Laptop for Durametric

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I got a Durametric diagnostic kit for the Cayenne and need to get a PC laptop for it.

Will something like this work?

https://www.microcenter.com/product/623931/acer-chromebook-311-cb311-9h-c12a-116-laptop-computer---silver

Or do I need to spend a little more for this

https://www.microcenter.com/product/625687/acer-aspire-3-a315-56-36rx-156-laptop-computer---gray

or something else?

[Neilk]

I was curious about that, so I googled the system reqs here, and they require Windows.

System Requirements
The computer on which you install Durametric should meet or exceed the specifications listed here:

Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, or 10 (32- or 64-bit versions). WinRT not supported.
1.8 GHz, dual-core processor (ARM processor such as on Windows Surface using WinRT not supported)
1 GB Memory (RAM)
1 GB available disk space
Available USB port

[rusnak]

Yep. Needs Windows OS.

I've used several laptops with the Durametric Pro. First one was a basic Dell, which the battery crapped out on, then a Lenovo, and now a PD.

[WPOZZZ]

Do you have an old Windows laptops from the past 5 years? Those will probably work with the specs above.

[island911]

I use a Surface Pro.

Any Windows machine with a standard USB should work.

[john70t]

A tablet on a mount seems like a better solution.
Slip in and go.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

Do you have an old Windows laptops from the past 5 years? Those will probably work with the specs above.

While in a past life I was an application developer using VB and SQL, I've never personally owned a PC. Been a Mac evangelist since 1985.

It looks like the Acer Aspire 3 will work fine for what I need to do.

[p911dad]

I use my everyday old Thinkpad with Windows 10. No problems whatever.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

While in a past life I was an application developer using VB and SQL, I've never personally owned a PC. Been a Mac evangelist since 1985.

It looks like the Acer Aspire 3 will work fine for what I need to do.

If you've got an Intel Mac laptop just toss VMware Player or Virtualbox on it and Install Windows as a VM.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I do but it's set up with a stand and monitor, etc. and hate take it all apart. Just was on Apple.com buying a new M1 Mac Mini and looked at getting an M1 Air. That would have been the same price as the Mini + Acer so I got the Mini and will have a dedicated book for the Cayenne and bonus, the 928 as well as friend's cars.

[Nickshu]

I don't think Durametric takes a lot of computing power. I run mine on an old low spec laptop and it works fine.

[911_Dude]

I bought a old laptop with Win7 on ebay for $100. Comparatively, its a piece of junk, but it runs the Durametric software, as well as a few other engine diagnostic programs that require windoz just fine. It doesnt take much HP for these programs.

Make sure it has a USB, wifi, and a optical drive is handy.

[blucille]

Why not run parallels or windows on boot camp? I haven’t installed the durametric software, but I have a lot of work related software that “requires” a pc for various reasons and all of it works flawlessly on my MacBook running parallels.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I know Durametric can run on a computer probably 10 maybe even 20 years old just fine. The only reason I want something new is I need it to work, no excuses (other than it's a PC), it just needs to work. A new computer makes sense because at this stage in life time is more valuable than money. The last thing I want to do is try to figure out why an old PC laptop isn't working.

Lewis, I almost bought an M1 Macbook Air in place of the M1 Mini and an Acer to do just that. Parallels works perfectly fine on my iMac for Quickbooks. But again, I don't want to have to take things apart to use the Durametric even if I use it 3 times a year, and will probably more between the Cayenne, 928 and friend's cars. The Mini I'm using for staging and sorting and then sorting and packing. 21" and 27" screens are too small, getting a 42" which will pay for itself in one large plating run. Once it's set up, it stays put.

Sorting a thousand and more pieces to make sure each customer gets exactly their hardware back takes quite some time.

[911_Dude]

I didnt know a Durametric could do plating as well. Fascinating.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

[David]

I bought a new $300 Acer just for durametric and motec and the computer is way too slow. I’ve probably lost hours of my life waiting for the thing to boot up and for programs to start. I should have spent more.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Which one did you get David?

[island911]

consumer computers seem to have an inverse relation between cost and bloatware.

Perhaps do a fresh install of an older Windos OS.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Nickshu

I don't think Durametric takes a lot of computing power. I run mine on an old low spec laptop and it works fine.

so an i3 would work?