What laptop do you run Mach 3 on to drive your Super X3?

[Involute]

I'm looking for a laptop on which to run Mach 3 to drive a Super X3, but I gather I can't just assume any 1 GHz+ Windows laptop with a printer port will work with no problems. It would be helpful to know what systems others are using successfully. Can you provide:

1. Make & model #

2. OS, version, service packs

3. RAM

4. HDD capacity

5. Other apps running simultaneously with Mach 3

6. Indicate if the system is dedicated to machine control

7. Any issues you encountered while getting Mach 3 to work

Thanks.

[syil]

IBM R50
XP.service packs 2
1.5G centrino
512MB/40G

important it is have printer port.
from 2006 mostly laptop manufacture stop support print port on them products.so if you want your new computer control the machines.please buy a PCcard of printer port.

[Rainman229]

I ran in to this issue using Mach 3 on another Cnc system. I found a ton of info on artsoft's Forums. Alot of guys say don't waste your time and money on PC cards,. A hand full have had good luck with them after trying a few different manufactures cards. Best bet is finding a compatible older PC with the printer port built in. It may be sometime before Artsoft gets the usb link worked out. But check out the Artsoft forums. http://artsoftcontrols.com/forum/index.php/ Thats were you'll find the best info on Mach controller software.

[SyilAmerica]

IBM T30
1.5 Ghz
512 meg
60 gig hd
14" LCD

or

Dell M60
1.8 Ghz
1 gig
60 gig hd
15.5" LCD

[sukulents]

Fujitsu Siemens C1110
1024 Mb RAM
WinXp SP2

[pld0vr]

i picked up a p4 3.2ghz desktop for $100 and use with an old lcd monitor. i have an x6 but same difference.

[neilw20]

15" Touch Screen LCD Kiosk System with External Keyboard/Trackball

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...osk#post642652

Unit comes with a SFF Desktop PC inside:
Intel Celeron 2.00GHz
256MB DDR
40GB Hard Disk.
CDROM, Wifi
Microsoft Windows XP Pro COA.
External Keyboard with trackball mouse.
15" Touchscreen Panel EFL-1501X.
Swecoin TTP 8200 Kiosk Thermal Printer.
Built-in Surge protection.
Front mounted headphone Jack.
Dimensions: (H x L x D): 116cm x 69cm x 76cm.

Tossed the thermal printer. Tossed the WiFi Added a dual port card.
Now has 3 LPT ports.
Added an external Cycle Start Button on the machine base.
It is vandal proof (now dust proof too) ex job applications kiosk.
Takes 3 people to lift it. Doubles as workbench.
Ok at upto 1500 mm/min as jerks don't lose steps. I don't need speed anyway. I cut material. Not air.

Win2000 works better than XP (no clunking), but won't install on some Mother Boards.
DMA transfers are below the Mach3 driver (I believe) and this is what causes the clunking - breaks in pulse streams to drivers - reduce max speed helps.

[syil canada]

Hello, we generally do not suggest laptop for the running of mach3. There can be problems with supplying power to parallel port,this is from mach3 web site.

Mach3 Minimum Requirements:

* Windows 2000/XP Operating System
* 1Ghz CPU
* 512MB RAM
* Non-integrated Video Card with 32MB RAM
* Basic Computer Skills (ability to copy/rename files, browse directories, etc)
* Desktop PC if using the Mach3 Driver (Laptops are not supported because the power saving features of the chipsets disrupt the pulse stream)



The only laptop i have found to be semi reliable is the Panasonic toughbook

[syil]

we just help our Malaysia dealers to buy 2 laptop,
you konw right now in the market can not find any print port laptop,
so we take the thinkpad SL500,with the printer port converter.
we will show the pic later.
and it is cost cheap...3500RMB for a SL500..