PC computer question. . .

[xiphias]

Just to be certain:

If I have a laptop computer (Toshiba Satellite) with an integral video card (Intel(R) 82852/82855 GM/GME Graphics Controller) which isn't T&L compatible, and I bought Sid Meier's Pirates!, there's really nothing I can do, right? Because I can't upgrade a video card on a laptop, and there's no way around the T&L requirement.

Comments

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

I'd say yer pretty well hosed. Take the game back, if you can. :-(

[asqmh.livejournal.com]

Yeah, sorry. Integrated graphics really blows if you're a gamer or graphics freak. I have a GMA950 on my MacBook, which is one reason I advise against a MacBook for some people. For me, it's a moot point. My needs are primarily text-based with some CSS/image manipulation thrown in for good measure, so it doesn't affect me, but you can't really game on one of these (even running Windows via Parallels or BootCamp).

[sarianna.livejournal.com]

Truth.
S'why I got a MacBookPro. Smexy 8800GT. Mm.
I don't game, either; I just figured a replaceable card would be better long-term.

[asqmh.livejournal.com]

I was tempted to go Pro, but I really, REALLY didn't want a 15.4" screen. I know it's goofy, but I want a small (though not Air small) laptop. I <3 the 12" PowerBook formfactor and the MacBook is the closest thing Apple was offering when I decided to upgrade from my 14" 800MHz G3 iBook (I upgraded in September, just before the MBs went Santa Rosa).

I find it funny that the HD is replaceable in the consumer notebook and not in the Pro (well, I mean, it IS, but it voids your warranty and I <3 AppleCare. ^_~).

I love Apple, but sometimes they do things that really make me say, "Uh, wha?" o_0

[sarianna.livejournal.com]

Ah, yeah, I snagged my MBP in August, post-Santa Rosa and new backlighting. The efficiency was the clincher for me, plus a screen I could read. My friend's G4 iBook convinced me to switch, I love that thing. I don't think much of the Air, but I get the impression that's pretty common. Apple is one weird company. Fortunately for me, Hardware Support at UMass is Apple-certified so if I want to replace my hdd they can do the warranty work, I'd just buy a drive. Maybe when the 320GB ones drop in price. Oh, Apple.

[asqmh.livejournal.com]

To me, it wasn't really worth waiting for the SR chip to hit the MBs. The speed bump was negligible (mine is 2.16GHz C2D and the SRs are running at 2.2GHz... I highly doubt I'm gonna notice my lack of .04GHz).

I like the keyboard layout on the MB as opposed to the MBP, but I definitely wouldn't mind the snazzy ambient lighting. ^_^

I've been a MacUser since 2001, but the only reason I waited that long was because my only reason for switching was OS X. ^_^ When it started shipping on new machines, I bought my indigo iMac, Sidney. (What? You don't name your machines? o_0)

[asqmh.livejournal.com]

And yeah, you're right: the Mac community at large was feeling a lack of RDF in the presence of the Air. (RDF is typically what we dub Steve Jobs' odd, cult-level-devotion-inspiring whatever-it-is. Short for "Reality Distortion Field." ^_~)

[dillonpuff.livejournal.com]

I really wish Sony would keep up with their slim line state-side. The x505 was 100% awesome, but Americans don't seem to want really thin laptops.

Apple apparently feels they can sell anything, because the Air is crap *and* it's not really what the U.S. market goes for in a laptop.

[gilmoure.livejournal.com]

What does T&L stand for? Not familiar with acronym.

[solipsistnation.livejournal.com]

Transform and Lighting, I believe.

You can read it as "High-end graphics crap that old or wimpy cards can't do."

[goljerp]

Oh, I guess it's nothing like T&A, then.

As in "Terms and Agreements". What did you think I meant? :-)

[dillonpuff.livejournal.com]

more like 7 year old tech that is oddly unsupported in a lot of integrated gfx cards ... :\ It's really nothing fancy nowadays.

[solipsistnation.livejournal.com]

Or maybe Texture and Lighting. But Lighting in in there.

[dillonpuff.livejournal.com]

:(

this is why laptops are a box of suck for gaming. some new models have swappable cards ... not sure why the trend didn't start a lot sooner.