Need help selecting a new computer

**Prussian to the Iron** · 08-13-2011, 16:35

So, as my current laptop gets on in age, gets slower and less capable of running more high-end games, I am seeking a replacement. Since I'm going off to college soon, it will have to be a laptop, and definitely with windows (vista is preferable, but 7 probably comes standard on most now). Needs built-in webcam and integrated microphone with it. Screen should be at least 16 inches diagonally, with 1440x900 resolution obviously. I need it to be able to run TESV:Skyrim and Shogun 2 on very high settings, and be worth keeping for at least several years.

Any suggestions? We usually like to stick to HP, but if it's necessary I'd be willing to get another brand.

**Montmorency** · 08-13-2011, 20:24

Originally Posted by Prussian to the Iron

Since I'm going off to college soon...

Aren't you 16?

**Prussian to the Iron** · 08-13-2011, 20:32

Originally Posted by Montmorency

Aren't you 16?

Yeah, but this is my last year of high school. I'll actually only be 17 and 5 months when I start college.

**Centurion1** · 08-14-2011, 02:22

Originally Posted by Prussian to the Iron

So, as my current laptop gets on in age, gets slower and less capable of running more high-end games, I am seeking a replacement. Since I'm going off to college soon, it will have to be a laptop, and definitely with windows (vista is preferable, but 7 probably comes standard on most now). Needs built-in webcam and integrated microphone with it. Screen should be at least 16 inches diagonally, with 1440x900 resolution obviously. I need it to be able to run TESV:Skyrim and Shogun 2 on very high settings, and be worth keeping for at least several years.

Any suggestions? We usually like to stick to HP, but if it's necessary I'd be willing to get another brand.

lol how much money do you have to throw around.

**Prussian to the Iron** · 08-14-2011, 04:37

Originally Posted by Centurion1

lol how much money do you have to throw around.

A pretty fair amount, though probably not more than $2000

**Lemur** · 08-14-2011, 15:49

I'm not a big fan of gaming laptops -- too many compromises to get them working within the thermal constraints -- but Sager has a good rep and doesn't seem to charge overmuch. Something else to consider would be going with an AMD fusion notebook for now, with a plan to supplement/replace it with a real gaming rig somewhere down the line. Might save money and heartbreak all around.

**Prussian to the Iron** · 08-14-2011, 16:22

Originally Posted by Lemur

I'm not a big fan of gaming laptops -- too many compromises to get them working within the thermal constraints

Don't even get me started. I have to have mine constantly in an elevated position (I got a stand) because if I don't, the back gets extremely hot, and then turns off the screen and leaves me only being able to turn off the whole thing.

BTW what sort of graphics card would you guys suggest? I unfortunately don't know really anything about graphics card specifications, but AFAIK ATI is better than Nvidia. But I could be totally wrong, I just have no idea.

**Lemur** · 08-14-2011, 21:52

Originally Posted by Prussian to the Iron

AFAIK ATI is better than Nvidia. But I could be totally wrong, I just have no idea.

Totally depends. My understanding, which may be out of date, is that AMD holds the lead for heat/power savings, but Nvidia holds the crown for things like GPU compute. Seems like a wash to me. No idea who's stronger in notebook parts.