You can actually run most SDRs on much lower priced computer hardware than you might imagine. The main (free) SDR software packages have progressed in processing efficiency the last few years; I'm specifically thinking of lower CPU requirements for SDR-Console and SDRuno. IMHO the HDSDR software has been CPU-thrifty from the start.
If all you're doing is DXing the MW band, an older Intel Core i3 laptop will handle the Mbps sampling rate needed, and even many of the newer netbooks of yore. I remember at the dawn of Perseus, Bjarne Mjelde and I used low-end MSI Wind netbooks just fine with Perseus. That said, an i3 or i5 computer would give more "headroom" for the first time SDR user. Alternatively on the low end of PCs, the newer Atom processors can handle SDRs just fine. Three years ago I ran an Elad FDM-S2 successfully on an HP Stream 7 tablet with CPU usage of just 11 to 13 percent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FAwxwI95Zg That Stream 7 tablet was only $99 new three years ago, so price really isn't a barrier as much as some people claim for computers for SDRs. Don't like Windows for SDRs? There are some Mac SDR programs out there now. I can't name them as I don't follow the Apple computer world closely, but the software exists. I also know of some DXers who use Boot Camp on their MacBooks for running SDRs with their chosen flavor of Windows. 73, Guy Atkins Puyallup, WA _______________________________________________ IRCA mailing list [email protected] http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: [email protected]
