Buying a budget gaming Laptop

[Moress]

Hello all,

So It's about that time for me to replace me old laptop and get something new. I'm a bit of a gamer, so I want my new computer to be able to play StarCraft 2 on Full settings and eventually play Diablo 3. No other fancy games like CoD or anything as I have an xbox for that. It should also be able to handle Matlab, but I doubt thats going to be the controling factor.

Anyway, I'm not computer savy at all. Infact, I'm a big newbie when it comes to computers and I was looking at buying this guy here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834152270. I'm not familiar with the brand, but I wanted some feedback on it from you guys. From what I gather, this is 'last years' technology which is why it's so cheap, but I think it will serve my purpose as the recommended requirements for SC2 is shown here http://us.blizzard.com/support/artic...rticleId=26242 .

Anyway, I'm trying to keep this on a budget since I'm still in college. My main concern is I want to to last me about 3 years, at least before I need to buy a new one. Hopefully I'll have graduated by then so I can buy a sweet computer by then, until now however, I need to cruise the bargin bin.

Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

Edit: I forgot to mention that I'm rather determined to stick with a Laptop over a desktop. Even tho I wanna game with it, I still use my computer a lot for school and work, so it's still very important that I be able to have something I can carry around in my backpack.

[Remus]

Anandtech reviewed a laptop with that graphics card and a i7 processor, it was unable to meet what I consider to be acceptable playable performance on ultra settings for starcraft II. See link here:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4027/clevo-b5130-geforce-gt-425m-1080p/5

I have had good success with MSI products (motherboards) as well as Sony and the Acer Aspire series of laptops. Avoid HP products.

While it may not meet all of your needs, this Acer may be a bit better:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834215004

[Hoop]

My laptop has an ATI 4650 card and a 2.5ghz intel dual core it runs every not-super-graphic-intensive game great. I would think anything with an ati 5650 or similar card (check passmark.com for benchmarks) would do you fine.

Newegg has a toshiba for 650 that would probably work.

edit: I'd try to find something with a nvidia 360m or better if you can

[Uriah02]

SC2 recommended system
Windows Vista/Windows 7
Dual Core 2.4Ghz Processor
2 GB RAM
512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX or ATI Radeon HD 3870 or better

I doubt you'll find a budget laptop that could play SC2/D3 on full settings, budget desktop not too difficult but laptop my vote is out. The main difficult with RTS and graphics/preformance is when you get into the massive battles with hundreds of units/buildings everything is going well until your hardware taps out.

Looking at the specs for SC2 you are doing okay, for a game released last year. The laptop linked will play DIII but I couldn't and wouldn't promise full specs. As best as I can remember, recommended specs do not mean "What you need to play max settings".

[Moress]

Thanks guys. I decided to take the dive and buy the one posted in the OP. It seemed like the best bang for the buck. I"m just a little worried on the quality of MSI because I've never heard of them. Only time will tell now I suppose.

[steelholder]

[/QUOTE]edit: I'd try to find something with a nvidia 360m or better if you can[/QUOTE]

+1

[meaty-btz]

Budget, Laptop, and Gaming do not got together. You can have any two.
Budget and Gaming
Laptop and Gaming
Laptop and Budget

[stphnman20]

Budget, Laptop, and Gaming do not got together. You can have any two.
Budget and Gaming
Laptop and Gaming
Laptop and Budget

+1

I say just get yourself a MBP and bootcamp it.

[ibanezfoo]

How much do you want to spend? I picked up the new sandy bridge Asus G73 and its pretty slick. Runs everything I've put on it so far. I think they are around $1000 nowdays. I think the G53 is the same specs but with a 15" monitor and a little cheaper.

[meaty-btz]

How much do you want to spend? I picked up the new sandy bridge Asus G73 and its pretty slick. Runs everything I've put on it so far. I think they are around $1000 nowdays.

Diablo 3?
MW3?
SC2?
CRY2 Engine?


Gaming systems are HEAVY LIFTERS. Think C-5M vs C-130J-30. Sure a C-130 is a workhorse and the J even better and the 30 giving you a bit more length but when you need to MOVE THE BIG STUFF the ole Hurc wont cut it period.

[gorn5150]

How much do you want to spend? I picked up the new sandy bridge Asus G73 and its pretty slick. Runs everything I've put on it so far. I think they are around $1000 nowdays. I think the G53 is the same specs but with a 15" monitor and a little cheaper.

I think ASUS gives the best bang for the buck. I am going to pick up a G73 this month. I only buy ASUS laptops now having had Dell, Alienware, HP all die prematureley on me with no love from the companies support people.

I have 2 ASUS gaming machines now and have had zero problems with them.

[Remus]

Thanks guys. I decided to take the dive and buy the one posted in the OP. It seemed like the best bang for the buck. I"m just a little worried on the quality of MSI because I've never heard of them. Only time will tell now I suppose.

After it arrives let us know how it works for you.

[sevensix2x51]

i upgraded my laptop recently to a samsung with an i5 and a gt540m, and it plays games very well for a sub-$1k portable. new vegas on high runs fast enough that i do not notice the frame rate. borderlands maxed out,running flawlessly.

it is not a full-fledged gaming computer, nor is it a desktop. but it is exactly what i needed, a laptop that can play games at both an enjoyable level of graphic detail and an enjoyable framerate, to quench my gaming thirst with limited space and at a limited budget.

also, it runs a heck of a lot better than xbox 360. and i can cruise calguns and buy c&r guns or pay my water bill with it.

[JDay]

The words "budget" and "gaming laptop" do not belong in the same sentence, you're just not going to do it. If you're willing to spend a little over $1000 I would go with this ASUS system, one of my buddies just got one and it handles everything he throws at it, in 1080p. This system was made for gamers (it's a Republic Of Gamers branded laptop).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230027

[racky]

i recently just bought an alienware m14x. buying a laptop is like buying a gun. "buy once, cry once."