Laptop as new "Desktop"?

birdie · 12th February 2008, 10:06 AM

I currently have a desktop PC, 3000+ Athlon, 1Gb Ram, total of ~600Gb Storage, GeForce 4 440MX GFX (was Radeon 9700 Pro until it died a couple of months ago), Dell 24" LCD...

Now I am considering getting a new computer, now I am trying to decide whether i should just get a laptop as my new computer, then get a docking station and connect the LCD, my z680s, Mouse, KB etc to the docking station and then use it that way... And probably setup my current desktop as a file server to store my stuff on...

But I also want a machine thats capable of running games at high res on my 24", without costing the earth...

So is there a suitable laptop, that would meet my needs without costing a fortune... or is a new desktop better suited to my needs?

Main uses: internet, music, movies (dvds + ripped movies), and the occasional game of NFS, or a FPS...

Is a 8600 in a laptop good enough to run high res games on my LCD? I have been out of the hardware game for a while now (as you can probably tell by my specs :P) so i'm a bit rusty on pricing, and whats available...

Nhutty · 12th February 2008, 10:19 AM

for what you want i'd suggest just buying a new PC.

a laptop that will power a 24" LCD for gaming will cost $4k, cause you will want a 8800MGTX in them, and i don't think you will find a laptop for under this price with decent specs.

you can build a similar specc'd desktop for $2k which will run better, you can overclock and be upgradable in future.

da_msta_chizz · 12th February 2008, 12:30 PM

My laptop runs my 26'' LCD at 1440x900 EASY, on HDMI, VGA, AND S-Video..And i'm sure it can go 1920x1200 and still be nice.
You can see it in my sig, and cost's under $2300 if you buy it at the right place.

asd · 12th February 2008, 12:34 PM

I don't understand, it says 8600GT 256Mb + 768mb overclocked, then it says Vista Ultimate and PCLinux OS?

Explain?

My MBP runs my 23" ADC easily, but you won't get one for under $2k. Worth it for not having to put up with Vista though!

Would hate to have bought a Vaio only to find you can't even put XP on it

da_msta_chizz · 12th February 2008, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asd

I don't understand, it says 8600GT 256Mb + 768mb overclocked, then it says Vista Ultimate and PCLinux OS?

Explain?

My MBP runs my 23" ADC easily, but you won't get one for under $2k. Worth it for not having to put up with Vista though!

Would hate to have bought a Vaio only to find you can't even put XP on it

It's an 8600M GT, with 256mb on it, then it shares 767mb of the Ram (667mhz, 2gb), and I've overclocked it through Rivatuner. I was running PClosOS through an Emulator, but i deleted it cause it was taking up too much space.
So i'm about to remove it.

Vista is the best for a dual screen setup..so easy, and the fact it handles it so well is good too..I can run my 26'', and my 32'' Viera at the same time..but I hate Dual screen setups..too distractive.

asd · 12th February 2008, 1:11 PM

Vista is still fidgetty and slow though, plus having to navigate with that stupid control panel. At least with OS X all you need to do is plug it in, no setup required, unless you want mirroring or something

Rass · 12th February 2008, 1:11 PM

I bought a gaming laptop a few years back. I have to say I won't do it again. Heat is a big consideration, as is lack of expandability.

You are better off with a desktop.

bassmechanic · 12th February 2008, 1:27 PM

you kinda answered your own question when you said you want a machine that is able to play games at high res and not cost the earth.

High res gaming for an affordable price is a desktop hands down no question about it.

A laptop is a mobile device, has been engineered around portability / power consumption etc.

If space is a major concern for you get a mac screen and machine in 1 and half decent specs for the cost, but then not so many games for it.

da_msta_chizz · 12th February 2008, 1:31 PM

Theres that new Asus M51, with an Intel T9300, and an Nvidia 9500M GS for $1700~
That seems the best you could get for under $2k.

scruffy1 · 12th February 2008, 4:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asd

I don't understand, it says 8600GT 256Mb + 768mb overclocked, then it says Vista Ultimate and PCLinux OS?

Explain?

My MBP runs my 23" ADC easily, but you won't get one for under $2k. Worth it for not having to put up with Vista though!

Would hate to have bought a Vaio only to find you can't even put XP on it

vista will steal system ram to add to your video ram, so you can have the joy of aero

sort of like onboard video used to do from antiquity, only without any great ability to tell vista to stop doing it (although i admit to only a brief dalliance with vista ultimate as a means of having a htpc, before i threw the slow and annoying p.o.s. off there and opted for mythbuntu

)

if you have more ram than you know what to do with in an uber-box, then vista may still be annoying... .... but that's just one man's view

da_msta_chizz · 12th February 2008, 5:05 PM

Yeah, but Vista lets apps have that ram back when it's not in aero..which is why i make sure to set all my games to run on basic mode, non aero.

asd · 12th February 2008, 5:15 PM

Just running classic/basic mode all the time fixes that anyway

Looks better too.

da_msta_chizz · 12th February 2008, 6:45 PM

Why run Basic or Classic when you have a half decent PC.
Those modes were only made for n00bs with 2ghz P4's, and 512mb of Ram.

haydio · 12th February 2008, 8:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by da_msta_chizz

Why run Basic or Classic when you have a half decent PC.
Those modes were only made for n00bs with 2ghz P4's, and 512mb of Ram.

//facepalm

Just use XP.

da_msta_chizz · 12th February 2008, 8:49 PM

you might aswell use XP is your gonna run Classic mode.

Anyway, back to topic, it is possible to get a good Laptop that will run high resolutions.
I tested this G1S on my friends monitor, and it ran 1920x1200 with ease, and played Crysis fine at this resolution.
Just don't expect anything spectacular under $2000...

12th February 2008, 10:06 AM	#1
birdie Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bundaberg, Queensland Posts: 1,264	Laptop as new "Desktop"? I currently have a desktop PC, 3000+ Athlon, 1Gb Ram, total of ~600Gb Storage, GeForce 4 440MX GFX (was Radeon 9700 Pro until it died a couple of months ago), Dell 24" LCD... Now I am considering getting a new computer, now I am trying to decide whether i should just get a laptop as my new computer, then get a docking station and connect the LCD, my z680s, Mouse, KB etc to the docking station and then use it that way... And probably setup my current desktop as a file server to store my stuff on... But I also want a machine thats capable of running games at high res on my 24", without costing the earth... So is there a suitable laptop, that would meet my needs without costing a fortune... or is a new desktop better suited to my needs? Main uses: internet, music, movies (dvds + ripped movies), and the occasional game of NFS, or a FPS... Is a 8600 in a laptop good enough to run high res games on my LCD? I have been out of the hardware game for a while now (as you can probably tell by my specs :P) so i'm a bit rusty on pricing, and whats available... __________________ Main PC: Intel C2Q Q6600 G0, Gigabyte GA-EP35-DS3R, 4GB Corsair PC6400, Albatron 8800GTX, 1TB Samsung, Antec Nine Hundred, Corsair TX750W, Dell 2407WFP 24" LCD Laptop: T2310, 2GB RAM, 320GB, 14.1", Intel X3100, DVDRW, 802.11G Camera Gear: Canon EOS 40D, Sigma 10-20 F/4-5.6 EX, Sigma 18-50 F/2.8 EX, Canon 50 F/1.8, Canon 70-200 F/2.8 L 2x 8Gb Lexar Pro 133x, Lowepro Computrekker Plus AW Rolling, Manfrotto 190X PRO B and 804RC2

12th February 2008, 10:19 AM	#2
Nhutty Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Melbourne Posts: 424	for what you want i'd suggest just buying a new PC. a laptop that will power a 24" LCD for gaming will cost $4k, cause you will want a 8800MGTX in them, and i don't think you will find a laptop for under this price with decent specs. you can build a similar specc'd desktop for $2k which will run better, you can overclock and be upgradable in future. __________________ Successful trades: 62 successful trades and growing, click to view PS3 PSN ID: Nhutty (ADD ME)

12th February 2008, 12:30 PM	#3
da_msta_chizz (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Central Coast, NSW Posts: 842	My laptop runs my 26'' LCD at 1440x900 EASY, on HDMI, VGA, AND S-Video..And i'm sure it can go 1920x1200 and still be nice. You can see it in my sig, and cost's under $2300 if you buy it at the right place. Last edited by da_msta_chizz; 12th February 2008 at 12:33 PM.

12th February 2008, 12:34 PM	#4
asd (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: May 2002 Location: Sydney Posts: 106	I don't understand, it says 8600GT 256Mb + 768mb overclocked, then it says Vista Ultimate and PCLinux OS? Explain? My MBP runs my 23" ADC easily, but you won't get one for under $2k. Worth it for not having to put up with Vista though! Would hate to have bought a Vaio only to find you can't even put XP on it Last edited by asd; 12th February 2008 at 12:37 PM.

12th February 2008, 1:11 PM	#7
Rass Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Brizbekistan Posts: 2,389	I bought a gaming laptop a few years back. I have to say I won't do it again. Heat is a big consideration, as is lack of expandability. You are better off with a desktop. __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATBl4qH9I54

12th February 2008, 1:27 PM	#8
bassmechanic Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Brisvegas Posts: 431	you kinda answered your own question when you said you want a machine that is able to play games at high res and not cost the earth. High res gaming for an affordable price is a desktop hands down no question about it. A laptop is a mobile device, has been engineered around portability / power consumption etc. If space is a major concern for you get a mac screen and machine in 1 and half decent specs for the cost, but then not so many games for it.

12th February 2008, 1:31 PM	#9
da_msta_chizz (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Central Coast, NSW Posts: 842	Theres that new Asus M51, with an Intel T9300, and an Nvidia 9500M GS for $1700~ That seems the best you could get for under $2k. Last edited by da_msta_chizz; 12th February 2008 at 1:34 PM.

12th February 2008, 5:05 PM	#11
da_msta_chizz (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Central Coast, NSW Posts: 842	Yeah, but Vista lets apps have that ram back when it's not in aero..which is why i make sure to set all my games to run on basic mode, non aero.

12th February 2008, 5:15 PM	#12
asd (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: May 2002 Location: Sydney Posts: 106	Just running classic/basic mode all the time fixes that anyway Looks better too.

12th February 2008, 6:45 PM	#13
da_msta_chizz (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Central Coast, NSW Posts: 842	Why run Basic or Classic when you have a half decent PC. Those modes were only made for n00bs with 2ghz P4's, and 512mb of Ram.

12th February 2008, 8:49 PM	#15
da_msta_chizz (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Central Coast, NSW Posts: 842	you might aswell use XP is your gonna run Classic mode. Anyway, back to topic, it is possible to get a good Laptop that will run high resolutions. I tested this G1S on my friends monitor, and it ran 1920x1200 with ease, and played Crysis fine at this resolution. Just don't expect anything spectacular under $2000... Last edited by da_msta_chizz; 12th February 2008 at 8:51 PM.