Help me choose a computer so I can start pwning :)

[Gypsy]

Hi all, former player really itching to get back to Norrath but I have a tiny problem: no system.

Well, actually, I do but it's dead...and old (2008). It's a Gateway FX laptop so I know it would be good for EQ but there's some nasty virus on it and I also lost the battery so there's that. I wonder if it's worth fixing?

So, if that's not an option, what would be a decent (inexpensive) laptop nowadays?

Thanks for any help!

[Daywolf]

Runs plugged in? Just reinstall the OS. If you dont have the dvd, just dl it from the M$ site. Product code should be on a sticker under the laptop.

[JackFlash]

^^ You can use the laptop without the battery. Nuke the OS. If it has USB or video output you can even run it like a ghetto desktop hooked up to a monitor and KB/Mouse.

[Gypsy]

Well, it freezes right after I reboot. The mouse pointer sticks like it's trying to load a program. I can't do anything after that point, which is about 30 seconds after turning it on.
I've tried running it through BIOS and it does it's thing for a while and then eventually freezes again. :/

Gonna have to take it to a repair shop I guess.

Also, I meant I lost my power supply, dunno why I said battery. Those are easy to come by right?

[Ames1]

Could you at least include how much you have to spend? "Inexpensive" means different things to different people.

[Shift]

this where you can start if you like cheap labtops

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/all-laptops/gaming-laptops/pcmcat287600050003.c?id=pcmcat287600050003

[Daywolf]

this where you can start if you like cheap labtops

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/all-laptops/gaming-laptops/pcmcat287600050003.c?id=pcmcat287600050003
Yeah, I wouldn't settle for anything less than a laptop with an SSD, pure SSD drive not a crud hybrid like they stick in most of them now. I pulled the old drive out of my laptop and put in an SSD, cant even emphasize the difference. Crazy performance, no heat, no noise (fan hardly ever runs), dropped it twice and it didn't even wince. Any new laptop with SSD and decent memory and you're set.

[mjbcb0717]

http://www.ibuypower.com good place to start built my first pc with them and loved it still works great have it next to my new one

[Gypsy]

Hmm, I had written a reply with the problem I have with my current computer but it's not showing? It freezes about 30 seconds after booting. The mouse curser stays stuck like it's trying to load a program. I've tried running it through the bios and it goes through a really long process of repairing itself until it just kinda craps out. Sigh.
Anyways, if I have to get a new one I'd like to keep it around $500 or less.
Thanks for all the help so far, ya'll are awesome.

[Thulack]

If your just playing EQ newegg has bunch of refurb desktop for under 200 bucks that would play EQ just fine. Also plenty of laptops sub 300 dollars that would play EQ just fine. Can checkout a forum called Slickdeals for good sales.

[JackFlash]

craigslist

[Whiteberry]

http://www.logicalincrements.com/

For a desktop, but as others have said, No traditional or Hybrid drives. If you can afford it go SSD. You wont regret it

[Gypsy]

So, I am one click from buying an Acer Aspire i5 5200u.

It's $570 on Amazon, is this worth it?

[Daywolf]

So, I am one click from buying an Acer Aspire i5 5200u.

It's $570 on Amazon, is this worth it?
Is that a plastic case? It's what I recommend if using wi-fi as metal cases stunt the range.

Only serious prob: 1TB 5400 RPM HDD
Personally I'd pull that and put it into something else, or even into an external drive case and tether it back in when needed. Then drop in a ~250GB SSD or larger, whatever you can afford but ~250 is fine (and cheap) short of using the laptop as some mass storage porn library :D

[Gypsy]

Haha well, I was looking for mass storage for my photography >_>

But yes, pretty sure it said plastic case. It is the best I could find with a decent gfx card.

It's more than I wanted to spend but oh well.

So, I should be able to easily pull out the slow hdd and replace with a more optimal choice then?

[Whiteberry]

That laptop from the looks of it will be a bitch to replace the hdd in it.. slim plastic laptops are a pain to work with.. are you looking for a pc or laptop? And what's your range? I'm sure I can find you a better computer for the price

[Gypsy]

Laptop. Under $600. The only game I'm interested in playing at the moment is p99. ;) But I know I'll probably look at others as soon as I crack it open. Need it for editing photos also.

By the way, I took my ancient laptop in to see if I could get it repaired and the guy pretty much laughed me out of the shop. lol
Now I'm frustrated after hours of researching for something new. It's been a long day.

[Daywolf]

So, I should be able to easily pull out the slow hdd and replace with a more optimal choice then?Yeah, from a 1-5 difficulty range, it's barely a 1. There will be a cover under the case (a hard drive compartment), remove the cover then unplug the drive. Plug the new drive in and replace the cover. Put in the windows install disk and enter the product code which is likely on a sticker attached to the case. If you don't get an install disk, just download it from the M$ site, same version etc, then burn it to a DVD.

In fact, it's best to reinstall from a DVD downloaded from the M$ site for a new system, as you're laptop will likely contain Acer bloatware shipped, lots of needless junk and maybe even spyware. Then obtain any missing drivers, though likely it will have most if not all on the windows disk. Like mine, I had to get the network and video drivers, but was simple to do and still booted with the alternate drivers off the DVD.

Yeah storage, I use a flash drive mainly. I don't need it on my hard drive. Yeah I do photography, also I'm a musician and use studio software, with all my big bloaty muzik files going to a secure flashdrive for storage.

ps at least I'm guessing there is a bay on the bottom, it's what most laptops have. Should be another for memory, too. Funny, I'm looking at the amazon page, thy have no pic for the bottom :/
Yeah, on the Aspire E5-573G-59C3 model (only pics I could find with out huge time sink), has no bay underneath, so might need to crack the case. Not too hard, just be careful not to force anything. I have no idea why they put those stupid drives in, it's like sticking a used 78 pinto engine into a 2016 Humvee. Especially SSD's were made for laptops, like fish in water due to heat issues and noise, let alone the crazy speed buff. It's like casting SOW on your system, then dropping it into the Hole and surviving.

[Boolean]

I recommend building your own computer. It's much more satisfying. Newegg.com (http://www.newegg.com) even has "builder kits" so you don't have to worry about making sure the parts are compatible either. I recommend investing in a good case so you don't have to keep getting new ones. The main thing to keep in mind is that your CPU and motherboard must match. You could probably skip getting a discrete GPU as well if EQ is the only game you're playing (and you're not doing any bitcoin mining or something).

[Gypsy]

Wow thanks for the help Daywolf. Is this pretty typical of laptops nowadays? What a pain. I'm thisclose to going to Best Buy and sending the other back as soon as it arrives.

Boolean: I've built desktops in the past but it's been over 10 years since I've looked inside a cpu. I'm intimidated, especially with laptops. But I think you are right, gonna have to do it myself to get what I want. Gonna check out NewEgg.

[Thulack]

Laptop. Under $600. The only game I'm interested in playing at the moment is p99. ;) But I know I'll probably look at others as soon as I crack it open. Need it for editing photos also.

By the way, I took my ancient laptop in to see if I could get it repaired and the guy pretty much laughed me out of the shop. lol
Now I'm frustrated after hours of researching for something new. It's been a long day.

Any laptop you buy will play P99 on it. Doesnt have to have integrated GPU or anything.

[Daywolf]

Any laptop you buy will play P99 on it. Doesnt have to have integrated GPU or anything.
I know someone that has ah chrome booook, it's so lame :D
She's all "look look I got a laptop!!" :rolleyes:

Other thing was he wants to use a photo editor. So needs to be clean and correct. Additionally, if he is using a 3D editor to enhance photos (e.g. Blender 3D) more the reason to have a good graphics chip.

[mjbcb0717]

I'm pretty sure you can play eq on a stick and rock set up

[Gypsy]

Ok, so I spent some time in Best Buy today fondling the laptops and realized I HATE Acer. So, I cancelled my amazon order. Phew, close call there. I think I'm gonna suck it up and drop a grand for what I really want.

Back to the drawing board...