Colofalcon

Jim, I see no surprises in your replies, and several welcome validations: "I do a lot of other things with this rig, so the specs again, were suitable." Yep, I will be using it as a business computer as well (I am a consultant, so I don't usually need a powerhouse, but once in a while I might build a complex schedule in MS Project). I assumed that if it ran P3D well, that it would pretty much handle anything I might throw at it business-wise. "I too ordered mine with the 2666mhz, but was told later it kept failing with the 7700K so I agreed to the 2400mhz. Honestly, I don't notice any performance issues." Yep, I was told the same thing by the sales rep....and I'm extremely happy to hear that you suffer no noticeable performance hit from having 2400 vs. 2666. So that's good to hear. "I can't speak for service with Razer, but for Origin and Dell, I used both, with Dell being the first and I never had a good c/s experience with Dell." I wasn't overwhelmed with the CS when I was getting a quote from them, either-- plus their sales CS was clearly outsourced and the person's English was hard to decipher at times. But the CS rep was certainly pleasant enough. "Razer builds good gaming laptops, not sure about their case originator, but they don't do very well for flight simulation because of their "stylish and sleek" cases not providing enough cooling." Yep, that has been my concern all along-- as well as the specs being lower (3.5 turbo CPU vs. 4.5). Now I have to consider whether I would go with the Origin 15" or the 17". Weight is going to be the key issue (7.5 vs. 8.5 pounds), and I usually have a monitor to use when on the road (I keep one stashed at each of the Residence Inns that I use-- one on the west and one on the east coasts respectively). The ONLY question I have is about the 1080 that is available with the 17" vs the 1070 on the 15". Do you think there will be a noticeable performance hit if I go with the 1070 vs. 1080? Thanks for expanding on your experience! Kent

Well actually Jimm...glad you commented on this thread, since it was YOU that started this whole line of thought for me a few months ago (the idea of using a laptop on the road for P3D....as I had read an early 2016 post you wrote about how well your Origin works). Was that "accusatory" enough sounding (GRIN)? After reading your earlier post, I immediately went and spec'd out an Origin....and one problem is, they got rid of the 2667Mhz RAM (I was/am looking at the EON15-X), now offering only 2400 Mhz. I have since read some horrible customer service stories about them, so I have a level of concern about going with them-- but I have not made a final decision. Here is the spec I was considering on the Origin EON15-X: FHD 1920 x 1080 15.6" IPS 120Hz G-SYNC Matte Display Single NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB (w/GPU overclock) Intel Core i7 7700K Quad-Core 4.2GHz (4.5GHz TurboBoost) GPU/CPU upgraded thermal paste 32GB Kingston HyperX Impact DDR4 2400MHz (4 X 8GB) WIN 10 Pro (64 bit) 2TB Samsung 850 Pro Series It all comes out to about $3,600 pre-shipping. I'm also considering an Alienware 15" R3: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-7820HK (Quad-Core, 8MB Cache, Overclocking up to 4.4GHz) Windows 10 Pro (64bit) English NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) GTX 1070 with 8GB GDDR5 15.6 inch FHD (1920 x 1080) 120Hz TN+WVA Anti-Glare 400-nits Display 16GB DDR4 at 2667MHz (2x8GB) 1TB PCIe SSD (Boot) + 1TB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s (Storage) About $2,800 damage on that one...and free shipping Anyway...those two are strong contenders...although I do a LOT of traveling (currently with 4.5 lb MacBook Pro 13"), so the weight increase of these machines will be VERY noticeable. Enter the Razer Blade Pro. It is 17", it doesn't look like "Frankencomputer" (like PC laptops typically do), and has a form factor that is easier to travel with....problem is, the specs are not that great: 17.3” IGZO UHD G-Sync, 16:9 ratio, 3840x2160, with LED backlight, with capacitive multi-touch NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1080 (8GB GDDR5 VRAM) [<-- OKAY, THAT'S GREAT] Intel® Core™ i7–6700HQ Quad-core processor with Hyper Threading 2.6GHz / 3.5GHz (Base / Turbo) [<-- THIS IS NOT SO GREAT] Mobile Intel® PCHM 100-series chipset 32GB dual-channel memory (DDR4, 2133MHz) [<-- THIS IS MOLASSES SLOW] Windows® 10 (64-Bit) So that's where I am...I'm not in a huge hurry (would like to get the next laptop, set it up, and head off on business with it in mid-to-late May), so I have to be semi rational about this. Any thoughts? I'm not necessarily weeded to these 3...but the first two seem to come closest to what you'd need to run P3D 3.4+, w/ORBX, PMDG, and some add ons. Thanks, Kent

Vortex-- I'm also considering a Razer Blade Pro...did you end up "pulling the trigger"? If so, are you running P3D 3.4+, and how is it working? Add-ons? Framerates, etc. Would love to hear your experience. Kent

Here's a request...How about UAE Dubai Air Wing 747-422, MSN 26903, Registration A6-HRM. Boeing 747-422 BBJ (probably would use the appropriately engined 747-400ER for the PMDG model). Just a thought. Kent

Dream for me would be the old 747SP (with full options for VIP radomes). But I recognize it's not commercially viable. Kent Valentine

Wow...just purchased the 777-200LR for P3d and it is operating wonderfully. I hope the 747-400 (and really the 747-8i) for P3d is percolating and nearly ready to "hatch"....LOVE these PMDG birds!!!! Kent

If they are working on the 777, let's hope like "heck" they are working on the Dash 8 in parallel. Waiting another two years for a Dash 8 would be "less than optimum".K.

Actually....a bizjet would be great (a Lear 35 absolutely wonderful, or perhaps a Hawker 800). Personally, I REALLY hope that they work the Dash 8 after they get done with the NGX.Kent

Yeah, there is just something about it. Back in the days when it came out, there were Microwave Landing Systems (MLS) where Dash 7s and Twotters could make steep descents into short fields. Just fun stuff. From what I've read, the four engine scheme and resulting additional fuel burn in part did them in.Kent

Actually...a Dash 7 would be great too! (I know...isn't going to happen-- but it's a nice thought....that would be a great airplane to get in and out of all of those ORBX PNW small airfields!).Kent

Okay, Lmaire...if you must!Kent

I know this is a longshot, but I agree the turbopropos are fun. As one of the "surprise" releases, I'd love to see:1. Fokker F272. Fokker F503. CL-215I suspect my guesses are wrong however....PMDG subjects seem to have been more "hipster" state of the art airplanes rather than the oldies-- love their stuff though, new or old!Kent

...Thursday, I went and spent over $2,000 on the parts for a new computer. For some reason, I also bought the PMDG 737 NGX Thursday night, and tried it out on my "old" system (Mac Pro with ATI 5780 card). I'm getting 25-30 FPS reliably on the Mac. Here's what I blame PMDG for: The new computer is still in parts in the other room-- I haven't been able to pull myself away from the NGX long enough to finish building the new system! Man, this thing is great (currently at FL 250, enroute KSNA-KSJC)... Kent