What would be the better Simulator & other graphic programs out of these laptops?

[Red_Rattler]

Naturally, a laptop would not be the main use, just for on.

What would be the better performer for simulators and other graphic intensive programs, such as videos? out of these?
http://www.joycemayne.com.au/asus-a55a-sx060v-laptop.html,
http://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers/toshiba/satellite-14-inch-notebook-sku-88914

 

[vonhammer_87]

Going off the specs I would say the Toshiba is the better deal. But I personally prefer Asus products. I recently got an an Asus G74 laptop for $900 at best buy. It was refurbished haven't had a problem. That's definitely one avenue to look at is refurbished PC's.

 

[JCitron]

I would stay away from the Toshiba machines. Their specs are okay, but they run really, really hot. I had an older machine that could roast peanuts on it if you weren't careful. I'm not the only one that had this issue with Toshiba laptops. This was an issue where I work as well, and because of that issue we won't order any for our hub.

John

 

[ulmer94]

I concur, we've had three Toshibas and two of them cooked themselves.

 

[BD1]

placemarker

 

[JCitron]

Se this is where laptops get confusing.

The Toshiba has a fast 3.1GHz CPU, and a 2Gb dedicated graphics memory.

But the Asus only has a 2.3GHz CPU, and a HP 4000, whatever that is.

I'm sticking with a desktop

As an owner of both a high-end gaming laptop - an Alienware M17x and a blazingly fast desktop, I still prefer the desktop for Trainz. The laptop is good if I'm going to be away for an extended period because I can take everything with me, but the laptop, even with its memory and discrete video card, it still suffers the same performance issues that all laptops have.

The HP 4000 is the HP their OEM version of a Quadro video card made by NVidia. This is not a gaming card; it's CAD/Cam card and is not suitable for game playing.

John

 

[Red_Rattler]

I still prefer the desktop for Trainz.

Oh great, the so called "better' forum hath done it againith!

In my first post, I typed the words for "on-the-go, but anyway, a laptop would not be the main use for Trainz, just for on the go, if need to. But besides, as stated, better graphics also helps for videos, etc.

Edit: It looks like a review site also agrees with Toshibas gettting overheated. Do you know why they would?

PS: It is true that all laptops and probably desktops, do have to get slightly warm?

 

[JCitron]

Oh great, the so called "better' forum hath done it againith!

In my first post, I typed the words for "on-the-go, but anyway, a laptop would not be the main use for Trainz, just for on the go, if need to. But besides, as stated, better graphics also helps for videos, etc.

Edit: It looks like a review site also agrees with Toshibas gettting overheated. Do you know why they would?

PS: It is true that all laptops and probably desktops, do have to get slightly warm?

Why the Toshiba units get so warm? This probably has to do with their case design. In fact that is one of the biggest concerns for system designers and builders for any computer system. The cases have to allow for decent airflow otherwise the processors and other working components will cook, literally. The CPU chip and the graphics processor (GPU) get up in the 50-60C and even higher range when working hard. This is quite warm and can blister if you touch them. This is with cooling systems on them. Without that, they'd fail from thermal damage. Intel processors and boards actually have a failsafe built into them that will shutdown the processor should the system get too warm. Your computer may begin to lose performance at first, then shutdown quickly, but that's the least thing to worry about. At least the CPU didn't catch on fire which can happen.

Yeah, gaming laptops are okay, as I have one - an Alienware M17x which is their top-of-the-line gaming machine. Being a laptop, though it suffers the same ills as any laptop including some lagging. The video card I have, which is the older ATI59xx series chipset, doesn't quite have the horsepower as the latest NVidia680m. Unlike a desktop, this can't be swapped out so now the laptop is stuck with the older video card. The machine does work as a portable unit, and I've taken it on the road with me when traveling. It was great working on my route while storm chasing this summer during the long rides across the Great Plains. I had to plug the machine into the inverter though because the battery life is very short.

John