title: Lap computers in the laboratory.
abstract: The acquisition of data from laboratory instruments and the automatic control of experimental apparatus is facilitated by the use of small, inexpensive battery-powered microcomputers ('lap computers'). Useful capabilities and features of currently available lap computers are summarized. A general strategy for data acquisition from laboratory instruments is outlined, and three illustrative examples of particular applications of lap computers in data acquisition and experimental control are described.
mesh_terms: D001330:Electronic Data Processing / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007753:Laboratories; D008838:Microcomputers