Cheapest, Capable Gaming Notebook?

Technology and Gaming
#1

I’ve been looking around and I’m having trouble finding a capable, cheaper mobile gaming rig. My price cap is $800, and I was considering this:

Asus - Laptop / Intel® Core™ i3 Processor / 14" Display / 4GB Memory / 500GB Hard Drive - Black
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus±+Laptop+/+Intel%26%23174;+Core%26%23153;+i3+Processor+/+14%22+Display+/+4GB+Memory+/+500GB+Hard+Drive±+Black/9964891.p?id=1218206200334&skuId=9964891

Quick Specs Rundown:
Product Features
Intel® Core™ i3-330UM mobile processor
Features a 1066MHz frontside bus, 3MB L2 cache and 1.20GHz processor speed.
Intel® Core™ i3 processor
Features smart 4-way processing performance for HD quality computing. Intel® HD graphics provide extra graphics power for your laptop when you need it.
4GB DDR3 memory
For multitasking power.
Multiformat DVD±RW/CD-RW drive with double-layer support
Records up to 8.5GB of data or 4 hours of video using compatible DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL media.
14" LED-backlit LCD high-definition widescreen display
With 1366 x 768 resolution delivers vivid detail and clarity.
500GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)
Offers spacious storage and fast read/write times.
NVIDIA GeForce 310M graphics with Optimus Technology
With 1GB video memory for intense detail. Realtek audio with two 2W stereo speakers for lush audio. HDMI output for flexible connectivity options.

I really only want to play CS: S on it, and beyond that just have a solid notebook. The proc speed is a little slow, which is disconcerting, but what do you guys think?

And what is everyone’s opinion on refurbished notebooks?

Thanks in advance!

  • j a e t i
#2

Why are you getting a GAMING notebook? That’s like getting a racing Buick. Or using an early Hybrid car to tow your motorboat when you go on vacation. Or trying to get pandas to have sex.

#3

sadly, no matter how hard i try, i cant imagine gaming and notebook together

also, cheap

buy a desktop pc

#4

Good chance you can get more bank for your buck buying a desktop.

#5

Seeing as how I have an ASUS gaming notebook myself (and wouldn’t have it any other way), I’d say that first of all you’re making the right choice going ASUS.

I have this one:
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus±+Laptop+with+Intel%26%23174;+Core%26%23153;2+Duo+Processor±+Black/9556125.p?id=1218124208054&skuId=9556125

If you want better prices on it, check out
https://www.google.com/products?q=g72gx&scoring=p&show=dd&lnk=pruser&price1=700&price2=1,500

I highly recommend it. 2.8ghz C2D, 6GB RAM, 500GB HD, GTX 260M 1gb, 17.3" screen… can’t go wrong.

Handles crysis on all Very High settings on native res at playable framerates, no AA

#6

The only way I’ll believe you is if by “playable” you mean “more than 10fps”, otherwise you’re full of shit.

#7

My buddies notebook has a 4870 in it and hes able to run crysis on HIGH at about 40fps. So it’s def possible on a notebook.

#8

I don’t know ATI’s cards so I don’t know if 3870 is good or not. What’s the equivalent NVidia card?

#9

I’m a real Asus fan, but the cheaper the better. The notebook will primarily be used as my girlfriend’s school PC. I have my own gaming rig, self built, but lately my life has taken a more mobile direction. I have lower expectations, however, since my main game is good 'ol CS Source. That’s a hot rig, russilker, but is definitely way more performance than I need.

This seems a much better deal than I previously posted:
TOSHIBA Satellite L655D-S5067 NoteBook AMD Turion II Dual-Core P520(2.3GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory 320GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5145
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834114924

#10

-nod- I’m more of a Nvidia fanboy.

#11

That laptop is more than capable of playing a 6 year old game such as CS:S

#12

i can play CS: S on my old HP nx6325, it fits for almost anything. sad thing the hard drive broke

#13

I’m not an NVidia fanboy, so much that my current and last cards were NVidia, so I know their current numbering scheme and have a better idea where the video technology is in relation to what I have now. The last ATI card I had was a Radeon 9600 I bought in celebration for Half-Life 2’s release, so I’m way out of the loop with ATI.

Before THAT, the last video card I had was the ATI All-In-Wonder 128. I thought it was SO COOL how it had a whopping 16MB OF VIDEO RAM!! YEAH!! NOT EVEN BILL GATES HAS A MORE BEEFY VIDEO CARD THAN THIS! (Feels glad that he can finally play Descent 3 smoothly)

#14

So the real question is, AMD Dual Core 2.3ghz and ATI Radeon HD 512mb video memory, or Intel i3 single core 1.3ghz and Nvidia 310m 1G video memory?

#15

No, we’re saying you shouldn’t get a gaming notebook because that would be dumb.

Also, the i3 is a tri-core.

#16

Oh, haha. Alrighty, well. Point taken. But, I decided on a deal on Newegg, if you’re curious.

ASUS K50ID-X3 NoteBook Intel Pentium dual-core T4500(2.30GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory 320GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi NVIDIA GeForce GT 320M
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220735&Tpk=ASUS%20K50ID-X3

Can’t go wrong with that $80 Accidental Warranty plan, either.

#17

When I said playable framerates I meant 15 - 25 fps. For me thats playable.

The GT 320M is just a rebadged 9600M GT with fewer shaders; IMO not worth it. Price is good though.

#18

The specs are a little weak for what I would consider a ‘gaming laptop’, if you want to play any next-gen games with any amount of detail anyway.

Do you really need the extra portability? You could get a better desktop computer, within budget, by assembling it yourself.

#19

from personal experience i would have to say that if you want a good asus your gonna have to spend a lot. the last asus laptop i had worked perfectly fine for about a year, then i just got a line of dead pixels through the screen. shortly there after i found my dog(small pug mix) had stepped on it when he jumped up on the couch and the fan started to vibrate all the time. i called asus support and they were not at all helpful. i would go with the Toshiba you mentioned depending on where the comp was gonna be more. your house or girlfriends.

p.s. why you getting your girl a laptop? flowers don’t say i love you anymore?

#20

Hp Mini 311 is Awesome.

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