Dedicated Laptop for Astro imaging Only

[TrevorW]

Dick Smith are advertising

Asus EeePC Netbook 1001HA for $394

1meg ram/ 160gb hard drive/ 10" screen/3 USB ports

any feedback on these

Thanks

[pmrid]

The key to the performance of these machines is in the CPU. On the 1001HA (which was only released in Europe in November) is the Intel Atom 1.6GHz N270. This is a single core (with hyperthreading) CPU running at 533MHz FSB. The model N280 runs at 667MHz but is still single core. There are newer processors on the market and more coming. The N270 is not now used in any new products that I know of. It is 'old' technology.
I suggest you wait a little or look for an ATOM CPU that is a dual-core model.
Peter

[jjjnettie]

Yep, dual or quad core is the go.

[TrevorW]

Yeah but can you get them for the price

this will only be used to run

PHD
Camera Control
and
ASCOM

[pmrid]

If the camera you want to control is your guide cam, not your principal imaging cam, you could get away with guiding with it. Ascom doesni't use much but planetarium programs generally do. Choose an ASCOM - compatible program that has low-res graphics like Cartes de Ciel and you should be OK. You'll have to do your primary imaging either wholly in-camera or on a separate machine I would think. I have tried to run Nebulosity on my EeePC and it takes forever to download images because they're 40-50MB at a time and the system just can't cope with that and the load of guiding.
Peter

[TrevorW]

I generally capture images to the camera card on the 350d but when I go over too a CCCD camera then it will be an issue ???

[Octane]

Trevor,

I have an Atom N270 eeePC. It runs PHD, Nebulosity (for capturing to the card), Starry Night Pro Plus (with the Sky Map overlay -- this takes a fair bit of grunt), and the Canon EOS Utility capture and Remote LiveView software, sometimes Digital Photo Professoinal (to review files), with Winamp running to play tunes, and sometimes a web browser open.

It runs fine.

Don't bother to use it for image processing, though.

H

[TrevorW]

No H I've got a dual core desktop for that

Since the crash of my other laptop with all the applications no longer functional after running the recovery routine I thought it might be prudent to get a cheap laptop just for controlling the imaging process

Cheers

[mswhin63]

For CCD imaging, definately go for higher level laptop than EEPC. Even though my hardrive is getting full the CCD with the shear number of frame and the FPS speed needed to get good quality images can really task a computer as I have found out.

[TrevorW]

Well blow me down

I'm in JB-Hi today as DS didn't have the Asus EeePC in stock (typical) and they've got a Compaq dual core etc on special for $547 so I thinks for the extra $130 after they knocked some dollars off because it was the last one and the display model

great deal !!!

[supernova1965]

Nice one sounds like you got a good deal

[JohnH]

Happy to find this thread as I am on the dedicated machine path also having had one too many problems with my main laptop and usb driver clashes etc so I want a clean machine for astro work. It will run AA4 (and maybe PHD) plus ASCOM and will control the guidecam (QHY5) and mount (G11G) plus the main imaging camera (Opticstar 145m).

No image processing on the little box - and the captured images will be sent to NAS not stored locally. There would not be a high frame rate used (DSO work not planetary) with the imaging cam except during focusing - then the images is binned 4x4 so it is quite small (<200k ea). However the FITS files at full res are approx 3Mb each.

So is a EEPC/Netbook viable for this - I note the feedback re the time to download images but am not sure why that would be are USB2 speeds not available on these machines? Or is it the time it takes to display the images which is the killer? If high speed USB support is not availalbe on any of these models then I will rule them out.

[Octane]

John,

As I mentioned (in a similar situation to you), eeePC is perfect for this kind of work. I have not had a single issue, at all. The only downside was that it had just 3 USB ports. All three were utilised:

1. DSLR
2. GPUSB
3. DSI

I needed more as I now have the relevant serial-USB cable to drive the Gemini from planetarium software. I simply use a powered hub, now. No drama at all.

H

[Quark]

Interesting thread,

I am using a Toshiba Satellite Note Book.

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo CPU T9300 @ 2.5 GHz
Ram: 4 GB 32 bit Operating System
Hard drive 640 GB

My operating system is Vista Ultimate and has been relatively hassle free, running all of my software quite well.

This laptop has 4 USB ports.
For planetary work I run my DMK 21AU04.AS plus a ToUcam which is fitted into a 8 x 50 finder simultaneously, I run wxAstro Capture and IC Capture and have no problems and processing avi's that can be close to 1 GB is relatively quick.

Have done some wide field DS work with my 450D piggy back and run my DMK as the guider while running Images Plus camera control for the 450D, all good, mind you the Toshiba was not cheap.

Regards
Trevor

[Jeff]

Just a thought. If folks are looking to occasionally fire up the "Starry Night" program, it requires at lease 1024 x 768 pixels (as do a several Canon software "setup" programs).

A consideration when buying netbooks with small screens (say 10") limited to 600 pixels high.

Cheers.

[Octane]

Jeff,

Good point. However, with the eeePC, they give you the option of cycling resolutions through the press of an on-body button.

800x600
1024x600
1024x768 (scrolling)
1024x768 (compressed)

H

[TrevorW]

Thanks Warren

dual core intel celeron
15" screen
3 usb/hdmi/card reader/ usual
webcam
260gb hard drive
dvd rw dl
2g ram
Win 7

[JohnH]

Found this new model eee PC - good compromise - Asus 1201n - 12" screen, dual core, can multitask but still keeps most of the netbook advantages...

http://bestnetbookreviewz.com/tag/intel-atom-330/

[hulloleeds]

You really don't buy an EEPC for its power, you buy it for its size. Out in the field, the portability of an EEPC is excellent. As soon as you start delving into 15 inch screens, you're really throwing out the tenets with which you should purchase an atom for in the first place. Portability, convenience etc

Dualcore Atom sounds like a good idea, though. At a starting price of 499 US they're likely to be a fair bit more than the $380 you can pick up an acer single core atom, though.

[Terry B]

The EEPC should be fine for what you want.
I use an old desktop in my observatory. I forget how big the processor is but it predates any sort of dual technology.
It has ~700meg ram and a small video card and more importantly has serial ports.
It runs Skymap pro, EQMOD, guidemaster, CCDSoft, Elbrus(plate solving software) all at once with no problems.
I just put all the files onto a flash drive at the end of the night and process them on my normal desktop.
The puter at the telescope just needs to be rugged, dew tolerant and cheap. Not high power.

[Clarry]

Just 5 hours ago I bought an Acer eM250 eMachine Netbook from Coles for $389.00.
I have just installed Stellarium on it & it runs just fine. I intend to use it in the field, it's size makes it ideal. I'm currently downloading an alternative operating system called Jolicloud, which apparently uses less resources & less power than XP. We'll see.
Can't go too wrong at that price.

[AlexN]

I'm running an Asus EEEPC 1000HA as an astro-box..

Runs:
Starry Night Pro V6
MaximDL - ST8300/CFW/Autofocus/Autoguiding.

Never had a problem with it... It could do with a little more hard drive space, I'll be putting a 250gb hdd in it one of these days, but I do have a 200gb external drive.. Even if I go out to dark skies for a week, between the 160gb internal drive and my 200gb external I can't fill it all up..

[Octane]

Alex,

That's the same model as mine. :two thumbsup:

H

[wasyoungonce]

Newer 11.1" netbooks are getting cheaper. Here is a Benq U1211 (http://www.onlinecomputer.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=2992&osCsid=d4748c93c236f663f625402e51b3 3841): 1366 x 768 resolution; 8Hr batt; 320Gb HDD; & 2Gb RAM for $458.
Down side...no OS!

Here is another version for $399 (http://www.onlinecomputer.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=3005)b asically same as above except (same resolution, chip set & processor) for: 6hr Batt; 160GB HDD, 1GB RAM; "WINXP" installed!.
Down side..."nil Stocks" ATM!

I'm seriously considering an 11.1" netbook...mainly for the screen resolution (focusing) & battery life.:shrug:

Edit:
Damn...forgot to mention that Myer have some netbooks for sale from $369 (http://catalogues.myer.com.au/portal/dynamiccatalogue?CatalogueID=126291 15031692&pageview=thumbnail&selectedCategoryId=501&selectedCategoryName=Computers+%26+ Software) as well. See page 4 of the catalogue.

Damn....forgot the links...fixing right now!

[wasyoungonce]

I meant to ask...how does the screen look at 600 lines horizontal resolution...especially WRT focusing?

Annnd ahh what capacity cell battery does it have?:D

[leinad]

Same ;) .. in badass black.

[Clarry]

Screen looks just fine, no complaint there (not sure what WRT focusing is). The battery is only a 3 cell so for extended use in the field a back up source will be required.

[wasyoungonce]

Thanks for the update. WRT focusing...I should have said how's the screen resolution WRT focusing...nice'n sharp images? Although you have already answered that.

Once again...thanks.:thumbsup:

[hulloleeds]

Hah, does this mean I am the odd one out, having princess pink? (I'm serious, I wanted the atom 280 and that was the only colour I could have).

[wasyoungonce]

All cats are black cats at night time!:D

[JohnH]

Watch out for the older 11" models on the Atom Z520/and 530 cpus from what I read they were slower than the N270 despite appearances.

The newer N450 based box is best for battery life and the 330/Ion if you want an 11" screen and HDMI - then I think your best (only?) option atm is Asus 1201n. In you want a bargain the n280s are dropping in price as the newer models come through eg Myer has the one of the eee 1001s for $349 atm...

[Octane]

WRT = with respect to.

Daniel, mine's badass black, too.

H

[pmrid]

I am very pleased with my fitPC2. It's a tiny box about the size of a stach of about 3 CD cases. http://www.fit-pc.com/web/ - it attaches to my monitor so has a zero footprint, plenty of USB, an ATOM CPU, good RAM and HD. Uses tiny amounts of power and is silent (no fan).
Peter

[wasyoungonce]

Thanks I wasn't aware of that...I'm currently using a Lenovo 3000 N200 Laptop but find it not great on battery & it also has a screen problem...keeps flicking.

I'll keep hunting.:thumbsup: