Small form factor PC vs. laptop.

[Riesstiu IV]

I’m currently researching the market for a fairly portable machine since my future may hold a series of moves. What I’m looking for is a machine that will serve as a replacement for my current desktop. I would also like to be able to play recent games, specifically Oblivion (system requirements below), and be able to have some upgradeability. This is usually limited to memory and the hard drive for laptops, but is not the case for FFC PCs. From what I gather, after 2 years, a laptop is essentially useless for gaming. Are there laptops models that allow video card replacement? Do you think it would be better to purchase an FFC or a laptop?

Also, I won’t be seriously considering a purchase until this summer but would like some input early on. I’ve been out of the game concerning technology so I’m wondering will there be any major changes that I should wait for before buying?

I wouldn’t mind some brand recommendations either.

One other thing (I promise this will be my last question!), some of you may have remembered my thread concerning receiving an old Latitude laptop my brother’s company no longer wanted. Have laptops gotten lighter since 99/00? Because, IMO, the thing is way too heavy to be considered portable.

Oblivion Requirments:

Windows Recommended:
3.0 GHz Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent processor
1 GB System RAM
ATI X800 series or Nvidia GeForce 6800 series or higher video card

Minimum system Requirements:
Windows XP
512MB System RAM
2.0 Ghz Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent processor
128MB DirectX 9.0 compatible video card
8x DVD-ROM drive
4.6 GB free hard disk space
DirectX 9.0c (included)
DirectX 8.1 compatible sound card

 

[History_Buff]

Well, you can get some really high end Notebooks, Toshiba makes a bunch of good ones, but if you want really high end stuff, then you need lots of transistors, wires, and other electronic nonsense that sane people need not worry themselves about.

The changeable graphics cards I don't know for sure about, but I think if you're willing to pay enough for it, you can have everything changeable.

 

[Speedo]

If you're not worried about being able to use the comp on-the-go (main selling point for laptops) the small form factor will be a much better choice.

 

[Riesstiu IV]

What do you guys think of these two laptop models?

Acer Aspire AS5672WLMi- XP Home Intel Core Duo T2300(1.66GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 1GB 100GB DVD Super Multi ATI Mobility RADEON X1400 NoteBook - Retail

Communication: Modem, Gigabit LAN and WLAN
CPU Type: Intel Core DuoT2300(1.66GHz)
Graphics Card: ATI MOBILITY Radeon X1400
Hard Disk: 100GB
Memory Size: 1GB DDR2
Operating System: Windows XP Home
Optical Drive: DVD Super Multi
Part#: LX.AA705.104
Screen: 15.4" WXGA
Video Memory: 128MB DDR

$1,179.00

Acer TravelMate 8100 TM8104AWLMi Intel Pentium M 760(2.0GHz) 15.4" Wide SXGA+ 1GB 100GB DVD Super Multi ATI Mobility RADEON X700 NoteBook - Retail

Communication: Modem, Gigabit LAN and WLAN
CPU Type: Intel Pentium M 760 (2.0GHz)
Graphics Card: ATI Mobility Radeon x700
Hard Disk: 100GB
Memory Size: 1GB DDR2
Operating System: Windows XP Professional
Optical Drive: DVD Super Multi
Part#: LX.TAL06.096
Screen: 15.4" WSXGA+
Video Memory: 128MB

$1,589.00

Also, I'd like to know which graphics card is better, x700 or x1400? From the search I gather x700 is better because it has an 8 pixel pipeline while the x1400 has only 4. Very confusing... One would assume that a higher label would be better card.

Edit: I wouldn't mind some more input from Speedo. I've been reading your posts. You seem to be very knowledgeable.

 

[zerokarma]

You might want to try some of these mini pc's:

http://www.stealthcomputer.com/littlepc.htm
or
http://www.littlepc.com/