Cheap Laptop For Garage?

[JWC86]

IMO a Chromebook is ideal for your intended purpose.

Thanks I'll look deeper into it.

 

[meep]

The dell refurbished website is my go-to recommendation now. You can get good, off lease equipment with a 1 year warranty. Spend for what was initially not the entry level stuff, but decent business grade. Easier to maintain.

 

[JWC86]

If I went with a Chromebook for this application do you guys think I would regret it? I have no experience with them.

 

[Nukeman7]

If I went with a Chromebook for this application do you guys think I would regret it? I have no experience with them.

Not at all. I switched exclusively to Chromebooks 8 years ago and gave up on Windows laptops forever. The only real drawback is that you have to have a Gmail account and WiFi signal (or a hotspot connection) for the Chromebook to connect. The mere fact that you cannot get malware or a virus on a Chromebook, therefore no need for anti-virus software, makes it a foolproof choice.

I compare a Chromebook to a refrigerator...you turn it on and it works. No maintenance, no headaches, no fuss.

If you decide to go with a Chromebook, get one with 8 Gb of RAM, since it will run much faster and smoother than only 4 Gb of RAM.

 

[72C10]

I think you would only regret it if there were certain Windows software that you may want to install in the future. I have both and if you just need it for browsing, videos and docs, a Chromebook will be fine, and cheap.

 

[meep]

I think you would only regret it if there were certain Windows software that you may want to install in the future. I have both and if you just need it for browsing, videos and docs, a Chromebook will be fine, and cheap.

Is forscan or other OBD2 software of interest?

 

[meep]

For the money, you might be better off sticking a desktop up on a shelf and bolting the monitor to the wall, and running a long usb cable for obd2 hookup and the like.

 

[andrew_j]

Chromebooks are great at purpose however beyond limiting if you want to do something beyond running web applications.

I’d buy inexpensive Win laptop in your case.

 

[97prizm]

I'd like to get a cheap laptop to keep in my shop, primary use will be viewing PDF service manuals, watching youtube and web browsing when needed.

I'm leaning towards a Windows based unit rather than Chrome as I like to use actual PDF programs like Adobe rather than using a web browser for PDFs but maybe you can get decent PDF programs for a chromebook?

I really have no idea what I'm doing or looking for so any help is greatly appreciated!

I picked up a Lenovo at Walmart for $300 a couple of years ago. It does the job.

 

[skyactiv]

Give us feedback on your new Chromebook once you get some use on it.

 

[JWC86]

Thanks for the help guys.
Just ordered this:

Lenovo ThinkPad T480s 14" Laptop Intel Core i5-8th Gen 16GB Memory 256GB NVME SSD Windows 10 Pro HDMI ​

Was $300CAD($219USD)

I think it will serve the purpose well

 

[nthach]

Thanks for the help guys.
Just ordered this:

Lenovo ThinkPad T480s 14" Laptop Intel Core i5-8th Gen 16GB Memory 256GB NVME SSD Windows 10 Pro HDMI ​

Was $300CAD($219USD)

I think it will serve the purpose well

And you can upgrade that to Windows 11 too.

Personally, I use an iPad Pro 11” gen 2(M1 powered, it’s basically a MacBook Air M1 but hobbled with iOS in tablet form) in the garage. If I need a PC, I have a Lenovo ThinkPad P40 Yoga, X1 Carbon Gen 5 and a Dell Precision 3541 to choose from.

My scan tool(ThinkCar ThinkDiag 2) runs best on Android so I have it running on my old work Galaxy S10e. Thinking of getting an Android tablet - either a Galaxy Tab or Pixel tablet.

 

[JWC86]

So I’m setting up the new laptop(seems nice for the price).

Do I want the upgrade to Windows 11?

 

[wag123]

So I’m setting up the new laptop(seems nice for the price).

Do I want the upgrade to Windows 11?

Might as well do it now before you get too many things on it. MS is ending support for Windows 10 next summer.

 

[John105]

If you want something for the shop, find an old Toughbook. Something like this would be perfect as you can use it in tablet mode under hood while viewing PDF's:

Panasonic Toughbook CF-19

I’ve got a few of these and in 2024 they may be too old. Don’t get me wrong if free they can be used. I was so into them I even bought stylus and lanyards online, spare AC adapters, the CF-20s are way better but I was never given any, can be a tablet….I’d go on eBay and get a $300 thinkpad or something myself….with a properly licensed OS…

 

[14Accent]

Fair enough, most of those units are pretty aged in 2023. My current 8560p certainly is, but it's got plenty of zip with an SSD for my daily needs.