Background
I was fortunate enough to acquire a couple of HP NC6000 laptops a number of years ago when they were replaced by newer models. I decided to use these for general use and development projects as they were good solid rugged machines aimed at the business market and designed for travel. By the time they were replaced their specification was a little behind the then market standard so i upgraded the hardware by purchasing HP modules from the surplus market and EBay. Click here for further details.
I avoid as much as possible installing unnecessary software that simply takes up disk space and installs system services that take up memory and resources that could be better used else where. My needs for this laptop were quite straight forward.
I avoid as much as possible installing unnecessary software that simply takes up disk space and installs system services that take up memory and resources that could be better used else where. My needs for this laptop were quite straight forward.
- Web browsing to access the internet and download any files or documents required for project development.
- Microchip software development and device programming.
- Arduino software development.
- PCB design software.
- Document/Word Processing
- Email access either via remote access software to my own home server or via web access.
- Remote Access to systems at home.
The laptop Desktop is shown here.
Shortcuts for all the major software tools are here. I prefer to keep a tidy simple Desktop if at all possible. Keep the tools needed easily accessible.
The main tools used are:
Skype software is used for communication when required.
Shortcuts for all the major software tools are here. I prefer to keep a tidy simple Desktop if at all possible. Keep the tools needed easily accessible.
The main tools used are:
- Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome for web browsing and Web Mail access.
- Design Spark for electrical schematic capture and PCB design.
- Open Office for Word Processing, Spreadsheets and simple Database projects.
- Real VNC, Quick VPN, NetMeeting and Remote Connection for remote access and control of home systems while traveling and transfer of files.
- Arduino development software for Arduino projects.
- Microchip MPLAB X development software for Microchip PIC projects.
Skype software is used for communication when required.
Backups are important particularly while traveling.
SD Cards and card readers are used to meet this requirement. They are small, light weight and easy to carry.
In this photograph, two such readers are shown, the lower was purchased a few years ago and the upper one was purchased much more recently.