Gaming Laptop - Buy in USA???

Only · 21-11-2021 11:03pm #1

Back for advice please ... Possibly looking at getting a laptop for youngest for playing the likes of Roblox, minecraft etc (think he uses xbox for fortnite etc) and we are (hopefully) heading for the US next month so wondering if we would get better deals over there .... has anyone any recommendations for laptops?? Or maybe better to buy here - open to all suggestions.

Trying to keep cost as low as I can as he is hard on them (hes not very 'delicate' with them as he has additional needs)

Tia!!

22-11-2021 12:06am

for budget gaming laptops probably won't save a lot tbh

for higher-end ones yes

you're looking at about €700 for a budget gaming laptop

this sort of machine spec

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Medion-Crawler-I5-10300H-256SSD-Gaming/dp/B09K14XZKW/ref=sr_1_10?crid=2XTTDDMOO4LIO&keywords=gaming+laptop&psr=EY17&qid=1637535902&s=black-friday&sprefix=gaming+la%2Cblack-friday%2C278&sr=1-10

any laptop is not going to stand up to being knocked off a table etc - could look at keeping it in place possibly, use a cheap external keyboard

keep liquids away

Only · 22-11-2021 8:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118203894#Comment_118203894

Thanks a million glasso!!! Its def a more budget-friendly one I would be after for him. I try to enforce the sitting at a desk only rule but it always ends up on his lap and what tends to go is the charging port / headphone port etc ... and his current one has survived a fall or two off the couch ... I know - not at all ideal but with SN its hard.

His current one has a dodgy charging port and the headphone port doesn't work either. I have told him it will just have to do but Id say its his last year for the Man in Red and I'm considering getting one ... by the looks of things he will need one in the next 6 months anyways.

Thanks a million for the link to that one! If it wouldn't be much difference buying here I may as well get here rather than the US ... do you have any recommendations for any to purchase here?

Thanks so so much for your help!!

22-11-2021 10:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118207814#Comment_118207814

I'll keep an eye out for any budget gaming deals this week

£599 sterling might be possible

another option is to go for a desktop (box that could be put on the ground) and monitor if you have the spare space or desk

would be more resilient as keyboard and mouse are easily replaced if broken

Only · 23-11-2021 5:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118208143#Comment_118208143

Thanks a million!!! Id really really appreciate it if you spot snything suitable!

Unfortunately a desktop wont work as we need something portable for various reasons.

25-11-2021 3:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118211805#Comment_118211805

this probably the best budget gaming laptop option at 700 euros

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/gaming/pc-gaming/gaming-laptops/lenovo-series-3-15-6-gaming-laptop-intel-core-i5-gtx-1650-256-gb-ssd-10205977-pdt.html

if the laptop is really only for running roblox and minecraft (e.g. basic games) and the other games will be on the console then a full gaming laptop is not required really

this with a cheap ram upgrade from amazon that you could do yourself for 30 euro or so would do the job (just a screwdriver needed -easy, ram just clips in) for the deal price of 359

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/hp-14s-dq2502na-14-laptop-intel-pentium-gold-128-gb-ssd-silver-10222266-pdt.html

Glaceon · 25-11-2021 3:42pm

Be aware that the keyboard layout will be different on a US machine. It’s not a major difference but might be enough to throw someone off if not expecting it.

Only · 26-11-2021 1:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118221389#Comment_118221389

Thanks a million!!!

Is this the same one on the Lenovo website (the first one? ... I have been stung with Currys a couple of times and point blank will not buy from them 😩 ... https://www.lenovo.com/ie/en/laptops/ideapad/ideapad-gaming-laptops/IdeaPad-Gaming-3i-15%E2%80%9D/p/88IPG301387

Also, this one needing the RAM upgrade for gaming - DS complained previously of lagging in games - if the RAM was upgraded would it be ok do you think and not do this? I'd love to keep costs down but dont want to spend twice iykwim

Only · 26-11-2021 1:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118221407#Comment_118221407

I had forgotten about that! ... I dont think theres a huge difference between them but its not something I had considered.

26-11-2021 1:23pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118225964#Comment_118225964

DS?

yes that's the same laptop on the lenovo site

The 8gb ram is sufficient for most games but there is a great black friday amazon deal on 8gb ram for pretty much half price or less at only £22 so snap it up as it won't last long at that price

pick the 3200 mt/s option.

as far as I can tell the laptop only comes with one ram stick so it's desirable to have two sticks in for the "dual-channel memory" effect and if you get the ram today at that price it's a no-brainer and dual-channel does help performance

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-CT8G4SFRA266-PC4-21300-SODIMM-260-Pin/dp/B08C4Z69LN/ref%3Dsr_1_3?crid=T5LMR0J0SO7C&keywords=8gb%2Bddr4%2Bsodimm&qid=1637929087&sprefix=8gb%2Bddr%2Bsodi%2Caps%2C347&sr=8-3&th=1

easy to see here where to put in

just a philips screwdriver needed and maybe an old loyalty card to separate case

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qae4vmIbae0

Only · 26-11-2021 1:41pm

DS = Darling Son 😁

So I should go for the Lenovo AND the extra RAM on Amazon ?? ... Sorry for being a bit stupid 🤭

26-11-2021 2:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118226133#Comment_118226133

yes

Only · 26-11-2021 3:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118226469#Comment_118226469

Thanks a million!!! Coffee on the way to you this eve when I get home to sort it 🙂

Only · 28-11-2021 9:02pm

glasso - my eldest is saving for a higher end gaming laptop - just thinking it might be better getting it in the US when (if) we get there - he plays the likes of Roblox, Fortnite etc - regular young teen games ... any recommendations or advice please?

29-11-2021 1:02am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118236991#Comment_118236991

for longer term gaming power you should look for an nvidia 3060 card and a ryzen 5600h/5800h or intel i7 (6 core minimum).

most states in the US you have to pay VAT on top of the price displayed

something like this spec - good laptop if the screen is not the very very best

https://www.amazon.com/Acer-AN515-55-53E5-i5-10300H-GeForce-Keyboard/dp/B092YHJGMN/ref%3Dsr_1_7?keywords=5600h+3060+laptop&qid=1638144036&sr=8-7

the lenovo legion with 3060 card and 5600h or 5800h is a good laptop if you can find it to order where you're going

if there is only 8gb ram you can add that yourself later easily

also consider the warranty situation of course - I'm not 100% where you'd stand if you had any issue

29-11-2021 1:22am

as well as amazon you have best buy and places like j&r (New York) etc

Gaming Laptop - Buy in USA???

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