playing prison architect on a laptop

[clayton]

Hi all, I am completely new to pc gaming and have absolutely no idea about computers and processing speeds etc.
I am extremely interested in playing Prison Architect. However I don't have a Desktop Computer and don't really have the space for one, aswell as the fact I want to be to play and watch DVDs on the go etc, so a laptop is my only option. (Not interested in ps4/Xbox versions)

Now iv found a laptop (HP Pavilion 15-au191sa) which meets my requirements for price etc and I believe it meets the requirements of Prison architect. However I would really love someone with a bit of experience in laptops and gaming( preferably PA) to let me know if you think it would run the game comfortably and if this is a decent laptop? Can not find a single review online of the laptop!

Sorry for such a long post, and thankyou all in advance for your replies (if I get any)

[ReBoot]

http://www.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri/requirements/prison-architect/11691
That compares your system to the game requirements for you if you don't want to/can't.

[clayton]

Ahhh don't you actually need the laptop you want to test?? I haven't brought the laptop yet, don't really want to spend £400 on a laptop that can't play PA when that's 90% I want a laptop Haaa
Appreciate the swift reply though ReBoot!

[ReBoot]

Yes, you need. Otherwise, compare the specs yourself. Prison Architect is a pretty boring, in terms of system requirements, game anyway. It would run on a toaster. I am serious, it's hard to find hardware this game doesn't run on.

[clayton]

ahh thought so.
Processor 2.5GHz up to 3.1GHz ( 2.5ghz required) tick
8GB RAM (4GB required) tick
Windows 10
only thing I'm not sure on is the graphics? Does a Intel HD graphics 620 meet the requirements ? Only says about nvidia 8600 or the Radeon equivalent?
Sorry for the 101 questions

[ReBoot]

You need to read further, it says something like "as of 2009". That means that any decent graphics card from 2009 can run the game. That also means that any recent graphics unit that isn't broken can run the game. That in turn means that the Intel HD unit, while being a piece of crap, can run the game as everything nowadays is better than the mid range from 2009.

[Tony Montana]

i think u can if u have an Alienware or an other nice Laptop

[clayton]

Haha Alienware!? bit out of my price range hahaaaa
Ahh indeed it does, sorry! So you reckon the laptop with these specs should run the game yeah?:)

[76561198120976989]

vjvhjvsdsadasdasdasdas

[ReBoot]

Like I said, it's hard to find a rig that can't run the game. Unless you go for extremely low price range. Anything >300€ will run the game just fine.
Don't buy Alienware unless you want to burn money for nothing but design.

[Cathulhu]

Alienware is horribly overpriced anyway.

And yes, that laptop should run Prison Architect. The game runs on a potato.

[clayton]

Thankyou for the help! Is very much appreciated, feel like a bit of idiot but just wanted to get some feedback before I go buying it!
Again, thanks :)

[ReBoot]

Lack of knowledge isn't what makes you an idiot, unwillingness to gain knowledge is what does! I mean, don't feel like an idiot because you don't know things. Ask, learn, if you do that, you aren't an idiot.

[clayton]

That is very true, everything else In life I strive to know as much as possible (working for a concrete company in London in the technical department) and usually pick stuff up quickly. Howeve, no matter how much I try I simply can not get my head around computers and how they work, what does what and how.
So I will stick to my statement but add "feel like a bit of an idiot.... when it comes to computers" :D
Again ReBoot, thankyou for your responses

[Macenn]

@ OP:

If all you want to do with your laptop is to play PA then i'm not judging you. But it might happen, that at one point you get enough of prison architect and want to play other games as well. Any laptop that can play PA is quite decent, maybe not great for gaming in general but they will do. Another thing you should take under consideration is that how durable the laptop is. Usually laptops are not made for gaming. Except for Alienaware and Asus but if you have budget then you can't really afford them. HP and Acer on the other hand make cheap laptops but they aren't durable at all. They break down easily with heavier use simply by watching films and surfing in the web. If you want to have your laptop in maintenance all the time until your warranty expires, then buy Acer or HP. If you plan to actually use your laptop and even play on it, then try to avoid at least those two companies.

On laptop Gaming.

A) Keep your laptop cool. Laptops are built to be compact but that is not good for their cooling capabilities. Keep your laptop elevated on a specially made laptop frame, docks, coasters or whatever you call it for better air flow. I kept my laptop on a small drawer for years and it worked well because it had enough room for air in front and back.

B) Keep it dustfree. Clean it at least every 6 months with pressurised air. They sell compressed air in a can. Air from actual compressor can be very bad because of the water that collects in its container. You probably need to open up your laptop for better access but if you don't know what you are doing get some techsavvy friend to do it for you.

C) Still keep it cool. That is if there is no problem with dust and air flow. When the weather gets hot and you can hear your laptops vents going crazy then you need extra cold. One summer i had several plastic bottles of water i recycled through the freezer to keep my laptop cool. Once the bottle melted and warmed up i took it back to the freezer and changed it for frozen bottle instead. Keep the bottles under the laptop and don't let them touch the laptop because of the condensed water on the bottle.

[clayton]

Indeed, I haven't actually played PA, only come across it a few weeks ago but is definitely a game I'm very interested in getting my teeth stuck into!
But do want a laptop for other reasons (not many ahaha)
Basically the company I work for gives me £750 to spend in Currys/ PC World and allows me to pay it off over 12 months interest free as a reward incentive. And the majority of computers that are in the list available to me are HPs and Acers( actually already have an acer chrome book as a work laptop and I hate it! Brought PA through steam and can't download steam on the chrome book. My company has full administration over the laptop so I can't do anything to get steam to download.)
But will definitely have another look tomorrow and see if there where any Asus' on there.

As for the further tips on laptop care, will definitely keep in mind! Cheers Macenn!