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Laptop recommendation

K

KHazard

n00b
Joined
Jun 16, 2011
Messages
18
Hi all,

I've been out of the loop for quite sometime when it comes to laptops, so I'm seeking some recommendations. Besides general use (internet browsing, etc) I will mainly use the laptop for gaming. I've recently got back into playing EverQuest and would like a laptop powerful enough to run multiple boxes of EQ (6+ boxes or so). As far as budget goes, I would like to limit the price to $900 (before taxes and shipping). Currently, I have an older mac book pro 13"and actually prefer the smaller screen, but I'm fairly flexible with the screen size. I'll be looking to make this laptop purchase in a month or two, due to the fact I'm stuck in Alaska for work purposes and won't be home until October/November. Also, just a fyi, it may take some time to reply to any comments, I'm out fishing in the Bering Sea. Thank you in advance for any recommendations and your time.


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Dell XPS 13 is the laptop I have been recommending for the past 3 months to people with a budget above 900$ and they are all very happy with it. 2 of them were also comming from OSX.
 
Henri108,

Thank you for the information and recommendation, I greatly appreciate it. I will definitely check the Dell xps 13 out.


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So after looking into the Dell xps 13 I have a few questions. First off, is there a significant difference in the performance of the i3 processor vs. the i5 processor. Secondly, would it be worth the extra cash to go for the 8GB of ram? Lastly, should I opt to go for Windows 10? I have yet to use it (like I said, I've been out of the loop for awhile). Thanks.


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KHazard said:
So after looking into the Dell xps 13 I have a few questions. First off, is there a significant difference in the performance of the i3 processor vs. the i5 processor. Secondly, would it be worth the extra cash to go for the 8GB of ram? Lastly, should I opt to go for Windows 10? I have yet to use it (like I said, I've been out of the loop for awhile). Thanks.


Sent by Android
Click to expand...

Yes, yes and yes. (You may not have much choice regarding Windows 10 as it is.)

My one question: what do you currently use to run EverQuest with that many boxes open? It's important to remember that most laptops (especially those dependent on Intel's integrated graphics, like the XPS 13) probably won't be great at running several instances of a game at the same time. Unless you're just thinking of minimizing them and only devoting sincere attention to one instance at any given moment.
 
KHazard said:
So after looking into the Dell xps 13 I have a few questions. First off, is there a significant difference in the performance of the i3 processor vs. the i5 processor. Secondly, would it be worth the extra cash to go for the 8GB of ram? Lastly, should I opt to go for Windows 10? I have yet to use it (like I said, I've been out of the loop for awhile). Thanks.


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Click to expand...

The i5 is basically the same processor as the i3, but clocked 0,1Ghz higher and has Tubo boost, which makes it a 2.7Ghz processor. The difference is noticable if you do a lot of CPU intensive stuff. I would say it's about 20% faster than the i3.
Yes, 8GB ram is worth it if you do more than just browsing with 5 tabs.
Yes, Windows 10 is really worth it, it's like a hybrid that took the best of windows 7 and the best of windows 8 together. Very familliar if you used any of these. But you can buy a Windows 8 machine and upgrade it to windows 10 effordlessly for free.
 
Thank you both for the feedback, I appreciate the information.
Aurelius said:
Yes, yes and yes. (You may not have much choice regarding Windows 10 as it is.)

My one question: what do you currently use to run EverQuest with that many boxes open? It's important to remember that most laptops (especially those dependent on Intel's integrated graphics, like the XPS 13) probably won't be great at running several instances of a game at the same time. Unless you're just thinking of minimizing them and only devoting sincere attention to one instance at any given moment.
Click to expand...

To answer your question Aurelius, I have a custom built desktop (thanks to [H]ers input on that build as well) running that many instances of the game. It is probably four years old now and I couldn't even guess what components I have in that computer. I have gifted that desktop to a friend in need of a computer, so I'm seeking a replacement. However, I'm tired of having a desktop and would prefer to have the portability of a laptop, yet I would like enough power to run six instances of a game, such as EQ.

If a $900 budget isn't reasonable for a laptop, with the capabilities I am seeking, I am willing to consider other options. However, I do not really want to be spending $1,500+.


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Last edited:
KHazard said:
Thank you both for the feedback, I appreciate the information.

To answer your question Aurelius, I have a custom built desktop (thanks to [H]ers input on that build as well) running that many instances of the game. It is probably four years old now and I couldn't even guess what components I have in that computer. I have gifted that desktop to a friend in need of a computer, so I'm seeking a replacement. However, I'm tired of having a desktop and would prefer to have the portability of a laptop, yet I would like enough power to run six instances of a game, such as EQ.

If a $900 budget isn't reasonable for a laptop, with the capabilities I am seeking, I am willing to consider other options. However, I do not really want to be spending $1,500+.
Click to expand...

You'll probably want to find out what you have in terms of processor and graphics. It's four years old, so mobile technology has likely caught up in at least some respects. However, replicating the experience of a quad-core desktop with reasonably good dedicated graphics (for 2011, anyway) may be tough on a dual-core laptop with integrated graphics.

One thing to do: consider The Wirecutter's budget gaming laptop guide. Even if you can't get (or don't want to get) what the site recommends, it's a good ballpark for what to expect at the $900 to $1,100 price range for a performance-oriented machine. See if you can get something with a 6th-generation Core processor, but don't fret if you can't.
 
Thanks Aurelius, I appreciate the information. After looking into the budget guide, I noticed their top pick, the Asus ROG GL551 DS71, it's running a 4th- generation processor. With your recommendation of a 6th- generation processor, do you have any particular laptop models in mind? Or would you suggest I go with their number one pick of the Asus?
 
KHazard said:
Thanks Aurelius, I appreciate the information. After looking into the budget guide, I noticed their top pick, the Asus ROG GL551 DS71, it's running a 4th- generation processor. With your recommendation of a 6th- generation processor, do you have any particular laptop models in mind? Or would you suggest I go with their number one pick of the Asus?
Click to expand...

Well, I know Acer updated its V Nitro laptops with 6th-gen chips, so that's an option. Haven't seen ASUS make that leap outside of a high-end 17-inch system, although it'll probably upgrade its smaller models before long. I'd look at it this way: if you think the overall qualities of the ASUS system are better outside of the processor, it's still a safe bet. Otherwise, look at the Acer line. Keep in mind that the Acer models might not be easily available yet.
 
KHazard said:
the i3 processor vs. the i5 processor. Secondly, would it be worth the extra cash to go for the 8GB of ram? Lastly, should I opt to go for Windows 10?
Click to expand...

Yes, go for i5 as i3 is old stuff by now. And if you keep your puter 5 years, no need for a major upgrade with it nor 8gb of RAM, though I am plenty happy with 6gb.

As for Win10, I like it, though not as much as XP; but I sure did not like 8.1 and am glad I upgraded.
 
I can say that recent experience has told me I would never, ever buy an HP Laptop. Not a chance in hell.

Lenovo for PC, Apple for, well, Mac of course. Only way I'd go.

I don't really know much about Gaming laptops.
 
Only thing I say about this, is running that many instances of EQ on a laptop, it's going to be small.... VERY small! Graphics to run EQ should be fine, since it is not really built to use modern graphics, the last real graphics upgrade to it was about 8 years ago, and the buggiest part of EQ is that it renders everything behind a wall, even if it doesn't need to. It's also a funny little software when it comes to multiple cores, you are really better off having at least a thread available per instance you play, but with current processors, that might not be as much of an issue as it used to be.
 
I have the XPS 13 with the i5, and honestly i couldn't be happier. Not sure about multi-boxing 6 instances of EQ, but i can pretty handily run Photoshop and Lightroom to handle onsite PhotoEditing of RAW files.

I still prefer my desktop but it gets the job done. My particular XPS13 came in at $1200 though.
 
Thanks for all the replies and information everyone, I appreciate it. After looking around at different suggestions, prices, and hardware I keep coming back to the Asus ROG GL551. Comparing the Asus to other laptops such as Sager, Alienware, MSI, etc. it seems to me that it is the best bag-for-your-buck. Unless I am missing something when comparing all these different brands/models around the $1,000-$1,100 price range.

As for the screen being small, I am not too concerned for that. I will be attempting to use ISBoxer to run all the instances. So, I will have one main screen to focus and five slave screen characters running off of macros and hotkeys.
 
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