Dell M40 Laptop (Has an Nvidia Quadro2 256 chipset built in)

[lindykid]

I am thinking about purchasing one of these to replace my desktop. I would like to know if the peeps of anandtech think it should be alright to get a this. I mainly ask to see if there would be any compatabilty issues with quadro. I have played with a machine with quadro before and it was quite impressive. Unfortunatly I could not use it long enough to check compatability. I am FPS nut, so this would be good for me. Lastly, I dont buy new comp parts all the time. My computers generaly last me three years (with out changing video cards, I still have geforce 1 32meg)and it is about time I replace my computer...I need a new machine to get ready for DOOM 3. If you are asking why a laptop? I travel a lot, I dont need the greatest wizbang everything on my comp, so I figure I do it now and get it over with.


here is a link of the machine

Dell M 40

 

[AppleTalking]

Do you really need Quadro graphics? Because I'm pretty sure that a GeForce2 Go or a Radeon 7500 would be just as good at games and a heck of a lot cheaper.
I think you can configure an Inspiron 8100 with a 64MB DDR Radeon 7500 for under $2000 that would be just as good as that Quadro in FPS games. The Quadro
is mainly meant for people who need workstation-level (e.g. 3D modelling in OpenGL professional graphics applications) performace. Unless you need that,
save yourself the $2000 and get an 8100 with Radeon 7500 and 15" UXGA screen.

Good luck!
Nick

 

[Stealth1024]

Personally I have a Dell Inspiron 8100 with the ATI Radeon 7500 Mobility graphics chipset and it works alright for games. I would say the frame rate is on par with the performance of the ATI Radeon 64MB DDR w/DIVO that was pretty popular a year ago for desktop PC's.

 

[lindykid]

The reason I am looking at this laptop is for a few reasons. I travel and would like to bring my computer with me and if I can get it to play FPS games well I down for that. The other reason I am going for such a high end machine is, that it is a laptop. You cant change anything inside. So I figure if I go with this machine I can have it for around 2.5 - 3 years and still be happy with it.

Does anyone know how the quadro compares to the geforce 3? what are the primary diferences? Any help would be great.

 

[Mingon]

I would guess that the quadro to go and the geforce to go are pretty much the same chip, I would guess that nvdia has just enabled some of the quadro's ability similar to what you can do with all the geforce range of 'gaming' cards by either changing a resistor or other means.

 

[Rand]

Unless your doing CAD work, or 3D design animation projects on the laptop you'd be better off with the Radeon 7500 Mobility, it's clearly a faster gaming card and cheaper also.

 

[lindykid]

Rand: Can you point me in the right direction for an uber gaming laptop? All I know are the nvidias.

 

[ggosson]

I was hoping to ask this very same question! I would love to know how these units do for gaming. I like the mix of features they have packaged into one unit but I am curious how the Quadro2 Go does with programs besides CAD and graphics and such. Bang for the buck ( we get a HUGE discount! they look hard to beat for a powerful desktop replacement.

Greg

 

[Compuguru]

The Quadro equivilant of each Geforce is no faster at gaming or everyday applications, only certain CAD applications. It would be a waste of money to buy a quadro unless you are doing CAD or professional 3d rendering.

I believe the new Radeon is faster than a geforce2go as well.