Karan Yelve

Commendable
Jun 5, 2016
2
0
1,510
Hello there,
I'm looking to get a laptop for casual use streaming movies using word etc but I'd also like to run dota 2 smoothly on low settings, any suggestions? I'd also like it to have a good battery and light weight. Thank you.

 
Solution
Here are two suggestions. The second laptop with the Core i3-7100u has the newer Intel HD graphics core which is roughly 10% - 15% more powerful than the previous generation Intel HD 520 graphics core. It also has a 1080p screen, but costs $50 more. In my opinion it is worth the extra $50.

Acer Aspire ES 15 ES1-572-31KW - Intel Core i3-6100u, Intel HD Graphics 520, 4GB DDR3L RAM, 1366 x 768 screen = $300
https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-i3-6100U-Windows-ES1-572-31KW/dp/B01J42JPL4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1486741462&sr=8-2&keywords=i3-6100u

Acer Aspire E 15 E5-575-33BM - Intel Core i3-7100u, Intel HD Graphics 620 , 4GB DDR4 RAM, 1920 x 1080 screen = $350...
Here are two suggestions. The second laptop with the Core i3-7100u has the newer Intel HD graphics core which is roughly 10% - 15% more powerful than the previous generation Intel HD 520 graphics core. It also has a 1080p screen, but costs $50 more. In my opinion it is worth the extra $50.

Acer Aspire ES 15 ES1-572-31KW - Intel Core i3-6100u, Intel HD Graphics 520, 4GB DDR3L RAM, 1366 x 768 screen = $300
https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-i3-6100U-Windows-ES1-572-31KW/dp/B01J42JPL4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1486741462&sr=8-2&keywords=i3-6100u

Acer Aspire E 15 E5-575-33BM - Intel Core i3-7100u, Intel HD Graphics 620 , 4GB DDR4 RAM, 1920 x 1080 screen = $350
https://www.amazon.com/Acer-E5-575-33BM-15-6-Inch-Processor-Generation/dp/B01K1IO3QW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486741597&sr=8-1&keywords=i3-7100u


I highly recommend you install a second stick of 4GB RAM when you can afford to do so. With two sticks of RAM the RAM will run at full speed rather than at half speed. That can improve integrated graphics by 10% - 15% depending on the game. Also, when running Dota 2 even at 1280 x 720 resolution, Windows, Dota 2 and the Intel HD graphics core will be using more than 4GB of RAM. If there is not enough RAM, then data will constantly be transferred to and from the hard drive which can decrease performance.


4GB DDR3L RAM for the Acer Aspire ES 15 ES1-572-31KW
= $30
https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Single-PC3-12800-SODIMM-204-Pin/dp/B005LDLV6S/ref=pd_sim_147_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B005LDLV6S&pd_rd_r=1SSGJJCMJXD2V7G3X89Q&pd_rd_w=UrH8S&pd_rd_wg=3tgMX&psc=1&refRID=1SSGJJCMJXD2V7G3X89Q

4GB DDR4 RAM for the Acer Aspire E 15 E5-575-33BM = $33
https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Single-PC4-17000-SODIMM-260-Pin/dp/B015HQ9SI6/ref=pd_bxgy_147_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B015HQ9SI6&pd_rd_r=C1TG5MMCQ005NA81BSX1&pd_rd_w=YTSZS&pd_rd_wg=fyliV&psc=1&refRID=C1TG5MMCQ005NA81BSX1


The following video demonstrates Dota 2 running on a laptop with a Core i3-6100u and the Intel HD 520 with more than 4GB of RAM installed (probably 8GB). The game is played at both 720p and 1080p resolution. It also demonstrates performance between low and medium settings. Naturally the Core i3-7100u and Intel HD 620 would provide a little better performance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEWnnOX7-T0
 
Solution

Seaweed Monster

Estimable
Jun 7, 2014
49
0
4,610
The HP -15-ay191ms (link below) would probably be more beneficial in replacing the Acer Aspire E 15 E5-575-33BM.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/HP-15-ay191ms-Touchscreen-Signature-Bluetooth/dp/B01MQOXCYY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486743198&sr=8-1&keywords=HP+15-ay191ms

Slightly more expensive at $372, but has:
+ 8GB DDR4
+ Touch screen display - Even though it will probably never be used :D Every little helps, right !

The only downside is the screen resolutions; 1366 x 768, but I feel it would still be sufficient, seeing as it only has a HD 620 graphics chip.

Cheers,
SM