Why bother with tablets and laptops and not just get a VenusGX, Pi version or the "off the shelf plug and use" one?

18 minutes ago, The Terrible Triplett said:

not just get a VenusGX

As I understand it he wants to do away with his Windows computer, but he still needs a way to run VictronConnect and VeConfigure. The answer is, basically, to keep a windows machine around for those applications and move everything else to Linux (where you need the speed/stability of what have you).

Mostly it seems there is a belief that an old machine that is getting too weak to run windows will still be able to run Linux, and that belief is somewhat true... just not for the really nice desktop distros such as Ubuntu. Just running Firefox with 20 tabs or so, or Chrome with two gmail accounts open... you'd be absolutely amazed just how much RAM it sucks to open gmail or any of the numerous javascript-rich browser apps that is so common today. Just forget about doing work with a <4GB computer... that is the answer :-)

6 minutes ago, plonkster said:

... needs a way to run VictronConnect and VeConfigure.

Why?

VenusGX takes care of its part of its updates?
One can update the MPPT's with new firmware via Venus GX from Victron Website?
Believe inverters are next to be updated via web?

I ask for I have not connected any of my Victron stuff to any computer / laptop or tablet for months.

If I really have to, can use any computer / tablet / laptop for that once in a Blue moon. (pun intended)