Inexpensive Ham Laptop Suggestions?

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Andrew Pearson

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Apr 11, 2021, 9:52:59 PM4/11/21
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What successes or suggestions do you have for a basic Windows laptop to manage the ham radio software, WSJT, Winlink, N1MM from a Costco or BestBuy - or perhaps more importantly, what to avoid? What doesn't play well with connecting to your radio? Looking at portable for POTA or mobile ops. It's the only purpose of the laptop. I've got other computers to use for other purposes. 2 usb ports, and hdmi port for a larger screen for my tired eyes. 

I'm beginning to look for replacing my old Dell Latitude laptop dinosaur. It's really heavy, 17" screen and it is grinding slower and slower with each passing year. Each sneaky Windows update puts it out of service until I can work my way in and reverse the update. I've tried using Linux in the past and have done several work arounds along the way; but, I've got a day job and just don't want to spend long amounts of time studying how make computer software to work or repair it to make it operate and want to spend more time working concetrating on the radio-side - if you get my drift. 


Andrew, N4RCE


Doug Bates

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Apr 11, 2021, 10:05:05 PM4/11/21
to Andrew Pearson, valleyhams
Andrew,
There will probably be a boatload of used laptops hitting the market soon, my daughter and her boyfriend both used part of their $1400 to purchase new laptops, and gave away their prior laptops to dear old Dad. 😂
Be aware that WSJT-X needs time sync pretty close to decode the faster FTx modes, problems rovers have to deal with to use FTx modes.
73

Doug Bates KV4ZY
Sent from my Verizon mobile phone.

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Roger

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Apr 12, 2021, 7:14:44 AM4/12/21
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Andrew:
Chromebook running Linux with Codeweaver for your Window$ programs.  $219 on Amazon.
Roger N1XP

Detrick Merz

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Apr 12, 2021, 10:21:18 AM4/12/21
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Rover here. A raspberry pi with an inexpensive GPSr dongle makes for a fine enough NTP server. Jitter tends to be a tad high, but certainly the time accuracy is plenty fine for these digital modes. Power and weight requirements are also very friendly for portable ops.

-deeter
K4IZ

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Greg Butler

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Apr 12, 2021, 10:25:39 AM4/12/21
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Roger,

Will Codeweaver allow Winlink Express to work on the Chromebook?

Greg, KW6GB

RileyC

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Apr 12, 2021, 10:41:30 AM4/12/21
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I like used Lenovo(old IBM) think pads.

Windows 10 is a resource hog, I would go with at least 8GB Ram, and prefer 16GB.
You can find some good used ones on Ebay.

Linux for Ham radio has come a long way, if you ever want to try again, look up KM4ACK on youtube. 

Riley
kf4emz




Bob VanFossen

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Apr 12, 2021, 1:58:51 PM4/12/21
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I agree with Riley.  The Think Pad is hard to beat.  Tiger Direct has refurbished Lenovo’s at an attractive price.  I currently am running one (a T40) with Flex Radio software, WSJT-X, N1MM, and other programs.  The first thing I did was replace the HDD with a Solid State drive. Performance is very good.

 

I am a little prejudiced, as The Lenovo is really an IBM Laptop, and I was with the company a long time.

 

Bob, K4DJG

 

From: valle...@googlegroups.com [mailto:valle...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of RileyC
Sent: Monday, April 12, 2021 10:41 AM
To: Andrew Pearson
Cc: valle...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [Valley Hams] Inexpensive Ham Laptop Suggestions?

 

I like used Lenovo(old IBM) think pads.

 

Windows 10 is a resource hog, I would go with at least 8GB Ram, and prefer 16GB.

You can find some good used ones on Ebay.

 

Linux for Ham radio has come a long way, if you ever want to try again, look up KM4ACK on youtube. 

 

Riley

kf4emz

.

Roger

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Apr 13, 2021, 5:31:59 PM4/13/21
to Greg Butler, valle...@googlegroups.com
Yes

Countryboy

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Apr 27, 2021, 12:29:57 PM4/27/21
to Roger, valle...@googlegroups.com
Excuse me if this info is now out of date but I can highly recommend Knight Owl Computers in Dayton.  He’s one of the few people left that makes a living by refurbishing computers.  Does a great job and services a lot of local businesses.  The other day when I stopped in he had several new looking Dell Latitudes for around $375.  

For what it’s worth.  

Jon



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