Poll: Stationary or laptop?

[Arkhangelsk]

I'll be getting a new computer soon, and I have the choice between a laptop and a stationary computer. I'm a pretty committed gamer, although I own few PC games. But are there any laptops out there that can play games decently. That aren't pricey as hell.

Another thought would be to get a cheap laptop to write with freely, and use the rest of the money to upgrade my current computer so it can play games decently. Or I can get a brand new stationary instead.

So what do the kind people at The Escapist think?

 

[Hollock]

what pc games do you own are we talking crysis?

 

[Froobyx]

Laptop, easy to carry round

I'm getting one for £699, bit much but it's pretty And I've ran through it with a few people who are good with computers and they all think it's good.

 

[Nincompoop]

It really depends on your current situation. Are you in school? If yes, it would be neat to get a laptop. If not in school, or anything that require a PC out of your home, I suggest a stationary.

 

[Arkhangelsk]

what pc games do you own are we talking crysis?

One or two RTS's, Unreal Tournament 3, and Left 4 Dead.

 

[Arkhangelsk]

It really depends on your current situation. Are you in school? If yes, it would be neat to get a laptop. If not in school, or anything that require a PC out of your home, I suggest a stationary.

I'm in 9th grade, so I'll be at secondary school next year. But you don't need any computers as far as I know, they already have their own computers there.

 

[A random person]

I'd go with get a cheaper laptop and upgrade your desktop, that way you could have a portable computer for when you're out and want to do simple things and a somewhat more powerful desktop for gaming.

 

[CrystalShadow]

I use a laptop for gaming...
But it's tricky. Although, things have gotten better these days, you do pay extra for the privilege.

Keeping to laptops that are in a reasonable price range, you'll find that the best you can hope for is mid-range graphics.

I don't know where we're at with laptop graphics hardware these days, but last time I checked, the best you could typically find without breaking the bank was
Core 2 Duo + Nvidia 8600

The real killer with a laptop though, is the inability to upgrade the GPU.

Whatever you got when you bought it, is what you're stuck with, pretty much.

If you're looking at laptops for gaming, I would suggest the first thing to check are Acer, because they're usually the cheapest for anything with a half-decent GPU.

From memory, if you look around, you can get a reasonably capable laptop for about €1000-1500.

But be aware that a desktop will probably still be more capable for the price, and, (I really have to emphasise this) can be upgraded later, which means it will potentially remain useful for longer.

 

[Nincompoop]

It really depends on your current situation. Are you in school? If yes, it would be neat to get a laptop. If not in school, or anything that require a PC out of your home, I suggest a stationary.

I'm in 9th grade, so I'll be at secondary school next year. But you don't need any computers as far as I know, they already have their own computers there.

It's still very handy. Taking notes and such.

It also depends which classes you have. Mathematical classes need Microsoft Excel, which would be handy to be able to use during the classes (if it's allowed).

But idk...

 

[fix-the-spade]

For heavy use gaming: Desktop.

For general use and some gaming: Good quality laptop.

If you're out to play bleeding edge stuff or play a lot of games then you need a desktop, even a mid range one will give you better performance and future proofing than a high end laptop. My (2004 vintage) desktop can run Crysis, Left 4 Dead and Fallout 3 on reasonable settings without keeling over, with the aid of some upgrades along the way. I doubt the same could be said of a 2004 laptop.

Laptop's are more convienient but offer less ability for your money. If you want serious gaming ability you'd be looking at higher end store bought or a custom like a Falcon Northwest, but you'd need to sell a kidney for one of those.

 

[SomethingUnrelated]

The only laptops that do higher end games cost a bomb. I suggest you go and buy a gaming/home computer, and see how it turns out.

 

[Chicago Ted]

The few times I've played games on a laptop I've disliked it. Everything felt so cramped on the keypad and such. I'd go with a nice stationary one. Get a good chair also.

 

[goatzilla8463]

Get that alienware one from dell. It's a laptop and probably worth it if you are willing to dish out your life savings.

 

[Arkhangelsk]

It really depends on your current situation. Are you in school? If yes, it would be neat to get a laptop. If not in school, or anything that require a PC out of your home, I suggest a stationary.

I'm in 9th grade, so I'll be at secondary school next year. But you don't need any computers as far as I know, they already have their own computers there.

It's still very handy. Taking notes and such.

It also depends which classes you have. Mathematical classes need Microsoft Excel, which would be handy to be able to use during the classes (if it's allowed).

But idk...

Nah, you're not really allowed with computers during class. You're supposed to use paper.

 

[Nincompoop]

It really depends on your current situation. Are you in school? If yes, it would be neat to get a laptop. If not in school, or anything that require a PC out of your home, I suggest a stationary.

I'm in 9th grade, so I'll be at secondary school next year. But you don't need any computers as far as I know, they already have their own computers there.

It's still very handy. Taking notes and such.

It also depends which classes you have. Mathematical classes need Microsoft Excel, which would be handy to be able to use during the classes (if it's allowed).

But idk...

Nah, you're not really allowed with computers during class. You're supposed to use paper.

I fucking hate that. Why not learn how to use PCs right away... You'll end up using them anyway <.<... Are they preparing us for a nuclear war? Where everything electronic is destroyed?

I apologize for my primitive reaction, but I fail to see the genius behind it. If they're afraid it will be used for non-academical purpose... Well, I'd rather have kids learn to use the PC rather than passing papers around describing Mrs. Carmichael's butt.

 

[slipknot4]

Brand new stationary or daaaai!!!111!oneone!

 

[DazZ.]

Isn't stationary like pencils and pens?

If you want to game, get a desktop, if you want to do work or play WoW/older games at other peoples houses get a laptop.

Can't upgrade a Laptop though, so if it is just games it will become obsolete quick.

 

[Jamash]

Get some stationary, it's way cheaper than a new laptop and much easier to carry around with you and write with.

It's still good for people to get into the habit of making written notes rather than relying on computers for writing, plus with the all the money you'll save by buying stationary, you can put that towards a decent desktop.

 

[Aitruis]

I'm biased, but I would build a desktop. It's much cheaper to build your own, and you can build the equivalent of a several thousand dollar computer often for under a thousand. Having said that, for portable notetaking, some small applications and browsing, I love the little laptops, like the Asus netbooks. They're extremely portable (only having 7-8 inch screens and such) and good if you're out and about a lot. Can't do a whole lot of gaming on them though.

 

[Aitruis]

Get that alienware one from dell. It's a laptop and probably worth it if you are willing to dish out your life savings.

Btw, never ever buy the huge gaming laptops from Dell. Compared to other laptops, the specs of the XPS laptops are severely lacking. If you want a solid gaming laptop (17in screen, that kind of thing) check out Fujitsu. Their laptops are much cheaper and much more powerful. When I put the Dell XPS and a comparable Fujitsu side by side a year back, I found out I'd be paying about 600 dollars for something inexplicable on the Dell, presumably the XPS name.

The Dell XPS line looks good. Until you look at other computers.