Whats the cheapest PC that will run Stardew Valley smoothly? What are you running it on?

[AnonBoxis]

Intro

Hi, I have a Mac so blablabla I can't play the game. I don't want to put windows on my mac cause I'm very stubborn/lazy (I use to have it but erased it recently)...
So I want to buy the cheapest machine I can find that will run this game smoothly, it can be a desktop or laptop and it can be an old computer... If the computers you recommend seem cheap enough I might get a brand new one, if not ill try to find a dirt cheap second hand one...

Question:

• If you are running this game on a cheap and/or old windows computer, which one is it? (give specific model if possible)
  
• Or, If you know of a very cheap computer that would/does run the game smoothly, which one is it? (give specific model if possible)

System Requirements

For those who don't know the computer needs at least
MINIMUM:

• OS: Windows 7 or greater
  
• Processor: 2 Ghz
  
• Memory: 2 GB RAM
  
• Graphics: 256 mb video memory, shader model 3.0+
  
• DirectX: Version 10
  
• Storage: 500 MB available space

Plenty could benefit from your comments

As we know there are plenty of Mac users who want to play the game and this solution might be preferable to them (rather than to installing windows or various other programs). So this thread could be very helpful to many if we get helpful comments! Oh yeah and if someone is being an ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ about having mac or something, you could always shut them up by linking this thread.


PS: Links are helpful too! AmaZon, eBay, Computer's page on Official Website...

[tide{S}haper industries]

Most likely every office PC out there that you can get from ~150,- upwards.
Only thing I'm not completely sure is the Shader 3.0 - but even the cheapest built-in graphiccards should support that nowadays.

But, have you tried using a windows emulation on your Mac?
I heard that 'WineBottler' offers good sollutions for running windows bases programs in MacOs - but to be honest - I have absolutely no practical experience with it.

[Hurodrik]

Originally posted by Waveshaper:

Only thing I'm not completely sure is the Shader 3.0 - but even the cheapest built-in graphiccards should support that nowadays.

I'm running it very well on an old laptop with an integrated Intel card that is pretty crappy. My only problem right now is with the zoom level because of the maximum resolution of my monitor (1366x768). But that should be fixed on the next patch, judging from the patch notes from before it was rolled back.

[Kelden]

A calculator probably.

[TheRealBeauregard]

My craptastic, under $200 laptop I bought over a year ago for a work computer runs it perfectly smooth. The game is amazingly well optimized.

[AnonBoxis]

Quick follow up question:
I'm having difficulty finding extremely cheap PCs that have at least a 2 Ghz processor.

Does that mean the game will basically not let me play on a machine with less than 2 Ghz at all?

[CatPerson]

Sidenote: some have actually gotten this game to work on WinXP...at least that's what I've read. I haven't tried. 8)

Anyhoo...the specs are, in PC-gaming terms, so hilariously low you could really run it on pretty much any cheaper machines sold today, or the past few years. I know that doesn't feel very helpful/specific, but...

The only major consideration right this second is monitor resolution, since smaller resolutions are currently "locked" into smaller and smaller field of views. Even 1080 doesn't give you a very huge view. But hopefully ConcernedApe can get that zoom function working properly soon, and then it won't matter as much.

[bbabylan]

an old ham radio and b&w tv. Connected by chicken wire.

[(>^.^)>]

my friend plays it on an older work book not sure of the specs but it looks like a brick so im assuming its old af

[CatPerson]

Originally posted by AnonBoxis:

Quick follow up question:
I'm having difficulty finding extremely cheap PCs that have at least a 2 Ghz processor.

Does that mean the game will basically not let me play on a machine with less than 2 Ghz at all?

Depends on the game and how far off.

Typically a game may open/run, but if it's really far below desired spec, will run poorly.

[CatPerson]

What, exactly, is your preferred price range?

[Henny]

I'd get a cheap used laptop if it's just for Stardew and games. You can find ThinkPad X220 on ebay for ~$300. Any i5 can run Stardew, so you should be fine.

[Gyatt Rizzler]

don't be lazy is the answer.

anyway my cheap $800 pc can run this very well

[Hurodrik]

Originally posted by Henny:

I'd get a cheap used laptop if it's just for Stardew and games. You can find ThinkPad X220 on ebay for ~$300. Any i5 can run Stardew, so you should be fine.

Indeed, I'm running it on an i3 myself.

[AnonBoxis]

Thanks for all the suggestions guy! keep em coming!

[a meme-based name]

fwiw, there's apparently a workaround for Mac that doesn't involve vmware.
http://community.playstarbound.com/threads/mac-osx-wineskin-attempts.106850/page-9