Gaming Recommend a laptop for Dolphin in the $1000 range

regnad · Feb 9, 2011

Yes, but doesn't isn't CPU more important than GPU for emulation? Emulation is probably more important to me than gaming generally (comment intended for Splytch).

I added a question to an edit above, but maybe you'll miss it. Embarrassing stupid question: does the DVD burner on the HP burn ONLY Blu-ray?

Deleted User · Feb 9, 2011

QUOTE said:
Stupid question -- does the DVD burner on the HP burn ONLY Blu-ray?

regnad said:

Yes, but doesn't isn't CPU more important than GPU for emulation? Emulation is probably more important to me than gaming generally (comment intended for Splytch).

I added a question to an edit above, but maybe you'll miss it. Embarrassing stupid question: does the DVD burner on the HP burn ONLY Blu-ray?

QUOTE

Click to expand...

Technical Details

* Intel® Core? i5-460M Dual Core Processor (2.53 GHz, 3MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz
* 6GB DDR3 System Memory, 640GB 7200RPM with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon? HD 5650 Graphics + HDMI and VGA ports, Blu-ray +/-R/RW with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
* 17.3" diagonal HD+ High-Definition HP LED BrightView Widescreen Display (1600 x 900)
* Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, HP TrueVision Webcam + Fingerprint Reader, Intel Wireless-N Card with Bluetooth, 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (standard) - Up to 4.75 hours of battery lif

And yes, Dolphin/PCSX2 require a lot of processing power, especially for the demanding games. It really depends what you want to run (even then, it's better to inquire about this at the Dolphin/PCSX2) forums. The reason emulation requires so much processing power is because you have to [emulate] the engine/graphics/sound (etc) all in tandem on an architecture where they don't exist.

regnad · Feb 9, 2011

Yes, I just noticed that. Thanks.

Looks like this is the way to go.

Originality · Feb 9, 2011

Wow, so much has happened since I went to badminton. Anyway, Raven's Sage gives sound advice.

Deleted User · Feb 10, 2011

Originality said:
Wow, so much has happened since I went to badminton. Anyway, Raven's Sage gives sound advice.

regnad · Feb 10, 2011

Can't thank you enough, I2aven.

Made the purchase -- HP seems like the way to go.

Deleted User · Feb 10, 2011

Cool. Be aware that a laptop isn't a desktop and that as with almost any modern emulation (PCSX2 - PS2 and Dolphin - Wii/GC highly depend on configuring settings (and learning how) to best maximize compatibility and speed. You should be able to get playable frame rates on most games, but there are reasons that the developers tend to recommend 3.2 Ghz Dual Cores.

Basically, just be aware that hardware has inherent limits. In one of the posts I believe I told you about upgrading the processor if you wanted later down the road w/ the PM55 chipset. (I believe).

i7-640M ~ $308
i7-920XM ~ $400/420

Also no need to thank me, I find this sort of thing interesting, akin to window shopping, really. Even if I don't have the money to do much more than upgrade my machine on a yearly basis, lol.

Lodis · Feb 10, 2011

I would have suggested waiting a few months to get a Sandybridge equipped laptop since even their lowest CPU outperforms the highest extreme CPU such as the 940xm. In fact, some of the mid level Sandybridge CPU's can complete with the Desktop level ones. The HP will give decent performance but absolutely no where near the performance of the architecture that I have recommended.

Despite the Sandybridge recall, I still say it is worth going with after the slightly long wait while they fix the issues.

zeromac · Feb 10, 2011

Alienware Mx17

Its only $600 after $300 cash back

regnad · Feb 10, 2011

Lodis said:
I would have suggested waiting a few months to get a Sandybridge equipped laptop since even their lowest CPU outperforms the highest extreme CPU such as the 940xm. In fact, some of the mid level Sandybridge CPU's can complete with the Desktop level ones. The HP will give decent performance but absolutely no where near the performance of the architecture that I have recommended.

Despite the Sandybridge recall, I still say it is worth going with after the slightly long wait while they fix the issues.

I would like to have, but, again, I'm going back to Japan soon. My choices then are 1) to buy one in Japan for significantly more because everything there is more expensive with Yen, and in addition to that English OS choices being harder to come by, at least when looking for something specific, or 2) to have it shipped overseas, which is always a real crap shoot as far as international mail beating the crap out of a larger package.

So I made the safe choice and got the HP.

Gaming Recommend a laptop for Dolphin in the $1000 range

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