Hi, I was looking for a bit of a hand with buying a new laptop. I'm not a hardcore gamer, I only play Sims 3, and may possibly play 4. But that is all I really need a laptop for, other than occasional internet use. I'm looking for something in Australia, as far away from the $1000 price mark as possible. I love nice graphics, and download a decent amount of cc. My current laptop was only $350 and I've had it for three years now. I've never experienced much lag and have nice graphics. But just now after the past two EPs I've realised it's time to upgrade. Thanks so much for the help in advance

Last edited by shaaaii : 9th Nov 2013 at 6:46 AM.

What are the specs of your current laptop and which sims were you playing on it? Does it have to be a laptop?

Unfortunately for you hardware is notoriously expensive in Australia... But we'll see what we can find.

Hi, I was hoping you'd respond - I've seen you've been really helpful in assisting some other Simmers. Preferably a laptop. But if there was a fantastic desktop with a great price, I don't see how I could say no. I'm playing all of the TS3 eps and sps. Since Into the Future I've started noticing it's a bit laggier than usual and my laptop's been making some pretty interesting sounds... Until now I've had wonderful graphics and never experienced any lag - which on other sites, I've been told that with my laptop, that can't be true. So please bare with me, it is!

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System Information
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Time of this report: 11/9/2013, 19:13:09
Machine name: OWNER-PC
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.130828-1532)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: Presario CQ42 Notebook PC
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU M 350 @ 2.27GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.3GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 3958MB RAM
Page File: 2253MB used, 5660MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
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Card name: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5400 Series
Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Chip type: AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x68E1)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_68E1&SUBSYS_1426103C&REV_00
Display Memory: 2226 MB
Dedicated Memory: 503 MB
Shared Memory: 1722 MB
Current Mode: 1366 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: unknown
Monitor Id: SEC3842
Native Mode: 1366 x 768(p) (60.031Hz)
Output Type: Internal
Driver Name: aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx32,aticfx32,aticfx32,atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
Driver File Version: 8.17.0010.1151 (English)
Driver Version: 9.2.0.0
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 9/28/2012 12:41:40, 1120768 bytes

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Sound Devices
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Description: Speakers (High Definition Audio Device)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0270&SUBSYS_103C1426&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 65535
Type: WDM
Driver Name: HdAudio.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7601.17514 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 11/20/2010 21:44:23, 350208 bytes

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Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
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Drive: C:
Free Space: 283.2 GB
Total Space: 476.8 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: Hitachi HTS725050A9A364 ATA Device

Would you be willing to assemble your own desktop? It's not hard (can even be fun), and do you already own a copy of retail Windows 7 64bit?

No I don't own a copy, and sure if I had a bit of help along the way I don't see why not.

What state do you live in? I'm not really familiar with Australian Retailers so I'm checking out a few.

I live in tasmania. It's a small state and there isn't a lot down here. I'm willing to have it shipped from another state.

Okay so I've got two options for you.

One is this laptop Thinkpad Edge E440 Laptop with Discrete Graphics.

At the link above there are four variations of the same laptop. Select the "Thinkpad Edge E440 Laptop with Discrete Graphics" that starts at $849.00 then choose the upgrade that increases your RAM from 4GB to 8GB for $55. Total $904.00 including shipping and GST.

Second option is checkout umart.com.au

And add the following items:

1. Intel Core i5 4440 LGA1150 CPU 3.3Ghz 6Mb Cache Haswell $204.00
2. ASRock H87M-PRO4 M/B, Socket 1150, 4x DDR 3 Slots,1x PCIe x16, 1x PCIe x4, 2x PCI, 6x SATA3, 6x $98.00
3. G Skill 8G(2x4G) DDR3 1333MHZ PC3-10666 CL9(8GBRL $88.00
4. Gigabyte ATI HD 7850 OC Edition PCI-E 3.0, 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 $199.00
5. Corsair CX-430v3 430W ATX Power Supply, 80 PLUS Bronze, 120mm fan, 1x PCI-E, 4x SATA, 3x Molex, 3 $69.00
6. Western Digital Blue 1TB SATA3 HDD 64M Caviar Blue WD10EZEX $66.00
7. Antec Three Hundred TWO - Black Mid-Tower Gaming Case, The Essentially Cool and Quiet Case, No $88.00
8. Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OEM(Microsoft OEM Terms&condition apply) $108.00

Total 8 items: $920.00, GST included. + shipping

Notes:

1. The laptop is about $20 cheaper before shipping, but a lot weaker. However at the resolution of the laptop, the game *should* play just fine on medium settings. It is also portable. The desktop is a lot more powerful and should play everything on high and have faster load times. All the components in the desktop can be individually replaced or upgraded as needed.
2. The laptop comes with Windows 8, which has been known to not play nice with games. The desktop comes with Windows 7.
3. I have never personally bought from umart.com.au nor do I know anyone who has, but they have generally positive to mixed reviews online.
4. As of recently Umart offers a FREE assembly service (source). All you have to do is order all the parts from them, and then shoot them an email with your order confirmation number. However I don't know how good that service is and how long it takes. It's completely up to you if you want to ask them to do it. If you would rather assemble yourself I would be happy to talk you through the whole process.

Last edited by ajaxsirius : 11th Nov 2013 at 4:09 PM.