does anyone have a idea of what computer or laptop to get to run M4 and M3. the computer the machine is attached to is about dead its the last old XP computer I have so time for up grade 

http://magicmicro.com here is a place that I have bought my last three computers and has all turned out great and the best thing is that you can still get windows 7 pre-installed if you want. I have two of what they call a cube and it's very light and is portable and even has a carry handle

I have Mach 4 and ESS loading and running fine on an Acer Aspire Laptop with Windows 8.1  I hate windows 8 though, might downgrade to Windows 7 or pray the Windows 10 is better when it is released later this year.

Spend $3 for "Start is Back" and you can configure it so that Windows 8.1 is just like Windows 7, only faster.

Thanks for that info Gerry!!  I will definitely look into that... Windows 8 is a royal pain.