Good laptop for FS9?

[JDWalley 354]

It looks like my old Sony Vaio laptop needs to be replaced, and I would like its successor, if possible, to run FS9 at a decent clip (it would be nice if it did the same with FSX, too, but that's not all that important).I don't have a whole lot of money available, so I can't really go with one of the $2,500-plus notebooks on the market, but would clearly want more performance than the $450 loss-leaders (usually with Intel Celeron and integrated graphics) at Fry's or Best Buy.So, how many of you are running FS9 satisfactorily on your laptops? If you are, which model are you using (and/or which CPU and graphics adapter, etc., does it come with)? What is your usual FPS in FS9, and how maxed (or not) are your settings? If you've tried running FSX on it, what has been your result?Thanks in advance!

[normada 0]

I have an Dell Inspiron XPS Gen2 Laptop (build in 2005). Due to its native resolution of 1920x1200 pixels it

[Guest jimcooper1]

My Dell XPS laptop (Win XP Pro)is a couple of years old now but runs FS9 like silk on glass.It's a Pentium M 2.13GHz, 1 GB RAM, nVidia 7800GTX, 17" widescreen 1920x1200. The equivalent one today will cost about $2300 which is probably outside your price range..http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16834114357looks good at $1650what is your budget?RegardsJim

[dbw1 444]

I've been using laptops as my only computer for about 5 years. Currently I have the following: hp dv9000, t7200 2.0, 512mb nvidia 7600, 2 gigs ram, 2-120gig 5400rpm hd, high res 1680x1050 screen. it runs both fs9 and fsx great. As it's been out for awhile there are probably some good deals on it. For what it's worth buy as much power as your budget will stand. You get a longer life out of it before needing to upgrade. Dave

[JDWalley 354]

Thanks! It seems, from what I've read both here and from other sources, that the current min-spec for a FS-compatible laptop would be a 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo with 2 GB and at least an Nvidia 7600. I would guess that there are a number of manufacturers with machines that meet that spec. The cheapest I've seen appears to be an Enpower 681 from PC Club for $1588, but I'd assume there are similar offerings from more well-known manufacturers for somewhat more.

[Guest Olivier]

Hi,I run FS9 on a Dell XPS1710 notebook. It is a really fast machine, with a built in 7950GTX adapter (512 Mb).Now, the problem with FS9 is that it cannot be used with a 16/10 screen. I personally use a 22 inch monitor (on top of the the notebook) with a windowed FS (1400 x 1050 window, which leaves a bit of space on the right and left side of the screen (no big deal).I use the notebook screen to display some instruments, maps, PDF files...The resolution of the screen (1920x1600) is really high, I would personally prefer 1650x1080 but this is OK.I also use this computer to play some other graphically demanding games (ie far cry) and it is really impressive.Happy flying,Olivier

[Guest jimcooper1]

>Now, the problem with FS9 is that it cannot be used with a 16/10 screen. Not true! it runs perfectly well.. If you look at the available screen resolutions you will find 1920x1200, 1280x800 etc all there to be used. What you do get it stretching of the default 2D cockpit views...now that is not the same same as saying "it cannot be used". Flying in the VC is not affected at all, and with a little bit of knowledge its easy to convert your 2D panels to 16:10 aspect ratioRegardsJim

[Trans_27 Pilot Chase 59]

Thanks guys.... Now I want a laptop... :-roll

[Trans_27 Pilot Chase 59]

Also, thought I'd mention a site I know of that does customs.Check out www.ibuypower.com You can get fairly good computers from them as well as custom made systems for a pretty good price. :)

[Guest lbb]

Hello Jim,Could you elaborate a bit about how to convert 2D panels to the 16:10 aspect ratio or point me in the direction of more information on that subject?Thank you,Leo

[Reset XPDR 1,271]

Whilst I don't run FS9 on the notebook in my sig (yet), I do run FSX on it quite successfully, so if it can run that more demanding version of FS, it should certainly run FS9 quite well. With coupons, I got it for $1150.Gary