Waiting on SZ refresh: Graphics questions

I'm a college student and, in a couple of months, will start my first year at a major university as an engineering student. I want a computer that is portable and powerful so that I can take it to the lab easily and still be able to do anything when I get there. The Sony SZ seems like the perfect model for this, so waiting on the refresh is my plan. Hopefully it comes with an 8400M.

To meet my criteria of doing "anything" when I get there, I want my graphics to be around as powerful as the graphics from my 3-year-old desktop. Is this an accurate list? It seems to show the X800 MOBILITY is much faster than the 8400M, so that probably means the X800 desktop version is waaay faster. I find it hard to believe that tech from 3 years ago compares to todays stuff, especially since my X800 is AGP. Am I overestimating the 8400M's power? Is another machine better suited for my needs? One of my hopes is that running on a 13.3" screen will make the 8400M perform better. Any insight?

 

well the 8400m is just a upgrade to the 7400. the x800 is still a pretty decent card. Im expecting the 8400m (besides dx10 support) to be about on par or a little bit better than the go 6600.. considering my go 6600 outpeforms the go 7400. YOu have to keep in mind, the x800 was a high end card, while the 8400m is a low-midrange card.

 

no plans for the 8400 in the sz as of now.

 

mrXniick: Yeah I paid a lot for that X800 when it came out, but that was when there were no AMD boards that had a PCI-E slot. It still works wondefully, that's why I was hoping a 8400 would be somewhat comparable. It looks like I'm overly optimistic. Maybe it'll be able to play what little games I want it to play because of its tiny screen.

roor: yeah, no plans yet, but here's to hoping

 

well the small screen wont really matter.. because the native res is 1280x800... that being said the 8400 will still be an adequate card.. and should game decently... just not as good as your x800