Buying a SE5-friendly laptop

Captain Kwok · #1 July 28th, 2006, 09:56 AM

I'd go with a recent processor, 1Gb RAM, and a decent card of at least 128Mb. The bare minimum would be like those for Star Fury (P3-500+, 256Mb+, 32Mb+) . I also wouldn't expect it to run smoothly with emulators in Linux.

dogscoff · #2 July 28th, 2006, 10:12 AM

Thanks Spoogy, that's what I needed to know. Those are pretty steep requirements for a laptop, so no chance of a budget model, but at least it gives me an excuse to buy something really nice.

Just ordered me a 300gig external USB drive to back up my old machine too, in case it dies suddenly =-)

Caduceus · #3 July 28th, 2006, 11:01 AM

I always ask folks if they really are going to be "gaming on the go" to justify the really inflated costs of an equivalent desk-top system.

dogscoff · #4 July 28th, 2006, 11:17 AM

Oh I know desktops are miles cheaper, but I just don't have anywhere to put one. It's a great shame.

I do have some loft space though. It would be cool if I could have some kind of server sitting up there, and then a cheap-as-I-can-lay-my-hands-on (but with a nice big screen=-) laptop running as a dumb terminal via a wireless link.

I think that kind of technology is probably beyond me though (and it would mean buying 2 PCs instead of just one...)

Captain Kwok · #5 July 28th, 2006, 11:35 AM

It shouldn't be that steep - my wife just bought a computer with similar configuration and it was 999$ Canadian - so that's like 450-500...

dogscoff · #6 July 28th, 2006, 12:31 PM

Wow, i guess things are much cheaper your side of the pond. I'm looking at 400-500 sterling for a budget system. Top of the line is about a thousand. Bloody taxman...

Captain Kwok · #7 July 28th, 2006, 12:38 PM

I find here that a mix of instant rebates and playing the chain stores' "lowest price guarantees" will usually get you a really good price. I'm not sure if it works the same in the UK.

Fyron · #8 July 28th, 2006, 02:17 PM

dogscoff said:
Just ordered me a 300gig external USB drive to back up my old machine too, in case it dies suddenly =-)

"External" drives are a huge scam. You can buy an IDE drive for half the cost (or less!) and a USB enclosure (almays go for aluminum) for $20-30 US.

boran_blok · #9 July 28th, 2006, 03:29 PM

I think any modern laptop will handle SEV (since it's not that graphically intensive) But I do reccomend you buy a laptop with a graphics card. which one doesnt really matter, as long as it has it's own memory and doesnt steal from the system's memory.

With that you're set I think.

And dont spend too much, but also dont goo too cheap, try and aim at the middle. most value lies there.

Captain Kwok · #10 July 28th, 2006, 04:55 PM

Although SE:V is not flashy, with large fleet battles it certainly start grinding with all the animations etc. if you're into tactical battles.