Best Laptop under $550

[FSXNoob]

1. What is your budget?
$550
2. What is the size of the notebook that you are considering?
15.6 or 17.3
3. What screen resolution do you want?
Doesn’t Matter
4. Do you need a portable or desktop replacement laptop?
Doesn’t Matter
5. How much battery life do you need?
Doesn’t Matter
6. Do you want to play games with your laptop? If so then please list the games that you want to with the settings that you want for these games. (Low,Medium or High)?
Flight Simulator X(High)
7. What other tasks do you want to do with your laptop? (Photo/Video editing, Etc.)
Watching Videos on Youtube
8. How much storage (Hard Drive capacity) do you need?
320GB+
9. If you are considering specific sites to buy from, please post their links.
BestBuy
10. How long do you want to keep your laptop?
2-4 Years
11. What kind of Optical drive do you need? DVD ROM/Writer,Bluray ROM/Writer,Etc ?
DVD
12. Please tell us about the brands that you prefer to buy from them and the brands that you don't like and explain the reasons.
It has to be a good quality build.
13. What country do you live in?
US
14. Please tell us any additional information if needed.
I want to run additional add-ons to the game.

 

[Pyree]

With budget of 550 it is impossible to get a laptop to run fsx on high.

 

[FSXNoob]

I had a laptop that ran FSX on high before it broke. It was a Gateway AMD Dual-Core. It was $500.

 

[Pyree]

I guessed you must have got yourself an awesome deal last time.

 

[FSXNoob]

It was a NV52. I am leaning toward buying this one. http/www.bestbuy.com/site/Gateway+-+Laptop+/+AMD+Turion%26%23153%3B+II+X2+Processor+/+15.6%22+Display+/+4GB+Memory+/+500+GB+Hard+Drive+-+Velvet+Blue/1250655.p?id=1218242897223&skuId=1250655&st=%20AMD%20Turion™%20II%20Processor&cp=1&lp=4

 

[Pyree]

Not sure if you like refurbish stuff, but this is the best for your price range.

http/www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Factory-Refurbished+Pavilion+Laptop+/+AMD+Phenom%26%23153%3B+II+Processor+/+17.3%22+Display+/+6GB+Memory+/+640GB+Hard+Drive+-+Argento/2992332.p?id=1218370117791&skuId=2992332

I am skeptical on fsx able to run on high setting on the laptop I recommend, which is better spec than the one you lean towards.

 

[FSXNoob]

No, I don't think I am going to buy a refurb. I have to be able to see it in person. If there is a refurb in which I could do the site to store option it might be alright.

 

[Pyree]

I know this is from newegg but it is good price for spec:

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834215120

 

[FSXNoob]

I'm not familiar with Acer products. Do they make good quality, durable computers?

 

[Pyree]

I had friends using Acer laptops which is about 4 years old but I used to have one that died in about 2 years. So I am neutral on Acer.

 

[FSXNoob]

Oh, I see do you think an i3 proccesor will do the job to run FSX on medium?

 

[fun500]

Acer currently owns Gateway, so the build quality is the same.

 

[Pyree]

You can probably run medium, no AI traffic. The frame rate in FSX will varies a lot because. On my i5-430m with amd 5730 it runs smooth in high sky and airport but drop to high teen's and low 20-ish in cities.

 

[FSXNoob]

http/www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba+-+Satellite+Laptop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Core%26%23153%3B+i3+Processor+/+15.6%22+Display+/+4GB+Memory+/+500GB+Hard+Drive+-+Black/1974715.p?id=1218303652901&skuId=1974715 So, do you think this could handle FSX on Medium-High Settings?

 

[Pyree]

Wait, sorry. I crank the physics level to realistic so that is why my laptop struggle. If you are on arcade mode, yes I think you can run medium-high or even high. I am playing it on high realistic physics for so long that I forgot about it. Must remember that when other people wants laptop for fsx next time.

 

[FSXNoob]

I'm not familiar with arcade mode?

 

[Pyree]

Well i call it arcade mode, but it just means the physics is least realistic and the aircraft require little effort to control. It is under the realism setting. I set it to most realistic setting, even exceeding the hard profile by enabling gyro drift and no auto rudder. Flying the f/a-18 hornet acrobatic is fun and I like to challenge my low flying skill by flying upside down and pass through under bridges.

 

[FSXNoob]

Oh, I see. I think I have made my decision. It will either be that refurb that you posted or the Gateway NV53. Thanks for the help.

 

[FSXNoob]

Best answer selected by FSXNoob.