Help With Laptop

[GhostCDB]

Well I have successfully moved into my apartment for college and I am just getting everything set up. . .

I guess you could say I forgot one of the most important things to bring to college, a laptop. I have an iPad but I don't think that has everything I need to take to class, but if anyone thinks it would be please say so. I am majoring in astronautical engineering, just a heads up. I currently have a desktop that is perfect for Aces High, I run max graphics with FR 60 (that is me limiting it to 60) and I run Adobe Editing Programs no problem (Photoshop, After Effects, etc.).

I would like a laptop that could run Aces High with max graphics, I know that isn't asking for much, but I would also like for it to be capable of doing my day to day needs for college. I am a nooby when it comes to buying laptops because I have never purchased one; I have always been a desktop guy. && My mother and father don't even know how to boot up their computer without help so I know they aren't of any help.

So basically what I am asking is: Does anyone have any suggestions or tips on what I SHOULD be looking for?


 

[GhostCDB]

Here are the specifications of one I was looking at earlier . . .

Processor Brand:    AMD
Processor Type:    AMD Quad-Core A8-4555M Accelerated Processor
Processor Speed:    1.60 GHz, with a Max Turbo Speed of 2.40 GHz
System Ram:    6 GB
Maximum Memory Expansion:    8GB
Hard Drive Size:    750GB
Laptop Screen Size:    15.6 inch
Screen Type:    LED Backlight, HD BrightView Display
Resolution:    1366 x 768
Graphics Card:    AMD Radeon HD 7600G with 3057MB I am assuming 3000MB's is enough to run Max Graphics
Card Reader Type:    1 x SD Card Reader
Battery Life:    4 hours
Battery Type:    Lithium Ion
Network Connection:    10/100 Fast Ethernet & 802.11b/g/n Wireless LAN
Connector Type:    1 x DC-in, 1 x Ethernet, 1 x HDMI, 1 x Headphone/Microphone, 1 x USB 2.0, 2 x USB 3.0
Operating System:    Windows 8

[Bizman]

For what I know, Intel is more efficient in AH. That would mean it would also produce less heat per oomph which in laptops is a thing to take into account. Two cores is enough at the moment, AH doesn't make use of more.

If you're into Radeons, the hundreds tell the power. 7600 is mediocre, and the amount of memory might part of the system ram which isn't comparable to the gddr of a video card. 7800 and 7900 series are what you should be looking for, and even there don't look below the 50's. 1-2 gigs of video ram is sufficient.

Also bear in mind that laptop components are always slower than their desktop equivalents to reduce heat production.

[GhostCDB]

For what I know, Intel is more efficient in AH. That would mean it would also produce less heat per oomph which in laptops is a thing to take into account. Two cores is enough at the moment, AH doesn't make use of more.

If you're into Radeons, the hundreds tell the power. 7600 is mediocre, and the amount of memory might part of the system ram which isn't comparable to the gddr of a video card. 7800 and 7900 series are what you should be looking for, and even there don't look below the 50's. 1-2 gigs of video ram is sufficient.

Also bear in mind that laptop components are always slower than their desktop equivalents to reduce heat production.

So I should look into 7800+ , thank you will do. But aren't video cards interchangeable? 

[Bizman]

Laptop video cards might not be upgradable. One reason is that you can't upgrade the power supply to feed a more effective card. Also the cooling might not be sufficient for a better card. Laptops are mostly "as is", they are designed that way. And their replacement parts cost zillions!

I'm saying "might" and "mostly", because there are vendors who build laptops according the customer's wishes. I don't know how cost effective those are but I have my doubts.

One hint: Screen size doesn't affect prices much, if the innards are the same. It doesn't even affect frame rate if the resolution is the same. But a 17" laptop has a little more cooling space than a 15" one, so it might last longer.

[gyrene81]

Here are the specifications of one I was looking at earlier . . .

Processor Brand:    AMD
Processor Type:    AMD Quad-Core A8-4555M Accelerated Processor
Processor Speed:    1.60 GHz, with a Max Turbo Speed of 2.40 GHz
System Ram:    6 GB
Maximum Memory Expansion:    8GB
Hard Drive Size:    750GB
Laptop Screen Size:    15.6 inch
Screen Type:    LED Backlight, HD BrightView Display
Resolution:    1366 x 768
Graphics Card:    AMD Radeon HD 7600G with 3057MB I am assuming 3000MB's is enough to run Max Graphics
Card Reader Type:    1 x SD Card Reader
Battery Life:    4 hours
Battery Type:    Lithium Ion
Network Connection:    10/100 Fast Ethernet & 802.11b/g/n Wireless LAN
Connector Type:    1 x DC-in, 1 x Ethernet, 1 x HDMI, 1 x Headphone/Microphone, 1 x USB 2.0, 2 x USB 3.0
Operating System:    Windows 8

that does not have the processing or graphics power you need for ah, even at minimal graphics. you're going to want an intel i5 2.4ghz or higher, nvidia gtx670m or amd equivalent. (hint amd apu processors are equivalent to intel celeron processors).

[Denniss]

They are actually better than Celerons and usually comparable to at least Core i3 but with far better graphics.

[gyrene81]

per core operations basis, maybe...

[GhostCDB]

that does not have the processing or graphics power you need for ah, even at minimal graphics. you're going to want an intel i5 2.4ghz or higher, nvidia gtx670m or amd equivalent. (hint amd apu processors are equivalent to intel celeron processors).

So a Quad Core is not enough? I am confused

[gyrene81]

So a Quad Core is not enough? I am confused

per core power on the amd apu processors is not good. the ability to execute processes isn't as good as it would be in an intel. they were designed for economy mobile platforms. you could run spreadsheets, watch videos and edit photos but, games like ah would choke them.

[olds442]

So a Quad Core is not enough? I am confused

Even dual core is fine, just the power each core has.

[GhostCDB]

Thank You for the help.

 

[Bizman]

Would be of some interest to know what you decided to buy.