Looking for a laptop to play Trainz on.

[AnorakNeil]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a decent laptop to run Trainz UTC and TRS 2006. I'll also be using it for other general computing duties, but I was wondering what sort of processor and graphics card will be able to cope with my different Trainz versions, plus the latest versions of Trainz should I decide to upgrade my software.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

Neil.

 

[shaneturner12]

For later versions, a laptop will have problems running them properly unless it's a high spec gaming laptop (which usually costs £800+).

It would need to be a dedicated graphics card, and a dual core processor (or better) with a speed of at least 2 - 2.5Ghz.

Shane

 

[AnorakNeil]

For later versions, a laptop will have problems running them properly unless it's a high spec gaming laptop (which usually costs £800+).

It would need to be a dedicated graphics card, and a dual core processor (or better) with a speed of at least 2 - 2.5Ghz.

Shane

Cheers for the reply Shane.

I'm not that clued up on processors or graphics cards, but was wondering if an Intel Core i5 3210M 2.5GHz to 3.1GHz Turbo Boost processor and an Intel HD Graphics 4000 would be up to the job?

Thanks,

Neil.

 

[cascaderailroad]

Suprisingly ... TRS2006 works pretty darn good on my ancient Toshiba Satellite 105, Integrated Graphics, low end 2Gb RAM laptop PC, 1.73GHz, Open GL, ... I get @ 25 FPS at best

 

[AnorakNeil]

Suprisingly ... TRS2006 works pretty darn good on my ancient Toshiba Satellite 105, Integrated Graphics, low end 2Gb RAM laptop PC, 1.73GHz, Open GL, ... I get @ 25 FPS at best

What system are you using to run TS2010?

 

[shaneturner12]

The graphics card is a no-no, as it does not support OpenGL properly, which later versions require. As for the processor, it depends on whether it's dual core or not, as a single core processor would need to be 3.5Ghz to run the latest ones smoothly.

Shane

 

[malikrthr]

I think the amount of cores in the processor matters more than the clock speed. I am running trainz 2010 pretty good with a quad core AMD Phenom II X4 965 @ 3.4Ghz handling trainz over 60fps.

 

[Gandalf0444]

I think the amount of cores in the processor matters more than the clock speed. I am running trainz 2010 pretty good with a quad core AMD Phenom II X4 965 @ 3.4Ghz handling trainz over 60fps.

Well if it is a single core processor then you would want a WAY higher clock speed, while with multi core CPUs you could get away with a slightly slower clock speed, for the sake of trainz however you want the highest clock speed possible, since trainz is not able to actually use more then 1 core to any extent, they say it uses more then 1 core but I have yet to see it do so...I see core 0 max out while the other 3 just hang around at the normal range of 2% with sometimes a spike in core 1 to say 30% trainz maybe?

 

[coliny]

How much do you want to spend to grab a laptop?

 

[pdkoester]

I suggest an Intel quad-core CPU, dedicated Nvidia or AMD GPU with 2GB, 8GB or more of RAM, 500GB or greater hard drive.

 

[fran1]

If you have to use a laptop have a look at quidco (a cash back site).
10% off an alienware M17x + 6% cahback.
Includes win7 home premium, i7-3630QM cpu, gtx 660m gpu with 2gbb GDDR5 memory. Forgot to look at system ram.
From £1299 (you can upgrade the cpu) inc delivery.
If you get 16% off in total that's £207.84p discount.

 

[coliny]

How about MSI G Series GT70 0NE-452US, Intel Core i7-3630 QM+1TB 5400RPM + 128G SSD,+16GB DDR3 (MAX 16GB)+NVIDIA GTX 680M 2G GDDR5, see here

 

[JCitron]

How about MSI G Series GT70 0NE-452US, Intel Core i7-3630 QM+1TB 5400RPM + 128G SSD,+16GB DDR3 (MAX 16GB)+NVIDIA GTX 680M 2G GDDR5, see here

That's not a bad system either. Like the Alienware it should handle Trainz fine, and like the Alienware M17x, which I have (and Fran it comes with 8GB), it'll toast your nuts too if you keep it on your lap. You'll also get a hernia too with the Alienware. The unit must weigh about 20lbs.

John

 

[fran1]

That's not a bad system either. Like the Alienware it should handle Trainz fine, and like the Alienware M17x, which I have (and Fran it comes with 8GB), it'll toast your nuts too if you keep it on your lap. You'll also get a hernia too with the Alienware. The unit must weigh about 20lbs.

John

Put some bread or bagles on your lap, let them warm up instead. A heck of a price for a bread warmer.

 

[JCitron]

Put some bread or bagles on your lap, let them warm up instead. A heck of a price for a bread warmer.

It must be one of those Jennair models with the brushed aluminum cases.

Seriously it's a great machine, but awful to lug around. I've used mine quite often when I've traveled and stayed somewhere. It's not good for constant on-the-road type traveling which I do when storm-chasing, which is when it would be perfect with the 4 hour van rides with nothing to see for 100s of miles.

John

 

[BenMerrill]

The thread is old but I think if one mentions the budget then he can get better recommendations.

 

[CFL-Fan]

I think necroposting is a far worse online offense ;-)

 

[cascaderailroad]

Really ??? ... A long awaited answer from a question posed on January 8th, 2013 ??? ... this thread is definitely a dead parrot, it has ceased to exist

Rake more leaves, shovel more schnow ... then you will have $2700 to buy a new laptop to run T:ANE on ... Forget all about UTC and TRS2006 !

The OP was last online September 17th, 2014 06:55 PM ... I think Elvis has left the building !