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New laptop, spec advice

SystemSystem Member, NoReporting Posts: 178,019 Arc User
Hey guys,

Long story short, my current MacBook Pro is borked and Apple wants $1200 to repair it. Not happening.

Can some of you tech-y guys take a look at this, and see if it'll run STO decently?

http://bit.ly/odlmZV

Or, if you have any other suggestions, my price range is $300-400 (I'm only using this in the short term).

If possible, can you tell me how it'd run in comparison to my current machine? I currently have: 2.4 Ghz Core 2 Duo, 5GB DDR 3 RAM, nVidia 9600M.

Also, how are Intel HD 3000 graphics? I know integrated graphics suckkkk, but I've seen some decent machines (even with i7s) using these.

EDIT: How about this one? http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ASUS+-+Laptop+/+AMD+A-Series+Processor+/+15.6%22+Display+/+4GB+Memory+/+500GB+Hard+Drive+-+Brown+Suit/2881042.p?slloc=01&skuId=2881042&slref=10&id=1218360613837
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2011
    It will run STO but you will not be able to have the graphics anywhere near top to get the game to run smooth. I have a similiar laptop for on the road and it runs STO but on low graphics.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2011
    mvs5191 wrote: »
    Hey guys,

    Long story short, my current MacBook Pro is borked and Apple wants $1200 to repair it. Not happening.

    Can some of you tech-y guys take a look at this, and see if it'll run STO decently?

    http://bit.ly/odlmZV

    Or, if you have any other suggestions, my price range is $300-400 (I'm only using this in the short term).

    If possible, can you tell me how it'd run in comparison to my current machine? I currently have: 2.4 Ghz Core 2 Duo, 5GB DDR 3 RAM, nVidia 9600M.

    Also, how are Intel HD 3000 graphics? I know integrated graphics suckkkk, but I've seen some decent machines (even with i7s) using these.

    the main problem with intigraded motherboard graphics chipset is they oftem share motherboard memory with the OS (meaing if you have 2 GB on your MB 896 MB or more is used by the integrated chipset, while PCIE sloted cards come with their own built in VRAM memory.)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2011
    A 6310 is a very weak graphics card, it probably wouldn't do much better, if as good, as the Intel HD. That laptop is also junk, res is low and it's a Lenovo, never go Lenovo.

    Intel HD 3,000 is a good integrated chip (2,000 sucked unbelievably but believe it or not, not all integrated graphics suck), though more useful for media than gaming (they are beast at media), it will outperform the 9600 in gaming slightly. Most of the Intel HD chips you see in computers with i7s and such is for people to add their own graphics card once they get them purchased.

    In all honesty, for $300-$400, all you're going to get is junk, thought to answer your questions, that should run STO on low settings fullscreen at about 25 FPS.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2011
    Thanks for all the help so far!

    What are your thoughts on this bad boy?

    http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ASUS+-+Laptop+/+AMD+A-Series+Processor+/+15.6%22+Display+/+4GB+Memory+/+500GB+Hard+Drive+-+Brown+Suit/2881042.p?slloc=01&skuId=2881042&slref=10&id=1218360613837

    The graphics are a Radeon HD 6650, and that appears to be decent. My only concern is the processor; does it compare to an i3/i5?
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2011
    Sucks man. My MacBook Pro 15" from Late 2010 still working (Luckily)

    From what i can see in your first post (the laptop), the specified Radeon chip only uses shared Video memory as from what i can ready, it performs about the same as an Intel Integrated Graphics proccessor (Which isnt that great)

    So i think you'd better find a laptop which has a bit better GPU i think. (That is the most important thing)

    The last one you post would definately be my choice in terms of GPU power. Even if STO isnt that GPU demanding, with neat shadows, AA, and some nice lightning it can be rather hungry :(
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 2,264,498 Arc User
    edited August 2011
    Sucks man. My MacBook Pro 15" from Late 2010 still working (Luckily)

    From what i can see in your first post (the laptop), the specified Radeon chip only uses shared Video memory as from what i can ready, it performs about the same as an Intel Integrated Graphics proccessor (Which isnt that great)

    So i think you'd better find a laptop which has a bit better GPU i think. (That is the most important thing)

    My Macbook would still be chugging alone fine, but I sent it into Apple for a relatively small issue, and they sent it back citing water damage (um, no, I meticulously care for my computer) and in a non-functional state. And they refuse to fix it, go figure right?

    But hopefully that second one I've linked is better?
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