Laptop PC's for Trainz - what to look for?

[Dinorius_Redundicus]

I have vague plans to live overseas for periods of up to 6 months, but want to continue with my 3D modelling for Trainz while I'm there. I can't see myself dragging my big desktop computer with me, so a laptop PC would seem to be an answer if it can run 3DSMax, Photoshop and Trainz itself.

So my question then becomes, are there laptops out there that can run those programs OK?

What features or systems should I be looking for? (assume that I can afford whatever it costs, the important thing is that it works).

~ Deane

 

[malikrthr]

I think the Fangbook by Cyberbower or the Alienware M18X would be the best laptops for trainz and the 3d modelling. I have never used them but from what I know, those are very powerful gaming laptops.

 

[Dinorius_Redundicus]

So when you say 'gaming laptop', what does that imply about the machine - standalone graphics card? SSD? I'm not really asking about brands or examples, but more about the essential components or architecture a laptop must have.

 

[Bill69]

Hi DR,

I have tried Trainz on one or two laptops and found it would only run on satisfactorilly on a machine with a stand alone graphics card but also required a cooling pad. It also had to be running on mains power, the batteries were not good enough.

Cheers,
Bill69

 

[JCitron]

Deane,

If you want anything that will handle Trainz as well as 3d modeling, you need a gaming machine such as the DELL XPS-series or their flagship Alienware machines. Their Precision Mobile Workstation series are similar spec'ed as the XPS-series, but have the mobile Quadro which do not play games very well, and will sadly have poor performance. The other thing I've noticed too with the Quadro cards used by DELL is they are the lesser quality, or as I should say, older chipsets. This makes a big difference in the performance as well.

When I was pricing out a gaming laptop, I ended up with the Alienware M17x. At the time the XPS weren't up to the same performance level as the Alienware machines. This has changed, but keep this in mind that the XPS are the cheaper gaming machines. They are great in their own right, and probably capable of running Trainz, but they don't have the aluminum case that the Alienware machines have. This makes a big difference when it comes to cooling. The aluminum will help dissipate the heat much better than the plastic.

So in the end, I ended up with the M17x which is about two years old now. It runs Trainz Ts12 full throttle and the graphics are nice. The machine has a discrete ATI graphics card. The latest M17x has the NVidia card installed.

Now this machine is awesome, but as it's heavy! I regret getting it for that reason because my hopes were to take the machine with me when I traveled. I have to use two hands to life the bag or limp with it because it's so heavy. The other issue too is the battery is paltry and will run out in an instant without power. It eats batteries like a cold drink does ice cubes in the hot sun so I have to keep the machine plugged in when using games such as Trainz, SimCity (SC4), and others.

Bill is right. You need a cooling pad. This is another addition to my carrying bag. That machine is more than a lap warmer. It will figuratively roast the chestnuts!

John

 

[Dinorius_Redundicus]

That gives me some encouragement actually. The power consumption and weight will not be such big problems. I just need to be able to get the thing on a plane once and it will only be used when connected to a power outlet at my final destination. Not something I want to take to cafes with me. Also I didn't even know that standalone graphics cards could fit in a laptop, I'm a bit amazed to hear that they can. Aluminium case and a cooling pad - two things I'd never have thought of, so thanks for that tip too.

I concur about the Dell Precision Workstation. I'm using one right now at work, and I know it can't even run gmax properly (maybe software-related, I'm not sure).

So this Alienware M17x - approximately how much do those things cost in the US? (whatever it is, it's probably double that here in the colonies).

Oh, and what do you think of SSD's in laptops? Do they even have them in laptops?

 

[Gandalf0444]

Well a stand alone graphics card for a laptop is not as you would see it in say a desktop where it is a big bulky behemoth in a sense. It is a lot smaller and is the GPU itself(what the heatsink covers on desktop graphics cards much like your cpu heatsink, and the dedicated video memory for it, along with all the other needed things that come along on the PCB, then it connects via a PCIe connection on the motherboard of the laptop, which is again reduced in size drastically.

but because it is it's own independent card, almost like it's big brother on the desktops the performance gain is through the roof, unlike when a laptop with integrated graphics where the video card is combined with the chipset(almost like a poor mans APU which combines the CPU and GPU) which then leaches off the system memory and eats some CPU power. So if you had 8GB of ram the integrated video card would take a small amount itself right off the bat, say 256MB like the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250 does and as it needs more(like you can seriously even play games on it for it to need more) but it will then take more as it needs it up to a preset maximum which is set by the chipset/driver or set by yourself in the Bios as in my case the maximum would be 1.5 Gigs(that of course depends on the amount of ram you have installed).

 

[n8phu]

I am running and modeling on a Pre Dell Alienware M17X with Dual graphics cards in t... Trainz runs like a scalded ape.... They are a little pricey, but worth every penny.

 

[Dinorius_Redundicus]

I've always wanted to scald an ape! By golly, I gotta get me one o' them M17x's! :hehe:

 

[Isegrinns]

I´m running on this one:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-MSI-GT663R-Gaming-Notebook.44271.0.html
Happened that I ran 10 & 12 at once and its still alive.
Would buy it again.
There is probably somethings better around by now, I bought it in december 11.

 

[pdkoester]

if you get an Intel i7 and dedicated GPU, 8GB RAM, it will work good. My HP entertainment laptop runs it very good, $899 on December 2011. Still no slowing down.

 

[mezzoprezzo]

Deane,

Just a small point if you’re considering buying one at your destination country, or just buying it from overseas.

Check that you get a familiar keyboard. I had a 10 minute struggle with an Italian desktop simply trying to find the @ key to type in my email address to do an online aircraft boarding pass.

Although they use a qwerty keyboard, many of the non alpha numeric key symbols are in odd places and some require triple synchronised key depressions.

Cheers
Casper

 

[n8phu]

Deane,

Just a small point if you’re considering buying one at your destination country, or just buying it from overseas.

Check that you get a familiar keyboard. I had a 10 minute struggle with an Italian desktop simply trying to find the @ key to type in my email address to do an online aircraft boarding pass.

Although they use a qwerty keyboard, many of the non alpha numeric key symbols are in odd places and some require triple synchronised key depressions.

Cheers
Casper

Valid point, Imagine trying to type on a keyboard in Japan or Israel.......

 

[JCitron]

Valid point, Imagine trying to type on a keyboard in Japan or Israel.......

This happens in the corporate world as well. I used to support some French speaking users who had French keyboards. When it came to logging in, the system would default to English then load the French overlay. This was very confusing because of the Qwerty, but not Qwerty thing. I'd spend more time unlocking these users because they'd forget where the characters were on the invisible English keyboard.

Back to Deane's question on the price. At the time I purchased the Alienware M17x, it was about $2400 USD. It should be about the same in AUD because the value are so close. You will of course have your import, duties, and taxes which are higher.

John

 

[RoysTrainz]

Dean,

i am not the greatest fan of laptops for many reasons, brand fix and already outdated when you buy it and not do what you really expect.
check for the form factor gaming pc on the web and see the size the box has compared to old fashioned towers needed for the toasters and sorts of high tech gaming boards and stuff.
Now as for me the form factor is the way to go for home and travel:
Yes you can have a little box built or like for travel camera's and things light aluminium travel cases or just a bigger heavy duty bag pack.
Nividia now has the Geforce size power and not hot video cards, take any SSD and a I7 board Mobo thing it all fits almost in an oversized wallet of you haha.
Really check it out and yes now you NOT have to worry about DELL Acer or anyone else restricting your moves, updates changes of the inside of the machine.
Yes the monitor is the only one to carry to but consider soon you have a foldaway ultra thin monitor and for travel oversees bet to Thailand you can easily put a 21" screen in your luggage.

In short for your purpose a laptop is not gonna do the job. You can have my travelmate 4 years old or 5? runs trainz well but ACER lika all brand names hooks you like a fresh snapper, bought it stuck with it.
When back in Thailand check Tcom in Bangkok if still interested these guys open most laptops and "upgrade them but I would go for form factor gaming pc right now./

best regards,

Roy, ning n Djoetje

Nividia shows many form factor pc stuff in their adds.

 

[schweitzerdude]

About a year ago I bought a Dell XPS laptop which runs Trainz very well. It does have a i7 processor, dedicated graphics, and 8GB RAM, as others have recommended. I won't give you the specifics on the processor and graphics because in a year, everything changes and you can do better for the same money. I also bought a cooling pad (has a fan) which it sits on.

Before I bought it, I did a lot of research. Here are some websites:

www.notebookcheck.net
www.pcper.com
and perhaps most useful to me to see how dedicated graphics chips rank:
www.videocardbenchmark.net

 

[Dinorius_Redundicus]

Djoetje

Yes, I hate laptops too, I see them as a necessary evil in this instance. You have seen my $19 Vietnamese mobile phone, so you know I'm not into following trends very well! :hehe:

Ask Roy to explain what is 'form factor'? Sorry I'm not up with the latest IT buzzwords!

~ D

 

[Dinorius_Redundicus]

@ schweitzerdude

Thanks for the feedback and the links. It seems I have a lot of reading to do!

~ D

 

[RoysTrainz]

Djoetje

Yes, I hate laptops too, I see them as a necessary evil in this instance. You have seen my $19 Vietnamese mobile phone, so you know I'm not into following trends very well! :hehe:

Ask Roy to explain what is 'form factor'? Sorry I'm not up with the latest IT buzzwords!

~ D

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/small_form_factor_face-_we_compare_5_compact_contenders

check also nividia website they refer to many manufacturers that make really compacted tower pc's into merely bigger than a small shoe box. So there you have full freedom and flexibility to change upgrade any time anywhere.

I write for djoetje as he cannot with his little hoofs hit correctly the keyboard.

For those not know who is Djoetje follow my threads.
He is the one and only Trainzer Muntjac deer in the world!

Roy

 

[malikrthr]

So when you say 'gaming laptop', what does that imply about the machine - standalone graphics card? SSD? I'm not really asking about brands or examples, but more about the essential components or architecture a laptop must have.

You should buy a gaming laptop such as the M17x or M18x along with an SSD hard drive installed. I heard alot of good things about SSD's and trainz as far as performance goes. Also, when working with trainz on a laptop, be sure to use the laptop without the battery installed. Work off of the wall outlet.