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I'm looking into buying a 15.4" budget laptop that will let me run SC2. I'm on a tight budget and narrowed my options down to 2 laptops. Which one should I go for? Please keep in mind money is an issue, but if you think the either one would be a bad buy price/quality wise please let me know!
The Cheapcheapy [€580]: HP Pavilion dv6-1160ed
Intel Pentium Dual Core T4200 (1024KB L2 Cache)
4GB DDR2 (SODIMM)
15.6" HDMI - 1366x768 (WXGA Wide)
Radeon Mobility HD4530
250GB HD (5400rpm)
The Solidcheapy [€665]: Toshiba Satellite A300-1SR
Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile T6400 (2048KB L2 Cache)
4GB DDR2 (SODIMM)
15.6" HDMI - 1280x800 (WXGA)
Radeon Mobility HD3650
320GB HD (5400rpm)
Comparison:
+ HP saves me €85,- (580 vs 665)
+ HP has widescreen (Toshiba doesn't)
- HP processor is a Dual Core (even though its benchmarks are not far off compared to the Core 2 Duo)
- HP 1024KB L2 Cache (compared to 2048KB)
- HP's Radeon HD4530 performs worse (compared to HD3650)
- HP's HD is 70GB smaller (250 vs 320, but who cares >.<)
What to do?
Do you think either of these systems actually will be SC2 proof at all? I'm currently also moving from my place and should really try to cut into any costs I can, but I don't want to screw myself over by buying the HP and find out I'm just missing that edge to play the only 2 games I really want to play in the future T_T; Next to SC2 it'll be used for casual shit, some office crap, some photoshopping etc., nothing extreme >.<
edit:
Found another deal which is 5 bucks more than the toshiba one. Looks like I'll be getting this:
[€670]: Asus X61SL-6X129C
2.16ghz Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile T6500 (2048KB L2 Cache)
4GB DDR2 (SODIMM)
16" HDMI - 1366x768 (WXGA Wide)
Radeon Mobility HD4570
320GB HD (5400rpm)
Slightly better processor, graphics card, res & widescreen and it has an extra year of warranty is well. Trusting on blizz to make SC2 playable with the current mainstream cards I think this should do for now >.<
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United States22883 Posts
Is there some reason you HAVE to buy it right now? If not, wait wait wait wait WAIT
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wait for? I'll be in Canada soon for at least a year.. I looked at the laptops there and my research says that I think that I'm better off buying one over here >_<
oh doh.. you meant wait for SC2 ^^
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HP's Radeon HD4530 performs worse (compared to HD3650)
I think the problem here is that they both perform like garbage. If you're planning to play SC2 at any decent settings, I suggest waiting until laptops get even more cheaper/powerful closer to SC2's release and then picking something with a decent GPU.
The biggest weakness is obviously the GPU, and I have 0 confidence that HD4530 will even give you playable framerates at anything but the lowest settings, let alone a comfortable experience.
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United States22883 Posts
On July 28 2009 14:43 Smorrie wrote:
wait for? I'll be in Canada soon for at least a year.. I looked at the laptops there and my research says that I think that I'm better off buying one over here >_<
oh doh.. you meant wait for SC2 ^^
Yeah, especially if money is a constraint. It makes no sense to buy one now if your current computer is adequate for everything you're currently doing. If you wait, the laptop you get in (2)9 months when SC2 comes out will be more than adequate.
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United States22883 Posts
On July 28 2009 14:53 Sadistx wrote:I think the problem here is that they both perform like garbage. If you're planning to play SC2 at any decent settings, I suggest waiting until laptops get even more cheaper/powerful closer to SC2's release and then picking something with a decent GPU. The biggest weakness is obviously the GPU, and I have 0 confidence that HD4530 will even give you playable framerates at anything but the lowest settings, let alone a comfortable experience.
We don't really know whether SC2 will be more GPU or CPU dependent, but I'd say both the CPU and GPU are weaknesses in those computers.
I've got a T5550 and it gets a little annoying at time having an underpowered CPU for newer games.
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is awesome32280 Posts
Any reason why it has to be a laptop?
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I will be traveling around a lot the upcoming year and I really need to buy a laptop. So since it's a mandatory purchase for me to get a decent laptop anyway, I kinda want to get something that'll get me by for about a year.. After a year or so I'll build myself the perfect desktop but until then I need to be able to do at least a bit of gaming >.<
I don't mind if I have to tone down the graphics a little, as long as the game doesn't look completely hideous and I can play it ^^
I guess that HD4530 will probably hang around the very minimum tho :<
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Look into some asus comps?
couple of my friend has some really kickass ones but they were about $1500-$1700 US...thats like 800€ or something?
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On July 28 2009 15:02 Jibba wrote:Show nested quote +On July 28 2009 14:53 Sadistx wrote:HP's Radeon HD4530 performs worse (compared to HD3650) I think the problem here is that they both perform like garbage. If you're planning to play SC2 at any decent settings, I suggest waiting until laptops get even more cheaper/powerful closer to SC2's release and then picking something with a decent GPU. The biggest weakness is obviously the GPU, and I have 0 confidence that HD4530 will even give you playable framerates at anything but the lowest settings, let alone a comfortable experience. We don't really know whether SC2 will be more GPU or CPU dependent, but I'd say both the CPU and GPU are weaknesses in those computers. I've got a T5550 and it gets a little annoying at time having an underpowered CPU for newer games.
How do you know you're not GPU limited?
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€800 = $1140
i'd say my budget is like $1k >.<
shitty thing is that I'm able to find some good international deals but when shipping is $150 usd it's not that good anymore ^^ maybe i should just get a crappy one for $400 cad or so and wait to buy a good one later.. which will probably result in me having to spend another $1300 cad tho.
Anyone could link me up a good laptop in canada?
edit:
Going slightly over budget now but for a good cause ^^
- 15.6" HD 16 WXGA, Super Clear Ultra Bright Glossy LED Screen (1366x768)
- Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
- Intel® P8700 45nm "Montevina" Core 2 Duo, 2.53GHz (3MB L2 cache) -
1066MHz FSB, 25 watt
- 4,096MB DDR3 1066MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 SODIMMS) (Requires
64-Bit to utilize Full 4GB)
- ATI HD4650 512MB PCI-Express DDR3
- 320GB 7200RPM (Serial-ATA II 300 - 16MB Cache)
- Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW 5x DVD-RAM 24x CD-R/RW Drive w/ Software
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
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