I'm thinking of getting a laptop built specifically for Astro work. These are minimum must have items. I only want to have to use a PCMCIA cardbus if it is unavoidable.
15.4 - 17 " screen
1.6 - 2.0 GHz Duo chip
120 gig hdd
1 gig RAM (pref 2 gig) running Windoze XP (I have a disk)
2-3x usb2.0
Firewire - 6 pin capable of running a firewire camera (1.66A min)
DVD Burner
built in wireless
eSATA port
If possible an old fashion serial port for mount guiding.
dedicated graphics card (not interested in gaming, just for processing)
Cardreader
Ok what else should I include? What are your recommendations along this line? How much would something like this cost?
Keep the techi lingo to a level to suit a layperson.
When I'm out doing astro photography with my laptop (portable setup) I require:
6 x USB (not all USB 2.0)
1 x RS232 (I actually use 2, but use a converter for one)
And it's only going to get worse.
So for me, knowing that I will need 2 RS232's I'd have as a requirement (unless absolutely impossible) 1 RS232, just to ease the load on the USB and save clutter if nothing else. And the more USB's built in the better - the less clutter with hubs etc.
LPT would also be very high on the list, there are a lot of camera's & devices that still use it. From modified webcams to home made stepper motor kits for focusing.
Good battery life would be high on the list too, even though I use a SLA would be convenient to have more than the 1-2 hours I currently have.
Good brightness & contrast controls on the LCD would be nice too.
Oh, and personally for me I wouldn't rate a large screen on the list. Compactness is an issue as I have to somehow fit all my gear, myself and my partner in my car when travelling to the country for astro And all my processing will be done at home anyway. Bigger screen probably means less battery life also. So I'd be sticking to 15" or something similar.
I was wondering exactly the same thing the other day, too.
What would be the ideal list of features, nothing more or less, for a dedicated astro laptop?
That's a good line-up of features you've already compiled.
Would also be good to know what you can throw out (software/hardware) if you want to strip back your existing lappie to maximise its perfromance solely for astro.
I didn't think of the RS232 as my autoguiding is currently controlled through a serial port on the mount, but if I ever get a gemini for the losmandy I would need something for that.
Hmm, LPT, I can see me quickly running out of edges on the laptop to put things
I don't use battery much atm, though that is definately something to think of.
Good brightness and contrast controls is something I didn't think of. Even though I curse this laptop all the time for not having contrast controls (I do use adobe gamma though which is something I guess).
I'd like a good wide screen as I will probably do a fair bit of processing on it as well. Unless I lash out and get myself a decent CRT for my desktop.
You could go one of the new Mac book pro laptops which have the Intel chip set in them as they will run windows and mac OS. they come with a wide variety of ports on them.
I suppose I don't really need the serial and parallel port as I have an old T20 ThinkPad that is used exclusively for autoguiding. Bit of a bugger though when I want to hook it up to the internet. I have about 60 feet of network cable running from the modem out into the back yard. Doesn't that catch your feet by surprise some dark nights when walking around with bare feet. My wife thinks it's a very funny dance.
Some of the above could also be acquired through the use of a docking station, which is very useful for its 2nd power adapter and leaving all the cables connected when you bring your lappy indoors for the night.
Good points Dennis. I like the hot swap drive bay idea.
I was thinking more along the lines of 7200 rpm for the HDD considering some of the rates I'll be able to capture at with the DMK if I ever get a 20" scope to illuminate the chip.
You and Roger are right 2X usb isn't enough. Minimum of 4.
I was just lying here thinking about how to mount my red led on the usb gooseneck and was thinking of a usb port mounted on the edge of the screen/lid. A built in one would be great if it could be made directional.
If you can't get a built in LED (great idea!) get one of these USB led lights from office works, only <$9. I use one, it's great. BUT it does contribute to my USB port overflow
That's the one I was talking about. I got two of them from crazy clarks for about $5 each. They are great, just cover it with red gel film or red lens paint (takes a couple of coats though)
for my ideal laptop for planetary, me thinks more than 2 gigabyte, only cos if you want to capture to memory for high speed usb capture (60 fps+ ) in 12 bit or more detail, then I would be wanting at least 4gb ram
How would you connect the docking station to the laptop?
Hi Paul
I’ve had experience with a Dell and an IBM docking station. They are both proprietary and use the built in proprietary connectors. I have found them extremely useful for the following reasons:
They use a separate mains power adapter, so it leaves the laptop mains adapter free for use with the laptop when it is undocked. Otherwise, you are forever swapping the mains adapter between docking station and undocked laptop.
The docking stations provide additional USB2 ports as well as an RS232 port.
I leave all the cables (USB mouse, ST7 Parallel, USB xtn for ToUcam etc.) plugged into the docking station ports and just undock the laptop to take it inside. When I am ready to image again, I just dock the laptop and all the cables are already plugged in.
I have seen some “universal USB” docking stations, but have never used them. Here is a photo of the naked docking station – note the cables behind it.
Cheers
Dennis
Last edited by Dennis; 21-02-2007 at 08:00 PM.
Reason: Added a night view image
i would have to get birds opinion, but I know Paul Haese is just about to be in the position of have 18" of light for his sdm, the exposure he can get down to means he can capture at 75 - 100 fps IF and a big IF, something can get the frames from the camera and store it.
His laptop has a 7200 rpm drive, but I feel the hard drive and maybe even some of the buses in the computer may not be able to handle the optimum of say 100fps in 12 bit.
The USB 2.0 or even the Firewire will be fine, but will the bus or the hard disk be the weak links?
I tested the LU Cam Recorder over the last few nights with a Lumenera LU075m. Capturing to the hard disk, 8 bit @ 30 fps was fine, 8 bit @ 60fps peaked out at 50 fps, 12 bit @ 30 fps was around 24fps and 12 bit @ 60fps also peaked at 26 fps.
If however I wrote to the memory, then a full 60fps and 12 bit was easy!!!
So the hard disk was not able to keep up with 640x480 12 bit frames coming in at greater than say 25 fps?
And to think the skynyx cameras can get up to 1024 x 768 I think.
This will be a very important over the next few year, there will be bigger but portable mirrors ie SDM's, huge focal lengths, fast cameras with bigger greyscale ie 16bit, but the poor old medium to capture it on (the harddisk) is no where near fast enough!!
Good points Dennis. I like the hot swap drive bay idea.
I was thinking more along the lines of 7200 rpm for the HDD considering some of the rates I'll be able to capture at with the DMK if I ever get a 20" scope to illuminate the chip.
You and Roger are right 2X usb isn't enough. Minimum of 4.
I was just lying here thinking about how to mount my red led on the usb gooseneck and was thinking of a usb port mounted on the edge of the screen/lid. A built in one would be great if it could be made directional.
The (white) LED on my IBM notebook is mounted in the lid and bathes the keyboard with just sufficient wide angle light to make out the characters on the keys so you can type without a head torch on.
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And all my processing will be done at home anyway. Bigger screen probably means less battery life also. So I'd be sticking to 15" or something similar.
