FS2002 on a laptop

[Dodgey Geezer]

I am considering getting FS2002 to load on my laptop for use while I am travelling.  Because of this, I want to be able to use it just with the laptop keyboard and touchpad mouse control.  I am wondering if the laptop keyboard (which has no numeric keypad) will be sufficient.  I already have a copy of Flight Unlimited 2, that I purchased a few years ago, but this depends on using both numeric keypad and standard keyboard keys.  Switching between the two modes is not that practical - especially when the runway is coming up to meet you a bit faster than planned!  There isn't any option to remap the keys, either, so FU2 (an unfortunate abbreviation, if ever there was one!) is being relegated to my box of 'old' stuff that no longer works with XP  :-[.  I don't want to spend out on a new program if I'm going to find it unusable.  Can anyone let me know if I will be able to use FS2002?  

Cheers.
Da Geezah

[Hai Perso Coyone?]

Yup, you can. I had FS2002 installed on my crappy laptop too. I used the arrow keys to fly and it worked like a charm for me. I'm guessing you have a decent system, so it shouldn't be a problem with the FPS.

Cheers,
Ashar

[Dodgey Geezer]

Many thanks Ashar.

[Hai Perso Coyone?]

Many thanks Ashar.  For a laptop, it's not a bad spec - IBM T41p (1.7GHz, Pentium4 M, ATI Mobility Fire GL T2 with 128MB which allows 1400x1050@32-bit, and 60 Gb disk).  Not sure if the graphics card will be up to coping with all the visual effects, but my main concern was just whether the lack of full keyboard/mouse would render the game unusable.

Cheers,
Da Geezah.

Hi,
Your laptop should be able to run it at a pretty good rate. You have a decent system for a laptop and a decent video card to go along with it. Just curious to know however, how much RAM does it have?

Cheers,
Ashar

[Dodgey Geezer]

Ah - I thought there was something missing... It has 1Gb of RAM, and is running XP Pro SP2    :)

[Nicholasbezzina]

compared to yours......my laptop is ancient but anyhow it should work perfectly with that kinda specs. although with laptops using a joystick may be a good idea

[Hai Perso Coyone?]

Ah - I thought there was something missing... It has 1Gb of RAM, and is running XP Pro SP2    :)

That will work like a chram for you. You should have no trouble using FS2002 on it

Happy Flying,
Ashar

[amaru]

hey man,

i was in the same situation, wondering how FS would work in laptops, well, i think its better than the big PC, i play FS in a laptop and it works well, u just have to change a few key commands for veiws, i guess,

so just enjoy but also note that u might not have fun playing for long without the charger being connected!!!

[Dodgey Geezer]

LOL - You're right - I'd better not go anywhere without the charger!

[Dodgey Geezer]

Just a footnote for anyone else considering running FS2002 on a laptop.  My PC itself is powerful enough and the graphics capability is fine - but my real issue is with the keyboard.  It really does need a full keyboard rather than the appreviated keyboard you get on laptops.  There is a lot of functionality based around use of the numeric keypad with shift/alt/ctrl, which I can't get at using the 'Fn' version of the keypad on my T41p. I can get to the basic functions, but then I can't get to the alpha keys that the numeric keypad is transposed on to... so for example, switching on lights, releasing or applying brake, or using ATC responses 7-9 can be a real pain, requiring the switching of keyboard modes.

It is possible to cope with basic flying, but to get the full fun of flying with ATC, looking around, etc... don't expect to be able to do it easily on a laptop keyboard while you are travelling (i.e. with no mouse, joystick, etc.) which was exactly why I wanted it.

DG.