Resolved - Replacement Laptop

[Gardner2]

Well as some of you know I travel for work and need to be able to take my system with me for it, so I am restricted to laptops.

My current laptop is now getting close to 3 years of age and hitting its restrictions for the newer games hard now.

So looking for some suggestions for systems that will not break the bank (Ideally around the $1k mark), and will still run games at decent levels including BF4.

Any builds/brands out there you can suggest?

[Candy 1st MRB]

Gardner,

This is a subject that has many interpretations. There are several companies like Dell (who now owns Alienware) , HP, Falcon Northwest (kinda pricy) and Xoticpc (which allows you to configure a laptop with many companies) With your price range you will need to be looking for the essentials:

a good processor (Core i5 would be nice)

lots of RAM (8GB is good more is better)

a very good video card (Try to get a standalone video card, shy away from laptops that have integrated video such as Intel video cards)

Outside of that are things like screen size, hard drive size and cosmetic things (style and color)

Try out several websites before you make your decision, even if you a convinced on one, check one more site to be sure, because laptops have limited upgradability, especially in the essentials I have listed, so go for the baddest processor, most RAM and super-hottest video card you can that's in your budget.

Just a few thoughts I have, I leave to others to give you more specifics they might find.

Edited November 27, 2013 by Candy 1st MRB

[Gardner2]

Gardner,

This is a subject that has many interpretations. There are several companies like Dell (who now owns Alienware) , HP, Falcon Northwest (kinda pricy) and Xoticpc (which allows you to configure a laptop with many companies) With your price range you will need to be looking for the essentials:

a good processor (Core i5 would be nice)

lots of RAM (8GB is good more is better)

a very good video card (Try to get a standalone video card, shy away from laptops that have integrated video such as Intel video cards)

Outside of that are things like screen size, hard drive size and cosmetic things (style and color)

Try out several websites before you make your decision, even if you a convinced on one, check one more site to be sure, because laptops have limited upgradability, especially in the essentials I have listed, so go for the baddest processor, most RAM and super-hottest video card you can that's in your budget.

Just a few thoughts I have, I leave to others to give you more specifics they might find.

Thanks Candy, never head of Xoticpc will check them out.

I stay far away from Dell and HP laptops after personally having 6 Dells and 3 HP's literally start on fire while using them for work related operations.

[Powell]

I copied my post over from the other thread, because this was similar to my situation. I'm a senior in high school right now and was looking for a laptop for college that I could game with. I bought the Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p a few weeks ago and couldn't be happier.

My post from the other thread:

"If you're looking for another laptop, I suggest the Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p. I just bought this laptop a few weeks ago and it runs all of my old games perfectly, as well as BF4 on high/max settings very smoothly. It's $1,100 at first but if you purchase the laptop off of the Lenovo website they always have free E-Coupons that can save you an insane amount. I only spent $850 on mine from their site, and currently their deal is $760. Only downside is that is comes with Windows 8 on a non-touch screen, but it's something you get used to. I haven't had any problems with any of my games so far. Great bang for your buck on gaming laptops if that's what you're looking for.

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/ideap...6202735:s"

I can run BF4 on all high settings with a fairly high and stable FPS. You can checks tests and reviews on youtube of people playing current games such as BF4 and Skyrim on this laptop. A reasonably priced gaming laptop.

[Candy 1st MRB]

Awesome Powell, my first laptop I ever got was an IBM(now Lenovo) I loved it too, but it wasnt a gaming one heh. One thing, your link didnt seem to work for me...

[Powell]

Awesome Powell, my first laptop I ever got was an IBM(now Lenovo) I loved it too, but it wasnt a gaming one heh. One thing, your link didnt seem to work for me...

Hmm it isn't working anymore, but this one should do it!

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/ideapad/y-series/y510p/

again the Lenovo website will give you a great deal, and for me it came within a week of ordering.

[Gardner2]

How are they running Windows 8 for gaming.

[Candy 1st MRB]

Gardner,

It is my understanding that Windows 8 is very good for gaming. The OS uses the memory on your computer more efficiently, so smoother gaming. Also all the hardware on a new computer should be up-to-date with the latest Directx and drivers that are out there, its a win win. The only downside is you have to get used to the metro, however if you are familiar with using the File browser in Windows 7 they put in a "start button" with Windows 8.1 that lets you toggle between the Desktop and Metro easier. I haven't tried 8 with older games but I can only assume they can run them, and if not natively in compatibility mode.

[Lafy BAR]

First of all, laptops are terrible.

Now that we have that out of the way, if you insist on buying a laptop get a thinkpad. They're basically the only windows laptops that are well built. For gaming I suppose I would suggest a T440p or a T540p depending if you want a lighter 14" laptop or a bigger 15.6" laptop. There's also a thinkpad S431 that has an i7 and dedicated video, but it randomly comes and goes from their website so you have to find a week when it's actually for sale. The rest of the time the S431 just shows up with an i5 and no dedicated video. It's weird.

So yeah, Thinkpad T540p i suppose. Or a computer that doesn't go anywhere and isn't crappy.

[Holland 1st MRB]

Number one thing to watch for when buying a laptop is cooling. Placement of vents/fans. How many vents/fans. etc.

Gaming laptops get hot. When computers get hot, they stop functioning properly/break.

As for specifications;

(Processor)Core I7 would be ideal, though the I5 will still perform well for most gaming applications.

(Memory)8GB. Anything over 8GB is over-kill, plain and simple. Restart your computer once in a while, and you won't have any issues.

(Video Card)Again, this will vary. Shop around. Avoid integrated graphics like the plague.

[Gardner2]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone, I placed an order with my local computer guy today for a new laptop.

Went with an Acer model as I've always had good luck with them lasting (my current one is 3 years old).

With the following specs:

Windows 8 - 64-bit version

AMD A10-5757M quad-core processor (2.5GHz/3.5GHz w/Turbo Core)

8GB DDR3 memory

500GB hard drive

15.6" LED-backlit WXGA display

AMD Radeon™ HD 8750M graphics w/ 2GB VRAM dedicated

AMD A76M Fusion™ controller hub

Bluetooth® 4.0

Acer Nplify Gigabit Ethernet IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n

Should have it in the next 2 weeks and then my lag spike issues should disappear. And maybe I can play some of the new games I have but my current system barely runs on minimum settings lol

[Candy 1st MRB]

Excellent Gardner,

AMD processors work very well with ATI Video cards (since AMD owns them) As of late I have used Intel processors but I have a gaming buddy of mine who swears by AMD processors. I think you'll be just fine with what you got.