Vista laptops with non-DX10 videocards?

[garetjax]

So I am still shopping around for a notebook. I have pretty much settled on a HP dv9000t (thanks Quake!). However, it's outfitted with a Go 7600GS, and the laptop is configured as an entertainment/gaming machine. More gaming than entertainment, mind you. ;)

However, being the guy who wants the most bang for his buck, how can I convince myself to lay down the Benjamins for a non-DX10 rig that sports Vista flavor? Yes, DX10 isn't quite mainstream (yet) but I'd like to be ready for when it is.

Am I wrong with waiting it out until DX10 cards hit the laptop market? Or should I just suck it up and deal with it later?

[stinger608]

I would think that if you are not in a huge hurry to purchase a laptop, to just wait 4 to 6 months and see what develops in the way of the dx10 ready laptops!!!

[Panda Man]

Originally Posted by garetjax

Am I wrong with waiting it out until DX10 cards hit the laptop market? Or should I just suck it up and deal with it later?

If your buying now, I'd go with the latter. As you know laptops just aren't built for gaming, and I predict that first gen laptop cards (whenever they come out) will have a lot of issues such as over heating and won't perform well due to power restrictions. So I would buy now. You can't always just keep playing the waiting game. Just my opinion.

[stinger608]

Originally Posted by Panda Man

If your buying now, I'd go with the latter. As you know laptops just aren't built for gaming, and I predict that first gen laptop cards (whenever they come out) will have a lot of issues such as over heating and won't perform well due to power restrictions. So I would buy now. You can't always just keep playing the waiting game. Just my opinion.

Actually you make a very good point Panda Man!!! When the first generation of dx10 laptop cards start shipping with the new systems, they will probably be kind of crappy!!!

As I said, good point man!!!

[garetjax]

Lot's to think about, for sure. Initially, I was just going to wait until Vista was more solid before buying a laptop with it installed. Then I got to thinking about DX10 issues. Panda, you bring up a good point. More food for thought! =)

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Yes, they may be crappy, but it's not like they'll be complete ****. There is decent testing. 8800GTS in a laptop will be hella hot though and will only go through the systems of XPS, Alienwares, ABS, etc.

[Panda Man]

Thanks! :D

Originally Posted by wtcnbrwndo4u

Yes, they may be crappy, but it's not like they'll be complete ****. There is decent testing. 8800GTS in a laptop will be hella hot though and will only go through the systems of XPS, Alienwares, ABS, etc.

And another point, is that just how well will they test the cards? Do you know for a fact that they will test them in real world conditions? They may just slap the card in there, see if works, and if its stable after some stress testing will ship it out. I seem to remember manufacturer's releasing OCed 7900GTs that were dieing left and right. For all we know the 8600 laptop cards could be worse than the 7600GT laptop card, which would not make it suitable for gaming by any means. I'd go with a 7600GT now and if I need it 2-3 years from now, get a good DX10 lappy . This is of course just all my opinion, I might be right or wrong.... or neither!

[Jokerswild]

I see no point in buying a laptop for gaming unless it's the only computer you have. Small screen, always a lesser vid card than you can get for a desktop and their usually quite expensive for what you get.

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Originally Posted by Jokerswild

I see no point in buying a laptop for gaming unless it's the only computer you have. Small screen, always a lesser vid card than you can get for a desktop and their usually quite expensive for what you get.

I'm going to buy one. You can take it anywhere (sure it's like a 10lb laptop, but depends on if you care) and game, do random multimedia stuff, etc.

I'm planning on getting a top-end XPS or building one off of a Clevo laptop.

[garetjax]

Originally Posted by wtcnbrwndo4u

I'm planning on getting a top-end XPS or building one off of a Clevo laptop.

I would seriously reconsider getting the XPS laptop. You are basically paying a premium for fancy LED lights and the XPS name. The components in an XPS are the same as in any other laptop. About a month ago, I spent four hours on the phone with various service techs comparing the parts in Gateway's, Dell's and HP's top end notebook models. All three models sport the same hardware, and I have the notes to prove it.

Do yourself a favor (and save yourself about $400) and go with something else. It's why I ultimately decided on HP in the end. To me, bling and a name aren't enough to warrant a $400 price increase for any product.