I have an older Pentium II Compaq Presario that I use with the original Real Flight with a transmitter interface going into my parallel port. It works OK in the basic internal 3D mode.

I'm thinking about buying a new notebook with a decent mobile video card like the G Force or ATI Radeon. I'd like to run one of the newer crop on sims on it.

How would one of these newer notebooks work out? Do most sims require a game port? Can sims be plugged into USB ports? What would be the best sim for a notebook?

I am looking for the best simulation of large scale aerobatic and jet aircraft.

Thanks very much.

Dustflyer,

I have a Dell I 8100, 1Gig CPU, 512 MB RAM, 32 MB Nvidia Go, and a 15 inch screen on order. I will let you know in 1 week

There is also an adapter that goes from gameport ==> USB port at Radio Shack. $17.00. However, you might be able to use your current RF controller with FMS, and FMS is free! About a 7MB download.

Elwood

Just noticed that "laptops and sims" post. I'll check out that info.

I posted some stuff in the laptops and sims thread. I have a laptop and am using both CockpitMaster and FMS on it and it works great.

Let me know if you need any more information.

Elwood, My old Dell Inspiron 7000 was getting tired or I was getting tired of it.. I don't know. Any way I orered a new Inspiron 8100 this week also, I could not pass up the deals they where giving a 1.2 GHz,512 MB sys. memory 30Gig hard drive and 15" ultra high res monitor and get this the New ATI Randon 64 MB video card for $2056.00 I can remiber paying $4000.00 + for my work laptops and getting a lot less.It's supposed to ship on the 19 th of this month. My question is how are the sims running on your new laptop? sure would like to know. Lee

Sounds like an extremely good deal. Let us know how it goes when you get it, but from that spec. I would think you will have no problems.

I still need to get the Gameport to USB adapter. I will keep everyone posted!

The most important consideration isn't "is it a laptop?", but "how good is the 3D video acceleration?"

A Pentium-II 450 MHz handles the game just dandy. But slap an old video card in a hot new desktop and it's gonna crawl!

In fact, I upgraded from a P-II 450 to an Athalon 1.4 GHz and I see no difference at all. But when I upgraded from the old TNT2 video card to a GEForce 3 TNT, whoa - what a difference! The TNT2 wasn't bad, it just wasn't this good.

Some newer laptops are coming out with decent 3D accelerators. Just be careful that you get one that's good. The Trident Cyberblade, for example, claims to have 3d acceleration. Don't believe it. It sux. So do most of the others. I haven't seen the new GEForce Mobile units. Anyone have any info to share about these?

-brad

I just recieved my new Dell Inspiron 8100, it has a 64Mb ATI Radeon video card, it's awsome. I have the new RF G2 on order will let every one know how it runs when I get it.Lee