Gaming Need a netbook/laptop... what do you recommend?

[LuteFrute]

Hi everyone,
I am in need of a new netbook or laptop, but I don't know what to get. So what do you suggest?

This is what I am looking for:

• Enough RAM to play modern PC games (1GB at the very least, 2GB is great)
• A hard disk space of 80GB or greater -OR- is compatible with ATA hard disks
• I do not need a large display
• Full-sized keyboard is not needed
• Windows is preferred (XP is better in my opinion, but vista will do. If it comes with Windows 7, so be it)
• Optical drive that can read CD and DVD (one on a docking station or one that connects via USB is fine)
• Built-in card reader
• Built-in wireless adapter
• VGA support would be nice
• Long battery life (hoping for 4 hours. 1-2 hours at the very least)
• US English keyboard (English/French is okay)
• Available in Western Canada
• As inexpensive as laptops and netbooks get

I currently have a Sony Vaio PCG-R505 (it has

 

[Chris_Skylock]

How much will your budget be? All computer buyers MUST look at their budget and then scout for the most powerful laptop within their budget. I got mine with Wireless N but sadly, no GFX card. T_T It's a Vista Basic from last year. upgrading to Windows 7 anytime now

 

[ZAFDeltaForce]

Last time I checked PCWorld reviews, Samsung NC110 is their top pick. You might want to look into that

 

[Maz7006]

Asus 1005 HA, you'll only have to overlook the Optical drive, and the GFX card is only good for Counter Strike, but cheap as hell, and it fits all the other things you want and more.

 

[LuteFrute]

How much will your budget be? All computer buyers MUST look at their budget and then scout for the most powerful laptop within their budget. I got mine with Wireless N but sadly, no GFX card. T_T It's a Vista Basic from last year. upgrading to Windows 7 anytime now

My budget is around $300 and I am planning to buy it in December or January.

QUOTE(Maz7006 @ Oct 24 2009, 12:19 AM) Asus 1005 HA, you'll only have to overlook the Optical drive, and the GFX card is only good for Counter Strike, but cheap as hell, and it fits all the other things you want and more.

I'm sure I can get by by using Daemon Tools Lite. And I plan to play games like wolfteam and whatever else is on aeria games. But it would be nice to play call of duty and halo. And it MUST have a built-in SD or MicroSD card reader. I'm sick of the crap I have to keep buying. My current Laptop has a Memory Stick reader, but I dont use it at all.

 

[Maz7006]

It has a built in SD reader, for the micro SD reader you could use an adapter, as for Halo1, i went through the trouble of making a disc image and then mounting it etc etc, it works pretty well, not so bad ( Halo Combat Evolved that is) , as for Cod, which one ? if 4 its out of the question.

I mean its a GOOD netbook for the price, great value, gonna throw at it windows 7 in the next couple of days, lets see what happens.

if you looking for gaming see the Samsung N10, but thats way over your price range, not to mention that the Asus 1005HA is also a bit pricey for you if 300$ is your budget.

 

[DSGamer64]

You won't get jack all for 300 that can play any modern games decently. At best you can play WoW on a laptop that cheap.

 

[Joe88]

You won't get jack all for 300 that can play any modern games decently. At best you can play WoW on a laptop that cheap.

pretty much

the Eee 1005HA-B might be in his range

 

[LuteFrute]

You won't get jack all for 300 that can play any modern games decently. At best you can play WoW on a laptop that cheap.

AHHHHH i hate WoW!!! besides, i will probably play wolfteam, which requires at least:
Pentium IV 1.4 ghz (i have a Pentium III 1200MHz)
512MB of RAM (i have 256)

lol it doesn't HAVE to be a netbook. It could be a bigass laptop. I dont care as long as it has 80GB hard drive, i can afford it, and is capable of COD4, 5 and the upcoming 6, im okay with it.

 

[Mangofett]

Unfortunately, such a magical device does not exist.

 

[morrissey2k7]

I have an MSI Wind U-100 and I absolutely love it, but I have to agree -- netbooks aren't designed for modern gaming. Granted, they're not *terrible* for gaming. It works great for emulation of old systems (even N64 and PSX), and PC games that are (purely an estimate) 5 years old or older. I just love my Wind because it's fast as hell at most other functions since it runs XP and has 2GB of RAM (well, 1GB originally, but I got another 1GB from Newegg for like $15). Not to mention the fact that it runs OSX like a dream.

 

[Mangofett]

But the problem is, he wants to run COD 4 and onward for $300. That's a bit ridiculous.

 

[Chanser]

Save up some more cash, then invest on a Dell Studio 15 or similar. It should play COD4 fine.

 

[ZAFDeltaForce]

Woah wait, your budget is $300?

You're better off buying a Graphing Calculator.

Come back once you've got more than $700. Even then, I doubt a netbook of that specifications will run "COD4 and up" just fine. Unless you want to run them on the absolute lowest setting of course.

 

[Chanser]

Alternatively find a ION netbook, it can definitely play COD4 at lowest settings.

 

[Joe88]

those start at $400 USD (HP ones) but HP makes garbage products
the other companies have their ION netbooks at $200 USD more

 

[hotsammysliz]

I have an MSI Wind U-100 and I absolutely love it, but I have to agree -- netbooks aren't designed for modern gaming. Granted, they're not *terrible* for gaming. It works great for emulation of old systems (even N64 and PSX), and PC games that are (purely an estimate) 5 years old or older. I just love my Wind because it's fast as hell at most other functions since it runs XP and has 2GB of RAM (well, 1GB originally, but I got another 1GB from Newegg for like $15). Not to mention the fact that it runs OSX like a dream.

exactly what morrissey said i love my msi wind too and you can definitely find one within your budget with your specs MINUS the whole playing COD4, 5, and 6. I'm not huge pc gamer but i do remember playing emulators and diablo 2 on my wind flawlessly lol. but yeah i doubt you'll find anything capable of comfortably playing those games within a $300 budget.

 

[LuteFrute]

lol forget the PC games!

msi wind, eh? i remember seeing one in a walmart flier a few months ago.. lol i delivered the newspapers that they were in...

lol i am better off getting a desktop computer with these specs that i need... and i DO plan on getting a used, flashed psp... ahhh what the hell

 

[LuteFrute]

finally got an Acer Mini 110-1118CA PC

6 cell battery!!!! and its the second-smallest one i could find at futureshop!! but it has windows 7 starter, my least favorite version of windos 7...

 

[Frederica Bernkastel]

Asus EeePC 1021n is pretty awesome


EDIT: Windows 7 Starter is the best version for a netbook. Sure you don't get picture backgrounds, but really who cares.