

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Yes, there are USB-to-Serial adapters available.

[Roger Peterson]

Are there special drivers for these or just pick comm 1, comm 2... like usual?

[Bullines]

Yes, drivers are required (ships with the product). It will create a COM port just like any other.

[Roger Peterson]

Thanks that great info. I am going to have to get one to try out if all the laptops of the future are going to be without serial ports.

[Trevor Bailey]

John,

 

I paid $2800 US. If you would like, I can e-mail you my specs. My laptop works great, but if I had more money, I would have ordered the M50 worksation like Charles Davis did. Those are really sweet.

[Fred from Université de Sherbrooke]

I'm really satisfied of my Toshiba Satellite Pro...with a 9 pins serial port for DNC...

[pactec]

The M50 IS sweet. Now if I was smart enough to run it at optimum, I'd be miles ahead of where I am. I've been through the tech tips archives but I think I need some system level stuff to tweak it more. So many things auto start when you boot that I get lost with what needs to stay and what can be turned off.

Dell mobile M50 1.8Gig. 512 Meg. RAM. NVIDIA,QUADRO4 500 GO GL,64MB,. It was about 5 grand Canadian.

 

See ya...

[cadcam]

John check this laptop out and here is a on line price quote.

I know of a few using this box for there main MC use.

 

One of my students brought his to class this week and I had more time to play with it.

 

all I can say this is my nest toy and it is SWEEEET

 

link for the price and model