Wouldn't a swappable bay (like with HDD/DVD drives) be a good solution for upgradable graphics? I mean instead of opening up your entire computer to replace the GPU, because if you're a gamer you'll be replacing the GPU more than anything else.
It would have to be a small bay though, a little bigger than an MXM card to keep the chassis down to size.
It would also be faster than all the external solutions because they run off of USB & Express Cards. Although the interface would have to be standardized and not proprietary (like MXM).
Something like a "Mac Air" but with "Tablet" Screen (with touchscreen for drawing/painting with cool IPHONE-like touch interface) with a Recharging Dock that holds a more powerful GPU and Blu-Ray R/W.
The idea is so that you can have power at home (with simple quick connection) and lightness/flexibility when travelling.
Also the Touchscreen can double as input device (along with wireless keyboard & mouse) when connected to dock and large monitor.
Just 1 idea... External video cards. Solves the upgrade issue if you can just plug a new standard PCI-e card into an external housing and then connect it to your laptop. You also don't have to have an overpowered video card when your not gaming.
I haven't read all comments, but skimming over them I did not find any MXM solutions mentioned. Now this may be a technology that's virtually never been used in the past, but it does exist, remember the ASUS EAH3850 Trinity that had three ATI 3850 on MXM modules, connected to a single PCIe board that circulated the 'net in March '08?
In my opinion, a perfect gaming notebook should allow to use any MXM card, i.e. at least support MXM-HE (the biggest and most power hungry form factor). If this does not cover the amount of power that can be drawn from an MXM slot, it would be nice if the cooling solution supported that as well.
I realize that there are not many MXM cards, that ODMs have their reasons for not supporting MXM, and that there is only so much that can be put into a laptop because it doesn't make sense to use a graphics card which needs more power than a PCIe slot can supply. But as you said, we're talking about a dream laptop here, and GPU upgradability certainly is on the top of my wishlist. Since there are no other mobile GPU standards than MXM, MXM it is.
Helo Anand. Since you asked for feedback whether we like this kind of posts in future, i can tell you that i am delighted by your idea. I support your efforts in this because this is the way new technologies are created. From people experienced enough just like you. A modular gaming (and what else) notebook is my dream too. And this kind of idea will open a whole new era in game design where we can play the game story in co-op mode between let's say three people. I think if you continue with this kind of posts and we show strong support i am sure vendors will take your ideas in account for the next product design team meeting.
I wish you all the best and keep up the good work. If you want to comment this comment, please write me at mile@astronomija.com.mk
to mention the Apple laptops again. What if they invented ePCI-E and when you want to game with your 13" laptop, just bring an external GPU-case that will work in hybrid (think Macbook Pro) with your current graphics card.
Why can't my laptop be a keyboard, monitor and mouse for my gaming server? Please provide inputs and a KMM switch and allow me to reduce the amount of peripherals that I must carry.
Exchangeable optical and hdd bay would be preferable so you can insert second battery solution, i would prefer some sort of low graphic solution like nv 9300gt or ati 3200 gpu with external pci-e solution, so if you want to game carry external graphic with appropriate cooling.
60W is maximum on laptop that gpu can dissipate and that variant is only on 6+kg units which are nightmare to carry.
Wouldn't a swappable bay (like with HDD/DVD drives) be a good solution for upgradable graphics? I mean instead of opening up your entire computer to replace the GPU, because if you're a gamer you'll be replacing the GPU more than anything else.
It would have to be a small bay though, a little bigger than an MXM card to keep the chassis down to size.
It would also be faster than all the external solutions because they run off of USB & Express Cards. Although the interface would have to be standardized and not proprietary (like MXM).
PVA panels are generally terrible for input lag, so go with S-IPS or TN for gaming.
Something like a "Mac Air" but with "Tablet" Screen (with touchscreen for drawing/painting with cool IPHONE-like touch interface) with a Recharging Dock that holds a more powerful GPU and Blu-Ray R/W.
The idea is so that you can have power at home (with simple quick connection) and lightness/flexibility when travelling.
Also the Touchscreen can double as input device (along with wireless keyboard & mouse) when connected to dock and large monitor.
Just 1 idea... External video cards. Solves the upgrade issue if you can just plug a new standard PCI-e card into an external housing and then connect it to your laptop. You also don't have to have an overpowered video card when your not gaming.
I would actually like to see an option with gaming notebooks to use Docking stations. Not USB wanna-be's. TRUE docking stations.
I haven't read all comments, but skimming over them I did not find any MXM solutions mentioned. Now this may be a technology that's virtually never been used in the past, but it does exist, remember the ASUS EAH3850 Trinity that had three ATI 3850 on MXM modules, connected to a single PCIe board that circulated the 'net in March '08?
In my opinion, a perfect gaming notebook should allow to use any MXM card, i.e. at least support MXM-HE (the biggest and most power hungry form factor). If this does not cover the amount of power that can be drawn from an MXM slot, it would be nice if the cooling solution supported that as well.
I realize that there are not many MXM cards, that ODMs have their reasons for not supporting MXM, and that there is only so much that can be put into a laptop because it doesn't make sense to use a graphics card which needs more power than a PCIe slot can supply. But as you said, we're talking about a dream laptop here, and GPU upgradability certainly is on the top of my wishlist. Since there are no other mobile GPU standards than MXM, MXM it is.
Helo Anand. Since you asked for feedback whether we like this kind of posts in future, i can tell you that i am delighted by your idea. I support your efforts in this because this is the way new technologies are created. From people experienced enough just like you. A modular gaming (and what else) notebook is my dream too. And this kind of idea will open a whole new era in game design where we can play the game story in co-op mode between let's say three people. I think if you continue with this kind of posts and we show strong support i am sure vendors will take your ideas in account for the next product design team meeting.
I wish you all the best and keep up the good work. If you want to comment this comment, please write me at mile@astronomija.com.mk
to mention the Apple laptops again. What if they invented ePCI-E and when you want to game with your 13" laptop, just bring an external GPU-case that will work in hybrid (think Macbook Pro) with your current graphics card.
Why can't my laptop be a keyboard, monitor and mouse for my gaming server? Please provide inputs and a KMM switch and allow me to reduce the amount of peripherals that I must carry.
Exchangeable optical and hdd bay would be preferable so you can insert second battery solution, i would prefer some sort of low graphic solution like nv 9300gt or ati 3200 gpu with external pci-e solution, so if you want to game carry external graphic with appropriate cooling.
60W is maximum on laptop that gpu can dissipate and that variant is only on 6+kg units which are nightmare to carry.