Help?

[andromedene]

I'm looking to buy a laptop but all this tech jargon is meaningless to me. Basically I need something that'll run games and has a cd/dvd drive. Cheaper the better.
I'm looking at some of the stuff on the Best Buy site but I don't understand what I'm reading :/

[natsumehack]

You want a high CPU, and RAM computer, maybe some that can be over clocked.

[Dervish]

I'm no computer expert, but the rule of thumb is you get what you pay for, and laptops always cost a hell of a lot more than a similarly performing desktop. I have no idea what games you have in mind, but if they're pretty new, you may be expecting to dish out a few hundred dollars, at least.

Generally, if a laptop is advertising a fairly nice graphic card (like an Nvida or ATI), has a good processor (Like an Intel i5 and up), and good RAM (let's say about 6-8 gigs for something half decent), then it's probably close to what you're looking for for newer games. Won't be perfect, but it should be able to run most of the games that came out in the past couple years.

However, if you want to play the newest and greatest games ever, you might as well spend the money on a good desktop. Gaming and laptops generally don't go hand in hand.

[natsumehack]

Dervish said
I'm no computer expert, but the rule of thumb is you get what you pay for, and laptops always cost a hell of a lot more than a similarly performing desktop. I have no idea what games you have in mind, but if they're pretty new, you may be expecting to dish out a few hundred dollars, at least. Generally, if a laptop is advertising a fairly nice graphic card (like an Nvida or ATI), has a good processor (Like an Intel i5 and up), and good RAM (let's say about 6-8 gigs for something half decent), then it's probably close to what you're looking for for newer games. Won't be perfect, but it should be able to run most of the games that came out in the past couple years. However, if you want to play the newest and greatest games ever, you might as well spend the money on a good desktop. Gaming and laptops generally don't go hand in hand.

labtops are anti gamming.

[andromedene]

It isn't feasible for me to get a desktop, but this is what I'm currently looking at.

[mbl]

ImANargleHunter said
It isn't feasible for me to get a desktop, but is what I'm currently looking at.

That'll let you play games, but with that graphics card you'll have to play most newer games on low graphics settings. Also note that it only has 3 usb ports. I'd also say to check walmart and other places or maybe even get something online if you are willing to wait, Best Buy has a pretty bad rep in my social circles for buying expensive machinery.

But yeah, that laptop is weaker than a desktop I bought new years ago for the $100 dollars less (Though I did then have to shell out the $100 for a monitor), just so you know how overpriced laptops are. If you want to do high level gaming get a cooling fan as well, as laptops overheat very easily.

[Halo]

Laptops and gaming really don't work together. Any laptop that can play recent games, and will continue to be able to play new games for at least the next couple of years' worth of advancement in graphics etc., will have such a short battery life that you're virtually tethered to the socket, defeating the point. It'll also get really hot, be heavy and impractical to easily carry around, and most of all, cost you a lot of fucking money compared to an equivalent desktop.

If you absolutely must have a laptop and insist on the ability to play games, then I can have a look around for you - I used to be pretty into this stuff, and my brother knows even more than me. Can I ask, what are you planning to do with it? How long do you want it to last you? How permanent is your inability to get a desktop? Do you need it to be very portable, or to have a very long battery life? How important to you is the quality of the warranty? Once you/I/everyone know(s) what you're looking for, we can help a bit more.