New laptop/desktop?

[Empty_sky]

Ok, so i... need a new computer. i'm planning on spending about 800 (or more. it all depends i guess) for a new one, but i have no idea what i should be looking for. my main concerns are whether it can play a newish game on it (like, Fable 3? maybe?) on it. i really have no idea as to what i should be looking for. can anyone either point me to a laptop or a desktop? or just tell me what components i should look for?

[DeadlyAnGeL91792]

well if you have 800$ you might as well make your own desktop you can go a long way with 800 bucks and its not to difficult as long as you do your homework on the parts you get. but if thats to much work for you get your self an Asus G72 or G60 laptop for 700-1000$ there pretty beast my brother got himself one since he didn't trust me to build him one lol

P.s you should also check out deals on Barebones kits over on tigerdirect.

[Kogahazan]

If you're set on a laptop, then look into things like xotic and pc torque. They have great setups without the bloatware that comes with dell/hp/etc laptops, even cheaper if you have your own OS installation disc. I was recommended these sites by a friend, I personally ordered from pc torque. I got mine for a little less than $1000 and it can decently play newish games, so I think you could find something in your price range that can still keep up with games.

[Empty_sky]

even cheaper if you have your own OS installation disc.

what do you mean by that?

also, thanks for the help! both of you guys!

[Kogahazan]

If you have your own Windows/Linux disc, then you can order the laptop without an operating system which costs less. Then you can install the OS yourself once you get the laptop. It's the same result as getting a Dell/HP/whatever, reformatting, and installing your own OS, but it's less hassle. The laptop will ship without an OS so you just pop in the disc and install once you have it.

[Panda_Samurai]

I can second Kogahazan on the Xotix pc thing, if you want a laptop, definitely go for one of those (preferably install your own OS to save money)

for a desktop, definitely build your own with parts from amazon/newegg. There are plenty of guides on the internet and I think you have a good number of forum members here who are willing to help you out.

For a system with that budget, you'll want an i5 processor (so the LGA1156 socket) and a GTX 460 (470 if you can get a decent deal) with at least 4 gigs of ram. For the mobo itself I'd recommend a b-stock EVGA P55.

The mobo + processor + gpu would only run you about 550 - 600 with that setup, then you can spend the rest on a harddrive, case, dvd drive, etc.   

You could maybe squeeze it into an 800 budget.

[Empty_sky]

thanks koga and panda! i think i'm just going to go with a laptop, since i'm... well, i'm basically too lazy to make my own desktop!

i think i have an OS disk laying around. i didn't know that i could just set my own up like that though... oh! is it possible to just like, download a new OS? or do you have to set one up with a CD?

[Kogahazan]

Linux pretty much has to be downloaded. Unless someone gave you a disc. Otherwise, any linux distribution is free. Windows, you have to buy. Or not, but that's a different matter entirely.

If you do order without the OS, then when you get the laptop, turn it on, pop in the disc, and follow the directions.

[Empty_sky]

OK!! thanks guys, you're all awesome!! (especially you kogahazan, you've helped me a lot!)

[Sirius9]

For Ubuntu and a few other Linux distros, there are organizations that will ship you a disc for free.  It would be faster to get a friend to download it for you and burn it to disc though.  Bootable discs of an OS or two are a handy thing to have around.

I have to say, I switched from Windows to Linux a few years ago and I've never looked back.

[Empty_sky]

wait, would i just be able to download a Linux OS myself and burn it to disk? i have a lot of blank CDs, so that wouldn't be an issue...

[DeadlyAnGeL91792]

well if you plan on getting a laptop for gaming then i recommend windows 7 as an OS most of the newer games these days only support windows with a few steam games supporting Mac OSX but, its your choice if you get linux then you wont be playing much.

I mean you CANN always get a "free" version of windows 7 if your that cheap...

[Sirius9]

wait, would i just be able to download a Linux OS myself and burn it to disk? i have a lot of blank CDs, so that wouldn't be an issue...

You will probably need a DVD (unless you want one of the "ultralite" distros), but yes, you can download any Linux distro you want.  The only difficulty is choosing which flavor you like. 

well if you plan on getting a laptop for gaming then i recommend windows 7 as an OS most of the newer games these days only support windows with a few steam games supporting Mac OSX but, its your choice if you get linux then you wont be playing much.

A number of popular games can be run in Linux, albeit with some tweaking involved.  There are a number of websites devoted to figuring this out.  There are plenty of console emulators that work in Linux too if you're into that world.  However, if you want every game to work every time right out of the box, then yes, Windows is for you.   Linux is sort of generally for people who like total freedom in their OS (and are willing to put up with the occasional inconvenience), people who are just too dirt poor to keep updating their OS every few years, and people who share my deep and abiding loathing for Microsoft.  It is not, alas, the OS of serious gamers.

[Empty_sky]

You will probably need a DVD (unless you want one of the "ultralite" distros), but yes, you can download any Linux distro you want.  The only difficulty is choosing which flavor you like. 

A number of popular games can be run in Linux, albeit with some tweaking involved.  There are a number of websites devoted to figuring this out.  There are plenty of console emulators that work in Linux too if you're into that world.  However, if you want every game to work every time right out of the box, then yes, Windows is for you.   Linux is sort of generally for people who like total freedom in their OS (and are willing to put up with the occasional inconvenience), people who are just too dirt poor to keep updating their OS every few years, and people who share my deep and abiding loathing for Microsoft.  It is not, alas, the OS of serious gamers.

ok, i have DVDs as well! lucky!!

ah, i see. i'll think about that when i actually have the money for it. also... Deep and abiding loathing for Microsoft? i can understand the hate, but... would you mind elaborating?

 

I mean you CANN always get a "free" version of windows 7 if your that cheap...

i could... but that's to decide for later...