Second Life Forums Archive

Professor Maertens

Registered User

Join date: 20 Jun 2007

Posts: 15

11-02-2008 05:14

My 2 year old laptop will not run SL correctly, I get all sorts of odd geometric shapes on the screen among other problems. I am going to get a new laptop anyway (through work) and would welcome any suggestions on a laptop that (at least for now) seems to have the necessary graphics capability. I can pretty well spend whatever I want but would rather not spend more than necessary.

Thanks!

Hok Wakawaka

Registered User

Join date: 9 Feb 2006

Posts: 371

11-02-2008 05:33

Nothing better under $3,000

Available at stores such as Best Buy for $1,359

Gateway P-7811FX

4GB DDR3 memory for multitasking power, 1066MHz frontside bus, 3MB L2 cache and 2.26GHz pocessor speed

The next-generation Intel® Core™2 Duo processor is based on the innovative Intel® Core™ microarchitecture, so it runs faster and is more energy-efficient for cooler, quieter operation

17" WUXGA TFT widescreen display with 1920 x 1200 resolution

200GB SATA hard drive (7200 rpm)

NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GTS graphics with 512MB of GDDR3 discrete video memory; high-definition audio (2-channel); HDMI connector

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 64-bit operating system with Service Pack (SP1) preinstalled;

Lee Ponzu

What Would Steve Do?

Join date: 28 Jun 2006

Posts: 1,770

11-02-2008 05:49

You can spend $3,000 or more on a high end gamer laptop.

for 12-20 fps, you can spend less than $1500 for a laptop with an nVidia 7900 or higher (e.g., 8xxxx) or an ATI 1900 or better.

As for your current laptop, use custom graphics preferences to turn down your options. Maybe start at low, and then turn things up one at a time, avoiding the ones that screw you up.

good luck.

lee

_____________________

So many monkeys, so little Shakespeare.

Professor Maertens

Registered User

Join date: 20 Jun 2007

Posts: 15

11-02-2008 21:41

Thanks for the advice folks!

Chosen Few

Alpha Channel Slave

Join date: 16 Jan 2004

Posts: 7,496

11-02-2008 23:33

I absolutely love my ASUS G70S-A1. For $3000, it simply can't be beat. It even runs circles around far more expensive machines. Because ASUS is the only laptop maker in the world who manufactures their own graphics cards and motherboards, they're consistently able to offer a lot more bang for the buck than anyone else. See /327/da/280009/1.html for my full review, and specs.

The Gateway Hok recommended looks pretty decent, but it doesn't compete with the ASUS for the same price. That Gateway is basically half the machine of the ASUS, in terms of graphics processing and hard drive, and it doesn't even come close to giving you the same calibur peripherals or connectivity. It doesn't have Bluetooth, Blu-Ray, eSATA, or HDMI, and it doesn't come with Vista Ultimate. But the ASUS gives you all that, and more.

The G70S-A1 is simply the nicest laptop I've ever seen, period. Get one. You won't regret it.

Dog Galicia

Registered User

Join date: 24 Jun 2008

Posts: 177

laptop

11-03-2008 06:09

hi interesting thread. I too am buying a new laptop soon and would be interested in knowing what specification of machine, other UK residents use successfully for SL.
There is so much discussion and helpful information in these forums etc. on what you should have etc. and what doesn't work, especially on drivers and video cards, that I'd like to get one that at least has the capacity and correct bits and pieces to run SL without any hassle.

I am aware a lot of issues of SL not working satisfactorily can relate to broadband signal, but at least having a machine that would work technically, is most of the battle. Frankly I am confused.
ty

dog

Shirley Marquez

Ethical SLut

Join date: 28 Oct 2005

Posts: 788

11-04-2008 02:20

From: Chosen Few

I absolutely love my ASUS G70S-A1. For $3000, it simply can't be beat.

The Gateway Hok recommended looks pretty decent, but it doesn't compete with the ASUS for the same price. That Gateway is basically half the machine of the ASUS, in terms of graphics processing and hard drive, and it doesn't even come close to giving you the same calibur peripherals or connectivity. It doesn't have Bluetooth, Blu-Ray, eSATA, or HDMI, and it doesn't come with Vista Ultimate. But the ASUS gives you all that, and more.

The Gateway that Hok was talking (link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1211587727985&type=product ) about may be half the machine, but it was also half the price; under $1400 at Best Buy. Alas it seems to be discontinued, though a few stores still have some. It really was a deal for semi-portable gaming (I consider 8+ pound systems only semi-portable, and this one comes in a 9.2 pounds). Oh yes, it does have HDMI, though not the other things you say it doesn't have.

My problem is that my dream machine is a first-class FOUR pound laptop for SL. Nobody makes such a thing. It would have terrible battery life (gamer-class graphics are power hogs), at least when running SL, but I could live with that.

Chosen Few

Alpha Channel Slave

Join date: 16 Jan 2004

Posts: 7,496

11-04-2008 05:06

From: Shirley Marquez

The Gateway that Hok was talking (link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1211587727985&type=product ) about may be half the machine, but it was also half the price; under $1400 at Best Buy.

Ah, I missed the price the first time around, not sure how. Yeah, for $1400, that's a steal. Too bad it's discontinued.

Ee Maculate

Owner of Fourmile Castle

Join date: 11 Jan 2007

Posts: 919

11-04-2008 05:16

I've just ordered one of these beasts....

http://www.rockdirect.com/viewNotebook.php?pName=XTREME%20780

Resolver Bouchard

Registered User

Join date: 19 Jul 2006

Posts: 89

11-04-2008 05:29

From: Dog Galicia

hi interesting thread. I too am buying a new laptop soon and would be interested in knowing what specification of machine, other UK residents use successfully for SL.
There is so much discussion and helpful information in these forums etc. on what you should have etc. and what doesn't work, especially on drivers and video cards, that I'd like to get one that at least has the capacity and correct bits and pieces to run SL without any hassle.

I am aware a lot of issues of SL not working satisfactorily can relate to broadband signal, but at least having a machine that would work technically, is most of the battle. Frankly I am confused.
ty

dog

I'm using an HP Pavillion DV5-1012, core 2 duo 2GHz, 4 gigs of RAM, 9600M GT graphics, bluray. There was a similar Asus or Acer one that was cheaper but it was just too ugly. 17" laptops are a bit heavy if you have to lug them around so I went for a 15.4".

The important thing is the graphics card. My current one happily runs with all the eye candy on. My previous laptop with a GO7600 struggled unless I turned the graphics right down.

This is a good list for comparrison purposes.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html

Avoid integrated graphics like the plague. In the UK £600 and up is the price range you are looking at.

Gummi Richthofen

Fetish's Frasier Crane!

Join date: 3 Oct 2006

Posts: 605

11-04-2008 07:24

When I use SL on a lappy it's one of two: a MacBook Pro or an IBM Z61. Both seem Ok to me - the far more influential factor is the state of the international links, and my net connection. The Z IBM has integrated graphics and so far, so good... but it is running Vista...

Chosen Few

Alpha Channel Slave

Join date: 16 Jan 2004

Posts: 7,496

11-04-2008 13:47

After taking Shirley's point about pricing to heart, I did a little searching, and found this, which should be available in a couple of weeks:

http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=G71G-A1&Category_Code=

Specs look really good (slightly better than that Gateway), and it's not super expensive.

Welcome to the Second Life Forums Archive

New Laptop

New Laptop
Professor Maertens Registered User Join date: 20 Jun 2007 Posts: 15	11-02-2008 05:14 My 2 year old laptop will not run SL correctly, I get all sorts of odd geometric shapes on the screen among other problems. I am going to get a new laptop anyway (through work) and would welcome any suggestions on a laptop that (at least for now) seems to have the necessary graphics capability. I can pretty well spend whatever I want but would rather not spend more than necessary. Thanks!
Hok Wakawaka Registered User Join date: 9 Feb 2006 Posts: 371	11-02-2008 05:33 Nothing better under $3,000 Available at stores such as Best Buy for $1,359 Gateway P-7811FX 4GB DDR3 memory for multitasking power, 1066MHz frontside bus, 3MB L2 cache and 2.26GHz pocessor speed The next-generation Intel® Core™2 Duo processor is based on the innovative Intel® Core™ microarchitecture, so it runs faster and is more energy-efficient for cooler, quieter operation 17" WUXGA TFT widescreen display with 1920 x 1200 resolution 200GB SATA hard drive (7200 rpm) NVIDIA GeForce 9800M GTS graphics with 512MB of GDDR3 discrete video memory; high-definition audio (2-channel); HDMI connector Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition 64-bit operating system with Service Pack (SP1) preinstalled;
Lee Ponzu What Would Steve Do? Join date: 28 Jun 2006 Posts: 1,770	11-02-2008 05:49 You can spend $3,000 or more on a high end gamer laptop. for 12-20 fps, you can spend less than $1500 for a laptop with an nVidia 7900 or higher (e.g., 8xxxx) or an ATI 1900 or better. As for your current laptop, use custom graphics preferences to turn down your options. Maybe start at low, and then turn things up one at a time, avoiding the ones that screw you up. good luck. lee _____________________ So many monkeys, so little Shakespeare.
Professor Maertens Registered User Join date: 20 Jun 2007 Posts: 15	11-02-2008 21:41 Thanks for the advice folks!
Chosen Few Alpha Channel Slave Join date: 16 Jan 2004 Posts: 7,496	11-02-2008 23:33 I absolutely love my ASUS G70S-A1. For $3000, it simply can't be beat. It even runs circles around far more expensive machines. Because ASUS is the only laptop maker in the world who manufactures their own graphics cards and motherboards, they're consistently able to offer a lot more bang for the buck than anyone else. See /327/da/280009/1.html for my full review, and specs. The Gateway Hok recommended looks pretty decent, but it doesn't compete with the ASUS for the same price. That Gateway is basically half the machine of the ASUS, in terms of graphics processing and hard drive, and it doesn't even come close to giving you the same calibur peripherals or connectivity. It doesn't have Bluetooth, Blu-Ray, eSATA, or HDMI, and it doesn't come with Vista Ultimate. But the ASUS gives you all that, and more. The G70S-A1 is simply the nicest laptop I've ever seen, period. Get one. You won't regret it.
Dog Galicia Registered User Join date: 24 Jun 2008 Posts: 177	laptop 11-03-2008 06:09 hi interesting thread. I too am buying a new laptop soon and would be interested in knowing what specification of machine, other UK residents use successfully for SL. There is so much discussion and helpful information in these forums etc. on what you should have etc. and what doesn't work, especially on drivers and video cards, that I'd like to get one that at least has the capacity and correct bits and pieces to run SL without any hassle. I am aware a lot of issues of SL not working satisfactorily can relate to broadband signal, but at least having a machine that would work technically, is most of the battle. Frankly I am confused. ty dog
Shirley Marquez Ethical SLut Join date: 28 Oct 2005 Posts: 788	11-04-2008 02:20 From: Chosen Few I absolutely love my ASUS G70S-A1. For $3000, it simply can't be beat. The Gateway Hok recommended looks pretty decent, but it doesn't compete with the ASUS for the same price. That Gateway is basically half the machine of the ASUS, in terms of graphics processing and hard drive, and it doesn't even come close to giving you the same calibur peripherals or connectivity. It doesn't have Bluetooth, Blu-Ray, eSATA, or HDMI, and it doesn't come with Vista Ultimate. But the ASUS gives you all that, and more. The Gateway that Hok was talking (link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1211587727985&type=product ) about may be half the machine, but it was also half the price; under $1400 at Best Buy. Alas it seems to be discontinued, though a few stores still have some. It really was a deal for semi-portable gaming (I consider 8+ pound systems only semi-portable, and this one comes in a 9.2 pounds). Oh yes, it does have HDMI, though not the other things you say it doesn't have. My problem is that my dream machine is a first-class FOUR pound laptop for SL. Nobody makes such a thing. It would have terrible battery life (gamer-class graphics are power hogs), at least when running SL, but I could live with that.
Chosen Few Alpha Channel Slave Join date: 16 Jan 2004 Posts: 7,496	11-04-2008 05:06 From: Shirley Marquez The Gateway that Hok was talking (link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1211587727985&type=product ) about may be half the machine, but it was also half the price; under $1400 at Best Buy. Ah, I missed the price the first time around, not sure how. Yeah, for $1400, that's a steal. Too bad it's discontinued.
Ee Maculate Owner of Fourmile Castle Join date: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 919	11-04-2008 05:16 I've just ordered one of these beasts.... http://www.rockdirect.com/viewNotebook.php?pName=XTREME%20780
Resolver Bouchard Registered User Join date: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 89	11-04-2008 05:29 From: Dog Galicia hi interesting thread. I too am buying a new laptop soon and would be interested in knowing what specification of machine, other UK residents use successfully for SL. There is so much discussion and helpful information in these forums etc. on what you should have etc. and what doesn't work, especially on drivers and video cards, that I'd like to get one that at least has the capacity and correct bits and pieces to run SL without any hassle. I am aware a lot of issues of SL not working satisfactorily can relate to broadband signal, but at least having a machine that would work technically, is most of the battle. Frankly I am confused. ty dog I'm using an HP Pavillion DV5-1012, core 2 duo 2GHz, 4 gigs of RAM, 9600M GT graphics, bluray. There was a similar Asus or Acer one that was cheaper but it was just too ugly. 17" laptops are a bit heavy if you have to lug them around so I went for a 15.4". The important thing is the graphics card. My current one happily runs with all the eye candy on. My previous laptop with a GO7600 struggled unless I turned the graphics right down. This is a good list for comparrison purposes. http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html Avoid integrated graphics like the plague. In the UK £600 and up is the price range you are looking at.
Gummi Richthofen Fetish's Frasier Crane! Join date: 3 Oct 2006 Posts: 605	11-04-2008 07:24 When I use SL on a lappy it's one of two: a MacBook Pro or an IBM Z61. Both seem Ok to me - the far more influential factor is the state of the international links, and my net connection. The Z IBM has integrated graphics and so far, so good... but it is running Vista...
Chosen Few Alpha Channel Slave Join date: 16 Jan 2004 Posts: 7,496	11-04-2008 13:47 After taking Shirley's point about pricing to heart, I did a little searching, and found this, which should be available in a couple of weeks: http://1toppc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=G71G-A1&Category_Code= Specs look really good (slightly better than that Gateway), and it's not super expensive.