A limited gaming laptop - how limited?

[Yrubdarb]

I want to replace a still-useful AMD Ryzen 5 5500U-based laptop. I'm not sure what I should choose. The replacement should be somewhat durable because it will be used a lot, usually for lower-demand purposes.

I'm not really a gamer - definitely not a Gamer - but I don't want to deny myself possibilities. In the past, poor visuals and input lag have not been particular issues.

These are 3 chassis choices which are listed as available today - 15.6" ELIMINA (Intel-based), 15" IONICO AMD (possibly expensive overkill) and 14" LAFITE AI AMD (suspected slowed processor; why that high a resolution on such a small screen?). All look adequate to me but none look ideal.

I'm not in a hurry. I could wait until the summer. I'm also not totally opposed to buying a AMD-based NUC but I'm being pushed towards maximum portability, perhaps rightly so.

What advice do you have for me?

 

[Scott]

If you hold out for a few months the next chassis options will be available. Expect March. As you aren't in a hurry I would definitely hold off till then but I wouldn't wait until Summer as they can often sell out fast.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Yeah, the AMD chassis, I think especially with their new Ryzen AI 300 series processors are going to be extremely popular. It's not just the compute power, but they are set to be just a complete transformation in efficiency, we're talking 16 hours and up battery life being the new normal.

Last year, AMD chassis were all sold out by around June, so you have to be fairly quick once they hit the market at end of March / beginning of april.

 

[Yrubdarb]

I said the summer because I won't wait longer. I have the money now. I will keep an eye on PCS.

I was told the 880M Integrated Graphics APUs will be available in the UK '2H 2025'. Do you have any other information about this? 780M will suffice for the foreseeable future unless throttled.

 

[SpyderTracks]

I said the summer because I won't wait longer. I have the money now. I will keep an eye on PCS.

I was told the 880M Integrated Graphics APUs will be available in the UK '2H 2025'. Do you have any other information about this? 780M will suffice for the foreseeable future unless throttled.

You won’t be able to game to any worthwhile degree with integrated graphics unless it’s an APU, but if you wanted that as a possibility a dedicated GPU is really essential.

If you come back nearer the time we can propose something

 

[Yrubdarb]

Fallout: New Vegas has been reminding me why I never cared for Doom or similar games.

I expect to spend so much of my computer time dealing with software from yesteryear - including the games - that I don't see why I should future-proof anything.

 

[Ekans2011]

that I don't see why I should future-proof anything

It's virtually impossible to future-proof anything, especially a non-upgradable laptop.

That is why, at least on desktops, it is so critical to design a solid platform with enough room for upgrades during its life cycle, which ranges from 7 up to 10 years depending on various conditions (usage, budget, aging of the platform itself etc).

That is my perspective.

 

[Yrubdarb]

Can the BIOS of a PCS-supplied laptop be accessed? I have bought only desktops from PCS. Same question about the NUCs.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Can the BIOS of a PCS-supplied laptop be accessed? I have bought only desktops from PCS. Also, what about the NUCs?

You can access the BIOS on any computer, it’s the configuration part for the hardware components to enable / disable settings.

What settings you can change is restricted to the BIOS for that particular product.