I splurged...

[JCitron]

Yup. I went and splurged on a very expensive laptop that can run Trainz as well as my desktop. I spent a little more than $3200 for the machine, but the last time I bought a Toshiba laptop ver 6 years ago, and paid over $2600 back then for a machine that couldn't run anything well other than basic programs. Besides the old Toshiba used to get so hot, I thought I'd become sterile if I kept it in my lap.

Anyway, my new machine is an Alienware M17x. It comes with dual ATI 5870 video cards, a 17-inch LCD, LED backlit display, 8 GB of RAM, and 1.2 TB of hard drive space. TS2010 loads up quickly and runs with all the sliders to the right. Not bad for a laptop I may add.

Now that I'm in debt for the rest of my life, I'll probably have this machine for another 6 years before I make an investment again.

This machine will become my main Trainz machine, because I can travel with it, or sit out on the porch rather than sitting in the basement when the weather is nice. What's interesting is it weighs no more than the old Toshiba did when I got that machine so many years ago. It is quite heavy and I was quite shocked when I hefted it to the table to configure it.

John

 

[narrowgauge]

Nice!

Only jealous.

Peter

 

[mrscsi]

Yup. I went and splurged on a very expensive laptop that can run Trainz as well as my desktop. I spent a little more than $3200 for the machine, but the last time I bought a Toshiba laptop ver 6 years ago, and paid over $2600 back then for a machine that couldn't run anything well other than basic programs. Besides the old Toshiba used to get so hot, I thought I'd become sterile if I kept it in my lap.

Anyway, my new machine is an Alienware M17x. It comes with dual ATI 5870 video cards, a 17-inch LCD, LED backlit display, 8 GB of RAM, and 1.2 TB of hard drive space. TS2010 loads up quickly and runs with all the sliders to the right. Not bad for a laptop I may add.

Now that I'm in debt for the rest of my life, I'll probably have this machine for another 6 years before I make an investment again.

This machine will become my main Trainz machine, because I can travel with it, or sit out on the porch rather than sitting in the basement when the weather is nice. What's interesting is it weighs no more than the old Toshiba did when I got that machine so many years ago. It is quite heavy and I was quite shocked when I hefted it to the table to configure it.

John

It's like my dell E1705, they call it a laptop but it really falls into the category of "desktop replacement" which mean more horsepower than a laptop but easier to take with you...:hehe:

You'll like it, I still use the 1705 even though I replaced it with a real desktop 2 years ago.

 

[n8phu]

Yup, got one myself...

Best machine I ever had.... Runs trainz like a dream.

 

[RRSignal]

Congratulations. Though I'm not a laptop guy it gives me a warm fuzzy when somebody finds a good one. Enjoy!

 

[Euphod]

Now that I'm in debt for the rest of my life, I'll probably have this machine for another 6 years before I make an investment again.

Debt, yes, I owe more than that in taxes this year! I, too am jealous of your new purchase, but I do hope it lasts you a good long time!

 

[cascaderailroad]

I never paid more than $1000 for a car ... some of these 20 year old "Hoopdies" are still runing. :hehe:

There is an I7 Laptop that is @ $1300 and should be more than anyone ever needs.

 

[axe1970]

yeah I would like a laptop like that, as a second machine. I could take it to work and work on my route while I supposed to be working.

 

[JCitron]

I never paid more than $1000 for a car ... some of these 20 year old "Hoopdies" are still runing. :hehe:

There is an I7 Laptop that is @ $1300 and should be more than anyone ever needs.

I looked at those machines before I went for the "big one". The video options on the $1300 laptops wasn't there. The paltry low-end ATI or worse Intel Graphics, was all there was to offer. The Alienware machine has dual 5870 discrete video, which makes a big difference in the performance.

John

 

[JCitron]

yeah I would like a laptop like that, as a second machine. I could take it to work and work on my route while I supposed to be working.

That was my plan too, LOL. I've got some co-workers interested in Trainz. One of the guys is a model railroader and is working on a big HO layout with his son. He's interested in Trainz, and will most likely be hooked once he sees it in action!

Watch out work and productivity!

John

 

[NinjaFrogz]

What's the cooling like on the Alienware? Does it get hot?

 

[JCitron]

What's the cooling like on the Alienware? Does it get hot?

It's not bad. I've kept it across my lap, and my legs didn't get too warm. This is unlike my old Toshiba, which made me so hot I thought I would become sterile!

The old Toshiba was a P4 3.0 with 2.0 GB of RAM and 2 GB hard drive!

I showed the machine with Trainz on it to my co-workers today. I now have two interested parties! The first guy loved it and wants me to bring the machine in again tomorrow because he didn't have much time to see the program.

His cube neighbor saw it, and is also a model railroader working on a huge HO layout with his son. He's interested in the program as well, and was asking for details on TS2010.

I definitely didn't use the program during the day though. I'd get into trouble because nothing else would get done. :hehe:

John

 

[teddytoot]

John, what CPU has your M17x got? From the price it must be one of the top ones.

 

[norfolksouthern37]

the biggest issue i have with mine is that its 11.7 lbs. thats a lot to put across one's lap for an extended period.

as far as the cooling, most of the bottom is mesh and ventilated, so there is plenty of airflow.

 

[JCitron]

the biggest issue i have with mine is that its 11.7 lbs. thats a lot to put across one's lap for an extended period.

as far as the cooling, most of the bottom is mesh and ventilated, so there is plenty of airflow.

Yeah, it is a bit heavy on the legs. Not as bad as my old Visual Commuter, which was about 26 lbs with the full-sized LCD display. I carred that once from North Station in Boston, through the MBTA subway Red Line, and Green line street-car line to South Station. By the time I reached the Amtrak train at South Station, my arm felt like it was about to fall off!

@Teddytoot (John) This is one of the faster processors, but not the Extreme series, which are really expensive - almost to the "extreme".

John

 

[RRSignal]

@Teddytoot (John) This is one of the faster processors, but not the Extreme series, which are really expensive - almost to the "extreme".

John

I can only imagine what one with the Extreme CPU costs!