PilotEdge Forums

I recently got a new job that will require a lot of travel and I want to continue flying on PE while on the road. I have a good joystick but am looking for a decent laptop that will handle X-plane 10. I plan to purchase the North America edition, FYI.

For those that use or have used a laptop, what laptops should I consider (budget around $1100)? Also, what addon airplanes run smoothly on a laptop?

Also, as this will be my first foray into X-plane what scenery addons for SoCal and the proposed expansion areas do you all recommend?

Thanks!

Todd

My recommendation. Look for a laptop using Nvidia video card as opposed to a Radeon video or the built in video on the Intel HD graphics (CPU based).

If unable to find an Nvidia, then choose a Radeon video. Expect to be disappointed if attempting to use any built in CPU based video (Intel HD Graphics).

I currently have a laptop in that price range (I think, it's a replacement warranty laptop but it shouldn't be too far off the 1100 mark).

I can run X-plane 10 smoothly with mid settings to include addon airplanes (specifically I have the Fly J 737-200 and the Bell 406). If you go to my twitch channel you can see some flying streams to see if the settings/airplanes meet your needs. I have some addon scenery but nothing payware.

So here are my laptop specs:

HP Epic 17" laptop
Intel i7-4700MQ Quad core (@ 2.4 GHZ)
8 GB Ram
Nvidia GT740M 2GB Video Card (it also has a low power intel graphics card for battery life but I don't use that one ever).

I'm mixed on formally recommending the laptop, it's a good laptop but I had a really bad support experience with my last laptop. I'd buy a similar laptop today, but it wouldn't be a HP product.

twharrell wrote:I recently got a new job that will require a lot of travel and I want to continue flying on PE while on the road. I have a good joystick but am looking for a decent laptop that will handle X-plane 10. I plan to purchase the North America edition, FYI.

For those that use or have used a laptop, what laptops should I consider (budget around $1100)? Also, what addon airplanes run smoothly on a laptop?

Also, as this will be my first foray into X-plane what scenery addons for SoCal and the proposed expansion areas do you all recommend?

Thanks!

Todd

Scenery? Search the X-Plane.org site for "MisterX6" and find his great scenery packs. Even on my older machine with the FJS 732 loaded, I get 20-30 FPS at the gate at LAX.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Sager makes a quality product
http://www.sagernotebook.com/home.php

Hmmm, Sager looks pretty good and actually has good prices. Plus, it looks like you can upgrade some components down the road, which is a nice feature. Thanks, Ryan, I'm going to research those a little more.

Peter Grey wrote:I currently have a laptop in that price range (I think, it's a replacement warranty laptop but it shouldn't be too far off the 1100 mark).

I can run X-plane 10 smoothly with mid settings to include addon airplanes (specifically I have the Fly J 737-200 and the Bell 406). If you go to my twitch channel you can see some flying streams to see if the settings/airplanes meet your needs. I have some addon scenery but nothing payware.

So here are my laptop specs:

HP Epic 17" laptop
Intel i7-4700MQ Quad core (@ 2.4 GHZ)
8 GB Ram
Nvidia GT740M 2GB Video Card (it also has a low power intel graphics card for battery life but I don't use that one ever).

I'm mixed on formally recommending the laptop, it's a good laptop but I had a really bad support experience with my last laptop. I'd buy a similar laptop today, but it wouldn't be a HP product.

+1. I'm running FSX on this exact same laptop, including the upgraded NVidia video card. I have no problems with FSX or other pretty high performance games like Assassins Creed & ProjectCARS. I will second that HPs customer service is garbage. I almost didn't buy this laptop because of the experience with my last HP. In the end I couldn't beat the price with my employer discount for anything close to its performance.

OK, as I will be travelling I am leaning 15 inch monitor, although I'm thinking a 17 inch would be better for flying. Anyone do any travelling with 17 inch laptop? Any issues getting a 17 inch in a Swiss Gear travel backpack?

Todd

twharrell wrote:OK, as I will be travelling I am leaning 15 inch monitor, although I'm thinking a 17 inch would be better for flying. Anyone do any travelling with 17 inch laptop? Any issues getting a 17 inch in a Swiss Gear travel backpack?

Todd

I travel with my 17" multiple days a week and have never had any problems. I have a briefcase type laptop bag to keep it protected.