That's a very creative suggestion from Bryan there. I'll put that on my list as I'm full of flight sim addons and don't want to end in the virtual reality but still be able to compare it to the real thing.If you are planning on the 747, don't forget to add Bryan's FS2Crew Voice Commander Edition for it. Some well spend money there and quite some immersion added to the old lady. As she is older in optics and appearance, a sharp view on discounts are recommend. She's been on the market for quite some time now, but the online prices often don't reflect this fact. The 8i extension is highly recommend too (with additional costs but updated optics on the outside and some sound pack) as it gives you some lesser framerate impact due to the revised optics of the model (it's optics only, sadly, so no 8i technical data inside).

Also looking for the best FMC program (one that can help product complete routes i.e. Sids/Star etc).

Did you speak of an extra FMC unit or was a flight planning software addressed by your statement?There's are very good freeware FMC out including Navigraph support and stuff, check http://www.vas-project.org/ for details and maybe save some money.As for the flight planning, the older FSBuild releases are still freeware I think, so no money needed on the first steps there. Also, you'll find online flight planning services for free. http://rfinder.asalink.net/free/ or http://www.simroutes.../showplans.aspx are two of them for example. Later on, you can always advance and spend some money on further version or other programs.I think that most people around are waiting for the 737NGX, but she won't happen until Christmas I think. Lets hope for next Christmas. So while your plane may be the PMDG 747 + 8i + FS2Crew then, the rest of the money can go to a (completely) different plane or to some scenery. I've found the BN2 Islander or the Simcheck A300 to be good tips from the guys and I'd like to join in on those recommendations. I'll add the OrbX Lancair to it. Capable of VFR and IFR. A nice and also inexpensive buy would be a Ant's Tecnam Sierra or one of from the IRIS sales action over there. As Captain Sim will come up with some discount prices in the next days, the mighty 727 might be an option too if you like the steam gauge liners.Or, back to Bryans tip, you try to go real with the rest of the money. Maybe it takes another month to get enough though.

Wow- thank you everyone for the responses. You've given me a lot to consider and I really appreciate it.Now, I'm going to share my system specs and my hope is you won't laugh too hard at me. I just haven't had the time to invest on the hardware side.Dell Inspiron 530Intel dual 2.00 GHz CPUs2GB DRAMVista 32 bit SP2ATI Radeon 256MB19" monitorI defrag regularly and use Game Booster to get a decent performance for LVD 767 and Capt 757.Am I in trouble if I choose to get 737 NGX?Thanks again!

It could well be that the newer stuff like the NGX performs better than e. g. the older 747-400. Frankly, the 747-400 is a real killer, not on the strong systems nowadays but the middle and weaker ones will feel quite some impact. The 8i extension evens this by a big margin in my eyes. But as you already run the Captain Sim 757 to your needs, you could still be in line.Don't see this "well" as a free ticket to all complex and calculation heavy addons though. Your system forms the bottom of FSX capable ones, no doubt about it.Preferences are different but if you are currently going on the CS 757 (which isn't light on the frames), your preference might be ok with the NGX too. I think that PMDG stated somewhere that the J41 implemented some new techniques together with some framerate impact and that they advance the optics together with reducing this impact on the NGX. They've also stated that NGX will be running better as any other FSX title from them. At least, that's what I've read when scrolling through the various threads over there.So it could work, but your next flight sim list item surely should be a new system. :( I say this because I doubt that your current one is able to run complex birds on medium or dense scenery. Correct me if I'm wrong.The pure 747-400 could be quite heavy on your system then. Personally, I can't really recommend her on that system but I'm judging from my preference of course. As said, the 8i extension from PMDG offers a better performance than the pure base pack with 747-400 only. Maybe it works. I hope so, fellow Captain.

Gents,I'm not much of a notebook gamer, however, I have an opportunity to purchase the system below for my business. This looks better than my home system. Should I pull the trigger or wait until I can upgrade my home system?Studio XPS 16 NoteboookIntel Core i5-460M 2.53GHz/ up to SC 2.8Ghz/ 3M6GB, DDR3, 1333MHz 2 Dimm15.6 inch Wide Screen 16:9 900p HD+ WLED LCD, W/2.0 MP, XPS 1645ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730 - 1GB500GB 7200 RPMGenuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English

The PMDG 747X is a good choice along with the Just-flight MD-81/82 Jet Liner also sold at Fry's for $29.99. I would suggest any Carenado aircraft (many types currently on sale) and the Orbx Lancair if your like civil aviation.Darryl

One could answer, "go for it" but the price information is lacking. If you pay huge amounts on that surely significant but not impressive (in FSX terms) system, the value is lacking.I think a real good FSX system at an affordable price point, together with some options to later expand it, is stationary.I'm sure that this hardware will run FSX ok, but it limits you to default clock speeds and, if not, to an thermal envelope of the whole system. The costs of mobile products is higher, the actual performance will be lower and upgrading is difficult and expensinve. So, if you don't get this thing really cheap, don't see it as a big enhancement or one to have for your FSX plans (another usage might of course profit well from this investment).As you don't fly with the keyboard only, the mobile factor of those units gets severely disturbed by head tracking devices, joysticks and some other stuff. I see you running through the rain, carrying the laptop and some rudder pedals there. Be aware to leave the boundaries of this forum section if you discuss hardware now, Tyguy2k.Don't worry, they don't kill you but they move you then.

Thank you everyone for the replies. I really appreciate it. I will put some more thought to it.

The PMDG 747X is a good choice along with the Just-flight MD-81/82 Jet Liner also sold at Fry's for $29.99. I would suggest any Carenado aircraft (many types currently on sale) and the Orbx Lancair if your like civil aviation.Darryl

If you fancy a change from regular public transport but like to fly fast and high you could always try a corporate jet like Eaglesoft's Citation.