Lenovo Thinkpad 20E3, Intel Atom X7-Z8750 1.6Ghz, 2GB RAM, 64GB SSD, 10” FULL HD

[mymps3]

EDIT:

I purchased the Panasonic TOUGHPAD FZ-M1 and I am happy!!!!!

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Hi.

Will this thinkpad type machine work to upload my program.

I will only be using it if I need to update a picaxe program in a vehicle (easier than a bulky laptop).

*****I WON'T BE EDITING ON THIS MACHINE ***** WILL BE USED TO UPLOAD PROGRAM ONLY

I do not own a thinkpad as yet.

Many thanks!!!

 

[mymps3]

Lenovo Thinkpad 20E3, Intel Atom X7-Z8750 1.6Ghz, 2GB RAM, 64GB SSD, 10” FULL HD | eBay

Model: Lenovo Thinkpad 20E3. Hard Drive: 64GB SSD. Ram: 2GB RAM. Screen: 10” FULL HD TOUCHSCREEN.

www.ebay.com.au

 

[steliosm]

As long as it can load the Programming Editor, support the FTDI usb-to-serial adapter and have a proper USB port you should be fine.

 

[AllyCat]

I will only be using it if I need to update a picaxe program in a vehicle (easier than a bulky laptop).
I do not own a thinkpad as yet.

Hi,

Sorry, I don't know this thinkpad, but the questions I would be asking are: What operating system does it use, Windows 10 or even 8 ? IMHO Windows has become so bloated that (in the past) I've encountered difficulties just updating it via only a 64GB "HDD".

PICaxe Programming requires a "RS232" type of interface that can support "Break Signalling", which in practice involves a "Type A" USB socket (NOT a Bluetooth Interface) whilst the Thinkpad probably has only a Micro (or No) USB socket. But Mini/Micro or C-type to USB A (and then USB A to RS232 serial) are available.

Personally, I might be looking at an even older "Netbook" (Atom) type of Laptop, perhaps with Windows 7. But look for a few posts from @erco who, I believe has "specialised" in applying low-cost laptops to Educational/PICaxe programming requirements.

Cheers, Alan.

 

[erco]

I don't use Thinkpads, so I'm just going by your photo. Appears to be a tablet running Windows 8. Per others, it should work if it's running any Windows, has a USB port and you have the right USB/serial adapter cable. Some tablets only have micro USB ports, those may need an adapter to connect to most USB/serial cables. Not all cables work with Picaxe. Here is one that does, I have tested: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IDSM6BW?th=1

I prefer a keyboard for programming, rather than a tablet touchscreen. You may be able to plug a USB keyboard into that tablet, or find an inexpensive laptop instead. As @AllyCat shared, I've become a hoarder of cheap Ebay laptops to provide workstations in programming classes. For $50 or less, you can find nice working low-end machines that meet Windows 11 requirements (64gb/4gb, Celeron N4000 or better). I use the following types:

HP Stream (comes in many varieties, 11" and 14" screens, consumer models and school model G5 Pro)
Dell 3190 (11" laptop version, also available in a 2-in-1 touchscreen version)
Dell 3400 (14" Core 13-Core i7 versions, 8th gen or higher)
Acer Travelmate B3 (11" laptop version, also available in a 2-in-1 touchscreen version)

Most have batteries that last 5+ hours. The Acers last 10+ hours, have HUGE internal batteries.

 

[mymps3]

Hi.

Will this thinkpad type machine work to upload my program.

I will only be using it if I need to update a picaxe program in a vehicle (easier than a bulky laptop).

I do not own a thinkpad as yet.

Many thanks!!!

I'm even thinking....


PANASONIC Tablet FZ-G1 TOUGHPAD CI5(4310U)-2GHZ 4GB 128GB USED

 

[AllyCat]

You may be able to plug a USB keyboard into that tablet, or find an inexpensive laptop instead.

Hi,

My main concern with a (touchscreen) tablet is that they usually have very limited "hardware interface" capabilities, perhaps just one Micro/Type C USB socket (usually also used for power/charging).

If desired, a Low-Cost Keyboard capability can usually be added easily with a self-powered "Universal" type of Bluetooth Add-On Keyboard (perhaps less than AU$ 20, new), although a few of the non-standard (or national) characters may be incorrect. But I have never found a Serial/RS232 Bluetooth Interface/Adapter which supports the essential "Break Signalling" required to program a PICaxe (so a genuine hardware socket is required).

Cheers, Alan.

 

[mymps3]

I purchased the PANASONIC Tablet FZ-G1 TOUGHPAD and it works perfectly for me to download the picaxe software. The pc is so small and easy to carry etc....