The Worst Laptop for Ham Radio - Evolve III Maestro
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- Опубликовано: 4 авг 2022
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I think the key thing that is important. Is the fact that you can recharge it over 12 V. It comes with windows and you can make a ghost image with all the drivers included.
#12vLife
Hey Chris, all fair points! Ape
a guy brought one of those charging adapters to field day to power the laptops. RFI was terrible even though these were supposedly "good ones"and had torroids. if I can avoid RFI, it might make it worth it.
@PlasmaStorm73 [N5EVV] Be careful of RF issues with these transformers!
@@tedlavino2975Yes RF interference can make a pwm circuit go haywire and toast your equipment. Good advice! 👍
The $60 laptop isn't the best laptop for ham radio, but it's just good enough to work for ham radio. It's cheap enough that I can dedicate one to live in my SOTA/POTA backpack. A $100 QRP radio, $60 laptop, a $30 EFHW antenna, and a few extra bucks worth of batteries/cables/etc gets you a complete SOTA/POTA setup that can do voice and digital SOTA/POTA for under $250. Not everyone can bring a $2000 laptop and a $1500 radio out to the park to play radio. If you're concerned about not being able to reload windows, just make a backup image and store it on a bootable USB drive.
I agree with all this and that's why its an acceptable laptop not the best or even good. Ape
I removed the 4g modem, and loaded a SATA NVME. The windows is untouched, and I loaded ubuntu, used a usb ethernet adapter to get the wifi working. The ridiculous cost of raspberry pi boards is what is creating the value proposition for this, 60 bucks for something comparable to a pi 4, with a screen and keyboard.
That's where I think it fits! Not great, but totally $60 worth of computer in today's market.
Actually SATA and NVME are mutually exclusive - this laptop only supports SATA... NVME SSD's will not work...
The "Baofeng of Laptops". Watching this video was the best use of 9.34 minutes this week, hands down.
Glad you liked it HOA, thanks for checking it out. Ape
Bob - Ape was on his game for reals!
No one said it’s a great laptop, they said it’s a great value.
You might be mistaken on that my friend. ~Ape
I returned a Prime Day deal of $50 for a 10” touchscreen for a RPi when I saw these. For $60 I got a whole PC (already Vara HF compatible) with a track pad, a smallish keyboard and an 11.6” screen that runs off my LIFePo4s natively. This is cheap enough to get a couple for dedicated storage with radios that don’t already have RPi’s. It’s just better for cheaper. And, it’s staying Windows 10. Nice talk about it.
Hey David. I agree with all of that and I own more than one for the same reasons. That said I see these as the Baofeng of Laptops, great value for the money but not a great laptop... or even a good one. Ape
The fact that it charges from a 12 volt source makes it a natural for portable field use. So far, it runs all the amateur radio software I've installed on it with no problems. With a reasonable amount of care, it should last a long time. I have no plans to install Linux on it. Long story made short...it works for me.
The point wasn't that it isn't useful, the point was it's not the best or even a "good" laptop. 3/4 of use have them and Ape has 2!
except it can't even charge from it's own 12 vault 120>12v power brick... Bought mine new 5 months ago, been sitting nearly unused for and plugged in since then...now battery wont charge....won't run off [power cord even.... a known problem with an secondary internal battery inside.... AVOID this model (got mine from Micro Center)
I got an Evolve III for portable CAD modeling. It works great.
I have version 2 and it has the cellular modem which I replaced for a 250gb SSD.
Having that ability in the v3 would have been great.
@@CoffeeandHamRadios yeah, now that we know there are different models we need to be careful when buying them.
Purchased two of these, one had the M.2 slot and one did not. Returned the one without the M.2 slot for one that had it. The version with a long Model number on the sticker on the bottom (believe some are calling it a V1) does not have the M.2 slot. I have two with model "Maestro EbookV2" that have the M.2 slot, from which I removed the LTE cell modem and replaced it with a 256g SATA 2242 SSD drive. I installed Windows 11 on both, using the Windows Boot Manager on one to dual boot Windows 10 and Windows 11, the other just Windows 11. No issue with installing from a USB thumb drive containing the bootable ISO available from Microsoft. The Windows 10 Education Pro product key from the OEM build works fine in the new Windows 11 install. Most drivers were found from those bundled with Windows or via optional updates from Windows Update service. The only driver that I could not locate is one of two sound card drivers for Intel's Smart Sound, which Evolve theoretically should make available via their web site, but does not and does not have a working contact number or email. Intel indicates the computer manufacturer needs to provide them. Not an issue for me as I use a Masters Communications DRA external sound card when required....
Other than the audio everything works fine with Windows 11.
Good luck!
Thanks for the info Ted
I couldn't get meshtastic to work on my m1 MacBook air. So I am hoping this will help. I think that I will be able to use this for my dji fpv program
Best of luck Dwight!
I have no issues with mine. I realize I gave up the Windows license when I wiped it. But then again, I have been looking forward to giving up Windows since Win95. I have been using my Evolve III, every day, since I recieved it. I have interfaced this with my IC-705 and have no issues with digital modes. If you pair a Bluetooth speaker to it, the lack of audio drivers is not an issue, should.you want to watch RUclips or listen to music. Maybe I just lucked out. This comment was not meant to criticise, but meant to articulate my experience. Thank you for your video and I subscribed to your channel. I am looking forward to more videos.
KJ7NUX
Thanks for the comment! 3/4 of use have them and use them, Ape actaully has two!
it can be dedicated for ham radio, and, it can be carried easily in a back pack, and there are ways to charge it from a solar trickle charger like I bought from JC Whitney back in 90s..lol.. unlike so many that are stuck on 19 volts..
Yep, I have have one in my backpack for a few weeks. ~Ape
Will a lte chip flash drive over come the problem
If yours has a 4g modem you can keep windows on the emmc, install to SATA drive. If you need/want to install to emmc use dd piped to gzip to backup windows. Should take up just less than 9gb.
First off, it's trivial to make an image back up of the windows installation for restoration purposes. Second, this is a really Good value when compared with the current costs of a raspberry pi and a touch screen and a keyboard.
Hey Tim, thanks for watching and for the comment. "Trivial" is a retaliative term based on one's experience and background with computers, I am not sure the same person being advised that this is one of the best laptops for ham radio is experienced in the imaging process. Also, a pi isn't a laptop and a laptop isn't a pi so I'm not sure the comparison is valid. I do see your point if you a looking for a low cost ft8 machine. ~Ape
SmokinApe, you can use the Windows boot manager to dual boot between Windows and Linux...
On a 64GB drive? That's why I wanted a m2 port, I know I can use an SD card but c'mon son. ~Ape
Just keep in mind there are (2) versions of the Laptop on Micro Center's website. One with LTE Modem. One without it. Other than that, they both have identical specs with identical price. You have to ensure you pick the right one. These hams are picking the wrong unit. It's their mistake. Pick the right unit and save yourself the headache.
Thanks Todd, we did cover there were two versions in the video. And I believe we were the first hams to do so...
Sorry, wasn't directing it at the video participants. I was directing at all of the hams in the remarks section. My bad.
So, the 2nd cheapest laptop at Micro Center is the now $80 BR1100c. Does it run on 12v?
Beats me!?
$65 Evolve III notebook pc (open box price @ MicroCenter) + $270ish Xiegu G106 + $50 Digirig mobile + $0 existing antennas, connectors, etc. = Best under $400 spent for a digital QRP setup, works better than expected, 100x happy!
Awesome man, thanks for the comment 👍
No one said it would as the BEST laptop for Hams. They said it's an amazing bargain for Hams. Some of us don't have a very big budget.
Also you backup the Windows install and then reinstall it.
I've seen folks say both. Either way I wanted provide an alternative opinion. Ape
@@CoffeeandHamRadios I have not seen anyone say what you claimed. Not being a dick here, perhaps you misunderstood because of their enthusiasm?
Not available here, I decided to get a MS Surface 3 or 4 second hand when I find one with 8gb to 16gb ram for a reasonable price.
I hope mine doesn't come with dead pickles!😄👍
Dead pickles are the worst. Ape
Nope. Love it for pota. My large laptop was too big to be in the car with me. Except for the part where the track pad messes up when I transmit
The best part about this is you know that when Raspberry Pi foundation makes a competitor it will only have a 7" 800x480 screen!
ABSOLUTELY! I've activated five parks in update NY this week with it. Fantastic small laptop with amazing battery life for POTA
Now that we know nothing has evolved with the Evolve 3, what other budget mini laptop would be good? I'm building my Red Cross go-kit. Small and cheap is preferable.
I have this cheap laptop and I’m using it just for updating and or modding my ht’s and scanner it works great for that
Right, I do the same but there's more to ham radio than that
@@CoffeeandHamRadios yes indeed your right
So then gentleman, what would be a good laptop for just ham?
Probably a used Lenovo or Dell
😆😂🤣...thank you, gentlemen!...my heartiest laugh watching this at 3:37 Zulu today! ...i bought one specifically to see what could be done with a BTECH UV5x3 and a Digirig (in a good place since this is the Baofeng of laptops!🤣)...didn't want to mess up my other computer!...no Linux here...not a hater, just no time to learn...did NOT open it, got a mini-SD card instead...trying to take my time since it is NOT intuitive, and i have to think...if it doesn't work, there's always POTA!!!! 😂🤣🤣 73 y'all!
Hey bud, hope it works out for you.
@@CoffeeandHamRadios thanky!😉
Add an SD card for more memory. Mine works great.
Fantastic news
Nerd-let and shit-top, my vocabulary is expanding, thank you 😜
LOL 😆
Man, if you was a stripper, I'd have thrown money at you! Gold, son, solid gold!
Lol
There are 2 types of hams...some who want to learn and become technically knowledgeable, and then there are the appliance operators. This laptop is for folks who don't know (and don't care to know) about computers....it works (not well). It's the same thing when people buy CHA antennas....those people dont know any better, and don't really care to know.
You are correct
Still a helluva lot cheaper then a Rpi. Run Hamclock. Run the 3d printer. No extra screen or vnc crap. And 12V. I bought 5 of them.
Howdy Shooter, I agree with all of that and I own more than one for the same reasons. That said I see these as the Baofeng of Laptops, great value for the money but not a great laptop... or even a good one. Ape
In his research has the smoking ape seen KM4ACK series on using this computer with ham radio?
He has.
@@CoffeeandHamRadios `thanks for the reply just curious
So yeah it’s a cheap piece of crap… but for $60 it is what it is. I’ve actually moved on and gotten the $99 ASUS E410M. It doesn’t have the cellular modem but does have the m2 slot. And it comes with windows 11, and a year of Microsoft 365. It also has USB type C (3.1) and a full size HDMI. Published a video on my channel about it including adding a 500GB SSD. It supports NVMe. It also has 5GHz Wi-Fi. Is it as good as my MacBook or my HP zBook? Absolutely not. But it surpassed my expectations for a $100 laptop.
This is a great comment Ria, thank you. I think what we were getting at is there's been a lot of tasty Kool Aid with this laptop, look before you leap. I had some tell me they were too poor to afford anything else and that's why they bought it which is fine. BUT the concept of value vs price seemed to have eluded that chap... the 99$ laptop is a better deal than the 60$ based off your comments, and if someone can't save 40$ for a few months perhaps now isn't the time to invest in ANY laptop. ~Ape
@@CoffeeandHamRadios dollar sign goes before the amount in America, FYI
One downside to the Asus for our use (Emcomm go bag) is it expects 19v power, requiring a 12v to 19v transformer...
@@tedlavino2975 true but for every laptop I’ve owned I always purchased a 12V adapter. I also am hesitant to put unregulated voltage on a laptop anyway.
We also use capitalization at the beginning of sentences. FYI.
Thanks for putting this out AFTER I bought 1 for me and 1 for my kid 😆 lol. OK so hers is good for her needs. Hope I can wsjt-x this and be good lol
"junk", but $60, amirite?
Watch Ham Radio Crash Courses review of the laptop. He even did a live stream out in the field with the laptop running WSJT-X from the field. It is fine for that. I have guys in the club running WSJT-X and Grid Tracker on the laptop.
The way I see it is "fine for that" and "bast laptop for ham radio" are two different statements. What I heard in Josh's video was there are a good value at 60$, which I agree with... Ape
@@CoffeeandHamRadios For Portable Ham radio, I can't think of anything that fits the bill as nicely as this thing does. Even works according to Ria, for remote ham radio. Maybe a HR2.0 style "Best Laptop for Ham Radio" style video is needed. 😆
Ape , Ape, Ape, you need to calm down.Nothing wrong with the laptop that some Miller Lite won't cure. :) The drivers work fine for wifi, and I have no issues with sound. I think I have the same version you do because I am missing the card slot also. Micro center had it labeled wrong. The git-hub instructions are a bit outdated , so check "Phazer Tech" you tube channel on July 29 for easy step by step instructions. (Go with Linux Mint) 73 Chuck KE0PTI
There is one with an internal card with an M.2 port and then one had a SIM card slot on the side. The reports of the sound card working in linux vary greatly depending on which of the 3 models you have. Ape
There's nothing fantastic about it with one exception - it runs off 12V power. You can build a power cable to connect to to your LiPo battery and run it in the field. But in terms of performance - it's pretty abysmal. What can you expect for $60? It's great for $60 but it's far from the best laptop for ham radio.
Exactly. Thanks for the perspective Jeff 👍
Lol Ape goes full Molson rant, 🤣
Nobody can compete with Molson. Ape
@@CoffeeandHamRadios you done a great job, lots of passion, education, and truth wrapped up in one ApeBro.
Lol
except it can't even charge from it's own 12 vault 120>12v power brick... Bought mine new 5 months ago, been sitting nearly unused for and plugged in since then...now battery wont charge....won't run off [power cord even.... a known problem with an secondary internal battery inside.... AVOID this model (got mine from Micro Center)
THey suck
Literally NO ONE said it was “the best laptop for ham radio”. So skip to 7 minutes to hear them admit what it’s actually good for. It’s 12 v, it’s dirt cheap, it will update firmware for SDRs and it’s about the same speed as a Raspberry Pi.
You must have a catalog of all conversations regarding the Evolve III, impressive sir... impressive.
There's cheap. And that can be cool. And then there's too cheap.
Wait until TO gets ahold of it!
☝️TO is talking about himself in the third person again.
Who me?
I think you guys are wrong on this one, if you do a little bit of homework before buying you would’ve found the ones with the LTE cards they begin with a three SKU number and not a four add Micro Center.For the price these are a great value even better if you have a $25 submit a build coupon from Micro Center that puts it less than 40 bucks. 40 bucks for a laptop I will take out on Pota activation and use to log and do some WSJTX it can recharge via 12 V. And I can connect to my mobile hotspot on my cell phone upload my log when I’m done with the activation and if something happens to it I’m only out 40 bucks and don’t have to worry about something happening to my good laptop. Yes it’s not a speed demon to the point where you could run three and three on your decode cycles with JTDX but for basic logging and FT8 for Pota in the field it’s definitely a winner
You are right, it is the best laptop for Ham Radio. ~Ape
I just got one from Amazon. DOA out of the box. Crap!
😯
Only a masochist would switch from windows to linux for ham radio... Winlink/VARA works on windows and works well, the overhead savings of linux are minimal, especially considering some effort any linux install requires (shitop or not). Also Windows 11 is overrated, my gaming rig cant run 11 simply because I went with a cheaper motherboard and dont have a "security" TPM chip.
lol @ masochist
I'm using an ASUS laptop that belonged to the XYL which she gave me after force upgrading it to Windows 10 and it didn't run well. I tried to put Windows 7 back on but it didn't work so I put Linux Mint on it instead. I use it for ham stuff and it does work well and I've learned things about Linux but if that laptop ever dies, I'll probably get a cheap Windows laptop for my ham activities.
I do think it is a little goofy how people are hailing this laptop as some great computer for hams. I have one running OctoPrint and it's working well, but nothing about the laptop is particularly remarkable or special aside from price. A Thinkpad X240/X250 used off eBay (~$75) is a far better quality laptop, has hot-swappable batteries, and robust driver support for Windows and Linux. I'd argue that is a better purpose machine for hams on a budget.
I see it kinda like a Baofeng, you get a decent amount of of capability for a low price. I am not hating on these, I have two but I do think I am well within my rights to have a less than positive opinion about a 60$ laptop from China. Thanks for watching II... Ape
@@CoffeeandHamRadios If you can make it work for you, that's all that matters. It doesnt have to be this contest for the fanciest gear. If I can make a $55 pi4 work for js8, fldigi, gARIM, fsq, why not a $69 cheap laptop. The last laugh is that I can get everything done without having to spend hundreds and thousands. Just always have a backup plan that's all
You put linux on it and it works good for js8call, fldigi, gARIM and FSQ. Cut the wall wart off and put Anderson poles. Its lousy for windows but great for linux. You cant even get a pi at that price anymore, and if something happens to it, who cares.
This guy gets it! I have some videos on my channel using this laptop with linux, getting wifi sorted and will have more coming up. I've benchmarked it too. - TO.
I mean it’s a $60-$100 computer obviously it’s not the best laptop for ham radio. I also don’t think it’s the worst. It’s a slight upgrade from a raspberry pi. The people who are saying they are great intend to put Linux on it and most of them know what they are doing in Linux. However if you want to go back to windows you can put windows 11 on it you just have to bypass the hardware checks. It’s going to run slow with windows 11 but it will work. I have done it with about 2000 of them. I am waiting for people to start complaining that the Evolves are falling apart because that is the issue we had with them. Screws on the inside would fall out and then short out the main board.
That's kinda scary!
The Intel chipset, Wi-Fi card and the Windows 10 pro software cost's more than $60 you guys are talking as this is something high end. I see a comment here that this device was for school kids which a microcentre staff guy told me the same thing and it makes sense on the quality and 11.6" size and use case. I bought one and no one can certainly argue the fact that it's entry level and most likely schools bought them during covid when devices weren't easy to come by for education. This Evolve is way better than a raspberry pi or a cheap chromebook. cracksmokinape you hate ham radio....lol
Get off my lawn! ~Ape
It's barely a toy. I don't know a ham that doesn't scream when they lose $60
I think that for a few bucks more there are likely better options, thanks for the comment USMCDAD!
Lol, who said this is the best laptop for ham radio?! Cite references or don’t call out others vaguely.
Not calling you or anyone out Josh... I saw your video where you said "turd." Ape
@@CoffeeandHamRadios Who are these hams that think it's great :D
Does it matter? Should we point a finger at someone who may have made a mistake or said something in haste? Breaking out the tar and feathers wasn't the point I attempted to convey... Ape
@@CoffeeandHamRadios The way your comment was said implied "RUclipsr elmer" are claiming its the best laptop for ham radio. I wasn't looking for a witchhunt, but at the same time I wanted understand the context.
So the information on this video isn't true.
1) it's $60.00 laptop.
2) you can get free applications that allow you to create a backup of all your drivers from any Windows computer.
3) Once you've backed up your drivers, you can do whatever you want and still get it working.
4) I downloaded Windows 11 on it and yes, the only driver it choked on was the Sound Card driver. Using my Windows 10 driver backup, I updated the sound driver very easily. Windows 11 and 10 seem to run the same on it.
5) It's a cheap-shit laptop that's actually not bad for basic SHIT. and the guy who bitched about it did his research, but failed to actually do his research.
Ricardo, thanks for the comment and for sending me the exact same thing via email.
1) $59.99 plus tax but close enough.
2) Yes you can but not everyone has the same background and experience with computers, someone being advised that this is the best laptop for ham radio likely hasn't done this. What you might view as simple isn't necessarily true for everyone.
3) I believe this is the same point being made in #2, maybe we just had a goal of 5 points total.
4) I used the Microsoft Windows 11 Capability tool and it said the processor wasn't supported. Now I get the when an internet bro says "it works" we should accept this as gospel but I am going with MS this time.
5) The guy who bitched research enough to know its a piece of shit. That said I have two!
APE your off base in your Linux hate, and dual boot is a poor idea because it leaves Windows as the base install, and Windows sucks! I find bluetooth works fine for laptops with weird sound cards, and for some reason the USB hookup to my 7100 works fine. Real radios do not need computer sound cards,
I agree and prefer Linux to WIndows. Ape
Well, watching this was a complete waste of 9 minutes!
Think how much more would have been wasted if you actually got that laptop!
A bunch of hams in my area all jumped at this. I told them what I personally thought of it just from the specs. More power to them. Have at it. I’ll use what I’ve been using.
People are crazed for them now. Being honest I have 2 and I will use at least 1 but it's basically an FT8 machine. Ape
I want a windows laptop. I don't want to install Linux lol....why...I have a raspberry pie for that......It cheap I don't have a windows laptop for ham radio.
William, (this is Jim) - I have the evolve. I loaded all the CPS software I have on it, the software for librevna, rigexpert, all that kind of stuff on it. It's now portable as hell, and that thing really has a decent battery life. I'm not gonna linux it, because of the stuff I am using it for (CPS software - almost all Windows).
@@CoffeeandHamRadios Awesome. Is CSP code plug software?
@@wdbyrd2 It is. CPS - I think it's Customer Programming Software, whether it's DMR/Fusion/D-Star/analog radio, the software to program them.
Lol, I didn’t buy one.
One of us bought 4... the one complaining...
Watch Josh's review. Did you see Josh's live stream with the laptop?
Complaining? Son, it's being honest...
Wow ! You guys are clueless... Smoking Ape is the worst l. I know you think you are giving a good honest review and providing useful information.... But you guys are way off the mark.
Well howdy Ray. So you think it's the best laptop for ham radio? Or maybe the 60$ isn't the only compelling reason to buy it? Maybe you don't think its a piece of shit?
@@CoffeeandHamRadios It's not the best laptop for anything. NOT the BEST. I never said it was. 🙂. It is absolutely NOT as bad as the video made it sound
We didn't say it was the best either, so now it sounds like we agree... kind of. I did bang on it pretty hard but mostly because people were acting like it's the best ever and it's pretty shitty. I have two of them and do "use" them so it's not like a formed my opinion watching RUclips. ~Ape
Why are hams such cheapskates about computers? Buy a $5k in gear and then a $60 laptop that doesn't run FT8 very well. It will barely do FT8 but on a busy band will miss decodes because it can't process it
Amen
Linux is not usable
From what I am hearing on the later models it's a struggle.
@@CoffeeandHamRadios I’m just saying in general that Linux isn’t a usable OS for the masses