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Is this Ultrabook good for TF2?
posted in Hardware
1
#1
2 Frags +

Hey guys,

Im going to buy an ultrabook for college. I really want a portable laptop, and since I like to play TF2 / CS:GO, I thought I would get an ultrabook with discrete graphics. I was looking at this Lenovo Ideapad U410 seems really good for $760. I have a mouse/keyboard, and I think Im going to buy an external monitor too (not 120Hz, just a cheap 21-23 inch 1920x1080 pixels res monitor to watch movies), so I want to know if this laptop would give 60-100 FPS constant on an external monitor, with mumble running alongside TF2.

I would be open for suggestions for an OK ultrabook for TF2/CS:GO if this doesn't look good.

Thanks!

Hey guys,

Im going to buy an ultrabook for college. I really want a portable laptop, and since I like to play TF2 / CS:GO, I thought I would get an ultrabook with discrete graphics. I was looking at [url=http://www.bestbuy.com/site/ideapad-ultrabook-14-laptop-8gb-memory-750gb-hard-drive-32gb-solid-state-drive/5599278.p?id=1218670779446&skuId=5599278&st=categoryid$pcmcat259400050000&cp=1&lp=14]this Lenovo Ideapad U410[/url] seems really good for $760. I have a mouse/keyboard, and I think Im going to buy an external monitor too (not 120Hz, just a cheap 21-23 inch 1920x1080 pixels res monitor to watch movies), so I want to know if this laptop would give 60-100 FPS constant on an external monitor, with mumble running alongside TF2.

I would be open for suggestions for an OK ultrabook for TF2/CS:GO if this doesn't look good.

Thanks!
2
#2
0 Frags +

Any reason why you can't get a desktop and a cheaper laptop?

Regarding your question, it actually doesn't seem that great. It seems like you can generally get better performance from just the Ivy Bridge CPU with its built-in Intel HD 4000 Graphics, so it would make more sense to not include discrete graphics in the first place from a manufacturing standpoint. In addition, that CPU seems clocked a little low for gaming, but it seems to meet the requirements for CSGO.

Any reason why you can't get a desktop and a cheaper laptop?

Regarding your question, it actually doesn't seem that great. It seems like you can generally get better performance from just the Ivy Bridge CPU with its built-in Intel HD 4000 Graphics, so it would make more sense to not include discrete graphics in the first place from a manufacturing standpoint. In addition, that CPU seems clocked a little low for gaming, but it seems to meet the requirements for CSGO.
3
#3
0 Frags +

Source games are highly CPU constrained. The problem with the ultrabook thin form factors is that everything is going to be clocked lower and if it does have a discrete it's going to be pretty low performance...or super expensive. Try to find the cheapest ultrabook with the best CPU if source games are what you're going to play. Integrated graphics should be okay- I would try to get a haswell cpu as that's going to really help the battery life in a notebook/ultrabook over ivy bridge systems...what's your budget?

Are you absolutely set on the ultrathin form factor?

The other option is to get a cheap portable for taking around classes (like a bay trail system) and a bulkier laptop/desktop for gaming.

Source games are highly CPU constrained. The problem with the ultrabook thin form factors is that everything is going to be clocked lower and if it does have a discrete it's going to be pretty low performance...or super expensive. Try to find the cheapest ultrabook with the best CPU if source games are what you're going to play. Integrated graphics should be okay- I would try to get a haswell cpu as that's going to really help the battery life in a notebook/ultrabook over ivy bridge systems...what's your budget?

Are you absolutely set on the ultrathin form factor?



The other option is to get a cheap portable for taking around classes (like a bay trail system) and a bulkier laptop/desktop for gaming.
4
#4
0 Frags +

God damn dude if you could build a computer for 760 it would annihilate this portable garbage. If it's an issue about not having room for a desktop it's understandable but seriously a 610M and a mobile i5 is weak for the price but then again laptops are overpriced to shit because "portability"
tbh i'd wait for blackfriday/cyber monday see if prices drop if so get something nicer for cheaper.

God damn dude if you could build a computer for 760 it would annihilate this portable garbage. If it's an issue about not having room for a desktop it's understandable but seriously a 610M and a mobile i5 is weak for the price but then again laptops are overpriced to shit because "portability"
tbh i'd wait for blackfriday/cyber monday see if prices drop if so get something nicer for cheaper.
5
#5
1 Frags +

As others have said, you might as well get a cheap laptop and a good desktop. This is doubly true when you're getting another monitor anyways. The mobile I5 really under perform anyways to save power and they are underclocked normally. Either way, I always thought that taking a laptop to your class is usually a bad idea, you end up paying a lot less to the prof and more to dumb internet shit.

As others have said, you might as well get a cheap laptop and a good desktop. This is doubly true when you're getting another monitor anyways. The mobile I5 really under perform anyways to save power and they are underclocked normally. Either way, I always thought that taking a laptop to your class is usually a bad idea, you end up paying a lot less to the prof and more to dumb internet shit.
6
#6
0 Frags +

Wow thanks for all the replies. The reason Im going for discrete graphics is because I want to be able to play single player games like Dishonored, Bioshock, Civ V, etc. at low settings too alongside TF2 and CS:GO.

hookyAny reason why you can't get a desktop and a cheaper laptop?

I have a budget of $1000 that I wanted to spend on getting myself something that would last 2 years. If you can suggest me a portable laptop, a decent desktop and a non 120Hz, 23' HD monitor all in $1000 then I would LOVE that.

PheeshAre you absolutely set on the ultrathin form factor?

Yes, I am set on it because I really need a laptop that I can carry around with me anywhere in college and have ubuntu/windows on it, with a great battery and preferably boot on a SSD.

Oblivionagetbh i'd wait for blackfriday/cyber monday see if prices drop if so get something nicer for cheaper.

That's what I'm planning to do, get this laptop (or equivalent one on sale) on Black Friday. Please let me know if you know of any laptop that might be on sale.

Wow thanks for all the replies. The reason Im going for discrete graphics is because I want to be able to play single player games like Dishonored, Bioshock, Civ V, etc. at low settings too alongside TF2 and CS:GO.

[quote=hooky]Any reason why you can't get a desktop and a cheaper laptop?[/quote]

I have a budget of $1000 that I wanted to spend on getting myself something that would last 2 years. If you can suggest me a portable laptop, a decent desktop and a non 120Hz, 23' HD monitor all in $1000 then I would LOVE that.

[quote=Pheesh]Are you absolutely set on the ultrathin form factor?[/quote]

Yes, I am set on it because I really need a laptop that I can carry around with me anywhere in college and have ubuntu/windows on it, with a great battery and preferably boot on a SSD.

[quote=Oblivionage]tbh i'd wait for blackfriday/cyber monday see if prices drop if so get something nicer for cheaper.[/quote]

That's what I'm planning to do, get this laptop (or equivalent one on sale) on Black Friday. Please let me know if you know of any laptop that might be on sale.
7
#7
0 Frags +

IMO get a Chromebook and build yourself a nice desktop for about $600ish

IMO get a [url=https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=chromebook_samsung_wifi]Chromebook[/url] and build yourself a nice desktop for about $600ish
8
#8
0 Frags +
A-R-Wow thanks for all the replies. The reason Im going for discrete graphics is because I want to be able to play single player games like Dishonored, Bioshock, Civ V, etc. at low settings too alongside TF2 and CS:GO.
hookyAny reason why you can't get a desktop and a cheaper laptop?
I have a budget of $1000 that I wanted to spend on getting myself something that would last 3-4 years. If you can suggest me a portable laptop, a decent desktop and a non 120Hz, 23' HD monitor all in $1000 then I would LOVE that.

It's not the fact that you want discrete graphics that I'm worried about, it's that the graphics chip in that laptop is pretty bad; the integrated graphics that comes with the CPU is better. If you're set on discrete graphics, I'd at least go with something better than the HD 4000.

For the desktop, do you have any spare parts you could use?

[quote=A-R-]Wow thanks for all the replies. The reason Im going for discrete graphics is because I want to be able to play single player games like Dishonored, Bioshock, Civ V, etc. at low settings too alongside TF2 and CS:GO.

[quote=hooky]Any reason why you can't get a desktop and a cheaper laptop?[/quote]

I have a budget of $1000 that I wanted to spend on getting myself something that would last 3-4 years. If you can suggest me a portable laptop, a decent desktop and a non 120Hz, 23' HD monitor all in $1000 then I would LOVE that.[/quote]
It's not the fact that you want discrete graphics that I'm worried about, it's that the graphics chip in that laptop is pretty bad; the integrated graphics that comes with the CPU is better. If you're set on discrete graphics, I'd at least go with something better than the HD 4000.

For the desktop, do you have any spare parts you could use?
9
#9
0 Frags +

Wait for black friday in any case. You mentioned wanting to run ubuntu/windows. You should be able to get some really cheap x86 'ultraportables' using baytrail ($200-400), then you could build a full desktop for gaming.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/11/04/netbook-intel-apple-microsoft-dell-lenovo/3433667/

Reviews should start coming out soon on some of the products. Dell venue pro and t100 are early systems available now but I would wait until the rest come out and check out reviews. t100 is really pretty amazing feature wise for the price but i hear the trackpad is awful, lol.

Wait for black friday in any case. You mentioned wanting to run ubuntu/windows. You should be able to get some really cheap x86 'ultraportables' using baytrail ($200-400), then you could build a full desktop for gaming.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/11/04/netbook-intel-apple-microsoft-dell-lenovo/3433667/

Reviews should start coming out soon on some of the products. Dell venue pro and t100 are early systems available now but I would wait until the rest come out and check out reviews. t100 is really pretty amazing feature wise for the price but i hear the trackpad is awful, lol.
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