Author Topic: Nilsen..more laptop/car pc discussion (Read 1173 times)

LePaul · « **on:** August 31, 2006, 08:46:25 PM »

As we were discussing the other day, here's one of the systems I was checking out...

Logic Supply

Pros:

Small
DC
No fans
Modest processing power

Cons:

Nothing Intel or AMD, all VIA processors

Here's the "goals" of what Im trying to get:

1.8 to 2.0 Ghz processing (Intel or AMD)
1gb RAM
40gb (or more) HDD
Onboard sound
NIC
Modest video out
2 USB ports
1 9-pin RS-232 port

2-4 hour power usage (either via included batteries like a laptop or in the case of a car pc type system, via external 12v battery
Laptop like dimensions, smaller is better

Price...ideally less than $1500

Now perhaps there are some laptops out there than can do this.

Let the ideas fly

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #1 on:** August 31, 2006, 08:48:54 PM »

Why does your car need a PC?

LePaul · « **Reply #2 on:** August 31, 2006, 08:54:07 PM »

Its for my robot project, the R2-D2 I've been building out of aircraft grade alu.

The artifical intelligence software (LISP) is a pretty heavy hitter CPU wise. It connects, via RS232 to the control board, which then connects to the motor controllers.

The "catch" has been finding a PC solution that is small enough to fit inside the droid, have decent power duration AND have got processing power. I've found that once you go beyond 1.3 ghz, the CPUs really guzzle power.

The Car PC types allow for connecting into an external power source, such as a 12v 7amp battery (or bigger). But those systems have been really light powered, cpu wise.

So, Im just scouting for ideas.

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #3 on:** August 31, 2006, 08:58:59 PM »

Ahhh ok.
Makes sense now.

Carry on:aok

StarOfAfrica2 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 01, 2006, 12:50:37 AM »

Ummm, I may just be stupid ........... ok hell, lets forget the "may" part ......... but why dont you just use any standard laptop you want and use a AC/DC adapter for cars? $500 will net you a new Dell laptop and $50 for a Auto adapter.

Nilsen · « **Reply #5 on:** September 01, 2006, 01:08:17 AM »

Go to Dell.com and choose laptops.

Under home systems you can shoose 12,1" models. Select the cheapest of the XPS M1210. You get to configure the system and when you get to battery you will find and option that gives you two 9cell batteries. That system has a 1,86 ghz core2 dual core cpu. It should give you plenty of power and battery time. It costs just under 1500USD.

dunno if this works, but try it: http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=M1210S1&s=dhs

There are so many options on Dell.com that can give you what you want really, and 2-4 hours battery time should be within reach of most of them. If you wait a month or so there should me more options with the core2 cpu. These cpus use less power and gives more performance than the current genereation of dual core cpus. Sometime early next year an even better mobile platform will be released by intel that giver you even more.

If you put dells aside there are even more, but i chose dell because they are available all over the world with identical specs.

Is screen size important to you at all?

snippet from the m1210 presentation:

"the M1210 is a true high-performance PC offering up to 7 hours 54 minutes of mobile use, using the optional 9-cell Lithium Ion battery."

Nilsen · « **Reply #6 on:** September 01, 2006, 01:47:23 AM »

Take a look at these 2 systems too. They both offer over 4 hours battery time and have dual core (previous generation) of 2ghz. One is a tablet but that can be practical because it has a keyb and can also be used as a regular laptop.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,126552-page,1-c,notebooks/article.html

http://www.pcworld.com/product/specs/id,28944-c,notebooks/specs.html

The Lenovo looks very strong in my book and the pcworld team likes it too.

LePaul · « **Reply #7 on:** September 01, 2006, 03:30:21 PM »

I'm checking those links out now, thanks

Screen size isnt important, actually once installed, I'll probably remote into it via wireless networking

As for the power conversion, you loose a lot there.

LePaul · « **Reply #8 on:** September 01, 2006, 03:38:15 PM »

Ok I checked the Dell's and the PC World articles.

The HP-Compaq is about $2200+

The Dell doesnt indicate to me what sort of duration the battery would give. I checked the additional battery item...I think its simply an extra battery, not an additional one in the laptop.

The Lenovo looks like a promising contender. 4 hour power life, that's impressive.

Nilsen · « **Reply #9 on:** September 01, 2006, 03:54:54 PM »

I would give Dell a call and explain your situationa and what you need. Then compare their offer with the Lenovo. Personally Id go for the Lenovo because im pretty sure it has inherited the Thinkpad quality that i have learned to trust.

Nilsen · « **Reply #10 on:** September 01, 2006, 04:02:02 PM »

Does your software need a decent GPU, or is it CPU and ram hungry only?

Mustaine · « **Reply #11 on:** September 01, 2006, 04:06:29 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Nilsen
I would give Dell a call and explain your situationa and what you need.

he calls dell and asks for a PC for his r2d2 and you think they will have an intelligent response?

Nilsen · « **Reply #12 on:** September 01, 2006, 04:09:06 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Mustaine
he calls dell and asks for a PC for his r2d2 and you think they will have an intelligent response?

He does not have to go into details... just how much battery life he needs

LePaul · « **Reply #13 on:** September 01, 2006, 04:14:03 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Nilsen
Does your software need a decent GPU, or is it CPU and ram hungry only?

Mostly CPU/RAM/ IO

Chairboy · « **Reply #14 on:** September 01, 2006, 04:22:15 PM »

If you go with a PC solution, get an Opus power supply. I'm running Windows XP on an Epia M-10000 motherboard (1ghz, 512megs RAM, 250GB storage) in my car computer. I use a 90watt Opus power supply, and it is fantastic. Built in regulator, automatic startup/shutdown. It puts my computer into hibernate everytime I shut off the car, then automatically brings it back up. It can also use Standby if you want.

I know you keep saying you need lots of CPU power, but you're trading a lot for it. Size, battery life, money, etc. I do constant realtime video recording, audio playing, movie playing, media management, GPS, and wireless network scanning from my setup, and that's with a little 1ghz processor.