WoW on an Eee PC, in ten (not so) simple steps
by Mike Schramm 
Feb 7th 2008 at 2:30PM
I can't say I quite understand the ultraportable thing (why not just use a real computer?), but I have to admit that the Eee PC from Asus is a slick little device. Not as slick as the Macbook Air, but not nearly as pricey, so still pretty slick. And now it's even slicker- Dan from UltraMobileGeek has figured out how to install World of Warcraft on an Eee 701.
You can see in the video above that it's just barely playable-- you couldn't raid Black Temple (or even Karazhan, I'm sure), but for logging in and grinding or checking mail, it would probably work just fine. The process, unfortunately, isn't exactly simple-- you have to run modified drivers, overclock the PC, and run experimental code (plus, memory might be a problem, as you need an 8gb SDHC card and probably more RAM than you've got now)-- but if you're interested in pushing your Eee to the limit, it might be for you. One suggestion or Dan (and anyone else messing around with this): would the Wine version of WoW let you skip installing XP, since the Eee is Linux-based? Just wondering.
At any rate, sounds like a fun Saturday afternoon project if you've got an Eee to play around with and want your WoW ultraportable.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Tips, How-tos, Fan stuff, Odds and ends, Hardware
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
niko Feb 7th 2008 2:44PM
cool. Although i've heard of people playing WoW on their UMPC's, which sounds good in theory, can't be the best experience.
but for the "yeah, it actually works" factor, it's neato.
Slayblaze Feb 7th 2008 2:49PM
I have WoW installed on my Sony UX380N and it is quite playable right out of the box, no tinkering with overclocking or weird driver setups involved.
http://b2b.sony.com/Solutions/product/VGN-UX380N
When I'm on the road I pack its dock, a small LCD, keyboard and wireless mouse and it works quite nicely. For a Palmtop MicroPC...it really can't be beat (and the price has dropped quite a bit since I mine...)
When I'm at home I use it while in-game on my regular PC to check websites, thottbot, wowhead, etc...works out much nicer than my actual laptop too, and is about the size of a PSP. Very sexy lttle gadget.
Blake Feb 7th 2008 4:21PM
Your PC = $1800
eee PC = $299-$399
Hence the overclocking, weird driver setups, etc. I would hope yours could run WoW for $1800. That sure is a cool computer, albeit a small screen.
Naix Feb 7th 2008 3:16PM
I got wow working on my pc-bsd system. It was easy. now no more keyloggers!
Install pc-bsd
Install wine api
Follow instructions on running wow in wine on wowwiki
Tada!
hpavc Feb 7th 2008 3:27PM
Have a backup plan though, the patches are a problem if there is any sound or graphic changes. But 'playable' and 'just as good' it is not.
Dotixi Feb 7th 2008 3:21PM
Horrible! The framerate would drive me insane. The last mob he fought wasn't even displayed when it attacked. Awesome that he got it to work, but totally impractical. I like the UMPC idea.
Don Feb 9th 2008 8:55AM
I think its a neat proof of concept but not very pracitical I'm sure you could purchase a cheap laptop for 4 or 5 hundred dollars that would run WOW just fine.
Has anyone played around with the horrible Microsoft origami UMPC to see if they can get WOW working on one of them. It would be interesting with the touch screen interface.
Skittalang Feb 7th 2008 4:37PM
Is it just me or does he sound like JD (Zach Braff) from Scrubs?
Darkpawnow Feb 7th 2008 4:49PM
I have it loaded on my EEE PC does find just using it for when i go out of town so i can still play WoW
Kuroshiro Feb 7th 2008 9:12PM
Yeah, this has been done since shortly after the EEE was released. I'm not really sure why he bothered with installing hacked video drivers. You can run WoW at 800x480 with no problems, you just have to edit config.wtf. You'll get better performance that way as well, since you're not doing resolution downscaling. During flight ingame I've gotten up to 20fps. In Shattrath though I get 4-6fps. The article is spot on that you're not doing instances or raiding, but for guild chat, AH perusal and other light activities it's fine.
Delta Feb 7th 2008 5:23PM
Wonder if you can squeeze a few more FPS by swapping out some of the UI like using aguf or something, but considering how small the blizz UI is it probably wouldn't matter much
Gogey Feb 7th 2008 5:24PM
"I can't say I quite understand the ultraportable thing (why not just use a real computer?)"
Maybe because people need something ultraportable? These aren't made for gaming, they're made so you can carry something small around for casual use.
Fel Feb 7th 2008 7:48PM
I'd happily carry an extra ten pounds if it meant the difference between 4fps and 40.
Or you could....wait to get home to play on a desktop?
Niomi Feb 7th 2008 11:11PM
One doesn't have to install Windows XP to run WoW with Wine, Wine is a replacement for Windows. Something that would require an installation of Windows is more like a virtual machine than a compatibility layer (what Wine is).
Qix Feb 8th 2008 2:29AM
While i dont play regularly on it, i have a Samsung Q1. (the older model with no keyboard on the sides) It runs the game at minimum setting perfectly. It works great for anything other than basic combat. AH'ing, farming with heavy use of macroes, etc. Best thing though is the machine can output to VGA at 1280x1024. Meaning i can hook up a good wireless keyboard/mouse and play on my HDTV from the couch. Again, low settings, but works perfectly fine. Best part (for me) is the portability. Being in the Navy means i dont have much room for personal stuff. Meaning i dont have to log into wow from an internet cafe in port. (Singapore, Hong Kong or Seoul, Sydney or Bangkok)
Mark Apr 21st 2008 1:02PM
I have an eee pc and I am going to try installing it just for fun :)
I also have a laptop for seriously playing wow while I am out of town, but there are times when I just dont want to drag along a computer (on holidays away from computers) and the eee pc will be just great for logging in, checking my in-game mail and my auctions.