Poll: Multi-boxing with a portable (i.e., laptop)

[Greythan]

I am interested in learning more about those who use laptops to multibox. I thought this might be useful for the broader community as well for those who may be considering portable hardware for multi-boxing. So, the poll is pretty straightforward: if you have in fact multi-boxed on your laptop how many "playable" sessions could you run? Playable is a bit subjective, so use your own judgement. I know for me, I don't need 50 FPS in Dalaran to consider my desktop "playable" but sustained single digit FPS certainly is unplayable to me.

Second, if you are able to respond "yes" to the poll would you please post your laptop specs and what software tool (Keyclone, HKN, IS, etc.) you use?

Thanks in advance!

[Kaynin]

i multibox and my laptop can run 4 very smoothly (not at highest settings tho, ofcourse. But at acceptable settings.) but I've ran as much as 6 without noticable problems at the time.

Qosmio x300
X9100, 4gb ddr3 1066, en9800m gtx. (And soon getting a SSD disk for it too! Might increase performance considerably as well. :) )


I have a desktop that's better for boxing, since this is a dual core and my desktop a quad. But quite frankly, I love the mobility too much. Whenever I do PvE/PvP intensive stuff that I need a multiscreen set up for, I use my desktop. But I'd say I use my laptop 90% of the time. Even tho the desktop is 'right there'. :P

[VvD]

When using my mages, I have used my laptop before. It wasn't anything special, but I do prefer playing on a desktop.

[Greythan]

When using my mages, I have used my laptop before. It wasn't anything special, but I do prefer playing on a desktop.
How many sessions (i.e., "mages")? What are your laptop's specs? Finally, does "wasn't anything special" mean acceptable if you were stuck without access to your desktop or poor enough that you'd not bother trying to multi-box?

Again, I'm trying to get a sense for portable options for when I'm not at my desktop.

Thanks!

[Duane]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220308 ('http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220308')

2.4GHz, 4gigs ram, NVIDIA GeForce 9500M GS ran four sessions just fine.

[ahnubis]

I multi box 5 wow accounts on full gfx settings.

dell xps m1730 x9000 CPU oc to 3.4 ghz 4 gigs of ram dual 200gig 7200 RPM hd in raid 0

dual 8800gtx graphics cards non SLI mode ( if SLI is turned on my FPS takes a HUGE HIT)

I use Keyclone

[Kaynin]

I multi box 5 wow accounts on full gfx settings.

dell xps m1730 x9000 CPU oc to 3.4 ghz 4 gigs of ram dual 200gig 7200 RPM hd in raid 0

dual 8800gtx graphics cards non SLI mode ( if SLI is turned on my FPS takes a HUGE HIT)

I use Keyclone

Full gfx? Viewing distance max on all, and all on high resolutions?

I dunno what you did with your laptop, but tell me because I wanna know. The 8800gtx benchmarks the same performance as 7k generation desktop GT's. I shouldn't be possible to have it perform as well as the current top end desktop gfx cards. :P

At least not in gfx intensive places such as Northrend and crowded areas, or in the heat of battles. But maybe in mulgore it might work. :p


I have a 9800 gtx and only run one on max viewing distance, alts on low settings. Though all in maximized windowed with high resolution. (FTL and swapping chars a lot). But if I turn up settings for alts it becomes hell. :p

Or do you run your alts in small windows and low resolutions?

[Vyndree]

I've considered trying laptop multiboxing using software (despite the fact that my main rig is full hardware). I don't think my Aspire 5920 ('http://us.acer.com/acer/product.do?link=oln23g.redirect&changedAlts=&kcond5e.c2att92=447&CRC=2611781119') is up to the task, though -- and I'm not about to drop money to upgrade to a beefy laptop for an occasional multiboxing fix out-of-the-house.

I might noodle with 2 or 3-boxing, but just haven't felt up to the task yet.

[Shokz]

Im currently 5 boxing on a 8920G due to me being to lazy to dig my desktop back out, runs ok with all the adds on lowest settings and main with decent settings, doesnt like citys at peak times at all though.

[Kaynin]

Im currently 5 boxing on a 8920G due to me being to lazy to dig my desktop back out, runs ok with all the adds on lowest settings and main with decent settings, doesnt like citys at peak times at all though.

8920G has 4gb physical memory if I am not mistaken?

What HDD do you run? 5400RPM/7200RPM ? If your performance drops like a brick during peak hours in cities, it's most likely due to your swap file. If it's set to like 4/6Gb, lower it to 1Gb and see if you get a boost in performance in cities at peak hours. If you do, consider getting an SSD and run your swap file as well as WoW folder(s) on that.

[Shokz]

Yeah the HD light goes solid on me, tried at 512 and i got the out of mem error, will try 1000 tonight.

And yeah 4gb ram, and 7200 rpm HD.

[Greythan]

Thanks in large part to Kaynin's invaluable advice, I settled on the Gateway P7805u as my budget, desktop replacement, multi-box-WoW solution.

I've set it up and it runs at least as well as my desktop (which is not a top end machine obviously). I'm getting the same framerates/performance if not a tad better than my desktop. Settings are mixed and generally lower, but not lowest by any stretch. I haven't attempted to step foot in Dalaran, but I haven't tried that on my desktop either. IS windowswapping is fast as ever.

For just over $1k at Best Buy I am VERY pleased so far.

I think I have some room for further hardware improvement should I need it between a solid state drive and/or a CPU upgrade.

[Herc130]

I use this laptops..older model, slightly less powerfull.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9172511&type=product&id=1218043606827

I only use it when I deploy to countries I am pretty much locked up in whatever hotel when I am not working or ones where I have gone so often I don't feel the need to look around and assuming they have internet. At home, I use many desktops and the laptop stays in it's bag. I normally just 4 box using WinEQ2. Usually a tank, my rogue and two mages. Then hire two mercenary healers. It can 5 and even 6 box, but I found that too confusing to do off one screen. I saw they have a laptop now that has a slide out second screen.

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/2039/lenovothinkpadw700ds360mg7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

but it's built for bussiness and spec wise (besides the 2 screens), probably just be able to 3 box with. Be intresting if gaming laptops start doing this as well.

[Fuzzyfurball]

right now im 4 boxxing on http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/3893/setupnv9.jpg ('http://img3.imageshack.us/my.php?image=setupnv9.jpg')
it runs awesome with a pally and 3 shammys ^.^ i use 4 modded psu fans to keep the ram cool kinda like one of the ones u buy from the store but more powerful laptops ftw :thumbsup: i use keyclone

[Xtremepayne]

First, I am using a Alienware M17 to box on. Its the base model with 1 exception. It has Crossfire(Dual Ati 3870 video cards). I have added 1 extra drive so that each instance has its own source for the game. This way hard drives are not doing double duty. The next thing I have yet to do, is to upgrade the memory. It currently only has 2 which is a problem for Lord of the Rings Online. My home system has 4gigs of which 3gigs are used up just dual boxing on 1 system using Inner Space. Home system is using XP 64 and handles it well. Laptop however is a different story, Vista Home Premium, and it only has 2 gigs. When loaded up, memory free is only 60 to 100megs free. I have plans to upgrade to 4gigs of PC2-8500 as I can get it for about 54.00 from Newegg. Other then that laptop handles it just fine. I had my doubts but now I don't. Finding only limitation is memory. And as far as I know Inner Space is the only program that will allow you to play more then 1 instance of Lotro on 1 machine.

[Xtremepayne]

Well this morning I went to go buy that 54 dollar memory, no add to cart button available from newegg, so instead I go to Crucial's website and order it there for 94.00 bucks with overnight delivery included. Now for the great part. I live less then 20 miles from the distrobution center. This should set up nicely on the lappy for boxing Lotro. That memory that Newegg had must have either had low stock or just sold out fast. Reason for going crucial, support local economy.

[jdpatt]

Just picked up a slightly used Gateway 6864FX on Ebay, will get it up and running over the weekend...I'm guessing it'll handle 1-4 boxing fairly easily with medium settings. I really liked the 7805FX from Best Buy (which seems to be about the best gaming laptop for the money at the moment), but just don't have the extra $1200 (with tax) at the moment. I'll probably wait until I get my tax return and either get that one, the 7801FX from Newegg (same computer as the 7805 but with WUXGA screen standard, although many of the 7805s seem to have shipped with the upgraded screen, possibly by mistake).

By the time I do, though, the newer Gateways may be out, including the quad core 7808, which is set to retail for $1800 (so I'm hoping street price will be in the $1300-1400 range). THAT one looks very promising for multiboxing, at a great price.

Anyway, the specs on my 6864 are here, not bad for $600. The graphics card is probably the weakest point for gaming, but I 4 boxed on my desktop with a 256mb HD2600, so I don't think it'll hold me back too much:

http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/2008/TempestFX/1015623R/1015623Rsp2.shtml