X series video memory and Longhorn

[Edward]

I'm thinking about purchasing an X32 or X41 for my work, not too concerned about games, just basic MS Office apps, web browsing etc.

The T series is probably a better deal but I've currently got a 3+ yr old Dell Inspiron 8200 and I want to minimize the weight, even if I sacrifice some performance and expandability.

(I've read the posts about fan noise from the T43 which makes me reluctant to consider the T43 until that issue has been fixed, but hey, I'm sure the fan noise from the T43 is nowhere close to what I have to deal with in my 8200).

My question regards using X32 or X41 with the Longhorn OS that will come out in a year or two. I've search the forum but did not find a discussion to answer my question (sorry if I missed it).

Should I eliminate the X32 from consideration as it only has 16mb of video memory and select the X41 as it can use up to 128mb of shared memory? From what I understand Longhorn will work with 128mb, maybe 64mb but definitely not 16mb ... is this correct and what are your thoughts?

[pphilipko]

The X32 definitely will not be able to support longhorn, as its graphics card is just too old. On the other hand, the X41 will do it, though only meeting longhorn's minimum graphics requirements.

[DavidNZ]

I read somewhere that Longhorn will require a 3Ghz machine to be useable, so that rules out every Thinkpad, and most notebooks/laptops produced these days (unless it's a desktop replacement, I guess)

It's probably a safe bet that MS will trumpet both XP and Longhorn as operating systems for quite some time, just like a car manufacturer has several model variants.

[bhtooefr]

Hmm... I'm willing to bet that "3GHz to be usable" means 3GHz Pentium 4. A 1.7GHz Pentium M should do OK at Longhorn.

That DOES cause a dilemma, though... The X41 only scales up to 1.5GHz, but the X32 doesn't have a good enough graphics card.

I'd lean towards the X41, though, if you MUST run Longhorn on a laptop you buy now...

However, I wouldn't target Longhorn - target current needs, and get something that will last until Longhorn's release. Lower price is better - that leans towards the X32, or even a used X31 (same thing with a Banias instead of a Dothan).

(*shakes fist at IBovo for not keeping the X3 chassis up to date - an X33 could easily be a mini-T43 (granted, with lower-spec graphics) if they played their cards right (the X32 is kinda like a mini-T42 with really crappy graphics, after all)*)

However, I'm not migrating to Longhorn. XP is the last version of Windows I will touch, and that's only if it's OEM - otherwise, it's 2000 for me (can't afford a legit copy of Windows, and XP is dangerous to run if it's pirated due to the activation crap becoming tied into Windows Update access).

Once XP is EOLed, I'm migrating to Linux.

FWIW, in the raw X32 vs. X41 war for current use, I'm siding with the X32 Lower price, faster processor, better battery life - how exactly do you lose, other than graphics and MAYBE chipset? Without UltraBase, the thing is STILL under 4 pounds...

[jokerunm]

Targeting Longhorn is silly, especially for laptops. You're assuming that Longhorn will ship next year, when Microsoft has delayed operating systems for years before. Who knows you might want another laptop by the time Longhorn ships!

That said...even the X32 would be able to run Longhorn, just not with all the eye candy.......you need a DX9 capable part to run Longhorn with all the eye candy. The X41 has Intel 900 chipset which is DX9 capable(extremly slow but should be enough for Longhorn)

It seems MS needs all this extra processing power for the pretty interface it's going to have....but I doubt you "HAVE TO" run the os with all the eye candy on. In fact....I'm betting that a lot of people will turn it off to get extra performance out of their systems.

[jschunkew]

MS claims 1.7 gHz laptops will meet longhorn requirements.
As for graphics there will be three grades, each requiring more
horsepower. Apparently the OS will automatically determine
which graphics to use based on your hardware capability. Longhorn
Beta 1 will ship in a few weeks. The released product in a little over
a year. So why not plan for it?

[Edward]

jokerunm, how I figure it I'll have this laptop for at least 3+ yrs (the missus will NOT let me buy another new laptop anytime soon) and I'm pretty sure Longhorn will be out by then.

Thanks for your comments everyone. I think what I gather is a pretty definite 'no' for X32 on Longhorn ... so that leaves the X41.

[asiafish]

Vista (Longhorn) most certainly WILL work on an X32, I know because it runs GREAT on mine.

The only thing that the weak graphics card will deny access to is the fancy Aero-Glass visual effects. Think back to when XP came out with its fancy Luna theme, people with weaker hardware got considerable performance boosts by using "Windows Classic" instead.

With Vista on my X32 I cannot use Aero-glass, but honestly, I wouldn't want to. In fact, I have Vista set up as "Windows Classic" just like I run XP. I prefer a clean and simple UI anyway, and all that stuff costs in speed. With Vista my X32 is still amazingly fast.

2GB of ram and a 7200 RPM hard drive doesn't hurt though.