bigmoose said:Luke, I am biased AGAINST computer connected instrumentation. Sooner or later you goof up or the circuit goofs up. At the voltages we are working with, and with potential ground loop problems, the probability of FUBARing the laptop is just too high in my opinion. The dollar value may be the same, but I have invested way, way too much time in the software, files and system build on my laptop.
Most of the better benchtop meters have optically isolated protection between the analog section and the digital section. Not too much to worry about blowing the computer (and even not-so-old laptops can be had for 50 bucks).