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#1
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Best lap top computer value for Soaring
I am considering an upgrade of my lap top computer. I am operating a LX 7000
and Cambridge GPS NAV in the glider. I am also using Seeyou. I would like a screen that is more visable in the sun. I am also concerned with the serial interface with the two flight computers and turning in data logs to scorers. What has worked out well? Bill Snead 6W |
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#3
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I'm also looking to replace my aging (falling apart) laptop with a
used laptop. www.dellauction.com Appears that these are laptops returned off lease. Most of them are a couple years old, still have warranty and will happily do all the glider stuff needed except they probably won't do the 3D mode in SeeYou. Most of these laptops seem to be going for $300-$500 (Snead1) wrote in message ... I am considering an upgrade of my lap top computer. I am operating a LX 7000 and Cambridge GPS NAV in the glider. I am also using Seeyou. I would like a screen that is more visable in the sun. I am also concerned with the serial interface with the two flight computers and turning in data logs to scorers. What has worked out well? Bill Snead 6W |
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Fred Mueller wrote:
I'm also looking to replace my aging (falling apart) laptop with a used laptop. www.dellauction.com Appears that these are laptops returned off lease. Most of them are a couple years old, still have warranty and will happily do all the glider stuff needed except they probably won't do the 3D mode in SeeYou. Most of these laptops seem to be going for $300-$500 I suspect they'd all do the 3d mode just fine, based on the fact my 4 year old Dell desktop (650 mhz, 256mb memory, Nvidia display) handles the 3 D mode just fine. My 2 year old Toshiba laptop (1 ghz, 256mb memory, Intel graphics controller) also handles the 3D mode perfectly and more quickly. My 8 year old Toshiba (100 mhz, 40 mb memory) also ran earlier versions of Seeyou (whatever version was current in Sept 2002, when I stopped using the laptop) well, but I don't remember if the 3D version was out then. -- Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly Eric Greenwell Washington State USA |
#5
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3D is very dependent on the video card. I have a P3 700mhz laptop
that won't even think about 3D. My recommendation for a budget laptop for soaring is based on my own perspective which won't fit all sizes. I fly in a few contests so I want a laptop primarily for the days where we use pilot selected turnpoints. Before I turn in my scorecard, I want to be able to verify that I've made all the turnpoints that I've claimed and that I've claimed all the turnpoints that I've made. The 2D mode is more than adequate for post flight analysis and self flagellation. FM Eric Greenwell wrote in message ... Fred Mueller wrote: I'm also looking to replace my aging (falling apart) laptop with a used laptop. www.dellauction.com Appears that these are laptops returned off lease. Most of them are a couple years old, still have warranty and will happily do all the glider stuff needed except they probably won't do the 3D mode in SeeYou. Most of these laptops seem to be going for $300-$500 I suspect they'd all do the 3d mode just fine, based on the fact my 4 year old Dell desktop (650 mhz, 256mb memory, Nvidia display) handles the 3 D mode just fine. My 2 year old Toshiba laptop (1 ghz, 256mb memory, Intel graphics controller) also handles the 3D mode perfectly and more quickly. My 8 year old Toshiba (100 mhz, 40 mb memory) also ran earlier versions of Seeyou (whatever version was current in Sept 2002, when I stopped using the laptop) well, but I don't remember if the 3D version was out then. |
#6
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One word of caution re used laptops.
The Battery packs in laptops have a finite life (anything from 1 to 5yrs) on average. They can be horrendously expensive to replace. My compaq failed recently (2yrs) and the list price of a new pack in the UK was $200+. I eventually bought some new LIon batts from malaysia for $30 and soldered them into the old pack. Before you buy a used lappie ask how old it is and if the batt pack has been replaced. Most have dates on them so its easy to check but if the answer is 3yrs+ I would budget for a new pack in the price. rgds "Fred Mueller" wrote in message om... I'm also looking to replace my aging (falling apart) laptop with a used laptop. www.dellauction.com Appears that these are laptops returned off lease. Most of them are a couple years old, still have warranty and will happily do all the glider stuff needed except they probably won't do the 3D mode in SeeYou. Most of these laptops seem to be going for $300-$500 (Snead1) wrote in message ... I am considering an upgrade of my lap top computer. I am operating a LX 7000 and Cambridge GPS NAV in the glider. I am also using Seeyou. I would like a screen that is more visable in the sun. I am also concerned with the serial interface with the two flight computers and turning in data logs to scorers. What has worked out well? Bill Snead 6W |
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Stephen Haley wrote:
One word of caution re used laptops. The Battery packs in laptops have a finite life (anything from 1 to 5yrs) on average. They can be horrendously expensive to replace. My compaq failed recently (2yrs) and the list price of a new pack in the UK was $200+. I eventually bought some new LIon batts from malaysia for $30 and soldered them into the old pack. Before you buy a used lappie ask how old it is and if the batt pack has been replaced. Most have dates on them so its easy to check but if the answer is 3yrs+ I would budget for a new pack in the price. Good advice, but be alerted prices vary quite a bit. I paid US$90 for a new battery pack for my 2 year old Toshiba laptop FROM Toshiba! Cheaper than the other "no name" vendors. Toshiba offers returned/refurbished laptops like Dell does, and HP probably also. -- Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly Eric Greenwell Washington State USA |
#8
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Here is a cheaper solution to the problem of a dead laptop battery:
Get a power converter that you plug into your car's 12V power outlet. That, and a short extension cord: Drive up to your glider, hook it all up, and never worry about a dead laptop battery. You always have your tow vehicle with you anyway, so why not use it's battery? My setup? A free Toshiba Satellite 2545XCDT (I just asked around and a friend handed it to me - dead battery, too slow, no longer useful at his place of business) running Win98, and $40 for the power converter at CompUSA. Runs SeeYou just fine (3D is a bit slow), talks to my SN10 and GR1000 logger in a DOS window, has a real serial port, and if it breaks I just use my other laptop until I can find another cheap replacement. 66 |
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