The Daily Chit-Chat [2008]

[Cherrim]

I'm amazed at how technical console discussion has become... I just sit with a warm mug of hot chocolate and play computer games; definitely saves me the extra money of buying a console.

I was always the enemy of exclusive games though... but then, practically every RTS is exclusive to Windows so I suppose there's some middle ground.

Haha, the main reason I STAY with console gaming is the price. I prefer console gaming overall, but my laptop's graphics card is terrible and can't even run Portal, let alone anything more strenuous. The only desktop we have capable of gaming is... middle of the line, so it can play games alright, but at low resolution and rather laggy. D: Factor in that my family only buys new computers once every... 5 or 6 years, maybe, and upgrading just to keep my specs up for new PC games would just get too expensive. (Not to mention I only have access to my laptop when I'm away from home anyway.)

With console games, you don't have to worry about specs. Games are fine-tuned to your console and not the other way around. :D

 

[THIRTY-SIX]

Then close it when you watch blu-rays and save yourself the cost of a PS3? :0

It's for my brother anyway.
I'm not really a CoD fan either… I prefer third person view or RPGs…

 

[Legobricks]

Factor in that my family only buys new computers once every... 5 or 6 years, maybe, and upgrading just to keep my specs up for new PC games would just get too expensive.

Nerh. Computers don't actually need to be constantly upgraded. Every new console generation comes around in about 5–6 years from the last one (so you are actually getting new computers at the same rate as new consoles, heh) and so someone only needs to upgrade their PC every generation to keep up with games.

 

[Lusankya]

RTS are exclusive to PCs for a reason, the mouse is a far more precise instrument of destruction than the joystick.

 

[Legobricks]

RTS are exclusive to PCs for a reason, the mouse is a far more precise instrument of destruction than the joystick.

That's why Halo Wars will be an epic failure unless it hits the PC. I've played RTSs on consoles and it's terrible. XD

 

[Comic Tragedy]

Yeh, you're right. Whenver I try playing a RTS on a consol I can't manuever my people (troops, or workers, or whatever xD) fast enough. On a PC I am like a speed demon. xD

 

[Lusankya]

That's also why any RTS where consoles can play vs PCs will end up with any people on the console getting brutally slaughtered.

 

[Cherrim]

Nerh. Computers don't actually need to be constantly upgraded. Every new console generation comes around in about 5–6 years from the last one (so you are actually getting new computers at the same rate as new consoles, heh) and so someone only needs to upgrade their PC every generation to keep up with games.

We got our newest computer last year and it still only plays games well at a really low resolution though. D:

 

[Lusankya]

Then you probably need a better graphics card, most computers don't come with those standard.

 

[Cherrim]

But thing is, I'm not willing to spend a lot on a graphics card on top of the computer. :/ It's something like $150 for a decent one, right? (I haven't actually bought a graphics card in about two or three years so I don't remember what they go for. 8/) If that were the case I'd rather spend that money on two or three console games instead. :[

 

[Legobricks]

We got our newest computer last year and it still only plays games well at a really low resolution though. D:

My laptop's five years old and probably as good as yours then.
I must admit the downside to computers is the choice (if you buy one), construction (if you build it yourself; it's cheaper that way) and set-up. Consoles you just buy, plug in and play.

But thing is, I'm not willing to spend a lot on a graphics card on top of the computer. :/ It's something like $150 for a decent one, right? (I haven't actually bought a graphics card in about two or three years so I don't remember what they go for. 8/) If that were the case I'd rather spend that money on two or three console games instead. :[

I've found perfectly good video cards and RAM chips at £50 a piece, about $85 for you (but since your currency is worth less than mine I assume you have more of it anyway).
The trick is buying the individual parts and putting it together oneself, then it ends up considerably cheaper, probably more exapensive than a console, but definitely cheaper than buying a computer and console seperately.

 

[Cherrim]

I got my laptop last year and configured it to be the best possible and it still sucks, haha. :[ (Graphics card was the best they offered--I really am annoyed that it can't... you know, do anything.)

Are they around that range now? Hm, well, maybe I'll look into it but I'm still not sure it's worth it. I have no idea how to go about upgrading a laptop's card and when I'm away at school, I don't have access to the family desktop obviously so anything I bought wouldn't even be usable most of the time. D:

 

[Lusankya]

It depends on a lot of stuff, most importantly, where you're getting it, I got mine at about $50 and it runs most games at about medium-high.

 

[Legobricks]

I have no idea how to go about upgrading a laptop's card

Laptops are notoriously unfriendly to upgrade, due to every piece being packed in tightly and the casing being sealed. Any sane gamer uses a desktop.
Oh and there are more things to consider than simply the video card, most importantly the RAM and processor (and hard drive, but that's a simple affair since one can just use the hard drive(s) from their previous computer, and only buy more if/when they need more space).

 

[Cherrim]

Mm, processor and RAM are decent enough on my laptop, it's just the video card that isn't that great. A laptop makes the most sense for me because, while I love gaming, I have the laptop first and foremost because of school. It's the best choice because I can pack up and bring it home when I visit, I can bring it to class if I need to, etc. While a desktop would obviously be better for gaming, I have to prioritize as I don't have the funds for two computers of my own. :[

I could probably get by fine with a desktop though. XD; My laptop is great for portability but for the most part it does just sit on my desk connected to my monitor--which doubles as an HDTV--so my consoles never really move from my desk anyway. 8|

 

[Mr. Epic]

Laptops are notoriously unfriendly to upgrade, due to every piece being packed in tightly and the casing being sealed. Any sane gamer uses a desktop.

Who would use a laptop for gaming? Laptops have just become a fashon and everyone I know would prefer them even if they are slower. I personaly prefer desktops even though i do not game because it would always be more powerful and not all compact and overheated.

 

[Lusankya]

Yeah, laptops just don't provide the same feel that desktops do, which, in my opinion, is way better. Desktops > Laptops in gaming, but for practical reasons, a lot of people prefer laptops.

 

[Legobricks]

Who would use a laptop for gaming?

You're quoting me while asking that, yet that post already stated why...

Yeah, laptops just don't provide the same feel that desktops do, which, in my opinion, is way better. Desktops > Laptops in gaming, but for practical reasons, a lot of people prefer laptops.

The only practical reason for a laptop is portability.
I'm only on a laptop because it's the family computer, my own desktop is in pieces and awaiting its renovation (it's an ex-office computer built in 2001, so I've got a lot of part to get xD).

 

[Yu_&_Rei]

Laptops are something everyone will need at some point, when you're in college you should have a laptop, and some laptops can be used for gaming.

 

[Aegis]

What Audy described is a lot like what I would like... actually, it's what I have XD; I have a very nice desktop that I got just a month or two ago, it's really powerful and all that (I can have World of Warcraft open and running, Photoshop, Firefox, in a Skype call, MSN, AIM, and have AVG scanning and I don't even notice it XD), and the monitor for it is pretty large as well. It's reeeally nice, and I'm really thankful I managed to persuade my parents I needed it for school XD; I also have a laptop I bought last year that's not that good, but I just use it for web-surfing and chatting, for when I just want to sit and my bed and watch TV or something. :>

So far, the setup has worked pretty well. The most annoying thing is when I do something on one computer, say... code a signature, and then when I want to convert it to BB code for PC use on the other I have to dig up my external hard drive and move it and and... ;; I'm so lazy.