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    Rethinking my requirements?

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by Walter_S, Sep 28, 2007.

  1. Walter_S

    Walter_S Notebook Geek

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    I've been reading these forums trying to figure out which notebook would meet my needs: fast CPU, fast DX10 GPU, HDMI output, 15" screen.

    I want a fast CPU because fast is fast. l was thinking that I need a fast DX10 card because I would occasionally play a few games and because of CAD requirements. I was thinking that I wanted HDMI so I could plug it into my TV.

    But I've been reading about short battery life and hot notebooks, which is to be expected by these power hungry CPUs and GPUs.

    I'm starting to think that I really don't need the stuff I thought I need, mainly because I'm also going to be building up another desktop PC and I will have an extra machine lying around that I could turn into something nice to plug in to my TV - run games on the TV. So I don't need HDMI, and I don't need need a fast GPU.

    But I do want something that's fast enough to run Vista with all the eye candy turned on, and I need at least 256M of video RAM.

    So maybe I don't need a G1s or V1s or C90s. I could step one notch down in CPU clock speeds or even CPU architecture if that made the notebook run cooler. and I can move one notch down in GPU's from a 8600M GT to a GS, or even an 8400 series, if it came with lots of video RAM. For CAD it needs to be able to do Direct3D 10, which I understand is a subset of DX10.

    Still need at least 2G of RAM, 3G might be better, if I want to run any virtual machines.

    What do others think? Can I buy a nice, cooler running, quiet, solid build Asus with those new requirements?
     
    Walter_S, Sep 28, 2007
    #1
  2. cacapis

    cacapis Notebook Consultant

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    You don't need a dedicated video card for cad if you just do 2d or basic 3d in your laptop. For instance sketchup works pretty ok in a gma 950, don't ask it to work on a model of the eiffel tower, but it can get you work done.
    You can get a killer desktop and go for a laptop with integrated graphics to save money and tons of battery life.
     
    cacapis, Sep 28, 2007
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  3. kowell

    kowell Notebook Evangelist

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    Can't do any DirectX 10 gaming on integrated graphics.
     
    kowell, Sep 28, 2007
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  4. theZoid

    theZoid Notebook Savant

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    My wife has a Toshiba Portege which is very cool, very portable, gets great battery life, but she can't even run the Sims on it :D The rub is gaming, more expensive, more heat :)
     
    theZoid, Sep 28, 2007
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  5. Cancer777

    Cancer777 Notebook Evangelist

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    Check out the V series (v1s and V2s) they have dedicated gpu and have good battery life.
     
    Cancer777, Sep 28, 2007
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