Laptops

Error404

<div class="IPBDescription">Playing games on them</div> I recently came across a wad of cash, and am planning to get a laptop for gaming purposes. I've never owned a laptop, and don't know what they're like for gaming. Is it worth buying one for games, or it's not worthwhile?

Anyone here play games on their laptop?

Talesin

Have had experience with gaming on two notebooks.. a Dell Inspiron 7000 (owned by a friend) and a Sony VAIO (work machine). Neither of them were worth the amount spent on them, for a gaming platform. You can't swap the video card if it gets too slow, usually the vid card that's included is a cut-down version from the standard line, and the CPU can switch power profiles in the middle of a game (either through dropping battery power or overheating) resulting in unpredictable framerates and overall performance.
In most laptops the screens kinda are lame as well, not offering the level of refresh, viewing angles, or resolution that a traditional CRT does, unless you really shell out.

All in all, I'd suggest just getting a desktop machine with a handle in it, if you're wanting the mobility to go LAN partying with it. Unless it's a work-machine that'll see a lot more use primarily BESIDES gaming and it NEEDS to be mobile, a desktop is your best bet for getting a good price, better performance, and upgrade/tweakability.

Vash7h3Stampede

Hey Talesin, I have an Inspiron 7000 too, and the video card can be swapped out easy as pai. When you flip the laptop over, the vid card is in the side opposite the RAM (with the little VGA symbol on the cover) It is only held in by 2 little philips head screws and is a standard socket. So, if you wanted to, you could upgrade it.

Dubers

<!--QuoteBegin--Error404:+May 29 2003, 12:42 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Error404: @ May 29 2003, 12:42 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I recently came across a wad of cash, and am planning to get a laptop for gaming purposes. I've never owned a laptop, and don't know what they're like for gaming. Is it worth buying one for games, or it's not worthwhile?

Anyone here play games on their laptop? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
I used to game on a laptop and to behonest they get dated to quickly, drivers are a bugger to find for the components and a whole host of annoying things that make them not worth the cash. Also they heat up to the point that if you actually have it on your lap it burns your legs <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'><!--endemo--> Although I must admit it is very good for travelling places or going on holiday to your grandmothers house in the middle of what might as well be another dimesion it's so far away from civilisation.

Talesin

Really, Vash? A standard AGP slot for a normal video card? I find that... hard to believe, honestly. Space constraints for one. Though when I was playing on it, I was more ticked about the CD-ROM continually trying to fall out the front, making little 'boo-BEEP' and 'BEE-boop' noises as it registered the hardware changing. Repeatedly.

Angelus

My dad has a Compaq Presario 900 (the AMD version), and depending on the game, its alright (i use it to play games at school when im bored sometimes <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->).

It runs games that dont need Cray Supercomputers to run alright, but when it comes to things like Generals, Splinter Cell etc.. (altho UT2K3 seems to be an exception - i can run that at full detail, in 1024x768), you can expect it to fall flat on its face... :/

Another point is, if you like to play games in resolutions like 1280x1024, forget it.... Most laptops only go to 1024x768

For gaming, i'd reccommend you stick with a regular desktop PC, just upgrade it as much as ya can.

Jefe

Huh... I didn't know you can upgrade the vid card. I run games on my laptop and they work just fine, the performance isn't the best. It's awesome for LANs. The only problems I have are the overheating, the only 2-channel sound card (I have quadraphonic speakers) and that regular microphones WILL NOT work with it, you need a USB one.

Vash, how big is the vid card slot for your lappie? I can't find mine...

Bogglesteinsky

<!--QuoteBegin--Error404:+May 29 2003, 07:42 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Error404: @ May 29 2003, 07:42 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I recently came across a wad of cash, and am planning to get a laptop for gaming purposes. I've never owned a laptop, and don't know what they're like for gaming. Is it worth buying one for games, or it's not worthwhile? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
you probably do better just giving me the cash.

maybe you should upgrade your desktop. laptops are not the best gaming platforms

Pulse

What they said, also, that wad of cash happens to be a <b>huge</b> wad of cash, and you still want a laptop I suggest you go with Alienware, you can custom build thier desktops for half the price but not so with laptops.<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->UT2K3 seems to be an exception - i can run that at full detail, in 1024x768<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> This should come as no surprise, UT2K3 is the most optimised game in the history of mankind. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->

OttoDestruct

LAPTOPS ARE THE DEVIL BOBBY BOUCHET!

Dubers

<!--QuoteBegin--OttoDestruct+May 29 2003, 05:08 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (OttoDestruct @ May 29 2003, 05:08 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> LAPTOPS ARE THE DEVIL BOBBY BOUCHET! <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
LOL

Mr-Stabby

Laptops can be higher than average for gaming if you get the right one

I have a Dell Inspiron 8200 with has an ATI Radeon Mobility 64mb DDR graphics card in it, and ffs it runs Battle field 1942 like a dream, and so of course Half Life runs easily!!!!

If you are gonna get a gaming laptop, get a dell, and make sure u get the high spec graphics card that they sell, because they sell some REALLY good ones!!

Someone said about games resolutions, well my dell laptop has a 15' monitor and does up to 1600x1200, its kewl, most of the time, the games work with no jumping on 1280x1024

Talesin

I'd suggest building it yourself, instead of going with Alienware. That or sending the money to me, and having me ship it out. Recently put together ANOTHER Alienware killer, and the person I was building this one for took a large sum of money from the bank, and put it directly into my hands after driving us over to my local parts dealer. To put it simply, it was painfully fast and pretty, for around a third the cost of the equivalent high-end Alienware. Plus, I had to get him a *good* monitor in the amount he'd handed over. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->

Speed_2_Dave

I play all of my games from my Compaq Evo N800c, but I'd never wish a Compaq computer on anyone who doesn't have to buy one. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->

DOOManiac

My laptop can barely run MAME and ZSNES. It can't even handle Virtual Boy. :P

If money is no limit though, I suggest <a href='http://www.alienware.com' target='_blank'>an Alienware</a>

Cereal_KillR

if you got such a large chunk of money, and you want a laptop to play at home while you have an acceptable desktop computer, I suggest saving up your money in the bank, waiting for your desktop to go kaput and then buy the laptop available whenever that will happen

OttoDestruct

I would use MAME if I could find any games for it..... darn laws...

Jezpuh

ROFL!! My dads laptop crashed when I tried to play Need for Speed 2 <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->

Mr-Stabby

my laptop runs GTA3 and BF1942 like a dream, i think it might even run half life 2!

so go for a dell Inspiron, mine has 64mb DDR ATI Graphics, and harmon-kardon speakers which actually give out a really kewl sound for a laptop, the bass is quite good

Cereal_KillR

<!--QuoteBegin--DOOManiac+May 29 2003, 07:13 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DOOManiac @ May 29 2003, 07:13 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> If money is no limit though, I suggest <a href='http://www.alienware.com' target='_blank'>an Alienware</a> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
speaking of alienware, the new alienware case looks MUCHO better than their old one (wasn't it an antec one they used before?)

Moquiao

<!--QuoteBegin--DuBERS+May 29 2003, 06:33 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DuBERS @ May 29 2003, 06:33 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--OttoDestruct+May 29 2003, 05:08 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (OttoDestruct @ May 29 2003, 05:08 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> LAPTOPS ARE THE DEVIL BOBBY BOUCHET! <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
LOL <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
waterboy right?


and vicky vallencourt showed me her boobs and i liked them too!

Dubers

<!--QuoteBegin--[WoLF]+May 29 2003, 09:26 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> ([WoLF] @ May 29 2003, 09:26 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--DuBERS+May 29 2003, 06:33 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DuBERS @ May 29 2003, 06:33 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin--OttoDestruct+May 29 2003, 05:08 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (OttoDestruct @ May 29 2003, 05:08 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> LAPTOPS ARE THE DEVIL BOBBY BOUCHET! <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
LOL <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
waterboy right?


and vicky vallencourt showed me her boobs and i liked them too! <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Very well done! <!--emo&::nerdy::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/nerd.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='nerd.gif'><!--endemo-->