By Robin Owens 3 days ago, Hardware
Inexpensive laptops for car and automotive tuning.
A car mechanic has to control many indicators in a car, such as the emissions, ECU, or general performance, using a laptop with particular software. A whole range of special programs is run on simple devices everywhere in the world.
For a mechanic, then, getting the best engine tuning laptop means being able to service his clients faster and with more precision. Thus, look through this selection of computers and get the best model that is sure to serve you well.
There are different things needed for different tasks a mechanic can perform. You can safely follow the list below and pick something suitable but if such a blind choice is not acceptable, then look through the selection guidelines as well.
CPU: 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB GDDR5 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 256GB | Display: 15.6-inch | Weight: 5.51 pound
⊕ Stunning power of Core i7
⊕ Mesmerizing visuals of the OLED display
⊕ Fixed issue with webcam placement
⊕ Handy array of ports
⊕ Great ergonomics of the controls
⊖ Older design
⊖ Not quite good for gaming
If you want the best engine tuning laptop of a slightly larger size, here is what you should look at. This device is built for many heavier tasks than simple car diagnostics because it received the latest generation Intel Core processor and a decent discrete video card from Nvidia.
A great relief is the bigger size of both the touchpad and the keys is quite fitting for the gloved or just large hands of mechanics. You also get a very clear and vibrant screen that makes things easier to see so that you don’t need to squint at those charts.
For something so power-hungry, the eight full hours of autonomy are also a great achievement.
CPU: 8th Gen Intel Core I5-8265U | GPU: Intel HD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB | Display: 13.3-inch | Weight: 2.5 pound
⊕ Robust and well-assembled frame
⊕ Excellent charge duration
⊕ Decently-sized SSD
⊕ Well-designed keyboard
⊖ Dull screen without a sensor
⊖ CPU performance drops with multiple heavy tasks
This particular model is frequently chosen by those mechanics, who work in PCMScan. It offers a great way to tune car with laptop thanks to the abundance of convenient features and an extensive database of car models.
This computer offers a good entryway in this world with the off-the-shelf RAM of 8GB and a spacious 512GB hard drive. Add a performant integrated graphics card and you get a pretty powerful device capable of seamless multitasking and swift diagnostics.
CPU: Intel Core i7-1065G7 10th Gen | GPU: Intel Iris Plus Graphics G7 | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 2TB | Display: 13.4-inch | Weight: 6.12 pound
⊕ Lasting charge
⊕ Convenient keyboard
⊕ Great screen ratio
⊕ Thin bottom edge
⊖ Could use a USB Type-A
"This model is one of the few to combine great style and a very thin profile with sturdiness. A thoughtful touch that would be quite appropriate in the workshop is the screen protection that eliminates reflections and repels smudges.
The laptop can easily withstand a whole day of hard work without a charge and your fingers will feel quite comfortable giving commands to your diagnostics software.
CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7 | GPU: Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB | Display: 13.5-inch | Weight: 4.44 pound
⊕ Super compact and ergonomic
⊕ Impressively robust
⊕ Cooling is efficient and quiet
⊕ Sensible price
⊖ Many reflections on the screen
⊖ Wacky inputs
Regardless of whether you want to tune a truck with a laptop or perform routine city car diagnostics, this model will be a good assistant. You are getting solid performance, lasting charge, convenience of use, and a stunning display, all in a very thin and lightweight body.
This option is particularly good for those, who do diagnostics on spot rather than sit in a repair shop.
CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7 | GPU: Nvidia GeForce MX230 4GB GDDR5 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB | Display: 15.6-inch | Weight: 6.19 pound
⊕ Full HD screen with anti-glare coating
⊕ Decent processor power
⊕ Good autonomy
⊕ Agile SSD
⊕ A multitude of ports
⊖ Can’t take much multitasking
It’s a great mid-range 15-inch device that has many benefits starting from its affordable price. Unlike many options here, it is well provided with ports of all kinds and a proper keyboard with Numpad.
You get a pretty good IPS display that adapts perfectly to the conditions of a repair shop. Plus, if you’re sharing your workspace, you will be interested in the fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button that makes data protection seamless and reliable.
CPU: Intel Core i7-10510U, GeForce GTX 1650 | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB | Display: 15.6-inch | Weight: 3.6 pound
⊕ Ultra-compact frame
⊕ Has FHD or UHD alternatives
⊕ Responsive keyboard
⊕ Versatile performer
⊕ Generous battery capacity
⊖ Absence of Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C charging
⊖ Minor thermal issues
Another 15-inch laptop for tuning cars is a sought-after model that has proven itself over time. It is helpful not only in your workshop but for spare time activities as well.
Since it can run many videogames at decent quality, your diagnostics software will fly. It can stand those long hours of active working beautifully, both in terms of charge and stability.
CPU: Intel Core i7-1065G7 | GPU: Intel Iris Plus Graphics G7 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB | Display: 15-inch | Weight: 4.08 pound
⊕ Sufficient battery capacity
⊕ Wi-Fi 6
⊕ Supports intense workloads
⊕ Springy keys
⊖ Does not feature Thunderbolt 3
⊖ Graphics fall short of GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
A great workhorse that is, in addition, pleasant to look at will complement any repair station. The device is lightweight but the hardware is well-protected by the aluminum. It boots immediately and the keyboard and touchpad give you great control over any tasks you’re fulfilling.
You get a bright screen with a clear image where all those charts and other diagnostics data will be easy to see. The laptop can remain autonomous for a long term, especially performing regular tasks of a repair shop.
Last but not least, the hardware is quite powerful so you can do much more than just diagnostics with this laptop.
| Image | Name | Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Dell XPS 15
4K Laptop |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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ASUS ZenBook
Ultra-slim |
CHECK PRICE → | |
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Dell XPS 13
Powerful |
CHECK PRICE → |
A laptop in a repair shop is bound to be put under much pressure. First, you will jostle it around a lot, second, there are car vibrations and other mechanical influences. An HDD is quite vulnerable to such influence and can fail you after a short term of service, causing loss of data as well as disruption of your working schedule.
An SSD, which doesn’t have any moving parts inside contrary to the previous option, is more robust. It won’t be afraid of all that jostling and in addition, it will work faster while also saving your battery charge. An SSD costs more but for tuning ECU with laptop, a small capacity one would work just fine and the price would remain reasonable.
Modern programs are frequently demanding and require better hardware with every other update. However, car tuning doesn’t fall into that category and you can get away with a low-powered device.
Since you could even manage to work on an Atom processor, there is surely no need in going for the last generation Intel i7. If this is a computer for the workshop specifically, cut your expenses with ease of mind here.
This feature would be of more importance to you because between an 11” and a 17” laptop, there is more than just clarity of the image.
Naturally, the biggest sizes would be a disadvantage in a crammed workshop filled with scattered tools. Many professionals opt for something under 15” and this small range allows you to follow your own preference.
Depending on how exactly you plan to use this device, you should set your own threshold. Those who want a computer for work and home should aim at Intel i5 as a very capable processor that supports multitasking. For just a repair salon, a less powerful processor could work fine, for playing the latest games in your spare time, you might want something more advanced.
Nowadays the standard is considered 8GB that allow you to comfortably use any software and even a combination of several. While in the workshop, you could get away with less, it is best not to be too stingy and for combined home and work use, you might even want to look for 16GB.
Unfortunately, engine computer tuning programs don’t have great compatibility and while they are small and effortless to run, not every OS can recognize them. For that reason, Chromebooks and MacBooks are not great options unless you know for sure that all your software is fully compatible.
No, a dedicated card is definitely not required for tuning cars. Generally, what such programs require for running does not concern a video card much.
