Im need a new pc and a new laptop. I was thinking could i just buy an awesome laptop and hook it up to my TFT monitor? Would i be able to attach my keyboard and cordless mouse etc?. I dont play games etc anymore, but surely that would be killing 2 birds with 1 stone?
Hook Laptop up2 TFT screen?
- Thread starter The_Judge
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You can do all those things, very easily.
Though your monitor will only be able to be connected using VGA. I personally haven't come across a laptop that has DVI yet.
As for your keyboard and mouse, it really depends on the connection type. Worse case, you buy USB peripherals.
Though your monitor will only be able to be connected using VGA. I personally haven't come across a laptop that has DVI yet.
As for your keyboard and mouse, it really depends on the connection type. Worse case, you buy USB peripherals.
The_Judge said:
of course!Like said, laptop will have a VGA connector so might have to get one of those DVI>VGA converters if TFT has only DVI
Keyboard & mouse maybe the Logitech MX 5000 Laser Cordless Bluetooth 2.0 Desktop Combination (here)? Uses Bluetooth
There are a few laptops with DVI, but it doesn't really matter. Usually desktop replacements come with both DVI/VGA now since they're more likely to be hooked up to an external display. Previously VGA was there mostly for projectors.
DVI matters most with the desktop, not games. DVI creates a crisper image, with more accurate colours. Since a game is always in motion the difference doesn't make a significant difference at all.
DVI matters most with the desktop, not games. DVI creates a crisper image, with more accurate colours. Since a game is always in motion the difference doesn't make a significant difference at all.
The_Judge said:
Any notebook that has a docking station. That way you have your desktop all set up (keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, add-in cards, etc.), and just slot the notebook into it. Many docking stations have DVI so thats one less thing to worry about on the laptop (although the worry is now transferred to the docking station
).As for the right notebook for you - thats something only you can decide. There are 4 main categories: Ultraportable, Thin & Light, Standard, Desktop Replacement. Think & Light and Standard are definitely converging imo, with standard laptops being called 'thin & light', but imo a 3kg laptop isn't thin & light.
Best bet is to go into a few showrooms and try some notebooks out. Since you can't replace the keyboard, touchpad/pointstick, and monitor easily; its quite important that you get on well with them. If possible try and get a notebook with 128MB dedicated video memory simply for Vista. That means don't look at HyperMemory or Turbocache, the majority of those are at 64MB or below. There is the odd 128MB model though that you might get away with. Basically if the notebook has a GeForce Go 7600 or Radeon X1600 or above it will definitely have 128MB or more (I think they're all 256MB+).
There's a nice Sony SZ series model coming out this month, if its not already out, that has a Go 7600. The SZ series is definitely thin & light with a 13.3" screen and a 2kg weight. Should have a docking station to - but make sure you check. Price is about £1100.
However, make sure you're POSITIVE you want just a single notebook as your computer. Unlike desktops they're very difficult to upgrade, and they can only ever be upgraded so much. If a new CPU core comes out, its unlikely the BIOS will be updated to support that CPU, if the CPU can even fit in the slot - and if the current CPU isn't soldered in
There's usually only 2 slots for RAM, so 4GB currently costs about £1000-£1600. Stuck with 2GB there. HDs are much lower capacity, 200GB is the current record - and that drive won't fit in most laptops. 160GB is the current peak for all laptops, unless you can fit a second drive - ie. a desktop replacement. The graphics can almost never be upgraded, even with MXM its difficult to get a new card that'll work and is faster than the bundled card. Essentially if you go the Notebook route, what you get is what you'll have indefinitely. What happens if in a year's time you want to do something that requires just a little more memory, or another CPU core? Easy things on a desktop, but almost impossible on a notebook.Imo its best to have a seperate desktop and notebook if you use your computer often. Desktop replacements are best reserved for the rich who like LAN parties, or those who don't use the computer that much, or just for the net.