Laptop for race trailer
 

For the new season, I need a new laptop. What is a good product in the $350.00 - $450.00 price range?

Re: Laptop for race trailer
 

I’m considering this to take advantage of the Black Friday deals...

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-pavi...?skuId=6404882

Following to see other (better) options folks have spotted...

Re: Laptop for race trailer
 

I have had better luck buying off lease corporate laptops. They are typically more ruggit and had higher processing speeds and will cost you less then the cheap ones in the box stores

Re: Laptop for race trailer
 

I bought a ASUS laptop at Best Buy for around $300 and it's been great.

Re: Laptop for race trailer
 

I have a 17" HP, with a AMD processor.
AMDs are cheaper than Intel ones and I have never had an issue with one.
I have always had good luck with HP Laptops and have had several others, for other purposes, around my house.

Unless you intend to buy an external monitor, the 17" screen is as big as you can get.
Solid state drives are all the rage now and they are more robust than the traditional drives. The robustness comes at an extra cost though.

Also, make sure that whatever software you need, for your racing, is compatible with the operating system and that the correct drivers are available.
The MSD Grid software was a challenge.
And, this year, I needed to upgrade the Autometer Stack Software, while at the track, to get my run data to download from my tach.

Re: Laptop for race trailer
 

What are some of your sources for these?
Thanks!

Re: Laptop for race trailer
 

Some of the best deals you can get are from the Dell Business Outlet store.

https://www.dell.com/en-us/dfb/shop/.../cp/outlet-dfb

Re: Laptop for race trailer
 

I love the Dell Latitude Series. Preferably the D820 or D830 (820 is a slightly smaller unit than the D830)
They can found on amazon or any other online retailer refurbbed for less than $250.
Biggest benefit is they have a serial port, whereas nothing manufactured anymore does. Your older digital MSD ignitions, and anything Racepak still uses the antiquated serial port, so you don't have to mess with the troublesome USB to serial to USB adaptor.

Re: Laptop for race trailer
 

Look for a computer repair shop, we have one close that is run by some sharp young computer techs, they get computers from the local community college, they refurbish them. Only thing on it when they are done is Windows 10, internet Explorer and Chrome. None of that nonsense you get with a new one. About $300 for a Dell Lattitude.

Randy Wells
I/S 5628

Re: Laptop for race trailer
 

The Dell outlet is a good source, sometimes they have dent and scratch or refurbs for great prices. I've purchased several through their site and never had an issue.

Re: Laptop for race trailer
 

As part of my IT career, I briefly repaired Dell products in people's homes, as the company, who bought our national customer service division had the service contract for Dell.
I found the product substandard and could not believe the poor tech support these people were getting from Dell.
Often, when I showed up on site with the part, which we were contracted to replace, I knew that the part was not going to resolve the issue. But, I had to replace the part anyway as that is what we were being paid for.

It was no big deal if it was a graphic or sound card, but it was a huge deal if it was a laptop motherboard.

I also came across two instances where the PC configuration was not tested before being sold. One of those created a huge issue for the customer as he was under contract with Disney to do animation. It was a simple solution and no one at Dell was capable of even finding the cause.

Now, this was 20 years ago and a lot has changed, but it has always left a sour taste in my mouth.
This experience was also what made me quit that job and move my career in a different direction.

Re: Laptop for race trailer
 

When you have a mass produced product, especially in the early days, you would have experienced problems.

I do not work for Dell, nevertheless, they have one of the best products out there. As a matter of fact, my former aerospace employer only uses Dell. Every single aerospace company and airlines I have dealt with, including Honeywell, Raytheon, Collins Aerospace and others, use Dell. The only other product you may see at these companies are Apple products used for sales and marketing activities.

In the field, we used the Dell line of rugged laptops that are sealed to water and dust and also protected to EMI and meet or exceed the MIL-SPEC standards. Most of the laptops used by law enforcement are the rugged versions of either Dell or Panasonic.

Panasonic is another computer manufacturer that makes a great product, mostly for business and government oriented applications. However, their prices makes them one of the most expensive in the market.

When I managed some years ago a Trophy Truck engine development program, due to the harsh environment of desert races, the teams were having lots of trouble with the HP laptops that carried the ECU and other related racing programs. Due to static, dirt sediment would accumulate on the screen and get inside the laptop and also they needed to be covered during rain and sunlight would not allow you see the screen. I procured a few of the Dell rugged laptops and all the issues the teams experiences at the races went away.

I have seen great deals on used Dell Rugged laptops on both the Dell website and Ebay.

https://www.delltechnologies.com/en-us/rugged/index.htm

Re: Laptop for race trailer
 

In all tools, there is a huge difference in quality between consumer, business and commercial equipment.

My Dell experience was with consumer and commercial Dells.

I have had two older Dells at work, as we recycle our equipment, and the last two did not survive the fall from a ladder, while I was working on a valve actuator.

As this discussion was for a trailer laptop, the chances are good that it will be a consumer product.

I always enjoy learning from other peoples' experiences. It has helped me make more informed choices.

Re: Laptop for race trailer
 

Agree, I have seen not only Dell laptops self-destruct from falls but also many other brands including a laptop dropped by a TSA employee at the airport.