Looking for a new laptop

ExtremeNerd · Nov 9, 2012

Long story short, I need a new laptop to run Becker software. My current daily driver doesn't have a disk drive. Computers are not my strongest point. I know what to look for, but don't know how the internals work.

I can find one to do what I need, but I would LOVE to be able to play Left 4 Dead 2 on my laptop. Does anyone have advice on what clock speeds/graphics card I would need to make this happen? Or better yet, any suggestions on what laptop could run it?

I don't need a full fledged gaming computer, but the tech nerd in me likes being able to game on the go. Price is the main constraint for me. I would like to spend less than $700.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Mehta23 · Nov 9, 2012

I don't know what the becker is, but i can run L4D2 easily on integrated graphics. That is built on the i5 processor.

Depending on that software, it seems you may only need a i5/i7 laptop which will drop the price a bit as I think you don't need a dedicated graphics card.

ExtremeNerd · Nov 9, 2012

Thanks for the response. Becker is just a CPA review software. Definitely not graphic intensive, but archaic enough to still be run on CD-ROM, hence the need for a new laptop with a disk drive.

I've been looking at i5 processors, since that is what I use at work and love the performance. Sounds like I don't need anything too special to play, which is a huge relief. This gives me a good start for my research. Thanks!

Mehta23 · Nov 9, 2012

No problem!

I think, if you can, get one with a ssd. This is like a hard drive but with no moving parts (like a big sd card) and works real fast.

If you want portability, try to get a <17 inch laptop. My one (although very heavy) is too big to work / use on the go.

Built in wifi (especially from older hp laptops )isnt as good as a cheap adapter and sometimes break easily.

SirSpace · Nov 9, 2012

I would check out newegg. Com I got a HP from them with an amd processor and bought the ram desperate also from them plus shipping for under 350. The amd was 2.3 gigs but it was exactly what I needed only thing I can think of that will make the laptop a little pricey is the video card and also what settings you like to play your games on. They also have an option where you can select exactly what you want in your laptop and price you wanna spend and they will narrow down the results for you also usually takes 3 days for the shipping if your in the usa and usually the shipping is free

ExtremeNerd · Nov 9, 2012

Mehta23 said:
No problem!

I think, if you can, get one with a ssd. This is like a hard drive but with no moving parts (like a big sd card) and works real fast.

If you want portability, try to get a <17 inch laptop. My one (although very heavy) is too big to work / use on the go.

Built in wifi (especially from older hp laptops )isnt as good as a cheap adapter and sometimes break easily.

Absolutely. SSD is the way to go now. I will probably stick with a 15.6" like my current one. Portability is huge when I'm trying to study while on the road.

SirSpace said:
I would check out newegg. Com I got a HP from them with an amd processor and bought the ram desperate also from them plus shipping for under 350. The amd was 2.3 gigs but it was exactly what I needed only thing I can think of that will make the laptop a little pricey is the video card and also what settings you like to play your games on. They also have an option where you can select exactly what you want in your laptop and price you wanna spend and they will narrow down the results for you also usually takes 3 days for the shipping if your in the usa and usually the shipping is free

Love me some Newegg, it is actually where I got my previous two. I didn't know they could "build" you a product, though. Will check that out when I leave work. Thanks again to both of you

SirSpace · Nov 9, 2012

Well they don't build you the product but they will take what your looking for and match it up to whatever they have in stock. Sorry didn't mean it to come out that way but when I click on there link for laptops on the left side of site you can pick and choose what your looking for. And yes me to newegg is great never had a problem with them and they also offer warranty's on refurbished items on top of the manufacturer warranty if there is still one.

ExtremeNerd · Nov 13, 2012

SirSpace said:
Well they don't build you the product but they will take what your looking for and match it up to whatever they have in stock. Sorry didn't mean it to come out that way but when I click on there link for laptops on the left side of site you can pick and choose what your looking for. And yes me to newegg is great never had a problem with them and they also offer warranty's on refurbished items on top of the manufacturer warranty if there is still one.

haha I know what you meant. The filters have helped me narrow it down quite a bit.

Found two which I think will suit my needs within my price range. I have one final question for anyone with more technical knowledge than I have. Which processor has the most upside? The 2nd generation i5 or 3rd gen i3? I assume they are both relatively comparable for daily use, so any input for the little gaming I would do is appreciated.

Mehta23 · Nov 13, 2012

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/81802-20-tomshardware

Looks like the newer i3. But I recommend a 3rd gen i5...

Digital Controller · Nov 14, 2012

Asus builds some pretty good Gaming Laptops, they are a bit pricey though...

However, understand that Laptops are really not made for gaming, as they easily overheat and such, since you are cramming a lot of parts in such a small space, i burned through a gaming laptop in a couple months, so just be aware, hardcore gaming should be left for a desktop.

Mehta23 · Nov 14, 2012

Yeah, in addition to what DC said, you'd only get the best performance on a laptop when plugged in.

ExtremeNerd · Nov 14, 2012

Mehta, that link was one of the best I've seen. I love tech, and that was really informative. I think I've found a decent (not great) laptop which will suit my needs. 3rd gen i5 and 8 gb RAM. It is hard being a tech guy and buying just what I NEED rather than the top of the line that I want.

DC, I won't be doing a TON of gaming, it's mostly for daily use. The gaming is just a plus if I ever get bored. It will most often be on my cooling station in front of the TV while attached to the HDMI =)

Thanks for all the help guys. My next mission is being able to dual boot Linux.

Mehta23 · Nov 14, 2012

Not bad. 8GB ram could be said to be overkill, depends on what you're doing.
3rd gen i5? Nice. Intel Graphics 4000 is actually better than the gpu on my laptop!

SirSpace · Nov 14, 2012

Idk about 8 gigs being overkill in my eyes the more ram you have the better. More ram equals faster loading of programs games and doesn't make the CPU do all the work also more ram will make your os run better so I'd say your going to have a very nice laptop should see if it supports 12 or 16 gig of ram then that thing would be blasting off to the moon lol.

Davdi · Nov 15, 2012

And make sure you have the 64bit version of Windows, as the 32 bit version can only address about 3.5 Gb of memory.
Note this limitation does not apply to 32-bit Linux versions with a pae (Physical Address Extension) kernel.

Rolo42 · Nov 15, 2012

- 8GB RAM is the standard now and getting less doesn't really save on cost.

- Look at all the laptops completely choking on GW2 in GW2 forums (and any contemporary game that maximises contemporary graphics, I imagine)

Mehta23 · Nov 15, 2012

Yeah , I was told that 8Gb is good to get , but one could "get away" with less...

SirSpace · Nov 16, 2012

But with ram being cheap now a days why settle for less. Is it possible to have ram sinks on laptop ram

Mehta23 · Nov 16, 2012

I dunno. I would encourage 8GB, but I've been told and read a few times that it isn't completely necessary, but I would always get at least 8.

SirSpace · Nov 16, 2012

I agree mehta just for the fact that the whole system will run more smoothly

Rolo42 · Nov 17, 2012

RAM has heat-spreaders, not heat-sinks. It's the same concept, just without fins.

It really depends on how you use your PC on whether 4GB would be a choke-point. Either way, Windows will use whatever RAM you have available for, if nothing else, file caching. Typically, my 8GB machine does use more than half of its RAM (I have a CPU/RAM monitor on the keyboard display).

alicemenezes · Dec 4, 2012

Got this off the becker help site. Hope it helps:

Windows XP/Vista/7 (English versions only)

Anderson12 · Dec 19, 2012

i just recommend you to purchase Dual-core is a standard today anything above 2GHz should be sufficient for a decent experience at least 2GB ram is again - the minimum this is not official though if you have this you will be able to customize your graphics via the Options menu 1GB of video ram.

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