PS4 vs Laptop?

Home-built Gaming Desktop which will end up cheaper than the laptop and probably more powerful.

Reply 2

OP

Original post by TheGreatPonderer

Home-built Gaming Desktop which will end up cheaper than the laptop and probably more powerful.

I already said that I can't only have a PC because I NEED a laptop...

Reply 3

Original post by 0xygen

I already said that I can't only have a PC because I NEED a laptop...

I'd love for you to provide a source that stipulates that. I've never seen a requirement as such and I looked into Comp Sci at one point at Cambridge Oxford and Imperial...

Reply 4

The point was this: that the top courses don't require it so who else will? Chill out, dude. I didn't even apply for Comp Sci...

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 5

OP

Original post by TheGreatPonderer

I'd love for you to provide a source that stipulates that. I've never seen a requirement as such and I looked into Comp Sci at one point at Cambridge Oxford and Imperial...

Its not a complete requirement, as in, you don't HAVE TO HAVE a laptop to join the course. However, you may need to attend meetings, might want to do work outside your dorm, might want to work on a project with a few friends etc...

Most students buy laptops because they're portable. Lets say I went over to my parents/girlfriends place for a day or two... Do you expect me to pack my PC up and take it with me?

I've added a new option BTW. You might like this one.

Reply 6

Original post by 0xygen

Its not a complete requirement, as in, you don't HAVE TO HAVE a laptop to join the course. However, you may need to attend meetings, might want to do work outside your dorm, might want to work on a project with a few friends etc...

Most students buy laptops because they're portable. Lets say I went over to my parents/girlfriends place for a day or two... Do you expect me to pack my PC up and take it with me?

I've added a new option BTW. You might like this one.

I didn't think about the computer labs you have for comp sci which are pretty boss, tbf. My setup for medicine is a laptop, ps4 and a screen to plug laptop in to when I want to use it like a desktop with full size keyboard and mouse. Definitely I like this option as it's flexible: use the screen for PS4/Movies/Work in room, unplug to take to lectures, library or lectures etc)

Reply 7

OP

Original post by TheGreatPonderer

I didn't think about the computer labs you have for comp sci which are pretty boss, tbf. My setup for medicine is a laptop, ps4 and a screen to plug laptop in to when I want to use it like a desktop with full size keyboard and mouse. Definitely I like this option as it's flexible: use the screen for PS4/Movies/Work in room, unplug to take to lectures, library or lectures etc)

So:

PS4 + Laptop setup

or

Laptop + PC setup

Reply 8

username234673

If you've not played The Last of Us, mid range laptop and a PS4 + TLOU bundle whenever that comes out.

If you have, get the gaming laptop.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

Reply 9

OP

Original post by mikeyd85

If you've not played The Last of Us, mid range laptop and a PS4 + TLOU bundle whenever that comes out.

If you have, get the gaming laptop.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

TLOU??

Reply 10

Original post by 0xygen

So:

PS4 + Laptop setup

or

Laptop + PC setup

Because you have access to powerful PCs, I'd go for option A. Use the screen you play PS4 on as something to plug laptop into when you get back to your room for desktop effect :biggrin:

TLOU = the last of us

Reply 11

dasul

Original post by 0xygen

READ THE WHOLE THING BEFORE COMMENTING!

So, I'm going to start my Computer Science degree next year and am in need of a new laptop. I have a £800 budget and am unsure which of the options (listed below) I should go with:

Information you need to know:

One requirement for computer science is a laptop, so I can't really invest in a high end PC.

OPTION ONE:

1) Low-Mid range laptop + PS4

The laptop will be used to execute coded programs or browsing the web and the PS4 will be used for gaming.

Laptop Specs: (Asus X552CL)

CPU: Intel Core i5-3337U dual core processor (1.8GHZ + 3mb Cache)

GPU: 1GB Nvidia Geforce GT 710M

RAM: 6GB DDR3

Hard Drive: 750GB HDD 5400rpm

OPTION TWO:

2) High end laptop (Lenovo Y510p) OR (Lenovo G710) OR (MSI GS70 Stealth)

Since there is 3 options, I will only provide general Specs:

CPU: Quad Core i7 2.4GHZ

GPU: Nvidia Geforce GTX 750M/765M 2GB

RAM: 8GB - 12GB

Hard Drive/Storage: 1TB 7200rpm

No PS4.

OPTION THREE:

3) Mid range PC (£400/$600) + Low-Mid laptop.
Specs for Laptop are shown above, PC specs which I'll be able to afford are listed below:
CPU: AMD FX-6200 6 Core 3.5GHZ 6MB Cache
GPU: Geforce GTX 650 2GB DDR5
RAM: 6GB DDR3
Hard Drive: 1TB HDD

Issues:
Option Two - Looks weird walking into a lecture or a meeting with a gaming laptop.
Option Three - It seems pointless to have a PC and a Laptop + the uni labs already have powerful PC'S

My only issue with "Option Two" is that its a gaming laptop... It looks weird and the Lenovos are bulky/Heavy.

I'd like to think I know a fair bit about hardware so bare with me.

problems with option 1 - laptop's perfectly fine, the 710M seems a bit redundant really considering its almost useless when it comes to games - it is that bad. if you like you should find a cheaper alternative with integrated graphics.
then there's the PS4 - i'd look at what games are actually available, and how many you would actually want to play. I know for me that the main game I want to play isn't on PS4 so i don't want it.

option 2. £800 - if you look at a custom build you can get one that's far more appropriate for gaming, the only trouble is that the battery life then sucks on them, regardless of what they try to advertise.
HOWEVER
there's a way around the crappy battery life in the form of portable USB laptop chargers - it's basically a USB power brick that depending on the one you get will keep your laptop going for another few hours. Link here for more information:http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/other-devices/best-portable-chargers-14-we-recommend-1178873
The best custom configuration for £800 is found here:http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/notebooks/optimusV-13/
it's even a 13.3" so it fits nicely in a bag and uses a 765M. However if you wait until the 8th of April, new graphics cards are available that are far better than the ones available now. £764
http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/notebooks/cosmosII/
this is a 15.6" laptop that has a new graphics card (850M) from the new series that have been recently released. it is technically better than the GTX 765M - should end up around £742
If you want help on how to best configure the laptop for the best spec then PM or reply to this post

Option 3
the GTX 650 is a terrible card, its actually worse than the gtx 765M, although the low-mid laptop may have decent battery life?

hope this helps on your perspective.

Reply 12

OP

Original post by dasul

I'd like to think I know a fair bit about hardware so bare with me.

problems with option 1 - laptop's perfectly fine, the 710M seems a bit redundant really considering its almost useless when it comes to games - it is that bad. if you like you should find a cheaper alternative with integrated graphics.
then there's the PS4 - i'd look at what games are actually available, and how many you would actually want to play. I know for me that the main game I want to play isn't on PS4 so i don't want it.

option 2. £800 - if you look at a custom build you can get one that's far more appropriate for gaming, the only trouble is that the battery life then sucks on them, regardless of what they try to advertise.
HOWEVER
there's a way around the crappy battery life in the form of portable USB laptop chargers - it's basically a USB power brick that depending on the one you get will keep your laptop going for another few hours. Link here for more information:http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/other-devices/best-portable-chargers-14-we-recommend-1178873
The best custom configuration for £800 is found here:http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/notebooks/optimusV-13/
it's even a 13.3" so it fits nicely in a bag and uses a 765M. However if you wait until the 8th of April, new graphics cards are available that are far better than the ones available now. £764
http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/notebooks/cosmosII/
this is a 15.6" laptop that has a new graphics card (850M) from the new series that have been recently released. it is technically better than the GTX 765M - should end up around £742
If you want help on how to best configure the laptop for the best spec then PM or reply to this post

Option 3
the GTX 650 is a terrible card, its actually worse than the gtx 765M, although the low-mid laptop may have decent battery life?

hope this helps on your perspective.

Hmm, thanks for the reply!

Replying to your comments:

Option One:

The laptop isn't great, I only want to use it to code and compile my code. I think that I can use an intel pentium, 512mb ram, no graphics card laptop to perform the tasks I require... This one just does them quicker.

I haven't really seen the PS4 game line-up yet, thanks for reminding me.

Option Two:

I don't really like custom build laptops, I'll look into it though.

Option Three:

If that graphics card is bad then I don't know what you call good... My current laptop specs are as follows:

CPU: AMD Sempron SI-42 (One of the worst on the market)

GPU: ATI Radeon HD 3200 (Useless, its benchmarked at like 84/10,000)

RAM: Upgraded to 2.5GB DDR2 (Was 512mb)

I use it as an experiment PC (Think of it as a VM or server)... It runs pretty smoothly and executes tasks at reasonable speed.

I actually play games on this laptop... Not games like Crisis and COD, but stuff like Tony Hawks or Need for speed most wanted at minimum resolution and only some lag... If my current laptop does that than the i5 and 710m graphics card should be zoomin.

Reply 13

dasul

Original post by 0xygen

Hmm, thanks for the reply!

Replying to your comments:

Option One:

The laptop isn't great, I only want to use it to code and compile my code. I think that I can use an intel pentium, 512mb ram, no graphics card laptop to perform the tasks I require... This one just does them quicker.

I haven't really seen the PS4 game line-up yet, thanks for reminding me.

Option Two:

I don't really like custom build laptops, I'll look into it though.

Option Three:

If that graphics card is bad then I don't know what you call good... My current laptop specs are as follows:

CPU: AMD Sempron SI-42 (One of the worst on the market)

GPU: ATI Radeon HD 3200 (Useless, its benchmarked at like 84/10,000)

RAM: Upgraded to 2.5GB DDR2 (Was 512mb)

I use it as an experiment PC (Think of it as a VM or server)... It runs pretty smoothly and executes tasks at reasonable speed.

I actually play games on this laptop... Not games like Crisis and COD, but stuff like Tony Hawks or Need for speed most wanted at minimum resolution and only some lag... If my current laptop does that than the i5 and 710m graphics card should be zoomin.

yeah sorry I kind of have a really high standard when it comes to my tech, be that as it may, the I5 will do solid as a code and compiler, it is far quicker than the sempron and nowadays 4GB is the new standard for normal tasks.
What's the idea stopping you from custom laptops? you just get all the components you want without having to pay for unecessary ones.
I dunno how the 710M will do, but if it were me, even just for those sort of low req games, i'd go for a cheaper laptop / the GTX 650 will do soundly for those sorts of games, its just if there's any future games you want to play then you can?

Reply 14

OP

Original post by dasul

yeah sorry I kind of have a really high standard when it comes to my tech, be that as it may, the I5 will do solid as a code and compiler, it is far quicker than the sempron and nowadays 4GB is the new standard for normal tasks.
What's the idea stopping you from custom laptops? you just get all the components you want without having to pay for unecessary ones.
I dunno how the 710M will do, but if it were me, even just for those sort of low req games, i'd go for a cheaper laptop / the GTX 650 will do soundly for those sorts of games, its just if there's any future games you want to play then you can?

Idk, I've always heard that laptops aren't as customisable as desktops. I don't know if they come with warranty either. Eh, I've just always had a bad experience with laptops :tongue:

.

I don't have much to spend on a laptop, I think £600 would be the highest price i'd pay.

I have two laptops in mind:

http://www.toshiba.co.uk/laptops/satellite/m50/satellite-m50-a-11c/

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/asus-x552cl-sx047h-15-6-laptop-21712960-pdt.html

I can get the Asus for around £400, so there is going to be around a £150-£200 difference between the Toshiba and the Asus.

Reply 15

OP

Original post by TheGreatPonderer

Because you have access to powerful PCs, I'd go for option A. Use the screen you play PS4 on as something to plug laptop into when you get back to your room for desktop effect :biggrin:

TLOU = the last of us

Is it a nice game? My only concern with the PS4 is the game prices, they're really expensive atm. I think i'm going to start with the laptop then buy the PS4 later, more offers on games and the console soon :tongue:

Reply 16

Jammy Duel

21

My advice to you would be to avoid the next gen consoles unless you really badly want to play some of their exclusive titles or are a significant CoD fan (and probably a few other games too) because CoD is relatively bad on pc compared to consoles or badly want to play with friends who are primarily on a next gen. The hardware isn't great and you're stuck with it for the foreseeable future, then you also get the relative lack of games atm and the extortionate price for new games.

Don't know much about the Computer Science stuff, but couldn't you cheap out, per se, a bit on the laptop to beef up the desktop, so even if you are away a few days you can copy the work from laptop to desktop to do the heavy computing?

Reply 17

Jimbo1234

20

Original post by 0xygen

READ THE WHOLE THING BEFORE COMMENTING!

So, I'm going to start my Computer Science degree next year and am in need of a new laptop. I have a £800 budget and am unsure which of the options (listed below) I should go with:

Information you need to know:

One requirement for computer science is a laptop, so I can't really invest in a high end PC.

OPTION ONE:

1) Low-Mid range laptop + PS4

The laptop will be used to execute coded programs or browsing the web and the PS4 will be used for gaming.

Laptop Specs: (Asus X552CL)

CPU: Intel Core i5-3337U dual core processor (1.8GHZ + 3mb Cache)

GPU: 1GB Nvidia Geforce GT 710M

RAM: 6GB DDR3

Hard Drive: 750GB HDD 5400rpm

OPTION TWO:

2) High end laptop (Lenovo Y510p) OR (Lenovo G710) OR (MSI GS70 Stealth)

Since there is 3 options, I will only provide general Specs:

CPU: Quad Core i7 2.4GHZ

GPU: Nvidia Geforce GTX 750M/765M 2GB

RAM: 8GB - 12GB

Hard Drive/Storage: 1TB 7200rpm

No PS4.

OPTION THREE:

3) Mid range PC (£400/$600) + Low-Mid laptop.
Specs for Laptop are shown above, PC specs which I'll be able to afford are listed below:
CPU: AMD FX-6200 6 Core 3.5GHZ 6MB Cache
GPU: Geforce GTX 650 2GB DDR5
RAM: 6GB DDR3
Hard Drive: 1TB HDD

Issues:
Option Two - Looks weird walking into a lecture or a meeting with a gaming laptop.
Option Three - It seems pointless to have a PC and a Laptop + the uni labs already have powerful PC'S

My only issue with "Option Two" is that its a gaming laptop... It looks weird and the Lenovos are bulky/Heavy.

Why a laptop? Couldn't you build a £600 PC and buy a ps4? Best of both worlds.

Reply 18

username234673