laptop for gaming ?

redvanman

My son has saved up 360 pounds for a laptop, it has to be able to use Acid Pro and all the downloadable stuff that comes with it, can I get one for that price or should I try and get a computer for that price?.

exup

always a point for discussion laptops Vs PC for gaming.
Modern laptops can be OK for gaming but they can be pricey - and theres not much oyu can expand on them in the way of graphic cards in the future .
A tower PC is easier to expand on - but doesnt have the mobility of a laptop. But a PC will be easier to keep cool.

If you want to get an idea of prices try www.cclonline.com or www.ebuyer.com
I would recommend ccl online technical advice - give them a ring - about what options there are, no pressure to buy from them and they really know what they are doing without being patronising.

el_gringo_3

If its for music as well the mobility issues a no go, as he'll probably only want to use it with an external soundcard, decent sound monitors, second display etc, too much stuff to cart around.

neneromanova

What kind of games does he want to play? The lastest greatest games or things like sims 3?

JasX

redvanman wrote: »

My son has saved up 360 pounds for a laptop, it has to be able to use Acid Pro and all the downloadable stuff that comes with it, can I get one for that price or should I try and get a computer for that price?.

If you have a look at recent threads £360 is about minimum you'd need for a current spec 'bog standard' non-gaming laptop these days.

if you really want a 'gaming laptop' to play anything vaguely recent you'd need a substantial budget increase. If you'd be happy to take a desktop you might be able to get 'close'.

james99_2

Use this graphics card

NVIDIA GeForce card or for the real game
diehards - try the New NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTX 512MB (DX10)

JasX

james99 wrote: »

Use this graphics card

NVIDIA GeForce card or for the real game
diehards - try the New NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTX 512MB (DX10)

yes they should opt for a Laptop with separate dedicated graphic card,

The 8800M is pretty ancient but would allow 'some' playing of older games and will possibly be closer to the OPs price range...

Full Nvidia range + specs is here:

http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce_m_series.html

Also certainly on desktops ATI tend to be more raw power per £ and lower heat output so OP should consider the Laptop versions of those too:

http://products.amd.com/en-ca/MobilityGPUResult.aspx

jaydeeuk1

The laptops with the ATI XGP port look interesting, if it ever catches on. Allows some sort of upgrade path too, although you may be limited to what cpu you can put in. I'm looking at the acer ferrari one which has a built in radeon 3200, which allows most games to be played at minimal settings, but has the option of adding something like an amilo graphics booster with a radeon 3870 / 4670 inside.