Mayonnaise

need some help with a computer issue.

I have a Mac desktop for home use. It's all good and will continue to do the bulk of m computing.

Want to run WKO+ with my power meter. I know you can run it on Mac but not without issues.

My plan is to get a super basic used PC laptop that would be used only for training/racing.

I'd take it to my races so I'd probably want wifi to access googlemaps (and maybe other things you could recommend)

Does anyone take a laptop with them to their races?

I've never stepped into the PC world as I've been a mac user since day one, so I need a bit of help deciding what to buy.

Very basic, gently used, proper software to run current programs.

Advice?

derath

Why not a small macbook and parallels?

jkizzle

cause macbooks are ridiculously overpriced.

ted ward

Perhaps an asus eee pc would fit your needs -- easy to travel with, cheap, and powerful enough. The small screen might get annoying for viewing charts but it will work fine.

Markok765

A Toughbook?

raptor3x

Bingo.

ridethecliche

Yeah, I've seen Asus laptops on sale at bestbuy and the like for really good prices.

stevesurf

Right on target if the OP is looking for:

extremely rugged case

super bright screen

conversion to tablet pc (rotating, touch screen)

upgradeable and removeable HDD caddy

I'm using a Panasonic CF-18 right now and it's quite bright in the sunlight. The only downsides are shorter battery life than laptops in its class, and no built-in disk drive

The latest model is the CF-19

WCroadie

A pc laptop is a contradiction, you get either a pc or a laptop.

Check out https://www.newegg.com They usually have some nice deals and their shipping is fast and customer service is great

ted ward

So my laptop is not a personal computer? Does that mean I have to share?

You're confusing PC with desktop.

UmneyDurak

Don't really see the point in chugging a laptop to races. Only exception is if it's multi day race, and you are staying at location. If you just want to run WKO+ invest in VMWare Fusion install Windows in it, and you can run windows software. I have T42p laptop and basically run Linux on it, but I have VMPlayer installed just for the power software.

fly:yes/land:no

thinkpad t30? people love their thinkpads. i am getting a t42 sometimes this year.

kensuf

I have a 6 year old Gateway solo which I use for downloading my HRM data. My other computers are macs or linux boxes. I don't see any reason to spend cash just on a laptop for "races" -- just find something older and cheap that's capable of running winders xp and has 512mb of ram on ebay and be happy.

Use the cash you've saved on gas and entry fees.

carpediemracing 

I have one of the many HP Pavilions that are on sale, AMD Athlonx2 driven. 2.5 GB RAM (subbed a 2 GB DIMM for a 500 MB one), no other mods, Vista. It's my bike laptop - website for the race, blog stuff, cycling writing stuff, WKO+, SRM software, bike pics, whatever.

Built in wifi although I also have external USB wifi cards.

Also got a broadband card (Verizon) so I can check out stuff even without wifi. Got it specifically so I could post race results from my race without having to drive home (takes me 2.5 hours).

I'm an ex-IT guy, linux biased, but for me this thing is fine. I'm kinda burnt on IT so I haven't cared enough to buy a second/third/whatever drive and build various linux setups for it. Functionally it's fine and that's all that matters to me. I'm a Campy person but our tandem has a Shimano drivetrain (with Ergo levers). Same deal.

I'd get a smaller one, 14 or 15" screen. I got the 17" since I use it mainly at home, but it's just a monster to carry around, and bags are harder to find. I was contemplating getting a second, smaller one but it's not in my budget for now. Maybe later. If I were to get a second one I'd buy a 14" screen one. I'd buy the same type I have now, it's been good to me.

btw Pez had coverage on some Astana camp and he points out a "huge" laptop that Bruyneel or someone has. It's the 17" HP. Advantages of the large size - two hard drive capacity for backing up data. Numpad. Not sure what else.

You can pick up similar laptops for about $500-600 with the smaller screen from the big stores out there (I got mine at Staples but I buy most of my computer type stuff through newegg.com). Shop carefully, make sure you have 2+ GB of RAM for Vista. I think I paid $800 for mine with the extra memory which I installed.

I bring mine to races even if I just have the Google map on the screen so I can reference it. I rarely use it though, too big and bulky to pull out for anything but an emergency. I have used it to navigate at night, it's great having a lit up 17" monitor for making sure I'm going the right way.

hope this helps,
cdr

UmneyDurak

If you are getting T series I highly recommend going with one that has Core 2 Duo. At this point T42 is showing it's age.

ericm979

I'd recommend a used or refurbished Thinkpad. I've had three or four refurbished ones and they have always worked well and been cheap. I run Linux on mine, but this T30 I'm typing on now also runs WKO+ under vmware.

merckx89

i was having the same problem deciding what to do up until a little while ago too. The easiest and best thing that I found was to VNC a PC from your mac. You can still control everything from your mac, no need for a monitor keyboard or mouse, just the PC box. If you set it up right you can also access it from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection. (i.e. leave the box at home and view it from your race, as long as you have internet.) If you factor in the price of parellels, a new copy of windows, and the hassle it takes to install, it almost just as cheap to just pick up a box off of craiglist or ebay. Doesn't need to be fast, just run.