Toshiba Tecra A8 / Satellite pro A120: For Gaming?

[Shook.XcL]

Hey folks, I've got a question about my new lap top that I hope yall wouldn't mind entertaining! (regarding hardware upgrade(s) for gaming purposes.)

I just got a new Tecra A8 /Satellite pro A120; specs ->

- Genuine Intel(R) CPU T2300 @ 1.66GHz, 504 MB of RAM
(Centrino Duo)
- Mobile Intel(R) 945GM Express Chipset Family
- 80GB hard drive

Now I understand this laptop is good for office work, and it's a decent dvd/mp3 player, but its video and speed limitations are quite troublesome for my needs. I need it to run decent games. This tecra was actually a gift from the wife for Christmas, and I've bee using it for the last two weeks straight. I've downloaded a lot of music and installed some software on it with no problems.

The problem is, I really want this laptop to play games. In it's current state, I know it doesn't have adequate hardware (video/processor) to play the games like. If I could get it to run Warcraft 3 and maybe the World of Warcraft , that would be tight.

So my question is: Can I get this laptop upgraded? I'm assuming sice I've been using the laptop already, I probably can't exchange it, but I'm not certain. I would love to be able to go out and get video upgrades for it, and possibly even processor. Does anyone know if I am able to get these hardware upgrades for my Tecra noteook? I read in the user manual that it has an integrated video card.. this video card is horrible and has left me irked.

If the only solution were to get a gaming laptop, do you think the prices compare? It is my understanding that the laptop I have is above average in price, and yet it does no good for playing games!


Thanks for reading and any response, VERY much appreciated!

Happy 2007,

- Rob.

[Shook.XcL]

bump

[aargus]

Dear friend,

Exact same problems here. Video card is on-board so there's no way to change it. Processor is supposed to be dual core but instead of doubling speed, it halfs it. I'm really disappointed with this laptop..donno what's wrong with it. I've read that its BIOS is not well written and that it therefore loses half of its potential hardware power. I've upgraded the BIOS to the latest version published on Toshiba website but with no results whatsoever. It makes me feel angry..when I bought there were no negative reviews but a few months later, everyone was complaining.

We woul appreciate an answer from an expert!

Aaron

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shook.XcL

Hey folks, I've got a question about my new lap top that I hope yall wouldn't mind entertaining! (regarding hardware upgrade(s) for gaming purposes.)

I just got a new Tecra A8 /Satellite pro A120; specs ->

- Genuine Intel(R) CPU T2300 @ 1.66GHz, 504 MB of RAM
(Centrino Duo)
- Mobile Intel(R) 945GM Express Chipset Family
- 80GB hard drive

Now I understand this laptop is good for office work, and it's a decent dvd/mp3 player, but its video and speed limitations are quite troublesome for my needs. I need it to run decent games. This tecra was actually a gift from the wife for Christmas, and I've bee using it for the last two weeks straight. I've downloaded a lot of music and installed some software on it with no problems.

The problem is, I really want this laptop to play games. In it's current state, I know it doesn't have adequate hardware (video/processor) to play the games like. If I could get it to run Warcraft 3 and maybe the World of Warcraft , that would be tight.

So my question is: Can I get this laptop upgraded? I'm assuming sice I've been using the laptop already, I probably can't exchange it, but I'm not certain. I would love to be able to go out and get video upgrades for it, and possibly even processor. Does anyone know if I am able to get these hardware upgrades for my Tecra noteook? I read in the user manual that it has an integrated video card.. this video card is horrible and has left me irked.

If the only solution were to get a gaming laptop, do you think the prices compare? It is my understanding that the laptop I have is above average in price, and yet it does no good for playing games!


Thanks for reading and any response, VERY much appreciated!

Happy 2007,

- Rob.

[Aaron_8015]

How do you mean halfs the performance?

No a graphics upgrade is not possible.

A memory upgrade however will speed things up a little, the on-board may be able to handle a few older games.

I have ran WoW fine on a 965 not sure how much of a difference there is between the two.

[RicheemxX]

Quote:

Processor is supposed to be dual core but instead of doubling speed, it halfs it.

Just a guess here but if you are talking in actual terms of speed the cpu should only be listed as 1.66 GHz. Maybe I'm confused on your point but dual core doesn't mean actually doubling the speed to 3.2ghz.

Now having said that if you are saying the chip keeps actually clocking down, then that's a built in feature on almost all newer chips and almost all laptops. Intel calls it speedstepping. If its actually causing neg affects on performance there should be an option in the bios to disable it, however the chips clock down in order to save power and reduce heat. So its in a laptop its really best to keep in on

[Shook.XcL2]

Well thanks for the reply haha,.. I know I made the post over 2 years ago, but it was funny to receive the e-mail notification! I actually run a Toshiba Qosmio 300 now, and it's pretty solid!