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Old laptop idea

  • 02-02-2013 10:46PM
    #1
    L.Jenkins
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,242 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Have an old Dell laptop, 2007 with 3gb of ram, dual core processor and integrated web cam. I broke the screen recently and have come the conclusion that it's not worth repairing as I can get a beter machine for good money. Was thinking of using the old machine for a robotics project. Any ideas?


Comments

  • #2
    L.Jenkins
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,242 Mod ✭✭✭✭L.Jenkins


    Any ideas where I may be able to source some motors I could use with a laptop motherboard? Want to source some equipment to integrate with the board and use what's already there. If any one has any ideas, let me know.


  • #3
    Donny5
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,827 ✭✭✭Donny5


    Itzy wrote: »
    Any ideas where I may be able to source some motors I could use with a laptop motherboard? Want to source some equipment to integrate with the board and use what's already there. If any one has any ideas, let me know.

    It doesn't really matter what motors you use. It's just not all that easy to do this. Basically, if you just want on/off motors, you might be able to do it with a relay using something like the status LEDs as IO pins. If you want speed control or servos, then you'll need a motor controller which you can control through Serial or USB. At that point, you might consider an Arduino or other easy-out microcontroller.


  • #4
    L.Jenkins
    Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 19,242 Mod ✭✭✭✭L.Jenkins


    It sounds like it will be tough but

    challenge_accepted_in_hd_by_crusierpl-d3enbux.png


  • #5
    Donny5
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,827 ✭✭✭Donny5


    It's not really a matter of being tough, just more expensive and less capable than buying an Arduino or AT Mega and using that to interface, I mean, unless you're happy with on/off only, then you're going to have to buy an MC of some sort, and your motherboard already has USB to supply serial/power, so it'd be... odd not to use it.


  • #6
    ressem
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 2,427 ✭✭✭ressem


    If the laptop has serial or parallel ports then they would be convenient enough to use in combination with a breadboard.
    But an Arduino would be much better for learning, with plenty of instructions on buying and connecting stepper motors etc.
    A Raspberry Pi would have more suitable IO connections than many laptops.

    The laptop could be used with VNC/ remote desktop /ssh for plenty of uses or as a server/router, but I don't see it as the best for directly connecting robotics.


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