External video cards mean end of the notebook cooler?

Hello forum members,

I was wondering if external video cards like the ExtremeG from Asus would mean the end of the notebook cooler.

Notebook coolers are usually ment for notebooks with high end components that run hot, but if we will have external video cards the laptop will not heat up that much.

Or do you guys still think that notebooks will have 7200 rpm hard drives and high end Intel CPU's that will run hot and so you think that a cooler will always exist?

Or do you think that Asus' external video card is way too expensive and will never be a succes?

Thank you for your replies.

-Notebook Solutions

 

The XG, a success? I wouldn't say so, but considering there is nothing out there(nothing other then 'vapor-ware'), they've successfully dominated the market niche for this product. Whether or not it will work to its full potential, time will tell.

For coolers, CPU intensive uses, like manipulating a 100mb image file will put massive strain on the CPU and heat will obviously be emitted, so coolers aren't dead just yet.

 

I doubt coolers will go away anytime soon. Some people like to use them all the time, regardless of what they are doing. I also don't think external video cards are going to be too popular quite yet.

 

I'd say too expensive. If they release a model into which one can install one's own choice of card perhaps it might be more successful. I'd consider getting one if they did but not the current £300 models!

 

Last I heard, the external video cards were not for laptops. Have I been out of the loop??

 

The Asus XG external card is for notebooks, and it interfaces through the express port, that many notebooks have these days. I agree with moon angle, that if the card was less expenive and had more upgrade options, most people would consider it.

In relation to the question, I don't think that coolers will just yet. The hard disk heat output may be decreased with more efficient flash drives. Processors, however will always output heat, and in smaller notebooks it may become more apparent. Also, other components such as RAM, are also incresing their heat output, so coolers will be very helpful when frequencies get alot of higher.

 

I like the idea of external performance video cards. It will allow for better mobility and longer battery life for people on the go. Heat would also be much less of an issue. It would also mean that some of the sub-$1000 laptops you see online nowadays can effectively compete with $3000 desktop replacements.

If you have a laptop with an integrated video solution and still use a laptop cooler, then you probably still will if external GPU's become mainstream. However, you won't be obliged to use one.

 

External video cards when implemented correctly (not the Asus XG Station) then I belove external video cards will be come a success.

 

i think the XG station is junk

i mean $600 for a 7900gs (not to mention it is weaker then a normal gs cause of the limited bandwidth).

and you can't hook it up to your own laptop screen but requires an external monitor.

also, if you're going to get a $600 external graphics card and a decent $800 laptop, why not just get a notebook with the x1600 instead?

since you must play with an external monitor, why not just use that 600 bucks for a desktop 8800 gtx?

 

Cooling aside, I think the two issues preventing the XG Station from truly taking off are:

1) The XG Station from my understanding only works with an external monitor. For people on the go, this means you can't use it in hotel rooms and such.

2) Thus far, it seems to be only available with the bundled 7900GS - expensive combined. Also, I read that it isn't big enough to house the latest 8800-sized cards. This limits your choice of video card you want to use.

I love the concept though, and hope that Asus and other companies refine this further.

 

Asus have given the idea, but they have fallen just sort of what most people would want. It leaves the idea for exploitation from other companies. If some other company comes and develops something similar to the Asus external card, gives it very good upgradeability, a good price and so that it can transmit the signal to the LCD of the notebook, then they have a winning product right there.

Ofcourse, Asus can still make it if the price of current card is still low enough for consumers to take an interest. Even now, alot of people are still very interested in the card because it offers at least something for those people who have weak or old graphics.

 

I don't see the Asus XG Station becoming a necessary or integral upgrade until a few years from now. Certainly, the vast majority of the people who would be using notebooks, such as students and business people, certainly wouldn't have any use for the XG Station. Business people don't need fancy graphics, and students either can't afford the XG Station, or have spent their money on a powerful desktop instead.

 

The whole point of a laptop is portability. You are defeating that purpose with it.

Besides the Asus one only works with external screens.

 

Too little details to praise or criticize right now.

The fact is, this is ASUS's plan, or what I assume it to be. Why? Because its the only logical answer.

A notebook is to be portable. It's the whole point of getting a notebook, to move it around aimlessly. That's why portable notebooks, most under 13.3" are still being purchased. They often lack video power, but that's because its a small unit, and only so much space can fit into the chassis.

Here's a typical situation: Student A is in college, and carries his 12.1" notebook everywhere for classes. It lasts 5 hours on battery, so he can go through all his lectures without missing a moment. When hes done the day, he goes back to his room, and he wants to have some fun. What does he do? *Here is where it varies*

a) Play on the laptop, with the GMA900 integrated 'craptastic' video chipset, or in rare cases, the weak GPU - still not Oblivion friendly.
b) Play on the desktop he has on his desk.

Not many options, and b) is pretty common

This is where c) the ASUS XG station comes to play. However, there are implications, of pros and cons. For, lets say $500(Price still has not been finalized), he can get the XG with a 7900GS that is bottlenecked in performance - but he doesn't have to rely on the desktop, which may cost $800+. In that, he can just dock his ultraportable onto a cooler, plug a USB hub that has everything he needs, the keyboard, mouse, external HDs, speakers, headset, etc. Plug it into a 22" LCD from the DVI on the XG, and voila, a fully capable(not proven though) gaming setup. And when the next morning comes for lectures, he can just put the notebook on hibernation, unplug everything, and go to class - knowing when hes back, hes gonna game some more!

As much as it sounds nice, and if it was even possible, a 7900gs on a 12" is pretty stupid. The fact the screen is WXGA 1280x800, how much will one squint to see the screen?

Just my opinion.

 

Honestly how much does it matter? "The end of notebook coolers".

Cooler running laptops is only a positive argument.

It wouldn't be hurting anyone, well, maybe the companies that make them.

 

Wow, I wish I could afford a laptop and a desktop. Out of everyone I know here in university I don't think any of them have a desktop and a laptop.... except the ones that live with their parents.

I think the thing would be a pretty good option for me...except the price. Maybe if a few companies make competing devices it'll start getting interesting.

 

Thank you all for your efforts and opinions. I really appreciate it.

One interesting thing a forum member just said: you can only use the XG station with an external monitor. That is pretty weird I think. I just want to use my 17" notebook screen and game on that.

-Notebook Solutions

 

True but you know that the bandwidth limits the power fromthe notebook to the XG, but if it needs to go back into the notebook( notebook -> XG -> notebook LCD), it'd take up a bit more bandwidth then.

However, this is how I assume the XG work, We won't know til then

 

Yup, thats how I see it. Most students don't have desktops and laptops now. It's one or the either. Lets face it, most students will buy premade desktops. So if they want a ultra portable notebook, they're going to spend, what $2000 for a 12" or more? Plus another $2000 for a gaming desktop?
Here, they can get that 12" notebook, buy the docks, coolers, ext. monitor and the Asus thing, and save over $1000 compared to getting a desktop and notebook.
Right now, most students who game, have to shell out money for a gaming laptop, which doesn't last them through all classes (not that most upper level students have all their classes right after another, at least at my univ). Plus the weight and size factor of a gaming laptop.

It's a good idea, in a few years, I hope it's improved. Hopefully we'll see more modular computer designs too.

 

I'm not sure I understand. The idea is to use an external graphics card as a laptop peripheral, much like a docking station (hint hint Asus). You sacrifice no mobility this way, in fact it will increase your mobility by reducing weight and improving battery time while you take the laptop to class for example (unless you plan to play Quake 4 during lecture).

 

i think i can understand induction's point....

i usually tend to play games when i have to go to my parents' home and have nothing to do.....and when i'm at my apartment, i use my notebook on the couch. i don't use an external monitor ever, so for me, and other people who don't travel with an external monitor but still want to play a game or two....the xg station is pretty useless.

 

The problem is that people who want to game using the XG station everywhere are asking for too much. That's like wanting a laptop with a 7900GTX to give you 5 hours of battery life. It's just not going to happen.

Considering that most people play games at home, the XG station is quite reasonable. If you want to game everywhere, get a laptop meant to do such a thing. But realize that 90% of laptops out there aren't bought with gaming in mind first, but much later after the purchase, and this gives people options.

 

dagamer34, you bring up some good points, particularly people gaming at home. I think that if Asus offers more upgradeability, then the XG Station can trun itself into a very good product. At the moment, there is no notebook that is equipped with a DX10 graphics card, and if Asus can offer something like that in they XG Station, then it will do well.