Best PC Laptop for AoE Gaming

[Sore Loser]

Hi. Im looking to get a gaming laptop. The ONLY game I really play is AoE here on Steam against my brother. I currently have a cheap lil $200 netbook and it's just not cutting it. At about 75 population count everything really starts to bog down on me.

Can you guys recommend a laptop for my needs? Reliable, and money is not an issue (just dont recommend something that is OVERKILL for what Im using it for). Remember, I only play AoE so it simly needs to be powerful enough to handle a 300+ army without bogging down my system.

Thx.

[The Very Hungry Caterpillar]

Whats some other stuff you would use the laptop for besides aoe2?

[Jig McGalliger]

Get something that has a dedicated GPU if you think you will do ANY gaming. Lenovo y50 isn't a bad start, but that is getting old. maybe try something with a 960m or 950m. The new AMD mobile APUs will be decent anough for gaming, if you do, be sure to get a "bristol ridge" one, like a 9800p.

[Jig McGalliger]

http://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/Laptops/hp-envy-x360---15z-touch%C2%A0laptop-t5y05av-1
http://www.pcworld.com/article/3051767/hp-laptop-tablet-hybrid-is-the-first-with-amds-bristol-ridge-chip.html
http://www.infoworld.com/article/3051567/processors/amds-new-7th-generation-laptop-chips-will-take-on-intels-skylake.html

I don't prefer HP, but there will be other ones coming out with it. The APU will most likely be cheaper than dedicated GPU solutions. And intel integrated graphics really won't do much gaming beyond -C or -R chips.

[The Very Hungry Caterpillar]

I personally got a laptop from origin. They use clevo chassis which are very easy to maintain and upgrade components. They currently have 15 and 17 inch laptops. They once had 11 and 13 but I don't know what happened to them.

https://www.originpc.com/

Make sure it has a dedicated gpu no matter what you get.

I don't know about amd but I like nvidia due to them maintaining support for older gpu's years later. I had an amd gpu once years ago and had horrible time with drivers.

I would not recommend a surface book. Its super overpriced and underpowered gpu for its screen resolution.

If you just get this computer for aoe2 and would not move it I would highly recommend a desktop. They are just so much cheaper and much more powerful. If you do plan on moving it then a laptop would be better. If you do get a high end gaming laptop don't plan on using it for school.

[Sore Loser]

Originally posted by Dreamϟcape:

Whats some other stuff you would use the laptop for besides aoe2?

This laptop is strictly for AoE.

If it just happens to work for other games down the road, gravy. But that isnt the goal at this time. Im into a few RTS games and that is it. And I play AoE 99% of the time.

[Sore Loser]

Originally posted by Dreamϟcape:

If you just get this computer for aoe2 and would not move it I would highly recommend a desktop. They are just so much cheaper and much more powerful. If you do plan on moving it then a laptop would be better. If you do get a high end gaming laptop don't plan on using it for school.

A desktop would not work as I travel constantly for work. I need to be mobile.

[Sore Loser]

Originally posted by Jig McGalliger:

http://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/Laptops/hp-envy-x360---15z-touch%C2%A0laptop-t5y05av-1
http://www.pcworld.com/article/3051767/hp-laptop-tablet-hybrid-is-the-first-with-amds-bristol-ridge-chip.html
http://www.infoworld.com/article/3051567/processors/amds-new-7th-generation-laptop-chips-will-take-on-intels-skylake.html

I don't prefer HP, but there will be other ones coming out with it. The APU will most likely be cheaper than dedicated GPU solutions. And intel integrated graphics really won't do much gaming beyond -C or -R chips.

Im not a fan of HP's either.

[Sore Loser]

Originally posted by Dreamϟcape:

I personally got a laptop from origin. They use clevo chassis which are very easy to maintain and upgrade components. They currently have 15 and 17 inch laptops. They once had 11 and 13 but I don't know what happened to them.

https://www.originpc.com/

Make sure it has a dedicated gpu no matter what you get.
.

Ok. This is what I was hoping for. A link and some specifics. So Im looking at their laptops:

https://www.originpc.com/gaming/laptops/

But aside from the screen size, Im unsure on all the "dedicated GPU" stuff. It's over my head tbh. Would the EON15-X suit my needs based on what everyone here has recommended?

Specifically, if I was to go with the Orgin brand, which setup/configuration would you recommend? These laptops allow for some customization and I dont even know where to start.

thx

[76561198298347852]

you can try to convert aoe2 HD to the original version using a compatibility found at {LINK REMOVED}aoccs.net, and then play the game on Voobly. Aoe2 HDs engine is absolute ♥♥♥♥ and devs have no intention to ever fix this in the future.

[Sore Loser]

Originally posted by Timberhoggvandi:

you can try to convert aoe2 HD to the original version using a compatibility found at aoccs.net, and then play the game on Voobly. Aoe2 HDs engine is absolute ♥♥♥♥ and devs have no intention to ever fix this in the future.

Im not sure what that would accomplish.

I downloaded AoE2 HD from Steam so would I be able to convert that version to a original?

Speaking of originals, I have the original AoE2 game, a cracked version, that Ive been playing off a thumb drive forever. Works great for LAN multiplayer games. But I cant get the internet multiplayer to work.

Would my cracked version work on Voobly? Would my Steam version (once patched to do so)?

Im currently having no "engine issues" and Im satisfied with Steam's service. I dont think Steam is the root issue for my crappy netbook's performance.

[76561198298347852]

Originally posted by Sore Loser:

Originally posted by Timberhoggvandi:

you can try to convert aoe2 HD to the original version using a compatibility found at {LINK REMOVED}aoccs.net, and then play the game on Voobly. Aoe2 HDs engine is absolute ♥♥♥♥ and devs have no intention to ever fix this in the future.

Im not sure what that would accomplish.

I downloaded AoE2 HD from Steam so would I be able to convert that version to a original?

Speaking of originals, I have the original AoE2 game, a cracked version, that Ive been playing off a thumb drive forever. Works great for LAN multiplayer games. But I cant get the internet multiplayer to work.

Would my cracked version work on Voobly? Would my Steam version (once patched to do so)?

Im currently having no "engine issues" and Im satisfied with Steam's service. I dont think Steam is the root issue for my crappy netbook's performance.

No, I'm talking about the engine of the game itself. It's a lot heavier and requires a much better PC than the original game. I have a really old notebook as well and age of empires runs just fine on that notebook, while aoe2 HD runs terribly. Installing the compatibility patch allows you to experience the game with the original engine, which is far superior to the current one.

You can read this guide if you're interested:

https://www.reddit.com/r/aoe2/comments/4ir16r/stepbystep_guide_for_setting_up_voobly/

[13achille13]

I don't know what model it is, but I have toshiba that is 6 or 7 years old that can play it smoothly. I also have an HP that is no more than 5 years old that also can play it smoothly. Both were around 200 U.S. dollars maybe more maybe less

[The Very Hungry Caterpillar]

Lets not talk about voobly since he wants a new laptop. That will just confuse everyone.

I don't know much about hardware but a dedicated gpu is much much much better for gaming. The gpu does a superior job to the cpu. You get higher framerate and can play games with better settings. When it comes to gaming you NEED a dedicated gpu. A system on a chip just doesn't cut it and integrated graphics (using the cpu instead of a gpu) is a joke. Dedicated gpu is the biggest thing to look for in a good gaming pc

I don't want to force you into getting a pc from origin or anywhere else but I believe their quality is quite good and thus why I got one/recommend it. Our family has 3 laptops purchased from them.

Originally posted by Sore Loser:

Specifically, if I was to go with the Orgin brand, which setup/configuration would you recommend? These laptops allow for some customization and I dont even know where to start.

Some more questions for you.

What size laptop are you interested in? (11 inch, 13 inch, 15 and 17 are the most common. 11 and 13 inch ones seem to be offered only occasionally for some odd reason.)

Would you value good battery life?

I looked a bit at the 15-s since it is more portable and it seems to use a different (smaller) chassis than the x series. You do not get as much of a choice with hardware but it would be smaller and lighter. If you value portibility then this is probably the model for you. The hardware is more than sufficient to play hd on max settings and it should be quite good at playing games for years to come on high settings. Moreso if you choose the 1920x1080 screen.

Keep in mind hd would still have performance issues. This game really needs optimisations.

Secondly hd does not have an in game option to change screen resolution. Getting anything higher than 1920x1080 would make everything in game very small. You would have to manually change resolution in windows to make things not microscopic. If the devs ever re-add resolution in game then this would not be an issue but currently it would be.

I can look a bit more as clevo does have many other chassis. The ones origin and the others below only use the best and do not have much chassis variety due to that. I imagine maingear/falcon northwest's quality is similar to origin due to using the same components but I can not say for certain due to not owning one of their computers. They also used to offer 11 and 13 inch laptops but those seemed to have dissapeared. =/

https://www.maingear.com/
Falcon northwest site is a pain to navigate.
https://www.falcon-nw.com/

[Sore Loser]

Originally posted by Timberhoggvandi:

Originally posted by Sore Loser:

Im not sure what that would accomplish.

I downloaded AoE2 HD from Steam so would I be able to convert that version to a original?

Speaking of originals, I have the original AoE2 game, a cracked version, that Ive been playing off a thumb drive forever. Works great for LAN multiplayer games. But I cant get the internet multiplayer to work.

Would my cracked version work on Voobly? Would my Steam version (once patched to do so)?

Im currently having no "engine issues" and Im satisfied with Steam's service. I dont think Steam is the root issue for my crappy netbook's performance.

No, I'm talking about the engine of the game itself. It's a lot heavier and requires a much better PC than the original game. I have a really old notebook as well and age of empires runs just fine on that notebook, while aoe2 HD runs terribly. Installing the compatibility patch allows you to experience the game with the original engine, which is far superior to the current one.

You can read this guide if you're interested:

https://www.reddit.com/r/aoe2/comments/4ir16r/stepbystep_guide_for_setting_up_voobly/

Ok. I understand u now.

I follow what I'd gain by patching to the old engine. But would I lose anything? Such as the ability to play on Steam? Or the Steam exclusive expansion packs?

[Sore Loser]

Originally posted by Dreamϟcape:

Originally posted by Sore Loser:

Specifically, if I was to go with the Orgin brand, which setup/configuration would you recommend? These laptops allow for some customization and I dont even know where to start.

Some more questions for you.

What size laptop are you interested in? (11 inch, 13 inch, 15 and 17 are the most common. 11 and 13 inch ones seem to be offered only occasionally for some odd reason.)

Would you value good battery life?

I looked a bit at the 15-s since it is more portable and it seems to use a different (smaller) chassis than the x series. You do not get as much of a choice with hardware but it would be smaller and lighter. If you value portibility then this is probably the model for you. The hardware is more than sufficient to play hd on max settings and it should be quite good at playing games for years to come on high settings. Moreso if you choose the 1920x1080 screen.

Keep in mind hd would still have performance issues. This game really needs optimisations.

Secondly hd does not have an in game option to change screen resolution. Getting anything higher than 1920x1080 would make everything in game very small. You would have to manually change resolution in windows to make things not microscopic. If the devs ever re-add resolution in game then this would not be an issue but currently it would be.

I can look a bit more as clevo does have many other chassis. The ones origin and the others below only use the best and do not have much chassis variety due to that. I imagine maingear/falcon northwest's quality is similar to origin due to using the same components but I can not say for certain due to not owning one of their computers. They also used to offer 11 and 13 inch laptops but those seemed to have dissapeared. =/

https://www.maingear.com/
Falcon northwest site is a pain to navigate.
https://www.falcon-nw.com/

Im partial to 13" laptops. That is what my MacBook Air is and I love it. The screen size is perfect for me and I appreciate the light weight & solid battery life.

I can see why you are recommending the 15-S. I will consider it.

The problem I have is there are not "ready-made" packages on their website. Everything, even the Ready-To-Ship kits have a considerable amount of customization. I understand what RAM does and how much hard drive space I need. But I get lost when u guys start talking GPU's. I dont know what spec's I should be picking... Does the 15-S have a dediicated GPU?

I was just looking at the 15-X and it had so many hardware options to choose from that my head was spinning.