Looking for 'cheap' portable laptop

[thespyder]

I have a gaming rig and am perfectly happy with it. However, I am moving back into having to travel extensively and want to find something that will bridge the gap in my gaming needs while not being onerous to carry or purchase. I know that people won't call this a "Gaming" rig because what laptop can really fit that bill? But I do want something that is cheap and durable and can run (even on minimal settings) games.

Currently I am playing BG:EE and Star Craft: HoS. I also have KoA:Recconing and Xcom-Enemy Unknown. Basically if I can find a machine that will at least run those games without being reduced to chugging along, i would be happy.

What I want is 14 inch screen. Something under 5lbs. Something that can run at minimum settings. And something that runs under $500 (preferably under $400). Does such a beast exist? Any pointers on where to look?

 

[fralexandr]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...00&Order=PRICE
i'd probably go with the lenovo u310.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834312442
the lenovo s400 also fits your requirements

the hd 4000 should be able to run KoA and Xcom on lowest settings, though probably not smooth as butter.
basically any cheapo ultrabook should be fine, though the hd4000 in ivybridge u models run at reduced frequencies (they might even cripple further due to heat dissipation)

otherwise you could wait around for a refurb alienware m11x.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6600/...rformance-compared-to-nvidias-geforce-gt-650m
if you're waiting, haswell should be coming out soon which should improve the graphics performance a bit (should be lots of offerings before fall/"school" starts)
there are rumors that haswell's gt3e/5200 will be 2x as fast as the hd4000, and comparable to an nvidia 650m, though pricing is still unavailable. It might be out of your budget when it releases :|, though the gt2/4600 might be in your price range.
the gt2 should even be able to run skyrim
http://www.dailytech.com/IDF+2012+Haswell+GT2GT3+Processors+Run+Skyrim/article27656.htm

i would recommend against getting a trinity/llano notebook, since they do poorly compared to intel's core in starcraft/rts games.

edit: or maybe the lenovo s405 a8

edit: there's actually an a8 s405 7600g, the newegg weight filter skipped it, since it doesn't list a weight
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834310637

 

[wirednuts]

id go for a refurb alienware or high end laptop like this- http://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-Eliteboo...45004765?pt=Laptops_Nov05&hash=item53f81e0ddd

 

[frozentundra123456]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...00&Order=PRICE
i'd probably go with the lenovo u310.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834312442
the lenovo s400 also fits your requirements

the hd 4000 should be able to run KoA and Xcom on lowest settings, though probably not smooth as butter.
basically any cheapo ultrabook should be fine, though the hd4000 in ivybridge u models run at reduced frequencies (they might even cripple further due to heat dissipation)

otherwise you could wait around for a refurb alienware m11x.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6600/...rformance-compared-to-nvidias-geforce-gt-650m
if you're waiting, haswell should be coming out soon which should improve the graphics performance a bit (should be lots of offerings before fall/"school" starts)
there are rumors that haswell's gt3e/5200 will be 2x as fast as the hd4000, and comparable to an nvidia 650m, though pricing is still unavailable. It might be out of your budget when it releases :|, though the gt2/4600 might be in your price range.
the gt2 should even be able to run skyrim
http://www.dailytech.com/IDF+2012+Haswell+GT2GT3+Processors+Run+Skyrim/article27656.htm

i would recommend against getting a trinity/llano notebook, since they do poorly compared to intel's core in starcraft/rts games.

So I am confused about the various igp configurations in mobile. (I dont really care about the igp in a desktop).

Do all the mobile processors get GT3, at least. I thought GT2 was only for the desktop.

 

[Zap]

there are rumors that haswell's gt3e/5200 will be 2x as fast as the hd4000, and comparable to an nvidia 650m

I thought the GeForce 650M was more than 2x faster?

Regardless, I'm kind of looking forward to Haswell. I've gamed on HD 3000 and HD 4000. Using Hd 4000 right now on my notebook. Plays League of Legends with aplomb. Also can play Borderlands 2, albeit at the lowest settings possible and at 1366x768 resolution. Bit chuggy here and there, but it DOES play and does not glitch. 2x faster? Should be really smooth at low settings.

 

[frozentundra123456]

I have a gaming rig and am perfectly happy with it. However, I am moving back into having to travel extensively and want to find something that will bridge the gap in my gaming needs while not being onerous to carry or purchase. I know that people won't call this a "Gaming" rig because what laptop can really fit that bill? But I do want something that is cheap and durable and can run (even on minimal settings) games.

Currently I am playing BG:EE and Star Craft: HoS. I also have KoA:Recconing and Xcom-Enemy Unknown. Basically if I can find a machine that will at least run those games without being reduced to chugging along, i would be happy.

What I want is 14 inch screen. Something under 5lbs. Something that can run at minimum settings. And something that runs under $500 (preferably under $400). Does such a beast exist? Any pointers on where to look?

You might be able to find a last generation Llano A6 or A8 for around 400.00. The problem is I dont think you will find those in a 14 inch chassis that will make the weight limit either.

For light gaming in a laptop, I would recommend an A10. You can get those around 500.00.

If you want a 14in chassis, though I think you will have to go with an intel HD4000.

Obviously, the best casw would be to wait for Haswell/Richland, but Richland will not be a huge improvement, while Haswell will be expensive initially.

 

[frozentundra123456]

I thought the GeForce 650M was more than 2x faster?

Regardless, I'm kind of looking forward to Haswell. I've gamed on HD 3000 and HD 4000. Using Hd 4000 right now on my notebook. Plays League of Legends with aplomb. Also can play Borderlands 2, albeit at the lowest settings possible and at 1366x768 resolution. Bit chuggy here and there, but it DOES play and does not glitch. 2x faster? Should be really smooth at low settings.

Well, the demo "compared" it to a 650m. You could compare me to a professional athlete too, but that does not make me one.

Anyway, I saw one article that said it was more like a 640m. The problem I see is that I expect you could get an Ivy bridge quad and GT650m for quite a bit less than anything with GT3e.

I think it will be a good advance, but I am waiting to see what igps go in what formfactors and some actual gaming benchmarks before getting too excited. Price is the major concern though.

 

[fralexandr]

So I am confused about the various igp configurations in mobile. (I dont really care about the igp in a desktop).

Do all the mobile processors get GT3, at least. I thought GT2 was only for the desktop.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haswell_(microarchitecture)#Mobile_processors
some of the mobiles will get gt2 and some of them gt3
the list only has mobile i7s atm though i suspect we'll see a mix in the i5s and i3s also

there's the lenovo s405 a8 that might be good
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ideapad-essential/702248-lenovo-ideapad-s405-review.html
there's a nice chart comparing the s405 a8 to an i7qm/hd4000
for whatever reason (i'm guessing cpu), amd apus tank at starcraft 2 low settings compared to the intel hd 4000 (low settings: hd 4000: ~60+, amd apu: 30-40)

sadly dell is currently out of refurb m11x , and the m14x isn't cheap enough

 

[Zap]

The problem I see is that I expect you could get an Ivy bridge quad and GT650m for quite a bit less than anything with GT3e.

Benefit of GT3e would be battery life and form factor. Hmmm... points to ponder...

 

[thespyder]

Thanks for all of the feedback above. Really helps.

I have been doing some research and have some questions/clarifications.

I am not terribly concerned with a specific size monitor, but I was trying to say small is just fine. Weight is actually a bigger concern.

Also, several of the models I looked at have integrated video cards. Normally I would not even consider getting a laptop with an integrated video card but...... Again, this would be my low end 'To travel with' machine. I want to be able to carry (not lug) it along on flights and such without being hindered.

With that being said, would you guys steer me away from integrated cards? or say that they are OK?

 

[Zap]

Also, several of the models I looked at have integrated video cards. Normally I would not even consider getting a laptop with an integrated video card but...... Again, this would be my low end 'To travel with' machine. I want to be able to carry (not lug) it along on flights and such without being hindered.

With that being said, would you guys steer me away from integrated cards? or say that they are OK?

They are okay. Like I said, I play League of Legends in medium 1366x768 settings on the Intel HD 4000 of my 13.3" ultrabook and it is pretty smooth. That is about the largest screen size I'd recommend if you actually plan to use the notebook on a flight and sit in coach. Next gen Haswell stuff should do a bit better. Yes, you have to turn down settings/res a bit, but when you are actually spending an hour+ on your feet at an airport carrying it on your back, and then use it on battery during a 5 hour flight, you won't regret it.

Heck, I don't even bring my AC adapter - it is in my checked baggage.

At home I use a mini ITX rig with GTX 670 graphics card. :whiste: I do NOT use my notebook at home.

 

[CZroe]

I've had an original M11x and an M11x R3. Excellent notebooks despite terrible displays. In my situation I couldn't go over 12.1" and still fit in the motorcycle's tank bag, so it fit the bill perfectly. I hear that the 2011 MacBook Air 11.6" panel is a drop-in replacement which I hope to try some day, but I'm still kinda confused why they didn't source a 12.1" one considering that there is plenty of room around the bezel at this same footprint. I'm still dreaming of an M12x, though it'll probably never happen.

 

[TheReaWarmonger]

I've been looking for the same myself, and have been planning on grabbing one of these for $379. It's hard to come across anything better, I know ASUS packs 1600MHz DDR3 with this unit as they tend to with all of their A-Series laptops (gives it a small performance bump over competitors on 1333MHz). Plus their warranty is pretty good as well, 30 days Zero Bright Dot guarantee and 1 year accidental damage (you can even drop your laptop and they will replace it). On top of that they offer free 2 way shipping during the entire warranty period, so if you need it replaced you pay nothing to ship it back. It can play Black Ops 2 on near max settings @ 1366x768 above 40 FPS. If that gives you an understanding in comparison to the games you play. According to system requirements, BG:EE will run like butter, Star Craft: HoS may run smoothly on low settings, KoA:Recconing and Xcom-Enemy Unknown should run fine too as they are old games (system requirements of HD 3000 series). Tho personally I am waiting for ASUS to release a updated version of the K55N-DS81, packing a A8-5550M for $399.

 

[alangrift]

Refurb laptops are probably a good idea. Decent specs and affordable. Or why not try out a tablet?

 

[thespyder]

Still looking for something like this. What is everyone's thought on this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...irtualParent=1

It's a bit more expensive than I want but it is under 5 lbs, has incredible battery life and looks to be able to run most current game on lower specs.