Player numbers are down from 10 years ago, but we still easily have 100+ in the MA nightly during U.S. primetime.
I think in 2016, Aces High III came out, which required a much stronger graphics card but allowed much improved graphics over AH II. I'd look for a laptop with a 4060 GPU at minimum, or 3060 Ti if you can find one, esp. if VR is a possibilty (it should be - Aces High has a very good VR implementation and VR changes the game experience like nothing, even TrackIR, ever has).
There are a few new models of aircraft since 10 years ago (Yak-3, Me 410?) but many of the older models have had upgrades to improve their 3D shapes and detail (no more octagonal engine cowls) and each aircraft now has up to 64 different skins. Many ground vehicles if that is your thing.
And there about 20 different rotating MA terrains, one of which depicts the entire ETO and Mediterranean area, and another centered on the Black Sea and Eastern Med. Very cool now to fly over realistic land masses.
The Dickweed Heavy Bomber Group is still active and recreates massive B-17 raids against some poor country weekly.
Currently there is a Masters of the Air-based scenario running on Saturdays for a few more weeks, the bomber formations exceed 70 B-17s, with escorting P-47s and P-51s battling Me109s and FW190s in the thin air at 25,000 ft.
Still a very fun game, has everything you remember and more!
