[AZ-Observing] Re: Laptop

Stan;

I bought a Toshiba M 35X from Circuit City and I would recommend both.  =
Out
the door the computer was about 800 bucks with a 3 year warranty.  It is
plenty powerful enough for any task I will try.

I would also ask about OS since you can't get away from WinXP today.

Hope that helps;
Steve Coe
 =20

-----Original Message-----
From: az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jon Christensen
Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2005 11:26 AM
To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Re: LapTop

Nearly 2 1/2 years ago I bought about the cheapest Compaq laptop I could =

find to use with my CCD camera and control my telescope.  I run Software =

Bisque's 'CCDSoft' to run my camera and 'The Sky' software to run my =
mount=20
simultaneously and I've never had a problem.  In my case, 'The Sky' uses =
a=20
serial port to control my telescope.  The camera uses a USB port.

I imagine your Meade cameras will need USB ports.  A serial port would =
be=20
nice to have.  I know USB to Serial adapters are available =
inexpensively.  I

wonder if the newest lap tops are doing away with serial ports as my =
most=20
recent desktop computer did not come with one.

When I purchased my computer the salesman recommended I get one with =
some=20
kind of 'mobile' processor as they use less energy.  I would check if=20
laptops with larger screens use more energy as well as that may become =
an=20
issue out in the field.  I always power my laptop and camera with a 12 =
volt=20
75 Amp Hour battery connected to an inverter, and I've never run out of=20
juice running everything all night.

Why would you need to install Windows 2000 as the OS?   Most new laptops =

come preinstalled with XP and that is probably good enough for anything =
you=20
would want to do.

You would only get a couple of hours out of the onboard battery of a =
laptop=20
so I think an external battery is a must.

Bottom line, based on my experience I would buy the cheapest laptop with =
a=20
mobile processor and plan on using an external battery with an inverter.

Hope this helps,


Jon Christensen



----- Original Message -----=20
From: "Stan Gorodenski" <stan_gorodenski@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2005 11:43 AM
Subject: [AZ-Observing] LapTop


>I am considering getting a laptop for my LXD75 to be able to use =
Meade's
> LPI that came with the telescope, as well as possibly the DSI if I
> decide to buy it at some time in the future. At one time I knew much
> more about computers than I do now, and I have not kept up with =
changes
> in technology. Can anyone recommend one that is relatively =
inexpensive?
> Cost will be a factor on whether I will even get one. I would be using
> Windows2000 as the OS. Some of the things I would like to know are
> 1. Are there differences in how they are powered? I remember years ago
> laptops were pretty heavy because of the battery weights. Now they =
seem
> pretty light. Are there less desireable batter power sources?
> 2. What is a reasonable minimum processor to get? I know getting the
> current most advanced technology processor is more on the safe side if =
I
> plan on using the laptop many years, but it probably would be much =
more
> expensive.
> 3. Any manufacturers to stay away from because of hardware problems?
> 4. What kinds of external ports should it have for a telescope?
> Stan
>
>
> --
> See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and =
please
> send personal replies to the author, not the list.
>=20

--
See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and =
please=20
send personal replies to the author, not the list.




--
See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please 
send personal replies to the author, not the list.

Other related posts: