winders

Surface Book or Surface Pro for looking at data and videos at the track?

Or should I look at a different setup?

Assume I am not willing to spend Mac money here.

Matt Romanowski

I've used a Surface Pro a bunch as has Roger and Peter. I know they really like it, but I find the screen a little too small. I like a 15" laptop and at the shop use a 27" monitor. We are putting a large LCD TV in the transporter for video and data work.

ProCoach

I have a constantly recirculating inventory of trackside computers that are always more than sufficient for track use that I am willing to sell. They have the latest media players, analysis programs and firmware on them for AiM, VBOX, MoTeC and Race-Keeper on them, original packaging and most if not all accessories.

Surface Pro 3 (more than enough for your purposes, plus a pen and an Intel Wireless HDMI video bridge, plug it into an HDMI monitor with USB power and you can screencast what is on the SP3 wirelessly to that monitor), Core i5, 256 GB SSD, type cover, original packaging. Originally $1800, SOLD

Surface Book (original), Core i5, 256 GB SSD, dedicated GPU in keyboard base, Surface Book Dock accessory, all original packaging, originally $2100, now $1200

For a new system, the Dell XPS 13, Lenovo Yoga and HP Envy are the three I recommend. You need a sturdy unit (metal, magnesium or aluminum case) to take to the track, IMO.

dbbarron

Have you found the touchscreen useful in the Yoga?

ProCoach

Have not used the Yoga, just like the screen and form factor.

I like, but MUST use the pen, the touchscreen on the SP3 and Surface Book.

winders

Peter,

Any keyboard issues when using a Mac laptop via bootcamp? I hear the MoTec software has some issues when used on Macs. I know I will not be using MoTec software, but wondered if AiM software had any issues of their own.

dizzy8085

I use a MacBook to run rs3 and connect to my mxl2. I use the free latest windows booted up with virtual box. Virtual box is free and it can run in a window so you can switch back and forth between windows and OS X.

It works flawlessly.

ProCoach

Have not run into any jams with function keys or any issues using i2 Pro or Race Studio Analysis (the only currently available analysis software for older and newer AiM hardware).

I use i2 Pro, RSA and CT2 dozens of times a week (hundreds of times daily on the weekend), with no trouble. Can you share with me specifics so I can test?

I know MoTeC Joe Hullett hates my touchpad! <grin> We share computers frequently. But we always seem to get done what we need to...

winders

The Dell XP 15 looks interesting. If I am going to use it for track stuff only, how much horsepower does it need?

ProCoach

For the AiM, not so much. For two times 1080P comparisons in Circuit Tools 2 or Comparo, yes.

Anything built in the last two to three years should be fine.

ir_fuel

Get yourself a Surface 4 and never look back!

winders

I want to make sure that I have enough computer to handle side by side video analysis when that is available from AiM. I'll look around some more since I am not in a huge hurry. I can use the car owner's (my wife ) lap top for now.

Thanks!

Tom W

Scott, I would doubt you would have any issues with the data analysis using any computer made in the last few years (any i5 or i7 based model). I use an older MacBook Air to run MoTeC's i2Pro with lots of math channels and compare 5 data sets side-by-side and it runs fine, even with Parallels instead of BootCamp. The issue for me is video rendering and the time it takes to do that. (I'm anxious to get my new MacBook Pro that's maxed out and see how it runs - Apple says I should have it in 2 weeks.)

winders

Tom,

I have even thought about buying a maxed out late 2016 MacBook Pro and using that as my primary computer system. I would buy a dock, external 4 drive bay, keyboard and mouse, and one of those 5K displays.

Based on the latest Geekbench scores, it is almost as fast as the fastest iMac....

Who knows. Let me know what you think of the new MacBook after you have played with it a bit.

Thanks!

ProCoach

That's what I just did. Great minds think alike, TomW?

Late 2016 13" MacBook Pro BTO with Touch Bar, Core i7, 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD. About $2900 plus accessories, but should last me more than one season... Too much flying to buy the 15" version, plus it's another $1300 over this one for no benefit in my applications.

I pick it up 12/9 at my local Apple Store.