Computer as a tool in your garage?

[AETD]

Who have a computer on the workbench as a tool? (no, surfing to garagejournal, is not using it as a tool. ;-))

What software do you use on it?

I myself use autodata as a general knowledgebase, an more brand specific software/hardware like vag-com vcds and vas5054a for volkswagen, etc...

 

[beerdog]

I use it to look up auto repair data. I have some factory repair manuals on CD. Also to post on some car forums when I have questions.

 

[jeffmoss26]

My laptop lives on my workbench. I am always looking up something, whether it is computers, electronics, telecom, locks. I have a metric **** ton of PDFs on it.

 

[vartz04]

My kindle fire will live in my garage. Im working up some sort of mount for it on the wall behind the work bench so it can easily be connected into the stereo for tunes as well as within reach to watch a how to on youtube, or to pull up diagrams or how to's.

 

[WSMC633]

I have a MacMini with a 24" monitor in my shop. No special software currently, just Tons of service manuals in PDF plus an internet connection. It's VERY handy to have. Plus I stream Pandora on it, so it keeps me entertained too!

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

i have laptop, not just one but two... both have internet and **** load of pdf lifes

 

[neonnblack]

use my phone.

 

[canuckian]

I use my iPad currently but thinking on moving my old (first year they made them) mini mac out there and getting a new one for the house.

 

[Vvmvbb]

iPad for me. Loaded up with PDFs of factory service manuals and parts databases for the p-cars, and links to all the DYI write-ups.

Btw- I have never had any interaction with GJ on anything but the iPad.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

Laptop on an extension table top arm meant to hold monitors. Lets me swing it out of the way when not in use. I also put a cover over it when not in use. Garages are dusty environments and I'm an IT tech. I know what all that stuff does to the inside since I'm the one that has to fix those same laptops.

What do I do with it? While surfing for information is of course one thing, it also runs an input to the stereo to play my choice of music streaming, acts as my telephone as needed, and the biggest use is to display photos of things I'm working on.

Photos- I use my cell phone or a digital camera a lot in repairs. Simply taking a picture of a drum break arrangement with all the springs in place will help greatly in putting them back in the right spot during reassembly. Having that picture on the laptop screen works out even better.

Same holds true for anything - not sure about the wiring? Take a picture. How does that fitting get configured? Take a picture. Want to show off stuff? Take a picture.

Upgrades I want to do in the new place I'm moving into- I will keep the laptop closed up under the bench out of the dust, run a USB keyboard/mouse and external monitor to the work bench area. That will tidy up the area nicely.

 

[Outlawmws]

My laptop lives on my workbench. I am always looking up something, whether it is computers, electronics, telecom, locks. I have a metric **** ton of PDFs on it.

Hope those are backed up!


And no computers in my garage. The network gear is in there though, on a shelf next to the telephone punch down panel and powered by a UPS hanging on the wall under the Modem/router shelf. (I can sail through a power outage of 4-6 hours with that and my Laptop/UPS

 

[jeffmoss26]

My network rack sits next to my bench...patch panel, switches, paging amp, 2 servers...remember, I am a computer guy by day, so I have overkill at home!

 

[cajunfirehawk]

Just recently picked up a used IBM Lenovo labtop for $125 and a docking station to go w/a keyboard and display I have had in storage, works great now w/wi-fi I don’t have to run inside all hot and greasy to access how to's and other helpful info…very helpful, IMHO.

 

[RKA]

I use a windows netbook for vag.com VCDS. It gets tucked away in my tool chest when not in use. I hate the monitor on it though, so for general browsing for info or DIY write ups, I'll bring the ipad out of the house as needed. For Bentley manuals I'll use my work laptop which fits neatly on a metal writing panel on one of my tool chest drawers. That works out great until I need something in that drawer.... I wish there was a way to get Bentley to work on my ipad, but honestly haven't looked into it.

 

[PCO6]

I have a laptop sitting on my garage desk and it's on pretty much all of the time that I'm in the garage. I can usually find information by using it faster than I can by thumbing through a shop manual.

 

[O_M_Jeep]

I use alldatadiy.com all the service manuals you could want as well as diagrams, schematics and step by step as well as service hours by job for every car out there.

It has made my life easier more times than I can count, it has information aimed more at shops, but for home users you can subscribe to your particular car/truck and have the service manual a click away.

 

[ndoran]

I have an old laptop in the garage. I have a wireless network at home so I can access the internet and I have access to a wireless hard drive which contains backups of all the hard drives for the other six computers in the house so I have full access to everything. I can also print via the wireless printer. I have pdfs of shop manuals and other technical articles etc. available while working in the garage.

 

[crewchief888]

my garage is crowded, dirty, dark, hot in the summer, cold in the winter, so no computer there.

i have a laptop in my service truck, has our service software, and wireless, and mobile internet access if i need it.

 

[nine4gmc]

a computer can be one of, if not the most important tool in your garage.

I bet if you gave the average person a 10' long tool box full of tools and an exotic car to fix, they'd be lost. give that same person a pair of pliers and a computer and they could fix anything..

 

[Tomato]

I have an old Alienware desktop on the work bench and I'm always bringing my laptop and my IPad out too.

 

[mrstrictlygm]

I use my laptop computer all the time in my garage when I work on cars that I am not to familiar with. I look up things on Youtube, Mitchell On-Demand, and car forums for info. I also use it to play my Pandora radio station.

 

[RKA]

a computer can be one of, if not the most important tool in your garage.

I bet if you gave the average person a 10' long tool box full of tools and an exotic car to fix, they'd be lost. give that same person a pair of pliers and a computer and they could fix anything..

I'm pretty sure I could prove you wrong! I'd break more things than I'd fix with that pair of pliers. If anyone would like to test the theory, LMK!

 

[Gary S]

I have a computer in my garage. I wired internet to it and set it up. It has never been used. My service manuals are all paper books in my file cabinet, and paper is 1000x easier to use than online stuff.

 

[MSweetz13]

Any computer with a 3D design program, or schematic design program deserves a place on the work bench, right next to the power supplies, oscilloscope, and Multimeter!! It also helps as a research tool, its great to have all of your manuals and pin-outs in PDF format on your computer rather than all over your desk inside the house.

 

[JASTECH]

Oh yes, I have them all over, lol..Geek vill on the hill. I keep all the files one needs and more. How to vids and How's it made. Want to put up big screen so I can really get into it. I use Wi-Fi N and system on 5ghz wireless. I would be lost w/o it. Linux Ubuntu with a side of M$. I will be getting rid of old parts, boards ect. and a network phone system (Jeff).

 

[andywander]

One of my shop computers runs my CNC Mill/Lathe. The other is used for looking up info on the Internet, or stored locally-whether it is assembly instructions or exploded view of a power tool, electronic circuit data, or a service manual for a tractor or a bike.

 

[bhd]

iPad for the garage, and two by the bed for the wife and I to surf the net' read books and even edit photos. Hate Mac computers as I'm so used to windows... But these suckers are great for pulling up diagrams, plans, etc....

 

[Sincitymetalworks]

This is my office desk all my email and orders are done here

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Had to add a wireless extender to get out to the garage but one of the laptops is out there running AllData whenever I need it.

 

[wafrederick]

Order parts from Parts Plus and Auto Value online,the nearest auto parts store gets the order and parts get delivered.

 

[AETD]

Any computer with a 3D design program, or schematic design program deserves a place on the work bench, right next to the power supplies, oscilloscope, and Multimeter!! It also helps as a research tool, its great to have all of your manuals and pin-outs in PDF format on your computer rather than all over your desk inside the house.

I also use inventor, but i prefer it on a desktop with big screen and draw tablet, rather than a laptop screen and touchpad. ;-)

 

[BigDaveZJ]

I have a computer in my garage. I wired internet to it and set it up. It has never been used. My service manuals are all paper books in my file cabinet, and paper is 1000x easier to use than online stuff.

Agreed, but the paper versions usually cost $$$$ when electronic can be had on the cheap. I usually keep an old laptop out in the shop, and when I build my new shop it will probably have an old desktop unit tucked away somewhere with a bigger display.

Being able to google things while in the shop is huge. I can do it on my phone, but having a full computer would be really nice. I've seen a few oil/solvent resistant keyboards in some shops that would be really nice to have.

 

[MSweetz13]

I also use inventor, but i prefer it on a desktop with big screen and draw tablet, rather than a laptop screen and touchpad. ;-)

Yeah or the touch screen computers, an I pad would work well also, but auto cad only has their WS app for it I think. An I pad would be great for PDF files though (manuals), and research, even schematic design if there is a decent app for it.

 

[dirtrider]

I work IT so the Internet is essential to what I do and even in the Garage it can come in very handy.I keep my rack and servers in the garage as well as a desktop on my workbench near my toolbox for easy access to look something up or find some documentation.

Oh yes, I have them all over, lol..Geek vill on the hill. I keep all the files one needs and more. How to vids and How's it made. Want to put up big screen so I can really get into it. I use Wi-Fi N and system on 5ghz wireless. I would be lost w/o it. Linux Ubuntu with a side of M$. I will be getting rid of old parts, boards ect. and a network phone system (Jeff).

I run Linux on pretty much all my stuff and work.

 

[jeffmoss26]

dirtrider, glad to see I am not alone in the IT world!

 

[deter]

I drag my laptop out there all the time. I also remote-connect to my desktop when I need to use resource-heavy software (like cad programs)

 

[AETD]

I drag my laptop out there all the time. I also remote-connect to my desktop when I need to use resource-heavy software (like cad programs)

what is the best way to do that? (the remote-connect)
When i use teamviewer, inventor becomes so slow i give up after 3 minutes, leave the garage and work in my office. ending up walking back an forth the garage for measuring, etc..

 

[daveroy]

For those of you with Ipad/Touch screen in the garage. Do you take special care to keep greasy gritty fingers off the screen? Do you have it in some kind of protection, mounted in a holder??

 

[vartz04]

For those of you with Ipad/Touch screen in the garage. Do you take special care to keep greasy gritty fingers off the screen? Do you have it in some kind of protection, mounted in a holder??

I was wondering the same thing. Mine is going to go into a mount of some sort on the wall. Ill probably get a screen protector for it but other than using some sort of stylus I don't know how you could avoid the dirtyness.

Mines a kindle though with no bluetooth. With an Ipad you could get bluetooth keyboard so you don't need to touch the screen.

 

[therealwormey]

My laptop lives on my workbench. I am always looking up something, whether it is computers, electronics, telecom, locks. I have a metric **** ton of PDFs on it.

a metric **** ton ,never heard that one but i like it,,hope ya dont mind if i use it.
i wish i had a PC in the shop but i'd probly have to move a bunch o **** every time i wanted to use it. it'd be better than runnin in the house to look up a service manual. a laptop would serve me well to use with my MIFI just for the shop,,,yall have put me to thinkin.