I’m 33 and returning to PC gaming after being on consoles. I want to play older games like Rome: Total War, which my old laptop used to handle just fine. Now, it seems I need a pricey ‘gaming’ laptop with flashy designs just to play these games. Has laptop technology regressed? I don’t want to spend a lot for over-the-top features I don’t need. Are there simpler, more budget-friendly options suitable for older games?
You don’t need a $1k gaming laptop for older games. Something around $400 should suffice, especially if it has a dedicated GPU. Look for laptops that meet the system requirements of the games you want to play.
@Hale
Create a list of games you’re interested in and find laptops that meet their recommended specs. This should help narrow down your options.
@Hale
Modern integrated GPUs might even outperform older dedicated GPUs. A $400 laptop with 16GB of RAM would likely serve your needs well.
@Hale
Can you recommend a $400 ‘gaming’ laptop?
Shawn said:
@Hale
Can you recommend a $400 ‘gaming’ laptop?
Look for laptops with RTX 2050 or GTX 3050. They occasionally drop to around $350-$450, especially open box deals.
Shawn said:
@Hale
Can you recommend a $400 ‘gaming’ laptop?
Consider AMD APU laptops for good performance at a lower cost.
@Hale
It’s difficult to find any laptop under $400 that meets your criteria.
Consider gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally for older and lighter PC games. They’re affordable, portable, and can dock to function as a PC.
Tegan said:
Consider gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally for older and lighter PC games. They’re affordable, portable, and can dock to function as a PC.
Do these handhelds support keyboard and mouse for games that require them?
@Vesper
You can dock the Steam Deck and connect a mouse and keyboard for such games.
Landry said:
@Vesper
You can dock the Steam Deck and connect a mouse and keyboard for such games.
That’s great to know. I might consider an upgrade this year.
Modern mid-range laptops often have a discreet design without the flashy gaming aesthetics. They are capable of handling older games without the bulkiness or high cost associated with ‘gaming’ laptops.
New laptops with modern integrated GPUs should easily handle the games you mentioned. Even budget options now come with impressive performance.
Keegan said:
New laptops with modern integrated GPUs should easily handle the games you mentioned. Even budget options now come with impressive performance.
Modern integrated GPUs like the 680m are surprisingly capable, handling games and emulators smoothly.
@Noe
The 680m and 780m are excellent for budget-conscious gamers.
Recent AMD CPUs with integrated graphics are powerful enough for your gaming needs, especially for older titles.
Phoenix said:
Recent AMD CPUs with integrated graphics are powerful enough for your gaming needs, especially for older titles.
Considering replacing my high-end gaming laptop with a more portable AMD integrated graphics model for better portability and sufficient performance.
@Gael
Keep an eye on upcoming models with AMD 8060s for impressive performance at a lower power consumption.