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?

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.

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.

pjp
Tue, 15
Dec 2015 18:06:05 GMT in alt.windows7.general, wrote:

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.

You're throwing your money away if you go for a gaming 'laptop'. it's
going to overheat and die prematurely. Laptops aren't gaming rigs.
You want to game and do it hardcore? the desktop/tower is your buddy.

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.


ROFL. No, the xbox doesn't avoid incompatabilities. Do you actually
own one or know someone who does? If you did, you wouldn't have
written such sillyness. Xbox games require patches and updates, too.

Xbox also requires a subscription to get those patches and updates.

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.

Don't do this with a laptop. Laptops were not meant to be abused in
such a way. I know, some people claim to sell 'gaming laptops'...
trust me though, that laptop is going to die a miserable death when
the gamer cooks it.


--
Ya know.. if this place was an airplane.. It would have been
grounded.

On 12/17/2015 12:49 PM, Diesel wrote:
pjp
Tue, 15
Dec 2015 18:06:05 GMT in alt.windows7.general, wrote:

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.

You're throwing your money away if you go for a gaming 'laptop'. it's
going to overheat and die prematurely. Laptops aren't gaming rigs.
You want to game and do it hardcore? the desktop/tower is your buddy.

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.


ROFL. No, the xbox doesn't avoid incompatabilities. Do you actually
own one or know someone who does? If you did, you wouldn't have
written such sillyness. Xbox games require patches and updates, too.

Xbox also requires a subscription to get those patches and updates.

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.

Don't do this with a laptop. Laptops were not meant to be abused in
such a way. I know, some people claim to sell 'gaming laptops'...
trust me though, that laptop is going to die a miserable death when
the gamer cooks it.



Forget so called gaming laptop, Buy him a nice good quality desktop with
up to date CPU and good medium priced GPU, Good IPS 24 or 27 inch
monitor, Good quality gaming keyboard and mouse.
With this he can do everything he wants without eye and finger strain,
He will thank you for it. Take it from an old, old gamer.

Regards Rene

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On 2015-12-17 1:49 PM, Diesel wrote:
pjp
Tue, 15
Dec 2015 18:06:05 GMT in alt.windows7.general, wrote:

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.

You're throwing your money away if you go for a gaming 'laptop'.
it's going to overheat and die prematurely. Laptops aren't gaming
rigs. You want to game and do it hardcore? the desktop/tower is
your buddy.

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.


ROFL. No, the xbox doesn't avoid incompatabilities. Do you actually
own one or know someone who does? If you did, you wouldn't have
written such sillyness. Xbox games require patches and updates,
too.

Xbox also requires a subscription to get those patches and updates.

Not a paying one. Patches are available to people who use Xbox Live
Silver.

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.

Don't do this with a laptop. Laptops were not meant to be abused in
such a way. I know, some people claim to sell 'gaming laptops'...
trust me though, that laptop is going to die a miserable death
when the gamer cooks it.

Mine is still running quite well since February.

- --
Slimer
EFF & OpenMedia member / IFAW, Mozilla & PETA supporter
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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).

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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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Slimer Tue, 15 Dec 2015
18:33:32 GMT in alt.windows7.general, wrote:

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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.

You aren't going to be sticking any PCI Express or PCI card you like
in that laptop. You have a few options in this case, sure, but not
much. You can't just goto a store buy a new video card and away you
go. Don't use a laptop for serious gaming. That laptop wasn't really
built for it and you will end it's life sooner by using it for that.
It's ill equipped to handle constant abuse and high run times.



--
Ya know.. if this place was an airplane.. It would have been
grounded.

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On 2015-12-17 1:49 PM, Diesel wrote:
Slimer Tue, 15 Dec 2015
18:33:32 GMT in alt.windows7.general, wrote:

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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.

You aren't going to be sticking any PCI Express or PCI card you
like in that laptop. You have a few options in this case, sure, but
not much. You can't just goto a store buy a new video card and away
you go. Don't use a laptop for serious gaming. That laptop wasn't
really built for it and you will end it's life sooner by using it
for that. It's ill equipped to handle constant abuse and high run
times.

Considering how little time I actually spend playing games (compared
to the early days of the Xbox 360), I am not afraid of the unit dying
prematurely. Besides, it comes with a two-year warranty is something
goes wrong. If at year 3 or 4 it dies, I will simply buy another,
faster version. I intend to keep it for 5 though.


- --
Slimer
EFF & OpenMedia member / IFAW, Mozilla & PETA supporter
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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.

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

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.

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

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.