PLC programming, CAD drawings, SCADA packages and virtual machines. These are some of the resident software suites on the average automation or control professionals computer today. This post is mainly about the hardware needs to get the job done.

Picking a laptop for automation and control engineers

Based on recent discussions on PLCTalk, the specifications vary based on preference. Some of the common requirements mentioned:

PN24 - Rockwell Software Products and Antivirus Software Browsers Internet Explorer. IE6 SP1 MS Office: Office 2003. Norman Percevel Rockwell (February 3, 1894 – November 8, 1978) was a 20th-century American author, painter and illustrator. His works have a broad popular appeal in the United States for their reflection of American culture.

Screen Size:

A 15″ screen laptop is the sweet spot for ease of travel and ease of troubleshooting while onsite. Anything less makes the onsite work, specifically if programming is involved, a little harder. Anything more makes for a bulky laptop to travel with.

Last year, I had two programmers show up in PLC programming classes with Surface Book style tablets. With the i7 processors, the Surface performed well. With the screen size, they struggled in maneuvering through the programming environment. Followed up with one of them this year and they had moved back to a larger screen laptop. PLC Programming with the magnifying tool in Windows is not practical.

Processor

The recommendation is a i7 type processor with 3GHz clock. My current machine has a 2.8GHz spec and has been great. Performance with 2 VM’s , HMI software and PLC software running simultaneously noted on screen cap below.

For the MacBook folks, this article talks a bit more about picking processors.

RAM

The RAM requirements vary. With virtual machines being a common place to house several different control software suites- PLC and SCADA environments, RAM requirements are a minimum of 16GB .

Based on a the Windows performance monitor, having one HMI software, one PLC programming environment and one VM took the memory usage up to about 14GB. Note, this number is based on the allocation on your VM’s. Also, it may vary based on the various software suites.

A PLC programmer laptop option needs to have lots of RAM. I would recommend 32GB.

Hard drive

The SSD seems to be the way to go. They are generally more shock resistant. Working with PLC’s often means being onsite at various locations. This may even apply to plant based folks who may have to carry Also they are quieter.

Requirement would be at least 500GB.

Operating System

Most industrial automation software suites have traditionally been Windows based. Having said that, much feedback I have received regarding MacBook (Pro’s) have been quite positive in terms of performance. That sentiment it shared on this thread.

Download prosa driver. Driver: Windows 10, 32-bit. Windows 10, 64-bit. 22.20.0 Latest: 1/12/2021: Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software and Drivers for Windows 7. This download record installs Intel® PROSet/Wireless WiFi Software 21.40.5 including driver for Windows 7. Driver version may differ depending on the wireless adapter installed. Driver: Windows 7, 32-bit. Jan 07, 2021 Drivers and manuals Drivers Version 2.1.5 Most recent (May 8, 2018) for MK3 and MK2/S/MMU. The first available device that measure your performance as for Moto GP drivers. You can find it as a feature in Ducati Superbike 1098S, 1098R, 1198S, Desmosedici RR and Hypermotard 1100S. You can also buy it in after-market for Superbike 1098 and 1198 base models, 848, for Ducati Hypermotard 1100 and for Ducati 1199 Panigale.

Mac users may use Boot Camp to get Windows running. Alternatively, many do report using VM’s.

I use Windows 7 Professional. Windows 8 compatibility is common among software suites out there currently. Some even support Windows 10. Having said that, industrial automation is usually slow to adapt to new OS versions. Some have reported good results and some report problems. This uncertainty keeps me at Windows 7.

Battery Size:

Hooking up to a power source onsite can sometimes be cumbersome. The tradeoff on some of the more powerful machines has been that the battery drains quickly. Consensus is that the MacBook Pro runs all day on a single charge. This goes back to the OS discussion above.

My quad core Lenovo W541 holds a charge for about 1.5 hours. I don’t hold the battery requirement to high on my priority list. If you do, check it out while shopping. Be cautious, as the advertised values might not hold true. They are dependent on your performance and usage.

One absolute comparison, is to check the ampere-hours (Ah) ratings among your options.

Connection Ports:

Forget the serial port. Get an adapter.

HP OMEN gaming laptops. There’s no greater gaming laptop than HP OMEN. Our famous HP OMEN gaming laptops have insane style and high-performance hardware that’s ready to tackle all your favorite PC games. These laptops are only equipped with gaming-ready processors, so you’ll be able to crush the competition wherever you go. Partner laptops & desktops driver download for windows 10 laptop.

Get a machine with at least 3 USB ports.

Some other considerations:

Numeric keypad might help for some work functions. If the laptop doesn’t come with one, there are USB connectable options online.

DVD players can be left out as Installers are increasing available in downloadable software packages. If required, a portable DVD player can be used.

Back-lit keyboards may be useful for work in environments that are not well lit. Not a requirement I considered but noted in the thread.

The actual picks:

Lenovo P50

Dell Precision

MacBook Pro

Dell E6440

I’ve used Dell’s, HP’s andLenovo’s in recent years. My pick for stability and performance right now is the Lenovo. It may be biased to the hardware specs on this current unit. The previous units also had good specs for their time.

In all, the package is probably going to be about USD$2000 or higher. Shopped during the Black Friday sale last year and Lenovo had a great deal on the W series. Probably due to that series being phased out. The price was down to $1700-ish for a 32GB RAM, i7, 500GB SSD setup.

The threads discussing the topic on PLCTalk are here and here.

Optimizing Business and IT Systems While Lowering Overall Cost Through Streamlining.

Rockwell Laptops For Sale

More Info

Have a system that is so-so, need to enhance your business web presence game, but don’t know how to start? Leave it up to Rockwell Technology to handle your day to day needs. Web design, hosting consultation help and ongoing management available.

More Info

Using proven methods for Virus removal Spyware identification and isolation, and ongoing protection Rockwell Technology is here to help. Some of the biggest names in the business use Rockwell Technology proven methods to include Google, Adobe and many others.

More Info

Data migration takes some real skills to do whether its Email or your CRM System. Rockwell Technology has those skills already so you can relax. Were other companies have failed to recover your hard drive, we have a very good success rate and have recovered data after BustedBuy GeekSquakes, or an OfficeSupply company have already failed and broken it more, and are not even licensed for that work. Let us, Rockwell Technology recover your images and documents.

More Info

Did you know that you will spend on average 10 minutes a day waiting on your computer? That is not even including updates! Thats 2700 minutes a year, get those future minutes back with a little investment. If you have a work force multiply that out by all that use a computer. Have Rockwell Technology evalutate and implement proven methods for System Optimization which will allow you to get more done throughout the year. Lets talk about your concerns of your company systems.

More Info

Rockwell Laptops Computers

Everyone wants Google email, everyone wants Microsoft email, everyone wants a system that works. With Rockwell Technology proven methods, we can have you working more of the time with less cost to maintain your systems than ever before. Join the 21st century with systems that integrate across multiple devices and business intelligence integrations so you can take you company to the next level!

Rockwell Laptops Refurbished

More Info

Its a whole wide world of search engine optimization out there. Let’s get you found and in harmony with modern SEO from a company that does it best. Balancing machine learning with human readable material is tricky, but Rockwell Technology has the experience to succeed. SEO is available as an ongoing service.

Download sanyo driver. Sanyo Driver free download - Driver Easy, Sanyo USB MODEM, Bluetooth Driver Ver.5.0.1.1500.zip, and many more programs. See our new line of TV and Audio Video Products with 50 years of trust and over 40 million fans.

More Info

Remember iPhone 3GS? We sure do! that is how we started repairing cell phones after all. Rockwell Technology works on: iphone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPads of all models and years. Allow us to help you and get on with you device! All quotes are for parts and labor for repairs of these devices. Pricing starting at just $60 per repair replacement. Let us know the model number you have.

More Info

At cost of parts and hourly price, let us fix your IT assets, trouble shooting & upgrade services also available. Get your system running much faster. Rockwell Technology approach saves you 10 Minutes a day multiplied by 270 working days is 2700 minutes per year, what can you do with that time not waiting for updates, loading, downloads, or system startup? Talk to us about your end user needs. Think how that efficiency will effect the bottom line multiplied out for all employees?

More Info

Your Logo is your brand and how the world first sees and identifies with you. You need a logo that is solid, represents your area of work and the locality you serve. We are here to help starting at $399 for logos.

More Info

Need better management and enhancements to your Customer Relationship Management database system? Professional Live Experience with SugarCRM customization and code changes enhancement. Successful Act to SugarCRM Migration experience using an ETL system. Initial consultation starting at $599. Utilize Rockwell Technology so you can avoid any mistakes or problems, and get up and running when you exceed usage of Act CRM.

More Info

Need a Google Cloud Systems Administrator? Pay only for the time Rockwell Technology actually administers your system, A le carte style availability, user creation deletion data handling and user system audit along with project roll out management. Charged and billed on invoice at agreed upon rates.

More Info

Over 15 Years of different project management experience levels from Military project operations to direct business support of the CEO and Company Vision to help grow business from small to medium size. A varity of skills acquired from IT support for small hospitals, construction businesses, to sales and service focused companies. Rockwell Technology is your single source solution company. Have a project but don’t know how to talk to programmers or coders? Rockwell Technology is here to help. Starting at $1000 per software coding management project for initial consultation.

Fantastic service with one of a kind support. Depth of knowledge is remarkable.

Very happy with having Rockwell Technology service and project management experience. I hired Nicholas through them, he was my coding director and product owner, taking the products to the next level and to the customers for over 275+ websites to boot! One we sold for over $2.5 Million!

Initially fixed our email system (godaddy, enough said). Built our current systems from the ground up, migrated us from Act to SugarCRM beautifully, and fixed our issues with 3rd party systems for over 5 years.

Nicholas at Rockwell TEchnology took our Sales from $450K in 2017 to $1.1 Million in 2018 doing our websites and SEO, online marketing with Google ads and CMS system.

We're Here To Help!

Rockwell Laptops Reviews