HACKER Q&A
📣 dieselgate

What is a good CHEAP laptop to run Windows?


I would like to purchase/use some automotive diagnostic/monitoring software (and hardware) that runs exclusively on Windows (VCDS for a VW). I only have a personal Macbook and bootcamp/dualboot is not recommended. Is it possible to purchase a cheap (but also somewhat decent) laptop running a modern/LTS Windows version for under ~$250 USD? If so, what would you recommend?

I'm a software dev and am just more familiar with Mac hardware/machines at present moment. Not really sure where to start and what good options may be in the PC realm.

Thanks!

  👤 Nextgrid Accepted Answer ✓
Any second-hand business-grade laptop (Lenovo Thinkpad or Dell Latitude) on eBay will do. VCDS and other diagnostics software isn't resource-heavy at all so you can actually go much lower than 250 bucks if needed (and spend the difference on a solid state drive and potentially new battery?)

However if you have an Intel Mac I suggest you give virtualization a try. It's gone a long way since the early days and I would bet good money it will work just fine in a VM with USB passthrough.

👤 p0d
I haven't tried it but someone has ported the software, or something similar to Linux. If it works you could get much cheaper hardware, like a Raspberry PI, and be paying much less.

https://github.com/cryinkfly/VCDS-VAG-COM-Diagnosis-system-f...

👤 rozenmd
Thinkpad T480 remains my go-to recommendation: https://maxrozen.com/getting-your-own-good-enough-laptop-for...
👤 KomoD
> Is it possible to purchase a cheap (but also somewhat decent) laptop running a modern/LTS Windows version for under ~$250 USD?

Oh yeah, for $250 it shouldn't be a problem