Latest posts for the thread "Does anyone know anything about computers???"

Does anyone know anything about computers???

radiohazard — GMT

I have the desktop of the gods, but I need to know if this laptop: http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/acer-aspire-8735g-03523119-pdt.html will run:

Star Trek Online
Borderlands
Blood Bowl
DoW + Expansions
DoW II + Expansions

All on near max settings.

Thanks

Does anyone know anything about computers???

Commander Endova — GMT

Not sure. What you can do is go to the websites of those games, check the system requirements, and see if the laptop meets or exceeds them.

Does anyone know anything about computers???

SilverMK2 — GMT

Most probably. The graphics chip looks to be pretty good, so you probably will be OK there.

The rest of the specs for the laptop look pretty good to me.

Does anyone know anything about computers???

TheFirstBorn — GMT

Not with all those games on it no. Tbh you'll struggle to find a laptop that can do that.

Does anyone know anything about computers???

SilverMK2 — GMT

TheFirstBorn wrote:Not with all those games on it no. Tbh you'll struggle to find a laptop that can do that.

Even pretty cheap laptops these days (£300-400ish) are pretty good with games. Mobile tech has caught up with desktops quite a lot in recent times.

You may not be able to run new games on full settings, but you will be able to run them, and they will still look good. The games listed are not hugely resource hungry, so they should be alright.

Re:Does anyone know anything about computers???

IvanTih — GMT

It can run them on max,but the fps might drop a little.

Does anyone know anything about computers???

radiohazard — GMT

TheFirstBorn wrote:Not with all those games on it no. Tbh you'll struggle to find a laptop that can do that.

I have a 1TB portable HDD, so storage isn't a problem.

Thanks guys for the help.

Lets just hope I get paid tomorrow.

Does anyone know anything about computers???

Sasori — GMT

Just make sure it doesn't have an onboard graphics card.

I'd go with an Asus laptop, if your main purpose is games.

Does anyone know anything about computers???

Fafnir — GMT

You should be able to at least play them, but with that proccessor and GPU, you won't be maxing them.

Does anyone know anything about computers???

LunaHound — GMT

I have a side question ^^;

What does it mean , or what happens to a laptop computer when it doesnt boot up? it goes in a "loop" like power goes on , you hear the dvd drive load , and it resets. Over and over again.

And the weird part is , i dont have to press power to start it, if i press the dvd hot key , it activates ( almost like its in sleep mode but cant get out of it )

Does anyone know anything about computers???

Soladrin — GMT

SilverMK2 wrote:
TheFirstBorn wrote:Not with all those games on it no. Tbh you'll struggle to find a laptop that can do that.

Even pretty cheap laptops these days (£300-400ish) are pretty good with games. Mobile tech has caught up with desktops quite a lot in recent times.

You may not be able to run new games on full settings, but you will be able to run them, and they will still look good. The games listed are not hugely resource hungry, so they should be alright.

Alienware does not agree

Does anyone know anything about computers???

SilverMK2 — GMT

*points to the part where he was talking about relatively cheap laptops*

Does anyone know anything about computers???

radiohazard — GMT

I don't rate Alienware laptops at all.

They are too expensive for what they are and you never quite get the one you want without paying through the nose for it.

Does anyone know anything about computers???

BlueGiant — GMT

To answer the question about the laptop booting in an apparent loop. That could be a few things, depends on the laptop manufacturer and make to figure what is most likely.

As it stands I'd figure bad charger board, or something on the mobo just went bad. I've had both do that before.

Re:Does anyone know anything about computers???

Ironhide — GMT

I have a Dell Inspiron. You know one of those lollipops that are advertised all the time. I can get DoW and DoW II to play on it. Given, most of the setting are set to low, but it does play the game. That being said, the link you gave shows it has a Core Duo processor, 4 GB DDR, and a Nvidia GeForce GT 240M graphics card, so it would definitely play DoW II better than my little Dell.

Luna: It sounds like your laptop is trying to boot from two different places at the same time (harddrive and CD-ROM drive) and it is getting caught in a loop. First you need to make sure it is off, press and hold the power button until no lights are blinking and you hear no moving parts. Next, get a paper clip and manually eject the CD-Rom drive and take out the disc that is in it. There is a disk in it right? Then attempt to boot the laptop.

OR somehow your setup has been changed and your computer is trying to boot from the CD-Rom drive. If that is the case you need to hit F2 or F8 at startup, go into setup mode, and change it from CD-Rom drive to whatever letter you have set for the harddrive.

Re:Does anyone know anything about computers???

LunaHound — GMT

Ironhide wrote:I have a Dell Inspiron. You know one of those lollipops that are advertised all the time. I can get DoW and DoW II to play on it. Given, most of the setting are set to low, but it does play the game. That being said, the link you gave shows it has a Core Duo processor, 4 GB DDR, and a Nvidia GeForce GT 240M graphics card, so it would definitely play DoW II better than my little Dell.

Luna: It sounds like your laptop is trying to boot from two different places at the same time (harddrive and CD-ROM drive) and it is getting caught in a loop. First you need to make sure it is off, press and hold the power button until no lights are blinking and you hear no moving parts. Next, get a paper clip and manually eject the CD-Rom drive and take out the disc that is in it. There is a disk in it right? Then attempt to boot the laptop.

No disc in it o_o

Re:Does anyone know anything about computers???

Ironhide — GMT

Damn your quick! I edited my post.

OR somehow your setup has been changed and your computer is trying to boot from the CD-Rom drive. If that is the case you need to hit F2 or F8 at startup, go into setup mode, and change it from CD-Rom drive to whatever letter you have set for the harddrive.

Does anyone know anything about computers???

LunaHound — GMT

Ah , i forgot to describe this , there is nothing on the screen , no letters no boot up , just all blackness.
I pressed every button there is , the only thing thats making beeping sounds are the top roll of dvd buttons

Re:Does anyone know anything about computers???

Ironhide — GMT

So it has power? But it doesn't even go into the boot sequence?

Re:Does anyone know anything about computers???

LunaHound — GMT

Ironhide wrote:So it has power? But it doesn't even go into the boot sequence?

I believe so... Yes the dvd drive makes sounds , but the usual sound of computer processing or the process light arnt moving .

Almost like everything other than the dvd related things are dead

Re:Does anyone know anything about computers???

Ironhide — GMT

Could it just be that your screen has gone bad? You can check by plugging a regular monitor into the monitor port on the back.

Does anyone know anything about computers???

LunaHound — GMT

K i'll go see

Re:Does anyone know anything about computers???

Ironhide — GMT

Might also have a bad CMOS battery.

Does anyone know anything about computers???

LunaHound — GMT

I dont see any socket to fit monitor.But im sure the computer is dead not the screen ><
It doesnt make any working mechanical sounds anymore.

Does anyone know anything about computers???

Nightwatch — GMT

Try pulling it apart. That usually does it for me.

Re:Does anyone know anything about computers???

Ironhide — GMT

I don't think its a power problem. If it was, your CD/DVD-ROM wouldn't power up. The fact that it won't go past that, leads me to believe it is your CMOS battery. OR you got moisture on the mother board and it is blown. Sadly, the only way to confirm this requires taking it apart; which I wouldn't recommend unless you know what you are doing. I'd find a computer doc that does free estimate/diagnostic and see if he can find the problem. If all you need is a new CMOS battery, it's an easy fix and least expensive. If it is the mother board gone bad, you mine as well buy a new laptop.

Does anyone know anything about computers???

Fateweaver — GMT

That is actually a fairly decent graphics chip and should play most of those games at mid settings.

As far as Alienware they aren't THAT expensive for what you get.

1500 gets an Alienware that will play most or all games out. Sure you can get a laptop in the neighborhood of $4k but that also sports a raid configuration, 10k rpm drives, 8g ram and a graphics chip that rivals most desktops.

Custom laptops like Alienwares also have the advantage of nearly everything being upgradable in the future. My next laptop will be a custum either from Alienware or Voodoo.

Re:Does anyone know anything about computers???

Ironhide — GMT

Paying top dollar for an item that will realistically be out-of-date in two years time is crazy. Mobile laptops are developing so rapidly, that most standard ones can play the games coming out now. So why pay 1500 for gaming laptop? Yeah, it's upgradeable; but so what? The cost for those upgrades you will need in two years will most likely net you a new laptop.

Does anyone know anything about computers???

Fateweaver — GMT

I wouldn't say most standard.

WoW takes more computing power than Civ4 or C&C and I've seen people with "standard" laptops trying to play the latest C&C and even at "low" settings the computer struggles to play it.

Biggest diff between an $800 Acer/Dell and a $1500 Alienware or Voodoo is that the $800 Acer most likely shares it's 4G of RAM with the video processor. With Windows wanting at least 60% of that you are left with around 1.5G to play games on. Good luck playing CoD4 with 1.5G RAM, not to mention a built in Intel Graphics chip that is equivalent in horse power to the outdated Nvidia 8200.

The reality is that if you want to play DoW2 or CoD or even WoW (especially once you get to raids and need the horsepower for all that's happening on screen) an $600-800 laptop will not cut it. Yes you do pay a little for someone, such as Alienware or Voodoo to put a laptop together but even doing it yourself and buying the parts yourself (and yes, laptops are as customizable as desktops now) you still need to fork over AT LEAST $1200 US for a laptop that will do more than just play Solitaire or Minesweeper.

The one the op pointed out is around $1100 US and I'd say that's the minimum specs for a laptop that I'd seriously consider for a more modern game. Laptop tech isn't changing as rapidly as it did in the past. A $1500 Alienware will also do everything else better than a $600 Acer, not just games.

Does anyone know anything about computers???

Fafnir — GMT

Alienware is a complete waste of money. You can get better for cheaper in almost every case.

Does anyone know anything about computers???

Fateweaver — GMT

Depends on what you want.

The new entry level gaming laptop they have starts at $800 and is better than most laptops of equal price, as far as gaming is concerned and if it's better for gaming it'll be better at everything else.

If a person wants to just web surf and check email there is always the iPad or one of the Netbooks that sell for around $300. For portable/mobile SOHO than a $700 Acer/Toshiba/HP/Sony is good enough. For gaming I have yet to see anything that can touch an Alienware system (and I've checked out nearly every custom laptop maker in the world that at least advertises online). I just designed one today for $1000 that would blow any sub $1k laptop out the window.

So, for $800 would I choose an Acer or would I choose the Alienware? Depends? With 2G RAM vs 6 or 8 that an Acer comes with the Acer would be better at office tasks. For playing WoW on the go or DoW2 (which will run just fine with 2G RAM) I'll take the Alienware for an equal cost.

So again, if the op wants a gaming laptop (and $50 would upgrade the Alienware to 6G RAM) the Alienware would cost him 509 GBP with 6G RAM + shipping, though it's like a 2 week wait (they told me 23rd for shipping on the website). If he wants something tomorrow or the next day than what he chose is a good deal.

The op wanted to know if that's a good laptop. It is but to the op I'd check out the new MX11 from Alienware. Better specs, looks cooler and is cheaper as well.

Re:Does anyone know anything about computers???

Ironhide — GMT

Negative. It's not cheaper. The MX11 will cost him 300 GBP more. At least that is what the site he referenced for the Acer has it listed at.

Does anyone know anything about computers???

Fateweaver — GMT

Alienware direct has it listed at $800 to start. That is approximately 509GBP.

They list an upgraded one.

Does anyone know anything about computers???

Tim the Biovore — GMT

Alienware allows you to 'build' the computer the way you need it. or, if you have a smart techie friend, get them to build you one. I've got a friend who built his own computer, from old computer parts of course, and it is the fastest computer I've seen. This friend can be best described as insaniak's ranking, I guess.

Does anyone know anything about computers???

Fateweaver — GMT

I, personally, don't buy pre-assembled computers or even customized ones. You still end up paying at least an extra $100 or so for labor (probably more).

Falcon does make some incredibly beautiful towers. They do automotive quality painting and it shows, but at an automotive paint job price and their systems are no slouches internally either.

I do my own computer building. With places like Newegg and ZipZoomFly I can build a computer that cost me around $500 less than a prebuilt with the exact same specs.

That Acer mentioned is not a bad computer and people thinking Alienware are overpriced and that their are "better" for gaming. Not pre-assembled there isn't.

Re:Does anyone know anything about computers???

Ironhide — GMT

Alienware laptops are only good if you get them upgraded. The basic package is meh. I've also heard that people had problems with the overclocking (i.e it don't work). Things you want in a gaming laptop: good screen, decent RAM, decent dual core processor, and decent graphics card. You can find a decent mid-range laptop with the first 3 for around $500 (probably less), and get a decent graphics card for under $200.

Building is better, but in a pinch upgrading a cheap laptop also works.