Society of Robots - Robot Forum

General Misc => Misc => Topic started by: SeagullOne on April 11, 2008, 07:12:57 PM

Title: Where to buy a cheap laptop
Post by: SeagullOne on April 11, 2008, 07:12:57 PM: In my continuing project to build my robot, Nina, I'm considering buying a relatively inexpensive laptop that can be mounted on the base section and used the master processor. The Biggest program on the laptop would be roborealm, but it will also be running some python scripts, which I've tested on my personal computer and they work great. I'm thinking about buying one that isn't too fancy-shmachy, but has at least enough CPU and virtual memory to run Roborealm. I'm thinking about reinstalling the operating system using a program that will allow me to select the bare minimum of what's needed to run my robot's processing, hence saving virtual memory. Addditionaly circuitry, such as a PIC controll board, a sabertooth motor controller, and a lynxmotion SSC serial servo controller will talk to this laptop computer via USB and serial ports.

Do any of you have suggestions on where I can purchase a decent one for a relatively inexpensive price. My budget for this laptop will be about 500-800 dollars.

Thanx
Title: Re: Where to buy a cheap laptop
Post by: Steve Joblin on April 11, 2008, 07:42:05 PM: cheap, small laptops are all the rage... Walmart is selling the Everex for $400 online... http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8245470 the Asus Eee PC sells for about 300.

Of course, there is always ebay and craigslist for buying a used one.
Title: Re: Where to buy a cheap laptop
Post by: JesseWelling on April 11, 2008, 08:54:18 PM: I like thinkpads.

IBM Used Laptop Store (http://www-132.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=2576396&storeId=1&catalogId=-840&langId=-1)
Title: Re: Where to buy a cheap laptop
Post by: airman00 on April 12, 2008, 08:07:25 PM: mini ITX
Title: Re: Where to buy a cheap laptop
Post by: JesseWelling on April 12, 2008, 08:51:24 PM: Mini-itx is overrated for hobby robotics. If you are going to go with a 'headless' system (e.g. no monitor, just computing power), The cheaper and more power efficient way to go is Gumstix (http://gumstix.com/) or some other Embedded ARM Solution (http://www.embeddedarm.com/index.php).
Title: Re: Where to buy a cheap laptop
Post by: airman00 on April 12, 2008, 10:37:08 PM: Quote from: JesseWelling on April 12, 2008, 08:51:24 PM
Mini-itx is overrated for hobby robotics.

depends what your application is ( a.ka. voice recognition, remote server robot)
and i know all these can be done with their own designated circuit , but a regular computer onboard makes it easier and less likely to fail
Title: Re: Where to buy a cheap laptop
Post by: JesseWelling on April 13, 2008, 05:19:21 PM: Most embedded ARM solutions (including the two that I posted) run Linux. That's not regular? :-\