The best laptop to works in industrial environment - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Jasonbit
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2018, 07:30:28 pm
content: Hello folks,I need buy a new laptop to my work. I work with Siemens and Rockwell PLC and AutoCad Electric. I am thinking choose an model of the series P or series T from Lenovo ThinkPad:https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/c/LAPTOPSI am looking to Series P and TWhat do you think about this brand and her choices?Thanks

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2018, 07:36:56 pm
content: Any laptop will run the software. Where does the "industrial" part come into it?

author: 001
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2018, 07:52:54 pm
content: T series are quite goodI`m owner of 2004 laptop and it still work and have actual drivers for 2018

author: Jasonbit
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2018, 07:58:31 pm
content: Quote from: 001 on December 01, 2018, 07:52:54 pmWhat do you run in this model? What is the model?Thanks

author: Jasonbit
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2018, 08:01:31 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on December 01, 2018, 07:36:56 pmBut the quality of the board, ram and structure will be different. I need a laptop which that holds travels in my bag and works good during almost journey 8 or 10 hours. The lifetime of the battery it doesn't worry me much.Thanks

author: 001
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2018, 08:07:16 pm
content: Quote from: Jasonbit on December 01, 2018, 07:58:31 pmT model 2*2.1GHz I got it few years ago for about $30Now it upgraded with 3Gb RAM and SSDAwesome keyboard, magnium enclosure, dock station, RS-232 and live Firewire

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2018, 10:27:18 pm
content: If you work with Siemens and budget allows then perhaps one of their PG-series laptops? Rugged, with on-board MPI/Profibus, real RS232-port and 2xGbit Ethernet.But if what you're looking for is something slim and light you need to look elsewhere, they're NOT small or light weight. Nor are they cheap*, that's for sure.* Granted, a large chunk of the cost is the licenses of the pre-installed software packages (if you choose to buy that) but never the less...they're not cheap machines.

author: commongrounder
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2018, 11:17:09 pm
content: Panasonic Toughbook series is a pretty common solution for rough service.

author: Jasonbit
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2018, 11:22:59 pm
content: Quote from: H.O on December 01, 2018, 10:27:18 pmCan you share some models about PG-series laptops? I googled about PG-series laptops but I can't know if I find it is the models which you talking about.Thanks

author: H.O
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2018, 11:48:12 pm
content: If you're buying new then there are only two base models to choose from, the M6 Comfort and the M6 Advanced. You can then configure those with the amount of memory, drive size, operating system and application software you want.Start atthis linkand then click the Field PG configurator. I ordered one for work around 6 months ago, I know it's an i7 CPU but I do think the current offerings (M6 series) is newer than the one I've got. It's a nice machine but it's big and heavy, not somehing I would like to have in my carry-on luggage if I'd travel a lot.

author: Per Hansson
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 02, 2018, 09:08:13 am
content: I have used a Thinkpad T530 with dual graphics (good for CAD) for over 5 years and it has survived so far, really recommended laptop series.I work as a field service technician so it sees allot of flights, dirty work benches and the likes.I did not know that Siemens offers a laptop with PG interface, that was cool, but as mentioned it looks way too big for travel.I use aIBH Link S7++from IBHsoftec (no affiliation) really recommended if you need a Siemens PG interface for travel purposes...

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2018, 09:20:22 am
content: Quote from: commongrounder on December 01, 2018, 11:17:09 pmYep. It's the laptop you see in all the action movies because it looks cool and 'military'. Not cheap though.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2018, 09:39:43 am
content: Quote from: Jasonbit on December 01, 2018, 08:01:31 pmMe? I'd worry more about the size/weight than the quality of the RAM.Small+light will always suffer less than something big+heavy when it's carried around in a bag and used on journeys.(but don't buy something too cheap/flimsy, obviously)Lenovo are good if you can get them in your country. Here in Spain we only get a tiny fraction of their models and they cost double.

author: Deridex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2018, 09:59:32 am
content: Maybe it's been bad luck, but i got highly dissapointed from the Lenovo-Thinkpads.You might want to look for a Panasonic Toughbook or a good Fujitsu Lifebook. Sadly none of these are on the cheap side.

author: LapTop006
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 03, 2018, 02:22:42 pm
content: Quote from: Deridex on December 02, 2018, 09:59:32 amThey're certainly nowhere near as solid as they once were, however for mass-market products they (at least the professional-aimed T & X series) are probably still the most solid devices available.I've been very happy with my various ones (T61, T410, T430, T430s, X1-4, X1-5, T470s, TP25) some personal, some work. A few got to the point of being practially unusable (battery or screen) after a few years, others have held up exceptionally well, only one (the X1-4) actually broke (weird firmware issue).

author: amlu
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2018, 05:50:56 pm
content: Panasonic toughbook if you have the budget,I`m using a thinkpad x61, had it for some 5 years, it lives on the bench or goes to jobs with me, stays in the cold all night, still works.Good thing with older thinkpads is repairability, full repair manuals available, easy to open and work on it if needed.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2018, 06:01:08 pm
content: panasonic toughbook.

author: _Wim_
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2018, 07:52:28 pm
content: Quote from: Jasonbit on December 01, 2018, 11:22:59 pmWe have a few PG's at work, but I would not recommend them. They are indeed rugged, but extremely expensive if you only need the laptop. If you need the Siemens software licenses also, the combo price is a bit better.For some reason they always seem quite slow compared to other laptop with equal specs.You can find more info about them here (https://www.siemens.com/global/en/home/products/automation/systems/industrial/simatic-field-pg.html). If you need to carry your laptop around, don't forget the are quite heavy (4kg or more). If you want to run both TIA and RS-Logix, buy a high spec laptop only, because these packages are really slow.