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Laptop suitable for games

Hello

I'm hoping to buy a laptop (v. small house!). The main uses would be to download from itunes, play online poker and play stragey games like age of empires etc. Can anyone give me any advice on what sort of things i need to look out for when buying the laptop - i have no techical knowledge at all! Also, where's a good place to buy laptops for price/service.

Thanks
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Comments

  • BillScarab
    BillScarab Posts: 6,027 Forumite
    Look for the most powerful processor you can afford and a separate graphics card.

    Having siad that Age of Empires is a fairly old games so it shouldn't be too demanding.

    The MSI GT725 was always regarded as being a good gaming laptop but I think it's been replaced now. You could have a look at their current range and see what is available. Be prepared to spend a lot of cash though.

    The best thing to do is to look at the recommended specs for any game you want to play and then get soemthing that is better than that.
    It's my problem, it's my problem
    If I feel the need to hide
    And it's my problem if I have no friends
    And feel I want to die


  • jaydeeuk1
    jaydeeuk1 Posts: 7,714 Forumite
    Debt-free and Proud!
    Whats your budget?
  • Weeyin
    Weeyin Posts: 117 Forumite
    Haven't really thought, just going to check out prices and save up, not wanting to spend over the odds though.
  • BillScarab
    BillScarab Posts: 6,027 Forumite
    For a laptop capable of playing modern games you could be looking at £1000 or more.

    That buys a pretty good desktop!
    It's my problem, it's my problem
    If I feel the need to hide
    And it's my problem if I have no friends
    And feel I want to die


  • JasX
    JasX Posts: 3,996 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    those words generally don;t belong in the same sentence, esp RTS type strategy games that need lots and lots of tiny polygons drawn as they're about the most demanding graphics and processing wise....

    but having said that if you limit yourself to games several years old (2004/5?) like age of empires and don;t expect anything more recent you might just get away with it :)
  • BillScarab
    BillScarab Posts: 6,027 Forumite
    I don't know, if you're prepared to spend the cash there are laptops that are capable of playing modern games.

    The MSI GT275 I mentioned above is no longer in production but could get a score of 10,000 in 3d mark 06. Not sure what the more modern ones will do. The only problem is they cost a lot of cash.
    It's my problem, it's my problem
    If I feel the need to hide
    And it's my problem if I have no friends
    And feel I want to die


  • JasX
    JasX Posts: 3,996 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    BillScarab wrote: »
    Not sure what the more modern ones will do.

    my money's on them being big, getting very very hot and having very short battery life :p


    -oh and they'll be very expensive compared to a desktop and last a much shorter time due to not being easily upgradable or repairable....

    other than that they're great :)
  • bengalknights
    bengalknights Posts: 5,022 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    have you tried looking into small factor form pcs as it might suit you better as a gamer as it cheaper than a laptop
  • Did you mean Age of Empires 3 or the older Age of Empires 1 or 2? If you meant the older games, then they should run on any new laptop! Age of Empires 3 will run on most new ones as long as they have ATI or NVIDIA dedicated graphics cards.
  • buglawton
    buglawton Posts: 9,246 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Have a look at the Novatech range, it includes a few gamer laptops. If you live near enough to a store they may be willing to let you try the game, I find the local one to me very helpful for trying things in store before buying.
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