Suggestions for optimum laptop configuration?

[James Mason]

I'm getting a laptop for Christmas. Are there any suggestions as to what I should make sure it has on it? I like to play Victoria/Revolutions, HoI2/DD/A, Crusader Kings, etc. (most of the Paradox game family, I guess...)

I definitely don't want to get the minimum, I want something that is going to be able to comfortably handle these games.

Also, for those of you who know, is there any reason I should get VISTA (either basic or premium) instead of XP? If I order from Dell, I think I have an option.

Any and all advice welcome. (oh, and price is a minor factor - I'm not going to spend $2000, but I can talk my wife into something in the neighborhood of $1000, perhaps more if there's a really good reason...)

THANKS!

Jim

 

[RELee]

Biggest recommendation I can make is to make sure that you have a video card in the laptop that has its own video RAM. It should not "borrow" system RAM, as most laptops do. You should be able to find a Dell that has that configuration. If not, then I know you can if you move to HP. The typical setup of "borrowing", or more accurately "sharing" system RAM for the video controller's use is fine for your typical applications; but it is not quite so fine when you're playing games. Paradox games are not quite so demanding as say a FPS or RPG, but it sure does help with speed to go ahead and add the extra money to get it right.

If you can afford it, go ahead and get a Gig or two of system RAM. IMO, it's even more important that having the latest, greatest CPU out there. Dual-Core is nice, but you don't really need it, but that's just another opinion.

Paradox games appear to work fine on either XP or Vista. My preference is XP, but I am playing Victoria on Vista.

I just bought my daughter a really nice laptop from Best Buy, oh, about 2 months ago. It was an HP laptop and it was on sale for only around $700 or so. I believe it came with video RAM and wireless networking built-in. I forget how much RAM it came with.

 

[Dietmar1982]

You should properly also consider, if you want the newer paradox games to work on it (EU3, EU:R).
If you do, go to the EU3 forum and look for the graphics thread at the top.
In there you can se what you should look for in a card.

On the Vista vs. XP issue.
I took the plunge, and got Vista on my machine allmost a year ago and i'm happy with it.
But some people have reported issues with some of the older paradox games.