New Laptop/SC2

Greetings all,
First post, not a huge gamer...but i loved SC 1.
I am about to buy a laptop, and would like it to be able to run SC 2. As I mentioned, I am not a huge gamer, so minimum requirements would do for me. Mostly I will use the pc for research and writing.

While trying to figure all of this out, I read through the predictions post that listed this:

Minimum:
Windows XP or Vista
Dual-Core processor with a speed of at LEAST 1.8 GhZ
256 MB Video Card (try to get anti-aliasing and HDR rendering) that is about equivalent to a Geforce 7800
1-1.5 GB RAM
5400ish RPM SATA HD

*Note: Minimum requirements are what I perceive as being required to avoid lag at most times.

Recommended:
Windows Vista
Dual-Core processor 2.0 GhZ+
512 MB Video Card (Anti-aliasing, HDR, Shader Model) Geforce 7800 GTX
2 GB (4GB if you have the money to spend) RAM
7200 RPM SATA HD



So, bearing that we are in prediction mode here....anyone have an insight on a sub-$700 laptop that might do the trick? I found this one that might (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834101141):

Recertified: Gateway MT6916 Intel Core 2 Duo T5250(1.50GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 2GB Memory 160GB HDD Dual layer DVD Burner Intel GMA X3100 NoteBook
Communication: Modem, LAN and WLAN
CPU Type: Intel Core 2 Duo T5250 1.5G
Graphics Card: Intel GMA X3100
Hard Disk: 160GB
Model #: MT6916
Item #: N82E16834101141

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I know it is an amateurish question...

 

Okay, well, clearly that's a pretty cheap laptop.

There are two things here that I would caution you about:

1) It's a Gateway. In my experience with clients, their satisfaction level with any Gateway machine has been pretty low. They're expensive to maintain and have poor BIOS software that often contributes to problems elsewhere. That being said, Gateway HAS made some quality adjustments that have brought them up a bit. Still, I would suggest Dell, HP, Alienware, or Toshiba in that order. Dell, in my experience, has the best features, BIOS, and reliability. (They're mostly awesome because you can install any Dell OS on any Dell BIOS computer free of charge.)

2) Obviously, this computer is slightly below the requirements I recommended in the article you cited. However, I can almost guarantee you that this computer will run SC2. You're just not going to be smooth sailing at all times.

The biggest concern I have with the computer you specified is that it doesn't have a Graphics Card. It has an integrated graphics emulator (Intel GMA X3100).

So anyway, you can buy this, it'll run SC2, but it won't be the greatest. If you need to stay under $700 and want the best performance possible, I would go with a desktop.

 

What Jon said is true, and laptops are more expensive as well. Anyways i just say go with Dell its the best, and apply for a account you get these good offers once awhile just sign up and check off a box so they will send you a flyer kinda thing weekly through E-Mail. If you actually look through it, it has lots of great deals.

Edit: Here is a few links from yesterdays flyer thing.

http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspnnb_1525?c=ca&cs=cadhs1&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn&dgc=EM&cid=8106&lid=223359

http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspndt_530?c=ca&cs=cadhs1&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn&dgc=EM&cid=8106&lid=223360

OR

Spend a bit more on these XPS models (I have one its great), also they having a sale right now on some models so its pretty good.

http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/xps_hot_offers?c=ca&cs=cadhs1&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=anavml&dgc=EM&cid=8106&lid=223365

If your're going to order it ONLINE, go to here and click on DELL CLICK ON THIS LINK UNDER HERE
http://www.starcraft2forum.org/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=47&topic=5354.msg136566#msg136566 (It'll help us I think)

 

Thanks for replys so far...
Yes, I wasn't happy that the one i mentioned was a gateway. I totally agree there. I have had Dells in the past and have been completely satisfied...

Also, I may consider going above $700....so that won't be an big stumbling block.
So, the Dell Inspiron 1525 ($749) might be a more legit option? Specs:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5550 (1.83GHz/667Mhz FSB/2MB cache) english
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
Jet Black
Glossy, widescreen 15.4 inch display (1280x800)
Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability
Intel Next -Gen Wireless -N Mini -card
56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
High Definition Audio 2.0


this for $750 loks like a great deal, actually. Does this spur any thoughts?
Again, thanks for the time

 

If you're goind with Dell after all might as well check our Online sponsors list
There's a chance you'll save some money

 

ahh, newegg is on the sponsorlist too. i absolutely will, once i make a decision...soon

 

Thanks for making it clearer Meee, anyways goodluck with finding a food computer/Desktop/Laptop.

 

hi there,

what is this are you seriously thinking of buying a latpop with INTEL VGA????
those stupid chipset cant run even mame32 games

step away from Intel VGA!!!! miles away! you can find decent prices in laptops with ATI VGA and AMD CPU, that will do very good job!

did i said to step away from intel!??? well step a way

ATI has beeter Laptop vga chipset even than nvidia, in most models!
with those money you wish to spent you can easy buy a FAST PC no laptop. or XPC by shuttle if space is what you are thinking!

http://eu.shuttle.com/gr/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-249/

 

Ok, I will spare € 1,000 to build a new computer myself. Until the release of SC2 those system requirements will cost less.

 

Oh, I don't need an intel. Honestly, I don't know much about processors in laptops...Most of my computer work is very non-intensive, so i haven't had to pay attention before. Sort of learning all of this.

So, you would say this one is a better bet?

Acer Aspire AS5520-5579 AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-60(2.00GHz) 15.4" Wide XGA 2GB Memory 250GB HDD DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce 7000M NoteBook - Retail
Communication: Modem, Gigabit LAN and WLAN
CPU Type: AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-60 2.0G
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce 7000M
Hard Disk: 250GB
Model #: AS5520-5579
Item #: N82E16834115444

Edit: $649, if you were curious

 

I'm still iffy on the graphics card, but otherwise its nice!

 

anyone know if acer's cards are integrated?
easy upgrade?

 

Acer's kinda a low-class brand of laptops....Kinda budget brand. In my experience, Toshiba's are lovely machines, with Dell being just barely ahead of them due to simple ease of use. I'm not saying Acer's are bad by any means, just not the best for gaming. Another thing, purely cosmetic, they have a rough touchpad. Not a big problem if you're using a mouse, but still.

 

I always thought that Dell computers were completely locked. A friend of mine has bought a Dell a few months ago, and he can't even install Windows Vista on it now, he is stuck with Windows XP. (Not that that's a bad thing in my opinion, because Vista sucks, but that's not really important right now.)

Also, what's with listing Dell AND FREAKING HP above Alienware? Alienware has some of the best pre-built computers that money can buy. They are way more reliable then any other pc, just look at the warranty that you get when buying something from each of those companies. However, Alienware is not really a good choice if you don't have a lot of money to spend.

@ donjuan
You can't upgrade a lot on Acer laptops. They use integrated cards most of the time, and your warranty is lost in the instant you touch a screw to open the laptop. You have to let someone of their company do it for you, that's pretty expensive. I wouldn't recommend buying an Acer laptop if you can't at least live with it for a couple of years, so that you don't have to upgrade it.

 

@ Forsaken,

1) Good luck to Acer in proving that you "touched a screw" on your laptop.

2) Warranties should be only be utilized when something breaks. All other work should be done by yourself or a friend who is capable.

3) Alienware is bloody expensive for a POS laptop. Their desktops are still expensive, but are decent.

4) Dell has the most compatibility of any machine I've used. As long as you have a bunch of Dells, you can upgrade for all of eternity on an old machine. Buy one Dell and you just bought a new OS for all the Dells in your house.

5) HP has the best cost to product ratio of all of the above.

 

ROFLMAO!! I got a laptop over four years ago, and its still better than that rig.

Three grand was worth the future proofing, only now three grand would buy me the ultimate desktop setup.

I'm getting a massive desktop rig later this year, its certain to run SC2 at the highest of everything. :good:

 

Interesting stuff.
I liked Toshiba when i was a store browsing. And since I have always bought Dell desktops in the past, maybe i will narrow it down to those two.

How about the video card then? Aside from the top of the line, $1K beauty, what would you recommend?

Okay, I'm definitely getting a feel for this, great conversation all. Thanks.

 

I don't have much experience in

You should definitely go with one of the Nvidia cards. Id's suggest a 8600M if you can, even though it might push you little over budget. Otherwise you could get the 8400M, which isn't really amazing at all. But I have it and I'm satisfied with it, being able to play CoD4 on low-med settings with only a little slowdown.

 

It just so happens i've been researching gaming laptops the last couple months, and just bought mine a few weeks ago. Here's the one i picked

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Xplorer_X5-5850_Notebook/
It's an MSI kit they piece together, the MS163A.

If you buy it without an OS it goes for just under $900. The big thing that makes this one good is that it has a discrete 8600M GT (http://www.nvidia.com/object/geforce_8600M.html) Note, there is a BIG difference between the GS and the GT, double the stream processors.

Not to mention it has a C2D 7500 (2.4GHZ), a very nice processor. Admittedly, it doesn't have some of the little details that say a dell or toshiba might come with (mainly carrying cases and addons) but for hte system itself it's a very low price for a very nice system.

I can run supreme commander and COD4 on it quite easily and smoothly on medium settings, i got a 4000 on 3dmark06. I've seen other reports that this system can get up to 8000 on that benchmark, but i haven't figured out how they did it yet.

Edit: Turns out they have a new version out, the one listed on the page isn't the same one i got, the processor is a bit nicer and the screen resolution is higher, although the video card memory on this one is only 256 vs 512 on mine. Funky, still it's a good deal.

 

ok, sorry to drudge this up again....i know these questions about requirements for a game that might not be out for a year are annoying.....but....i need to buy my laptop this month, and after researching and using this forum, i am leaning towards the laptop below. If it seems like it will likely work for SC2, i will buy it (through this site's affiliate so you get cash)

I just don't know much about AMD, but the video card looks pretty solid:

Model
Brand ASUS
Series F3 Series
Model F3KA-X4
General
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium
CPU Type AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-60 2.0G
Screen 15.4" WXGA
Memory Size 3GB DDR2
Hard Disk 250GB
Optical Drive DVD Super Multi
Graphics Card ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600
Video Memory 512MB
Communication Modem, Gigabit LAN and WLAN
Card slot 1 x Express Card
Dimensions 14.2" x 10.5" x 1.1-1.6"
Weight 6 lbs.
Other Features 30-Day Zero Bright Dot
CPU
CPU Type AMD Turion 64 X2
CPU Speed TL-60(2.00GHz)
CPU L2 Cache 2 x 512KB
Display
Screen Size 15.4"
Wide Screen Support Yes
Display Type Wide XGA
Resolution 1280 x 800
Operating Systems
Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium
Graphics
GPU/VPU ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600
Video Memory Dedicated 512MB
Graphic Type Dedicated Card
Hard Drive
HDD 250GB
HD RPM 5400rpm
HD Interface SATA
Memory
Memory Speed DDR2 667
Memory 3GB
Max Memory Supported 4GB
Memory Spec 2GB x 1+1GB x 1