I am a Mac user however I am going to purchase a windows machine to run a simulator. For space purposes it would be nice if I could find a laptop that would handle a good sim. however if I have to I will purchase a regular pc. I would like to use my 50 inch flat screen tv for the video. Your suggestions would be appreciated.

Hi, first of all, please let us know how much you are willing to spend on your next laptop or desktop. Also, if the computer is going to stay at home I recommend that you build your own desktop, you will get more for the $. Laptop/ laptop parts seem to be on the steep side of the price, espicaly the motherboards.... I have a dell laptop but I take it to school and use it everywhere. It has a p4 2.2GHz, 1.5 gigs of ram, and a 128mb ati radeon 9600 pro turbo gpu that will play afpd, realflight g3, etc, on the highest settings that will play em just fine.

Matt

What sim are you looking to use, that can make a difference on the size of the PC your going to need, or you could just buy a big smashing PC and then it wouldn't matter which sim your going to use .

Most manufactures computers are all relative ... you spend X you get Y. Any "today's" computers will run all the sims. Just splurge on the video card as best you can. Something with at least 256 MB and a good solid name brand and you'll be home free.

Thanks for the input. Within reason price isn't an issue. I would like to run Realflight etc. and I am far from a computer guru so your siggestions are really appreciated.

You don't have to be a computer guru anymore, like I said, manufacturers are almost all about the same when it comes to dollars vs. what you get. Names like HP, Compaq, Dell, Gateway, Sony etc are all good computers. For every HP owner that isn't happy the same Gateway owner isn't happy. So if you start asking which is better that debate will never end. Plus all computers swtich factories and manufacturers almost daily so one day you'll have the parts Gateway was just using and being made in a factory Dell just moved out of for a Compaq computer.

You need to provide a dollar amount for laptop or desktop if you want a good suggestion because that's the only way we can help you. Desktops always give much more bang and performance for the buck.

Ok, I thought I indicated earlier that price is no object so what should I be looking for?

Well, you may have noted this, we really need a dollar amount on somethinig to go by. I can suggest a $7000 PC because you said price isn't an issue. With a 50 flat screen you shouldn't have money issues. I would say go for a Dell XPS. I have always liked Dells. I own 4, but recently I built one just for the cheap price. Go to www.dell.com and build an XPS 800(or whatever the best model is called) and pick your options. A 7800GTX is a must. If they have the new 7900's, which I doubt, get one of those.