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My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (don't want to make the samemistake again!)



 
 
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  #1  
Old December 15th 15, 06:34 PM posted to alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10
Oscar[_3_]
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Posts: 4
Default My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (don't want to make the samemistake again!)

My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (and don't want to make the
same mistake again!).

Long ago, I bought a different grandchild a computer, which turned out to
not be able to run Call of Duty games he wanted to play (and Target
wouldn't even take the games back).

So I don't want to make both those mistakes again.

This time, I asked what games he wants to play, and he said he'd like
to play something called "fallout 4" which doesn't apparently work on
his playstation 3 we bought him a few years ago.

What do I need to look for in a Windows laptop that will play such games?

Ads
  #2  
Old December 15th 15, 06:54 PM posted to alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10
Good Guy[_2_]
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Posts: 3,354
Default My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (don't want to make thesame mistake again!)

On 15/12/15 17:34, Oscar wrote:
My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (and don't want to make the
same mistake again!).

Long ago, I bought a different grandchild a computer, which turned out to
not be able to run Call of Duty games he wanted to play (and Target
wouldn't even take the games back).

So I don't want to make both those mistakes again.

This time, I asked what games he wants to play, and he said he'd like
to play something called "fallout 4" which doesn't apparently work on
his playstation 3 we bought him a few years ago.

What do I need to look for in a Windows laptop that will play such games?

You are buying something for your grand kid so you should be asking your
son if he knows anything about these games. Alternatively, ask your
grand child to ask his friends what they have bought so that you can buy
something similar for him.



  #3  
Old December 15th 15, 07:06 PM posted to alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10
pjp[_10_]
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Posts: 1,183
Default My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (don't want to make the same mistake again!)

In article , lid says...

My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (and don't want to make the
same mistake again!).

Long ago, I bought a different grandchild a computer, which turned out to
not be able to run Call of Duty games he wanted to play (and Target
wouldn't even take the games back).

So I don't want to make both those mistakes again.

This time, I asked what games he wants to play, and he said he'd like
to play something called "fallout 4" which doesn't apparently work on
his playstation 3 we bought him a few years ago.

What do I need to look for in a Windows laptop that will play such games?


Basically MONEY

Especially a laptop as it has to come with the appropriate hardware
already in it. Given the laptop needs to be powerfull that means lots of
heat etc. The top of the line components and design up's the cost
considerably.

It'd be a lot cheaper and more surety he'll be happy with it if you
bought him a new Xbox360. The game itself is likely the same price. Note
- FallOut 4 is one of the latest "big" games and as such needs top of
the line pc hardware to run it respectably. The Xbox also avoids the
hassles associated with pc gaming, e.g. incompatabilities and game won't
run properly if at all.

A laptop will needs lots of ram (8 Gb min go for 12-16) a VERY GOOD
video card with it's own dedicated onboard memory (2Gb) and doesn't use
motherboard memory. A fast hard disk, preferably an SSD (1Tb min). A
decent sized screen and as well a connection to allow display to a tv, I
assume an LCD tv so you'd like an HDMI connection. Don't forget a
joystick for the pc although XBox controllers can work but I don't know
how or what else one might need given I don't have one.

Oh - decent price and I might be interested in his old Xbox

Canada $300 but $500 gets you Xbox 360 and game.
$2000 but $1000 gets you a laptop and the game.
  #4  
Old December 15th 15, 07:09 PM posted to alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10
Andy Burns[_3_]
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Posts: 399
Default My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (don't want to make thesame mistake again!)

Oscar wrote:

What do I need to look for in a Windows laptop that will play such games?


A laptop is a bad choice for a gaming machine, it will cost more to
start with and have far fewer upgrade options in future (possibly none).


  #5  
Old December 15th 15, 07:23 PM posted to alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10
Mayayana
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Posts: 6,438
Default My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (don't want to make the same mistake again!)

You probably want to read up on reviews like these:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2393552,00.asp

And as Andy said, a laptop doesn't make sense. That's
like asking which VW do you want for hauling stone. You
don't want a VW. You want a truck that's built for
that kind of job.

The whole point of a Desktop is to have maximum
functionality, power and ergonomics. Laptops are
for convenience and sacrifice the other factors to
get it.

Then, of course, there's the question of why you're
buying such an expensive item for kids. If it were me I'd
tell them to get a paper route so they could afford to
buy their gaming machine.... But that's another issue.


  #6  
Old December 15th 15, 07:33 PM posted to alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10
Slimer
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Posts: 220
Default My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (don't want to make thesame mistake again!)

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Hash: SHA256

On 2015-12-15 1:09 PM, Andy Burns wrote:
Oscar wrote:

What do I need to look for in a Windows laptop that will play
such games?


A laptop is a bad choice for a gaming machine, it will cost more to
start with and have far fewer upgrade options in future (possibly
none).


Not true. Eurocom and MSI both make laptops which allow you to upgrade
your GPU. The GTX 970M in my MSI GT72 for instance can be replaced if
I am willing to pay for it though I don't see the point since the GPU
can play every game I throw at it in 1080p with ultra settings. If a
person is content with playing at 1080p, a gaming laptop purchased
today should handle all content for at least four years. It's only if
you want to play at higher resolutions that there are issues.

- --
Slimer
EFF & OpenMedia member / IFAW & PETA supporter
Matthew 7:12: "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you
want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets."
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  #7  
Old December 15th 15, 09:05 PM posted to alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10
s|b
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Posts: 1,496
Default My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (don't want to make the same mistake again!)

On Tue, 15 Dec 2015 17:34:37 -0000 (UTC), Oscar wrote:

What do I need to look for in a Windows laptop that will play such games?


Around 2.000 euro or more and don't buy a laptop, you want a desktop.
Also, start saving because within 2 years or so you'll need to upgrade
the hardware (¤¤¤).

I'd buy him a Playstation 4. Fallout 4 will run just fine:
https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/fallout-4-ps4/

--
s|b
  #8  
Old December 15th 15, 10:16 PM posted to alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10
Paul in Houston TX[_2_]
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Posts: 999
Default My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (don't want to make thesame mistake again!)

Oscar wrote:
My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (and don't want to make the
same mistake again!).

Long ago, I bought a different grandchild a computer, which turned out to
not be able to run Call of Duty games he wanted to play (and Target
wouldn't even take the games back).

So I don't want to make both those mistakes again.

This time, I asked what games he wants to play, and he said he'd like
to play something called "fallout 4" which doesn't apparently work on
his playstation 3 we bought him a few years ago.

What do I need to look for in a Windows laptop that will play such games?


A laptop is not really a good choice for a gamer. A 5-7 year old
may be happy with a laptop but a teen or older probably won't be as happy.
As others have said, $2000 is a starting cost.
If it must be a laptop, then check out an Alienware 15. Add $500-$1000 to
the base cost of $1100.
http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-15-r2/pd
You may want to check into having someone build him a desktop gaming system.
  #9  
Old December 15th 15, 11:47 PM posted to alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10
Paul
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Posts: 18,275
Default My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (don't want to make thesame mistake again!)

Oscar wrote:
My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (and don't want to make the
same mistake again!).

Long ago, I bought a different grandchild a computer, which turned out to
not be able to run Call of Duty games he wanted to play (and Target
wouldn't even take the games back).

So I don't want to make both those mistakes again.

This time, I asked what games he wants to play, and he said he'd like
to play something called "fallout 4" which doesn't apparently work on
his playstation 3 we bought him a few years ago.

What do I need to look for in a Windows laptop that will play such games?


Gaming laptops "can't stand the heat".
They will fail in three or four years.

Units with an MXM module, typically have
the horsepower to play games. And as others
have pointed out, they have a price point
to match.

You don't buy a laptop for $300, with Intel
GPU, and expect miracles. You buy a heavy beast
with one or two MXM modules inside it, and
kiss all that money goodbye when it breaks.

http://www.eurocom.com/ec/productsg(1)ec

This one has two MXM slots, for overkill.
I put a single 980M in it, and the price was $1891.

http://www.eurocom.com/ec/configure(2,253,0)ec

*******

And as a teaser on this page, "Fallout 4" is on
one of the laptop screens :-) That's how you
know you're on the right web page. Alienware
used to be a boutique builder, who was bought
out by Dell. So now Dell stands behind it.

http://www.alienware.com/landings/laptops.aspx

With a 980m, this one is $2119.

http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-1...lienware-17-r3

You don't really need SLI, but even one MXM module
and its nice separate GPU, is a start. If you wanted
to run an external 4K monitor occasionally, then you'd
throw more money at it (and look for the right
port type on the exterior of the laptop).

But the problem with the concept, is thermals.
The thing gets hot, it's heavy, if you carry it
around and torque the thing in normal usage,
sooner or later (three/four years), you
could be looking at problems. This isn't that
old 6MHz laptop you used to own, that lasted 20 years.
It's a fire breathing dragon.

That's why people here, would look for a desktop.
More maintainable. Room to add the cooling
system of your choice.

If you carry a $2119 laptop to school with the
Alienware logo on the cover, you wouldn't even
make it to the school front door, before a
punk would knock you down and steal it. So
now you have a laptop, that you have to pay a
bully protection money when you take it to school :-)

Paul
  #10  
Old December 15th 15, 11:56 PM posted to alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10
Paul
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Posts: 18,275
Default My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (don't want to make thesame mistake again!)

Oscar wrote:
My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (and don't want to make the
same mistake again!).

Long ago, I bought a different grandchild a computer, which turned out to
not be able to run Call of Duty games he wanted to play (and Target
wouldn't even take the games back).

So I don't want to make both those mistakes again.

This time, I asked what games he wants to play, and he said he'd like
to play something called "fallout 4" which doesn't apparently work on
his playstation 3 we bought him a few years ago.

What do I need to look for in a Windows laptop that will play such games?


Another random thought. Allow 30 days of "planning time"
for computer purchases. That's how long it takes to
research and execute a purchase like this, and get the
best price on it. If a product has just hit the manufacturing
stage, there can also be delivery delays. But 30 days
is how much time you should allocate for researching
what it takes to play Fallout 4.

The laptops are actually made by ODMs. For example,
Clevo is an ODM. Other companies get these units,
and put their branding on the outside. Not
all companies can afford to build their own laptop
frames, motherboards, from scratch. So when you
look at the Eurocom products, not one of those
is made in-house. They go to companies like
Clevo and purchase a pallet full of them, then
plug in the things you want in your custom build.
I've made one purchase at Eurocom, and the product
was actually a Clevo. You will not find Clevo
written anywhere on the chassis (because I took
mine apart :-) ), but occasionally you will find
web articles, where the picture of a Clevo, matches
what is in your hands.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clevo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origin...n_manufacturer

"As of 2011, Taiwanese ODMs made
ninety-four percent of all notebook computers."

HTH,
Paul
  #11  
Old December 16th 15, 12:41 AM posted to alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10
Paul in Houston TX[_2_]
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Posts: 999
Default My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (don't want to make thesame mistake again!)

Paul wrote:
Oscar wrote:
My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (and don't want to make the same mistake again!).


But the problem with the concept, is thermals.
The thing gets hot, it's heavy, if you carry it
around and torque the thing in normal usage,
sooner or later (three/four years), you
could be looking at problems. This isn't that
old 6MHz laptop you used to own, that lasted 20 years.
It's a fire breathing dragon.

That's why people here, would look for a desktop.
More maintainable. Room to add the cooling
system of your choice.


To add to Paul NoSpam's comments, my floor model gamer machine doubles
as a space heater. Great in the winter, not so good in the summer.
The heat would quickly kill a laptop.
  #12  
Old December 16th 15, 12:42 AM posted to alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10
Slimer
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Posts: 220
Default My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (don't want to make thesame mistake again!)

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Hash: SHA256

On 2015-12-15 5:47 PM, Paul wrote:
Oscar wrote:
My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (and don't want to make the
same mistake again!).

Long ago, I bought a different grandchild a computer, which
turned out to not be able to run Call of Duty games he wanted to
play (and Target wouldn't even take the games back).

So I don't want to make both those mistakes again.

This time, I asked what games he wants to play, and he said he'd
like to play something called "fallout 4" which doesn't
apparently work on his playstation 3 we bought him a few years
ago.

What do I need to look for in a Windows laptop that will play
such games?


Gaming laptops "can't stand the heat". They will fail in three or
four years.


Not the MSI models; they use a double cooling system which utilizes
one fan for the CPU and another for the GPU. Of course, I'm referring
to the GT72 model I own. You might be right about other gaming laptops
though.

Units with an MXM module, typically have the horsepower to play
games. And as others have pointed out, they have a price point to
match.

You don't buy a laptop for $300, with Intel GPU, and expect
miracles. You buy a heavy beast with one or two MXM modules inside
it, and kiss all that money goodbye when it breaks.

http://www.eurocom.com/ec/productsg(1)ec

This one has two MXM slots, for overkill. I put a single 980M in
it, and the price was $1891.

http://www.eurocom.com/ec/configure(2,253,0)ec

*******

And as a teaser on this page, "Fallout 4" is on one of the laptop
screens :-) That's how you know you're on the right web page.
Alienware used to be a boutique builder, who was bought out by
Dell. So now Dell stands behind it.

http://www.alienware.com/landings/laptops.aspx

With a 980m, this one is $2119.

http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-1...&model_id=alie

nware-17-r3



You don't really need SLI, but even one MXM module and its nice
separate GPU, is a start. If you wanted to run an external 4K
monitor occasionally, then you'd throw more money at it (and look
for the right port type on the exterior of the laptop).

But the problem with the concept, is thermals. The thing gets hot,
it's heavy, if you carry it around and torque the thing in normal
usage, sooner or later (three/four years), you could be looking at
problems. This isn't that old 6MHz laptop you used to own, that
lasted 20 years. It's a fire breathing dragon.

That's why people here, would look for a desktop. More
maintainable. Room to add the cooling system of your choice.

If you carry a $2119 laptop to school with the Alienware logo on
the cover, you wouldn't even make it to the school front door,
before a punk would knock you down and steal it. So now you have a
laptop, that you have to pay a bully protection money when you take
it to school :-)


I bring my laptop to work every day and I doubt any of the people
there would even dare to try to steal it from me.


- --
Slimer
EFF & OpenMedia member / IFAW & PETA supporter
Matthew 7:12: "In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you
want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets."
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  #13  
Old December 16th 15, 02:12 AM posted to alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10
Drew[_8_]
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Posts: 75
Default My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (don't want to make thesame mistake again!)

On 12/15/2015 9:34 AM, Oscar wrote:
My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (and don't want to make the
same mistake again!).

Long ago, I bought a different grandchild a computer, which turned out to
not be able to run Call of Duty games he wanted to play (and Target
wouldn't even take the games back).

So I don't want to make both those mistakes again.

This time, I asked what games he wants to play, and he said he'd like
to play something called "fallout 4" which doesn't apparently work on
his playstation 3 we bought him a few years ago.

What do I need to look for in a Windows laptop that will play such games?

Xidax.com is the way to go.. excellent warranty and killer specs and
all customizable.. I bought one of their desktops... gaming pc with a
lifetime warranty.. If something dies it is replaced .. no questions
asked! Laptops are I believe 2 years parts and labor guaranteed
  #14  
Old December 16th 15, 06:16 AM posted to alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10
JJ[_11_]
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Posts: 744
Default My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (don't want to make the same mistake again!)

On Tue, 15 Dec 2015 17:34:37 -0000 (UTC), Oscar wrote:
My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (and don't want to make the
same mistake again!).

Long ago, I bought a different grandchild a computer, which turned out to
not be able to run Call of Duty games he wanted to play (and Target
wouldn't even take the games back).

So I don't want to make both those mistakes again.

This time, I asked what games he wants to play, and he said he'd like
to play something called "fallout 4" which doesn't apparently work on
his playstation 3 we bought him a few years ago.

What do I need to look for in a Windows laptop that will play such games?


The "Fallout 4" game is available in either Sony PlayStation 4, Microsoft
XBox One, or computer.

Since you'll be buying a new machine regardless, if they already have a
PC/laptop, I'd recommend a gaming console instead of a computer. Preferably
PlayStation 4. Keep the computer for other things.

The reason is that a gaming console will guarantee that the game (for that
gaming console) will work. And it'd take the least effort to setup the game
or any new game.

PC/laptop computer is different. It's basically a general purpose computing
machine. It can do almost anything, but a specialized machine (non
PC/laptop) will do better or much better. It'd take more (and up to
frustating) effort to setup a game, *and* it may not work smoothly or not
work at all. And it would cost considerably more for a gaming computer than
a gaming console, for nowadays games. Considering that tech devices tend to
get obsolete rather quikly.
  #15  
Old December 16th 15, 04:37 PM posted to alt.windows7.general,alt.comp.os.windows-10
edevils
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Posts: 276
Default My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (don't want to make thesame mistake again!)

On 15/12/2015 18:34, Oscar wrote:
My grandkid wants a "gaming" computer (and don't want to make the
same mistake again!).

Long ago, I bought a different grandchild a computer, which turned out to
not be able to run Call of Duty games he wanted to play (and Target
wouldn't even take the games back).

So I don't want to make both those mistakes again.

This time, I asked what games he wants to play, and he said he'd like
to play something called "fallout 4" which doesn't apparently work on
his playstation 3 we bought him a few years ago.

What do I need to look for in a Windows laptop that will play such games?


You asked about a "gaming" machine, and you got replies about it. They
explained why a dedicated gaming console would be better value for money
than a laptop.
That's all fine and dandy, but I wonder: is your grandkid going to play
all day, and do nothing else with that machine? Hmm. I guess they are
going to use it for lots of other activities too. So, maybe a computer
would not be bad choice after all, as long as you have the dosh for it

 




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