$400 Gaming Laptop?

[kassuba39]

Hello! Is it possible to get a Laptop that can game on graphics equivalent to an Xbox 360 on the budget of $400. I am willing to buy used or refurbished. I'm planning to play games like Skyrim and Fallout. Thanks for your time!

 

[exking]

....... $400? ? I think your gonna need to spend more to play games like skyrim and such

 

[kassuba39]

....... $400? ? I think your gonna need to spend more to play games like skyrim and such

Well a buddy of mine bought a laptop from 2009 for pretty cheap that can play Skyrim without a problem. Can you help me find that computer? It's called a Gateway FX P-7805u.

 

[jessterman21]

Well a buddy of mine bought a laptop from 2009 for pretty cheap that can play Skyrim without a problem. Can you help me find that computer? It's called a Gateway FX P-7805u.

^That one was $1200 when it was released. If you want to play games on a laptop, you'll need at least $700.

These should play games about as well as an X360:
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834131394
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834215392

 

[Tom Burnqest]

Well for $500 you can by Build a PC that will max out any game. If you can't spend $500 on a PC then just buy a console as even an entry level gaming laptop will run you $1000 to start.

 

[kassuba39]

^That one was $1200 when it was released. If you want to play games on a laptop, you'll need at least $700.

These should play games about as well as an X360:
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834131394
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834215392

Yikes. This is actually for a friend of mine as a Christmas Present. I can't buy a nice computer then for about $400 that can game even if its used or refurbished?

 

[kassuba39]

Well for $500 you can by Build a PC that will max out any game. If you can't spend $500 on a PC then just buy a console as even an entry level gaming laptop will run you $1000 to start.

Even if it's used or refurbished. Even older like a computer from 2010?

 

[jessterman21]

Even if it's used or refurbished. Even older like a computer from 2010?

Not sure, check ebay and other sites for used stuff.

I'm sure you could find a deal. Post a few links of what you find, and we'll check them for you.

 

[Tom Burnqest]

Even if it's used or refurbished. Even older like a computer from 2010?

You could find something used for a decent price but remember you are sacrificing to much IMO. Please do yourself a favor and build yourself a proper gaming PC like this one I will try and build you a template for as cheap as possible that will play any game will great performance and top IQ settings.

CPU - Intel Pentium G860 Sandy Bridge $75
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116405&Tpk=G860
http/www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-2.html

Mobo - ASRock H61M-DGS LGA 1155 $45
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157315

GPU - Radeon HD 7850 $170
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131482
http/www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-4.html

Memory - CORSAIR 4GB $19
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145322

PSU - Antec VP-450 450W $39
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371045

HDD - Seagate ST3160815AS 160GB $30
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148896

Case - GIGABYTE gz-ph2a3 Black SGCC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $25
http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233062

OS - Beg borrow or ...... PM me

Total $403

This rig will run any game on max settings @ 1080P with absolutely great performance and top IQ.

 

[dscudella]

If it has to be a laptop look at the Gateway FX P-xxxx series. They were (and still are) beasts. I had a P-6860 that tore up WoW, MW3 & Skyrim (Medium settings 60fps).

They can usually be found on eBay for ~$400. The only problem is that they're so big, heavy and need constant cooling they're more of a desktop replacement than an actual mobile laptop.

 

[stickmansam]

If you ablsolutely need a laptop that can sorta run games, then grab a AMD apu like the a8 4500m or the a10 4600m.
It should play most games at 30+fps avg on 720p @ low/medium settings.
I run the 5650m and Phenom II N930 quad on my laptop which is very similar specs wise.
I hit 60+ fps at medium settings in CS:S, MW3, Blacklight Retribution

Bnechmarks of the 4500m gpu
http/www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Radeon-HD-7640G.69836.0.html
Benchmark of the 4600m
http/www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Radeon-HD-7660G.69830.0.html

If you want some more serious gaming I would point you towards a desktop like some of the other users have suggested.

I would expect this system to be run games for 1080p medium settings fine at least until the next gen consoles hit in 2014. You can then upgrade the PSU, CPU(chose motherboard because it can overlcock if you put a 3570k in for the future)
and GPU to stronger options then while keeping the rest of the components. I did not include the OS.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G645 2.9GHz Dual-Core Processor ($49.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($82.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($31.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($107.99 @ Microcenter)
Case: Thermaltake VL800P1W2N (Black/Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($37.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On IHAS324-98 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $405.48
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-10 23:40 EST-0500)

 

[dscudella]

People need to stop suggesting desktop builds (especially if they don't have an HDD or Optical drive) when the OP didn't ask anything about desktops.

kassuba39 asked about a LAPTOP for $400. Respect the OP and answer the question.

 

[stickmansam]

Not too familiar with any US laptop vendors except for bestbuy
http/www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+K+Series+15.6%26%2334%3B+Laptop+-+4GB+Memory+-+500GB+Hard+Drive+-+Matte+Light+Indigo/6087209.p?id=1218717240847&skuId=6087209
This is the A8 4500M
I would expect the cheapest A10 4600M laptops to cost arround 450-500.

 

[DarkSable]

^I agree with you, but the fact of the matter is that for $400, no laptop is going to do what he's looking for, whereas a desktop would.

OP, does your friend travel a lot? What's the reason for the need for a laptop?

 

[stickmansam]

$400 is a minuscule budget for a gaming laptop. I would stay aaway from used since laptops do not have that long of a lifespan.
I wonder if remote access/control would be an option to game with?
Like use a cheap laptop to control a desktop at home to game with?

 

[dscudella]

Well a buddy of mine bought a laptop from 2009 for pretty cheap that can play Skyrim without a problem. Can you help me find that computer? It's called a Gateway FX P-7805u.

HERE'S an eBay search for the specific laptop you asked for, the Gateway FX P-7805u. Like I said, I had a Gateway FX P-6860 and it was very strong, more of a desktop replacement.

The problem with eBay is you really don't know what you're getting. Unless you get it from a seller with a high rating that accepts returns (just in case something goes wrong) you're taking a chance on electronics.

 

[stickmansam]

Hmm looking at the specs for that laptop, they don't seem that strong.
I am pretty sure an A10 would beat it CPU wise and graphics wise. An a8 might have a harder time to do that.

 

[samuelohagan]

Buy a monitor from the salvation army for $15 then build the desktop in a briefcase. If you use a pcie riser card you can fit a full size graphics card

Look up briefcase Pc on youtube I am planning on building one with an old core 2 duo proccesor and a 9800 gtx+ to make a laptop for $200

 

[stickmansam]

Building a A8 5600k APU backpack computer for my friend =)
Here is my rough plan =P
Mine is more of a mobile desktop while smauel's is more a heavy laptop.

 

[kassuba39]

^I agree with you, but the fact of the matter is that for $400, no laptop is going to do what he's looking for, whereas a desktop would.

OP, does your friend travel a lot? What's the reason for the need for a laptop?

Yes he does, and he already has a decent desktop pc. He has a i5 2500k with a 550 ti I think.