What's a good cheap gaming laptop? (new to pc gaming)

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › What's a good cheap gaming laptop? (new to pc gaming)

Titanstoa

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#127036 27-Jul-2013 19:54

Hi all,

As the subject above says. I want to get into gaming on a pc/laptop. I was thinking more along the lines of a laptop as i move around a lot. My question is what is a good cheap laptop? under $1500 preferably. also what are the main things to look out for when purchasing one? Looking to play Bf4 Arma 3 Dayz fps games etc. All help is appreciated.

Thank you

sonyxperiageek

2958 posts

Uber Geek

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#867236 27-Jul-2013 22:39

To be honest, a good gaming laptop will never be cheap...

Sony

ubernoob

576 posts

Ultimate Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#867246 27-Jul-2013 22:55

http://www.dell.com/nz/p/inspiron-15r-5521/fs might be worth a look. One of them has a 4th gen chip another i7 both are supposed to be quick I've read, but I have no experience with either. Hopefully you will get some other replies. Check the specs recommended on the games you want to play
Bf4 for instance
OS: Vista SP2, Win7 (Win8 not supported) 64 bit (32 bit not supported) Dx10 or Dx 11 GPU with 1+GB of RAM, Dx 11 highly recommended 25GB HDD free space required Latest Origin version required

Titanstoa

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#867261 28-Jul-2013 00:49

oh ok yea i thought so. How long does it take to setup a pc? like to move it around every 3-6 months and would i get a relatively good one for around 1500?

sidefx

3711 posts

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#867285 28-Jul-2013 08:58

Yah 1500$ would probably get you a much better desktop PC than laptop. Setup is very easy (and initial build is fairly easy if you wanted to DIY) and you could look at a smaller form factor to cater for frequent moves.

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." | Octopus Energy | Sharesies
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tukapa1

725 posts

Ultimate Geek

#867291 28-Jul-2013 09:08

Titanstoa: oh ok yea i thought so. How long does it take to setup a pc? like to move it around every 3-6 months and would i get a relatively good one for around 1500?

Does your $1500 budget include the monitor and operating system? Or do you already have those and the $1500 is just for the hardware for the PC?

That can make a big difference to the end product as well.

If $1500 is your budget I'd definitely go for the desktop PC.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#867292 28-Jul-2013 09:16

If you are only moving every 3 to 6 months, then I'd definitely go for a desktop. You will be able to get a very capable machine for $1500 off trademe, brand new.

Titanstoa

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#867329 28-Jul-2013 12:26

i could probably get the monitor and operating system before hand. so i guess i'm just looking for the hardware. What would you recommend for the monitor?

GoodSync

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Ragnor

8219 posts

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#867818 29-Jul-2013 13:22

You need ~$2000 imo if you need everything: OS, Monitor, Mouse/Keyboard, Motherboard, Ram, Cpu, Graphics, Disk, Case, Power Supply.

Inphinity

2780 posts

Uber Geek

#867838 29-Jul-2013 13:45

Something like this would be a good starting point (swap the 7770 up to a 7850 or GTX 660 if budget allows). For gaming, you want to prioritise GPU > CPU > RAM, imo. 8GB of RAM is the price/performance sweet spot for gaming atm, any i5 CPU is going to give you a good run without breaking the bank, and a 7850 or GTX660 or above will play pretty much anything currently out at 1920x1080 at reasonable settings.

kiwingenuity

24 posts

Geek

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#885805 28-Aug-2013 12:04

I have just acquired a Brand New, high performance laptop from an insurance claim (selling for $1550), if you are still looking for one. I have switched to using a desktop, so haven't even opened the box....

Thread > http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=77&topicid=128911

Model: Toshiba P50-A01D
Processor: 2.4GHz 4th Gen Intel Core i7-4700QM Quadcore Processor with Turbo upto 3.4Ghz
Memory: 8GB DDR3 (1x8GB) 1600MHz Ram - 1 slot empty (upgradeable to 16GB)
Disk Drive: 1TB HDD with Toshiba HDD Accelerator and 3D shock protection
Optical Drive: DVD S-Multi drive
Display: 15.6" Full HD LED Backlit Screen (1920 x 1080p)
Webcam: 0.9M FF HD 2013SlimB-USB w/ MIC
ConnectionICPorts: 4 x USB Ports (2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0) with USB, HDMI Supporting 4K2K output, and 3D output to a 3D TV, Wifi 802.11 b/g/n - supporting DLNA + Toshiba Bluetooth V4.0
Software: Windows 8 64Bit
Warranty: 1 Year International Warranty, Includes onsite courier pickup and return service in NZ/AU
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT745M 2GB with CUDA and Optimus + Intel HD 4600 Graphics

kiwingenuity

24 posts

Geek

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#892614 10-Sep-2013 12:06

Got a $1 Reserve on the laptop detailed above now, if anyone was interested.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=636942635