Hi.

Firstly, I don't have the faintest idea about computers, hence any advice would be appreciated.

It's not for me, it's for the wife's uncle, and it would be his first computer, so simple to use is a
main consideration hence a laptop, no pile of spaghetti to plug in etc.

It's main use would be to run a Phoenix RC Flight Simulator.

The requirements from their website htpp://www.phoenix-sim.com/support.htm state

windows 2000/XP/Vista
1.0 Ghz Pentium 3/4 or AMD Athlon/64compatable processor
256MB system memory (RAM)
750MB free uncompressed hard-disc space or more
ATI Radion 9600/NVidia Geforce T14200 withat least 128MB memory
Microsoft Direct 9.0c or higher
CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drive for installation
1 free USB 1.1/2.0 port
100% DirectX 9 compatible sound card


If I understood this jargon I could just go to Dabs.com or PC World etc and order one, but I'm thick.

Many thanks
Paul G

Thats a minimum spec and most laptops willl better that spec these days.

Your main problem will be the graphics card, make sure it has a Nvidia or ATI sticker on the laptop. anything with a Intel integrated Graphics card will be disappointing.

I have an ASUS laptop which is very good one similar on here is offered by graememk

A SUS laptop

HTH

Thanks Onzarob, the graphics card thing is just the sort of advise I'm looking for.

We loaded the disc on the wife's laptop yesterday (Fujitsu Siemens Espremo) and the simulation was very jerky.

Your link unfortunately is a bit more than "uncle" wants to pay.

Thanks again
Paul G

Because any new home laptop will be sold with Vista memory requirements these days are a bit higher for running a flight sim I would recommend 2gb of main memory.

As you are aware onzarob pointed out the problem with running games/flight sims on a laptop is that your are stuck with the graphic chip that is fitted to the motherboard

These link should meet the requirements


http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/869909

http://www.comet.co.uk/cometbrowse/product.do?sku=422525&cm_sp=FeatureEnd-_-Laptops-_-position1

personally I doubt that any laptops will be able to do a flight sim any justice. The graphics memory is often shared with main memory and the processors are usually not of very high spec, and then there is the limitations of using a 15" screen.

A desktop system would be much more capable and doesn't neccessarily have to be over complicated to set up - one box with just mains, monitor, keyboard and mouse connected.

Or maybe an Apple? They seem to cater for the novice users a little more.

Many thanks for the replies chaps.

All sorted now, ( within "Uncle Vernon's budget )

Bought a Samsung R60 (with a Radion ATI sticker)

Runs the Phoenix Sim a treat. (I've been playing )

Thanks again

Paul G