Want to run FS 2004 on Toshiba U405D-S2852

I would like to use my FS 2004 while on the road on my Toshiba U405D-S2852Any suggestions on a portable controller i.e. joystick, which will not take up too much room in my bag? Also, I am thinking it will run OK based on the specs of my computer...

My specs are:

•
Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate (SP1, 32-bit version)
Processor and Chipset3
•
AMD Turion™ X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor RM-70

2.0 GHz, 1MB L2 Cache, HyperTransport™ 3: up to 3.6(GT/sec)
•
AMD M780V chipset


Memory

Configured with 3072MB PC6400 DDR2 SDRAM (both memory slots may be occupied). Maximum capacity 4096MB
Hard Disk Drive5
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250GB (5400 RPM) Serial ATA hard disk drive

Display
•
13.3” diagonal widescreen TruBrite® TFT LCD display at 1280 x 800 native resolution (WXGA)


Graphics
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ATI RadeonTM 3100 Graphics with 256MB-1407MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory

 

It should run reasonably well. Most all FS games are CPU heavy. But on integrated graphics, might have to scale back the settings quite a bit.

 

You should be able to max every slider. Just be reasonable with the texture size,traffic and weather quality. Those are the true framerate killer. Also cap the framerate to 30-40 fps, that will free ressources for the gpu.

 

yeah, should be good to go. I actually had that same machine for a while, and FS2004 ran fine on it. Should do even better if they've updated drivers at all.

As for joysticks, I actually keep a Xbox 360 pad in my bag for on the go gaming, and works pretty well. Gives you two sticks, rudder control, and a fair amount of buttons in portable controller.

 

My experience with playing sims with the x360 controller have been "interesting" to say the least. If he want a really portable joystick he can try this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000AW9RQ
It's collapsible(the feet fold upward) but it doesn't twist so no rudder control nd it only has 3 buttons but it's cheap($10).

I personally use a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro which is really good but it doesn't really fit in a backpack without forcing and risking to snap the stick...

 

That folding joystick is kinda cool, have you tried one? No rudder control would be a bit annoying though.

I've had pretty decent luck with the 360 pad, and it fits great in my bag, so can take it with me and whenever I get a bit of free time do some flying or driving gaming, Prince or Persia or Tombraider style stuff. Works great.

What issues have you had? it's not the best for IL2 dogfights, but short of that it's done just fine. And even then it's much better than mouse or keyboard for flying around.

 

Well I've always played sims with a joystick. When my Saitek ST290 bought the farm, I tried playing with the x360 controller for a while and I hated so much that I put my sim flying on a hiatus until I bought a new joystick... Sure it's better than playing with the keyboard but for someone who was always flown using joysticks, it's a pretty brutal downgrade. I don't problems using a pad in arcade games like Ace Combat and Hawx by in a true simulation it just doesn't cut it to me...

 

yep, I'd agree with ya on the hardcore part, but hard to beat it for killin' time on the road.

 

I have a friend who plays fs9 on his netbook, a acer aspire 1 so you should be ok

 

Get one of the original Logitech Wingman Rumble Pad's. They have a throttle axis, which makes it nice, and it's compact.

Problem is it's hard to find, but you can find them on Amazon or eBay now and again.

Amazon
ebay

 

Thanks, everybody, for the input. I am happy that I will, in fact, be able to use FS 2004 on my laptop.

Thanks for the heads up about the Logitech Wingman Rumblepad. I found one on Ebay and ordered it.

Thanks again!