Need laptop for gaming AND general word processing/applications

[jimmyj]

Pretty much says it all in the title, but I'm looking for a laptop that will play most recent games (COD 4, and most next-gen games and stuff like that) pretty well, maybe around the medium setting range, and higher of course if possible.

But also It needs the ability to run the general word processing programs (Word, etc.) and those things.

Finally, the price range I'm looking at is below $1,000. I know it might be a long shot, but help is appreciated.

Thanks

[ebackhus]

For the price range you're looking at you can't get anything. Sorry...

[Mattayo45]

I don't think you'll get something like that for under 1k. If you can get up a couple more hundred $s you should be fine though. Btw anything that can run COD4 at all let alone at medium to high settings with run those apps with flying colors.

[jimmyj]

Ok, let me rephrase some stuff.

I want a laptop that will work great with all those word processing applications, but also be able to play most games, not really next-gen games as much, but games like Max Payne 2, Battlefield 2, Spliter Cell: Chaos Theory and ones of that sort.

MAYBE if it has the ability to play some newer games like COD4 and stuff on the lower settings, that is good as well.

And anywhere around $1,000 is best, a hundred or so more is ok too.

[Mattayo45]

You should be able to get around 1k. Try to get 2GB of RAM and a GeForce 8 series. The RAM will help the games and let you run alot of apps at the same time and something in the 8 series will run DirectX 10 so all of those games great and maybe something like COD4 on low settings. Hope that helps.

[jimmyj]

Ok, I'm looking on Tiger Direct, and found a couple:

1. Acer Aspire 5720-6497

2. Acer Aspire 9420-6426

The 9420 has a 17" screen, the 5720 a 15.4.

9420 = NVIDIA GeForce Go 7300 graphics

5720 = ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2300 3D graphics

Both are Core 2 Duo, the 5720 running at 1.5GHz, and the 9420 running at 1.83GHz

So I'm unsure which one would be better; I don't know much about hardware and such.

Out of those two, which would you guy recommend for my needs, if either one?

[jimmyj]

Ok, found the Acer Aspire 5920-6954, with NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics, Core 2 Duo at 1.66 GHz.

Does that sound decent? Would it be able to handle games like Max Payne 2, Battlefield 2, etc. (Like all the newer games before the current-gen games)?

[FreoHeaveho]

YOu wont play games with those specs. The 7300 sux, the 8600 sux. You need to spend more if you want a decent gaming laptop (as my team member ebackhus has told you).

This is the kind of specs you want if you want to game: http://www.rockdirect.com/brochures/RockBroMar2008.pdf

Rock make gaming laptops, but not for £500, try 4 times that. If you are getting a laptop and then simply going to keep it on a desk the whole time, get a shuttle pc or a standard desktop. You can upgrade it and put a gpu that will play latest games for a lot cheaper. Nothing you have quoted thus far will.

[jimmyj]

I'm NOT a hardcore gamer, and I don't need to play only the latest games.

Would those specs that I mentioned play games like Battlefield 2 decently?

[FreoHeaveho]

Hi Jimmy

I understand where you are coming from. Get the 8600 over the 7300 but don't expect much. You should be able to play Battlefield 2 but the minimum requirements don't specify either of those cards. In terms of your original post, you will not play COD4 or any next-gen games at medium settings. If they run, you will need to drop qulaity and probably resoultion (particularly with the 7300 or the 2300). To give you and idea, the 7300 gets about 300 in 3DMark06, new cards get about 12,000.

Just don't expect too much in terms of gaming. The 8600 will be ok, but not in DirectX 10.

[jimmyj]

Hmm ok so what is a good card that will play those games at a high or medium level?

I'm really on a budget.

[FreoHeaveho]

Unfortunately nothing in that price range. If you want to play low-med settings, go for the 8600, otherwise you will need to cough up more case and get a 8800GM. The 8600 should be ok, but not great.

[u551]

8600 should play all the other games you mentioned great - except cod4. Just forget the next-gen if you really are on a budget.

[jimmyj]

Ok, thanks for the help guys.