Laptops for kids

[Penfold]

I think I need to get the kids laptops but am not sure what spec I can get away with.

Usual school-type stuff and access to some games such as minecraft perhaps COD and perhaps a version of CS etc. I appreciate that it ain't gonna run ARMA III but can someone please point me in the right direction.

For example, can I get away with an i3 or does it need to be i5 minimum? Presumably the cheaper chips such as Celeron etc should be avoided?

would something of this ilk be OK?

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/156-asus-x551ca-notebook-core-i3-3217u-4gb-500gb-hdmi-dvdrw-webcam-wifi-usb3-win-81-64bit

or the i3 like this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/X552CL-SX037H-15-6-inch-i3-3217U-Processor-Geforce/dp/B00GKG1JLM/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1395602009&sr=8-9&keywords=asus+laptop#productDetails

or do I need to push out for something more with (I presume) a dedicated graphics card:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/156-asus-x552cl-sx047h-core-i5-3337u-750gb-6gb-ddr3-geforce-gt710m-win-8

Appreciate any help !

[Chaosphere]

The i3 there has the intel hd 4000 integrated GPU, which should be fine for playing those sort of things. It will run things like BF4 if you want it to, but with settings turned down of course.

So, I would say you're fine with an i3, just make sure it is one with the HD 4000 GPU. i5 would maybe help a bit sure and make things a bit more snappy, but if there is a big price increase the i3s will be fine. I wouldn't bother with a discrete GPU, seems like a waste of money to me for what you need the PC for.

[Penfold]

Thanks. Does anyone else have any pearls of wisdom they can cast my way?

[TeaLeaf]

I'd probably agree with Chaos but add that getting 8GB RAM minimum is important.   Not sure I like that first one you listed, but I prefer i5 with a minimum of HD4000.  Agreed a discrete gpu is just a PITA and it will usually mean the system cooks itself to death sooner rather than later.

[Tutonic]

Just another plus-one for the HD4000 here. It's a capable GPU, and surprisingly powerful.

You won't be running Arma 3 on it any time soon, but I've had relatively recent games like Diablo III and DOTA 2 running on one quite happily.

I can't imagine you'd see much benefit from jumping up to an i5, if it's mainly for Microsoft Office work an i3 should be more than capable. You can always add more RAM (or even an SSD) if it starts to feel sluggish.

I'm a big fan of Lenovo laptops, have a look at their G Series range.

[kregoron]

try looking for something with a HD 5200 igpu, thats a fairly capable gpu, more powerfull then the quite impressive hd 4000

Tho it comes at a steep price

[Penfold]

I have to buy two of them so I'd rather not spend a fortune!

Given the comments (thanks all), I'll go with an i3 with the HD4000 integrated graphics. I'll fine a couple of finalised specs and post them here for final appraisal - thanks again.

[sulky_uk]

found this on argos, £100 off and has i3, hd4000 and 8 gig and win 8.1

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1467752.htm

specs from hp site

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=uk&lc=en&docname=c04064346

[Penfold]

Even colour coded... I likes it.

so then my techie friends, is this spec Ok

CPU, Memory and Operating System:

• Intel Core i3 dual core processor.
• 1.8GHz processor speed.
• 8GB RAM.
• 1024GB SATA hard drive.
• Microsoft Windows 8.

Display features:

• 15.6 inch screen.
• High definition display.
• Resolution 1366 x 768 pixels.

Graphics:

• Intel HD Graphics 4000.
• Dedicated graphics card.

Interfaces and connectivity:

• Multi-Media Card (MMC) compatible.
• 1 USB 2.0 port.
• 2 USB 3.0 ports.
• 1 Ethernet port.
• 1 HDMI port.

Multimedia features:

• HD webcam.
• Built-in mic.
• DTS sound system.

General features:

• Size H2.26, W38.56, D25.8cm.
• Weight 2.3kg.
• EAN: 888182353349.

thanks all

[kregoron]

Looks fine

[Penfold]

done then.

I x blue and 1 x purple ordered.

Thanks all for the help and nice once Sulks for finding it !

[Chaosphere]

yup hopefully that should do the job nicely!

[sulky_uk]

ney worries mate