So I'm looking at a laptop for my daughters and thinking it is way more $$$ than I want to spend for them to mostly go online to play games. I might as well get something that I can serve double duty as an engine tuning laptop.

I want to spend NOT a lot more than $200. The tablets and the Chromebooks aer in that price range but they are not going to work. You cant load software (such as Dynojet Autotune or Bazzaz Z-AFM tuning software) to them; you just access what software and apps that are available to chromebooks and tablets through the net. Most of the memory for tablets and chromebooks is also stored online and you have to pay to access it after two years of ownership.

So what kind of cheap windows based laptop can I get to use the internet, do word processing and do engine tuning. ...or am I just expecting too much to for too little?

* Last updated by: Rook on 12/10/2013 @ 7:59 AM *

Three years ago I bought four used computers to be used to teach basic computers class to some of our clinic patients. One of those computers is a Dell Inspiron 1501 notebook. This little notebook is so reliable that it has become the main computer I use at home. It is my workhorse for editing Youtube videos and Adobe Photoshop photo editing. You can probably find one on Ebay for less than $100.00. Good luck.

Kofla

2010 ZX-14 MotoVlog

Wow, thanks, Kolfa. That satisfies the engine tuning laptop needs. Ebay is a bit of a risk when dealing with private parties. Maybe I will find an actual online store with some used laptops.

I Googled Ebay laptop used and this came up.

What do you think? Should I go for it?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Inspiron-Mini-Netbook-Christmas-Laptop-Sale-Computer-Electronic-Cheap-/181277452443

* Last updated by: Rook on 12/10/2013 @ 11:02 AM *

Rook any small net books will be fine.
Most run a paired down version of windows 7.
Don't worry about the no disc drive.
Nearly all programs or software can be downloaded directly from the supplier but check first for your applications.
The netbooks are cheap and brand new have awesome speed.
there as power full as the full size laptop you linked to.
HP Mini & ASUS are the pick of the 2.
There quite a good bit of gear and still fairly workshop/toolkit tough.
They have Wi-Fi so they can be online in the shed without wires through the house network.

thank yo 1400R. The used full-on laptops I have seen sometimes are sold without operating system....not a good deal if you have to buy a new OS.

I plan to pick between these two:
HP Silver refurb $288

ASUS Satellite $278
Has Windows 8 and a small selection of software brand new. Larger storage capacity. NO DVD SLOT? I don't use that for much more than watching movies but I have used that for engine tuning software and map upload. I'm not sure I feel comfortable without that. I might need that in the future.

* Last updated by: Rook on 12/10/2013 @ 9:29 PM *

I think any small computer that is already loaded, also includes AC adapter, battery, and battery charger should do just fine. Read the small print, like you said, some of them the hard drive has been wiped clean and you need to install a new operating system.

Kofla

2010 ZX-14 MotoVlog

AS long as there is a USB port you can load any software yall want. Can use an external optical drive, image or copy of disc on thumbdrive, or a USB hard drive.

My limited experience with tuning software showed it takes a very small amount of resources, and an older pc would do just fine.

Ron

..yes but the kids have to play their internet games too. lol that will take a little more power.

Rook I bought a gateway computer just for working on the bikes. 200 dollars was all I paid second hand. It was small enough that I could take it with me on map runs. Cheap Cheap cheap but does the job. Fits on the tank with velcro lol As far as games I have my doubts any small computer has the video card for todays games. Well not a cheap one anyway ?

* Last updated by: Romans on 12/12/2013 @ 12:58 PM *

Thanks Romes. I'm getting the message that high end is not the thing to look for. At this point, I'm just going with the HP I found at Walmart. I will keep this thread saved though because I have a feeling I will be going and buying another smaller, less expensive machine just for tuning.

If they are just playing Flash based games, candy crunch, etc, they do not need alot of video or compute power. Buy cheapest at Wally World, and upgrade if necessary. They will let you return it, no questions asked. Costco and Sam's Club will do so also. The later give you 90 days. Think Walmart may also. Personally if I wanted one to tune with, I'd get a netbook type machine. Use a thumb drive to load software, and not be worried about destrying it on the bike. That should also handle Flash games fine. Just a smallish screen.

^^^^^TOTALLY what I am thinking.

Glad to know that 1 GB will handle the simple free games online like Frogger and PacMan. My 8 year old has not yet discovered the ultra-realistic (and gruesome) combat games yet!

I'm checking Walmart tonight for a 10.1" Gateway. ...or they are online for $200

I can hook up a CD R/W if necessary, the compactness is what really counts and that will probably be best for my little girls too. We will get a more advanced computer when they really need that.

I got the refurbished Gateway for $200. I think the price could have been a little lower but this is really exactly what I need and I don't think the kids would notice any real dif for a few years. Pretty hard to cover all the bases perfectly. I can always get another more powerful computer for the kids and I am pretty sure I will be hanging on to this one just for tuning. It is very light and very thin. Basically a tablet with attached keyboard and hard drive.

Thanks for all the help in deciding. I'm confident I got the best thing.

Got the Gateway LT 4010 today. NIce but the touchpad.. I sure hope a mouse can be used with this because the touchpad is horrible.

I can't use this piece of shit. I'm sending back. Will be buying a brand new one if they have them down at Best Buy.

This is why I NEVER pay more than half price for used. Manufacturer refurbished my ASS! JUNK@!

you have to have a reasonable charge in the battery or else the touchpad does NOT work...not even powered with teh AC adapter.....touchpad must run off the battery at all times?? IDK just very glad this thing works.

sorry for being a grouch

...as I post alone to no one but myself...

lol

you have to have a reasonable charge in the battery or else the touchpad does NOT work...not even powered with teh AC adapter.....touchpad must run off the battery at all times??

Sorry to hear, I've been running my Dell Inspiron laptop with the AC adapter, without the battery plugged in for the past two years.

Kofla

2010 ZX-14 MotoVlog

It's cool Kolfa. I just have to make sure the battery has a tiny charge in it. IDK how much...less than 20% I'd say. The battery was at 0% when I first plugged it in but I expected it would work as it should with the AC like yours apparently does. We can live with it. This computer will not be in daily use and if it is, we'll just have to make sure it is plugged in each night.

The charger works while the computer is in use on AC and that is how it is suggested that the user work with it whenever possible. This extends battery life and of course keeps the battery at max charge so it is ready for 4.5 hours of use on DC should that be needed.

Its under 2 lbs. Not a heck of a lot bigger than my daughters 3DS game system LOL!

I think a USB mouse may be an option....IDK...specs say touchpad but they do not mention USB mouse....wireless mouse maybe? Touchpad works great so that is fine. We are trying to keep it simple.

I hate to state the obvious, but you did have the touchpad on, right? Alot of portable machines have the ability to turn off with a button. Battery charge does not afect touch pad working or not. Have repaired lots and lots of units, and never heard that one.

And for the record, alot of refurbed units actually had no defects. User error more than 90 percent of the time. At least it was when I worked at HP, and Lenovo.

I hate to state the obvious, but you did have the touchpad on, right?

for the record, alot of refurbed units actually had no defects

I did read more than a couple complaints of refurbs having crap batteries and the seller replacing with another crapper. Otherwise, not a bad way to go if the price is really good. Personally, I think it should be closer to half if there are scratches on the thing. I'll pay full price for pristine new if refurb is only 25% lower. Hell wait save and get the latest if you can't get a low price on a good used product. That's how I see it.

* Last updated by: Rook on 12/19/2013 @ 9:42 PM *

Having worked in the industry, I would not buy refurb myself. New, or used from a private individual. LOL Without knowing the history of the machine, no way of knowing what you're getting. There's is one exception, if I can put my hands on it, and "test drive", refurb may be an option.

* Last updated by: zxinit on 12/20/2013 @ 4:44 AM *

huh--I thought manufacturer refurb would be safer than a private sale. Not necessarily so, huh? Looks like I got a good unit this time. Have to remember that bit of info for the future.