Laptop for race trailer

Dragsinger · 11-26-2020, 09:32 AM

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

jmcarter · 11-26-2020, 09:47 AM

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...

SGSST109E · 11-26-2020, 10:12 AM

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

bykr · 11-26-2020, 01:45 PM

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

Cdncarnut · 11-26-2020, 03:08 PM

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.

340Cuda · 11-27-2020, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGSST109E

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

What are some of your sources for these?
Thanks!

SSDiv6 · 11-27-2020, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 340Cuda

What are some of your sources for these?
Thanks!

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

Ben Holt · 11-27-2020, 03:12 PM

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.

Randy Wells · 11-27-2020, 05:58 PM

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

FrankM · 11-27-2020, 06:34 PM

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.

11-26-2020, 09:32 AM	#1
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	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? __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

11-26-2020, 09:47 AM	#2
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,287 Likes: 2,350 Liked 3,154 Times in 965 Posts	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... __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table

11-26-2020, 10:12 AM	#3
SGSST109E Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 351 Likes: 62 Liked 126 Times in 61 Posts	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

11-26-2020, 01:45 PM	#4
bykr Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: SoCal Posts: 232 Likes: 274 Liked 167 Times in 81 Posts	Re: Laptop for race trailer I bought a ASUS laptop at Best Buy for around $300 and it's been great. __________________ Tim Schmackpfeffer 762 SS

11-26-2020, 03:08 PM	#5
Cdncarnut Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 213 Likes: 382 Liked 56 Times in 31 Posts	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. __________________ Thomas NHRA 1959 D/SA

11-27-2020, 03:12 PM	#8
Ben Holt Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 142 Likes: 3 Liked 112 Times in 40 Posts	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.

11-27-2020, 05:58 PM	#9
Randy Wells Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Warsaw, Mo Posts: 719 Likes: 637 Liked 1,144 Times in 354 Posts	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

11-27-2020, 06:34 PM	#10
FrankM Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 98 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts	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.