Laptop or Desktop for Rowpro

[sjohnson2843]

I've only been indoor rowing for 3 months and have been reading the forums to improve my knowledge. After reading up on rowpro, I find that I am confused about what hardware to have in order to run rowpro at its best. I'm curious, what do you think most people run rowpro on, a laptop or desktop? I also wrote to digitalrowing twice and called them as well to ask about windows 8 compatability but have been unsuccessful in getting an answer from them on that. So, wanting to do this right the first time, I find that I'm more confused now than ever as to what I should buy so things work as they should from the get go. Also, my technical knowledge is very basic, thus I need any answers brought down to my level. Thanks.

Steve

[Carl Watts]

Already several posts on this if you try the search but in short I would recomend a desktop running Windows 8.

The current version of RowPro V3.016 will run on Windows 8 I have been told but it's not 100% compatable with the Crystal reporting. This really is not a problem as V3.3 has been in testing for a while now and it runs flawlessly on Windows 8.

As mentioned in previous posts you only need an old desktop PC to run it, however you need a really good graphics card. An old 2006 single core Pentium 4 has no problem but you need a PCI-E slot and a medium to top end graphics card or you cannot get the frame rates up in the highest quality mode.You can find a Desktop PC good enough to run it in the rubbish bin these days.

The problem with a Laptop is that you cannot upgrade anything in it and the cost vs that of a desktop.

Running an old HP DC7100 (3.2GHz) with Windows 8 and RowPro V3.3 and a HD6670 graphics card and its great. Still awaiting the official V3.3 release and not sure why the delay as I have yet to fault it.

[Citroen]

Since RowPro isn't the only thing you're going to run you should make your choice between laptop or desktop based on your normal usage pattern not based on a single application.

If you have a trash PC that runs WinXP, Win Vista, Win7 or Win8 you can re-purpose that as a dedicated RowPro system.

It's not like you need special hardware. Any machine from the last five years should be good enough.

[sjohnson2843]

Thank you for the replies. Since I don't have a home computer (don't need one), I was planning on getting something just for rowpro. Being it's just for that, I want to spend as little as possible and do it right the first time.

Steve

[Citroen]

It's a minefield but you may be able to get a machine on eBay or Craigslist that will do the RowPro job for you.

Else go and ask your local computer repair store.

[Carl Watts]

You can buy a PC that will run it over here for $40 and then spend about $150 on a graphics card and your done. My machine is basisically dedicated to running RowPro only. It was formatted, had the OS loaded on it and thats it so it boots very quickly when you need it. People are now throwing out PC's that are good enough to use so you can just about get one for free. There is still alot of life left in something quality like a Hp. A nice big screen certainly improves the RowPro experience as well but anything is good just to get started.

[shewhodares]

I have a mac with intel and was hoping to link it up to a projector, does anyone have any advise? Not computer minded but wouldn't mind seeing the screen in larger format

[Citroen]

I have a mac with intel and was hoping to link it up to a projector, does anyone have any advise? Not computer minded but wouldn't mind seeing the screen in larger format

You'll need Parallels or Bootcamp and a copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8.

It may be cheaper to buy a cheap second hand Windows laptop just to run RowPro.

[shewhodares]

Ok but then isnt there the cost of a graphics card that I would have to purchase if I buy a PC or older computer?

[Citroen]

Ok but then isnt there the cost of a graphics card that I would have to purchase if I buy a PC or older computer?

Any computer capable of running Windows 7 or 8 will have perfectly good onboard graphics.

[Carl Watts]

Ok but then isnt there the cost of a graphics card that I would have to purchase if I buy a PC or older computer?

Any computer capable of running Windows 7 or 8 will have perfectly good onboard graphics.

Err probably not. The RowPro graphics may look a little chunky but you need good graphics performance so a PCI-E card in the mid to high end is a must if you want 60-75Hz frame rates in a high quality mode.

All the older PC's I have in the 2006-2008 era were hopeless. Currently I have a low profile HD6670 which is the minimum you need to get 60 fps.

Onboard graphics are really not that good at 3D and they assume you will add a graphics card for what is essentially gaming.