What is the minimum?

I need to buy a notebook primarily for work, however, I want it to be capable of running Ghost Recon and Call of Duty. (I do not play Crysis or any of the high-end 3D stuff.) Further, since it will be business notebook I cannot buy a “gaming laptop”.

The Question(s): What is the minimum size CPU and GPU I need in a notebook to have a normal gaming experience with these games? The notebook will be a 13" or 14” display. Be as specific as you like with sizes and brands and model numbers, etc.

I DO NOT WANT TO BUY MORE THAN I NEED, which I am prone to do, but I do not want a pathetic gaming experience either.

All comments appreciated. Thanks.

 

Free beer? Anyone?

 

For a 13" or 14" display, the best you can do is an HD3650 or an Nvidia 9600M GT. Both those GPUs should be able to max out the games you're asking for(or at least close to maxing them).

CPU shouldn't be much of an issue for the games you mentioned as well since they're of the FPS category. Anything above 2.0GHz should do you fine.

 

U might want to post in "what notebook should i buy?" section.. but anyway, these days casual gamers require 8600m gt ddr3 or 9500m gt ddr3 at least. Find anything with any of those in it, and u'd be happy

 

Uh I think he doesn't need anything that nice, those are some OLLLLD games

 

Well he can probably manage with a 8400M GS mind you(maybe even an HD3200), but the 9600M GT and the HD3650 are more widespread these days so their pricing isn't that far above their lower counterparts. They will also ensure the maximum performance, but you're right in saying he doesn't need those.

The minimum I'd say is an IGP lol. The 9400M GS and the HD3200 have been said to run games surprisingly well.

 

Great. This is what I need (and want) to hear. I need a laptop but I have to watch the price, and I would like it to have a good battery life.

I'll have the free beer sent to your homes....you'll have to pay shipping. Thanks.

 

Great!, I have the ATI 3200 HD, it can play TF2 on all high @ my 12.1" native res if that helps you get an idea about the card

 

If u want to run COD4 or any middle-up fps games, i recommend u don't use any lower than 9500m gs ddr2 or equivalent. Acer has 5930g for 1500$ with 9600m gt ddr3 and other windows vista premium stuff in it. Very good deal i think

 

Do you want COD4 or COD original? Important and above poster not a good deal (from a slickdealer's prospective )

 

I intend to play all of the Call of Duty games. So I need to be prepared for the worse.

 

Alright it doesn't have to be acer. Find 9500/9600 m gt, otherwise ur gming exp. will sucks like my 9500m gs

 

The newer Call of Duty games are a bit more demanding, but if you're asking for the "minimum", I'm guessing you plan on running games at the lowest resolution/settings to save money on the GPU?

A 9600M GT is not required for the lowest settings of CoD. I'd be required if he wanted to max CoD.

 

Yeah my ATI 3200 HD can do COD4 on low 800 x 600, but you probably want something a little better unless you are okay with that

 

An HD3470 is probably suitable then. It's better than the HD3200, but worse than the HD3650(which is equivalent to the 9600M GT).

 

I'd go with the Sony Z series. It's a good business-class notebook, yet it has a really kickass CPU. (C2D 2.53GHz) The GPU is a 9300M GS. You can probably run all the COD games at playable framerates, but you have to turn down the settings to low/medum.

 

Isn't that pretty pricey^ but I'm not sure how much OP wants to spend

 

The Z and the SR have been on my radar for a couple weeks. I checked out both of them last weekend at local BestBuy's and loved them (the AW too).

It is more than I can spend because my intentions (for today anyhow) are to build an inexpensive desktop for work & gaming at home, and then buy the minumum laptop I get by with for work and gaming on the road (I have alot of downtime when I travel). Although I really don't game that often, I want the capability there when I do.

If money weren't an issue, I would have a loaded Dell Precision M6400 for home, and a loaded Sony Z for the road. I may start a benevolence fund to raise money for these items. Any contributors?

 

Get the Asus N80. It's a 14" notebook with a P8600 & 9650M GT. $1099 @ newegg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220391

 

Can you give us a price limit perhaps? Above is a good deal for something new and only 14.1"

 

I need to stop at $2500 for both desktop and laptop, or just a laptop with a docking arrangement like I have now, this would include the operating system and the biggie, Microsoft Office Small Business on both computers (might get by with MS Office Basic on the laptop).

I would also prefer the Windows XP downgrade on each, and this is not offered everywhere. It is a must for the desktop, I would accept Vista on the laptop if I had to.

The desktop I am pricing is around $1200, so $1300 in the max on the laptop.

 

beer? i want beer! where's the beer?!

(please put a post in the WSIB forum, this way more response will be generated)

 

Oh ok, so not too tight of a budget, I second the 14.1" from newegg

 

Dang. I'll certainly take a closer look at that deal.

 

Dell XPS M1330 should be getting a refresh soon, Sony has some good 13.3" notebooks, and anything with a 3450 or 9400/8400 should be fine.