[AZ-Observing] Re: LapTop
- From: "Jon Christensen" <jonc97@xxxxxxx>
- To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 21 Aug 2005 11:25:45 -0700
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
simultaneously and I've never had a problem. In my case, 'The Sky' uses a
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
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
recent desktop computer did not come with one.
When I purchased my computer the salesman recommended I get one with some
kind of 'mobile' processor as they use less energy. I would check if
laptops with larger screens use more energy as well as that may become an
issue out in the field. I always power my laptop and camera with a 12 volt
75 Amp Hour battery connected to an inverter, and I've never run out of
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
would want to do.
You would only get a couple of hours out of the onboard battery of a laptop
so I think an external battery is a must.
Bottom line, based on my experience I would buy the cheapest laptop with a
mobile processor and plan on using an external battery with an inverter.
Hope this helps,
Jon Christensen
----- Original Message -----
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
>
>
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