Good, Cheap gaming laptop?

[Vagrant0]

I built a gaming computer for $40.

 

There are a number of problems related to a dirt cheap pc build like this, which is why it usually isn't recommended. Nevermind that your math was a bit off.

 

First and foremost, it usually can't run newer software very well, if at all. While sure, your intention might have been to just run games made before 2005, the reality is that for most people it is also things like flash, java, or even browser updates that become necessary to do all those things you do when you aren't playing PC games. In these cases, if you aren't using a more recent version things just don't work or become open to a large array of exploits that leave you wide open. You have to remember, it is generally smaller companies (or the US government) who use 10 year old software, therefore there are hackers intentionally designing around these exploits. So even if things still work, you are still more open to vulnerabilities.

 

Second is the matter of hardware reliability. Often the components which are available at such a cut rate are components which have been refurbished or just wiped clean and pulled out of whatever machine they were attached to the last 6 years. As all hardware has both a limited operating lifetime as well as a shelf-life, you are usually taking your chances here. Even if you are careful and only buy "new in-box" components, you still have that shelf-life problem as well as those related to how/where something was stored for the past few years. As components of previous generations were more sensitive to heat, magnetism, static, ect. you are still taking the risk that things will be dead on arrival or crap out after a few months while not having the ability to RMA the faulty components.

 

And even after all that, you have the problems of storage space and even finding compatible components to put together a serviceable system.

 

 

Getting back to the problem of your math... The breakdown is usually something like:

$40 for the processor

$35 for motherboard

$30 for videocard

$15 for heatsink and fan

$30 for powersupply and case

$20 for RAM

$25 for media drive

$60 for storage drives

$100 for monitor

$40 for keyboard and mouse

 

Which is still cheap at ~$300-350, but carries with it some serious limitations and risks. For that price range you're almost better off getting one of those crappy laptops from the local computer store. While these too usually crap out after a few months (due to the factors related to old hardware), atleast the store that sells it to you usually has some manner of insurance you can buy and exploit to get a new one when it dies. I still would not recommend it for anyone though. If you're that desperate for gaming and are on that tight a budget, just buy yourself a PS3, a bunch of pre-owned games, and hook it up to your TV.

[thisaccountisuseless]

 

Getting back to the problem of your math... The breakdown is usually something like:

$40 for the processor

$35 for motherboard

$30 for videocard

$15 for heatsink and fan

$30 for powersupply and case

$20 for RAM

$25 for media drive

$60 for storage drives

$100 for monitor

$40 for keyboard and mouse

Okay. for one, it was the motherboard from a dell Latitude D620 which came with a 2GB stick and a 1GB stick of ram, and the processor, which was a 1.83GHz dual core Intel and a total cost for all that...$14. The hard drive I nabbed off a friend for $5. The monitor I got for $1 of a Chinese auction site, was not original so had some backlight problems. I didn't buy a DVD drive because I knew I could just mount ISO files with Ubuntu's Archive Mounter. Soooooooooo... That's 14 for the motherboard, processor, and RAM... AND it came with the WHOLE base, trackpad and buttons. The keyboard was $8. So back to the math... That's 14+5+1+8+S&H which brings my total to $42.37. And the "newer software" was Ubuntu 14.10, which ran Chrome and Firefox and Minecraft and PPSSPP and LibreOffice and RhythmBox and a whole bunch of "newer" software with no problem.

Edited April 7, 2015 by thisaccountisuseless

[Vagrant0]

Okay. for one, it was the motherboard from a dell Latitude D620 which came with a 2GB stick and a 1GB stick of ram, and the processor, which was a 1.83GHz dual core Intel and a total cost for all that...$14. The hard drive I nabbed off a friend for $5. The monitor I got for $1 of a Chinese auction site, was not original so had some backlight problems. I didn't buy a DVD drive because I knew I could just mount ISO files with Ubuntu's Archive Mounter. Soooooooooo... That's 14 for the motherboard, processor, and RAM... AND it came with the WHOLE base, trackpad and buttons. The keyboard was $8. So back to the math... That's 14+5+1+8+S&H which brings my total to $42.37. And the "newer software" was Ubuntu 14.10, which ran Chrome and Firefox and Minecraft and PPSSPP and LibreOffice and RhythmBox and a whole bunch of "newer" software with no problem.

 

All of which is highly dependent on your own situation, carries with it a fairly large amount of risk, and is still restricted by the OS. The same system with a Windows install would be limited to XP era software. In both cases, you are either stuck only being able to run things that are compatible with Ubuntu, or which only works on older Windows versions. With Ubuntu, there is less of an upgrade push to get around vulnerabilities, but it is also not an interface that your average user is comfortable working with, and forces them into unfamiliar ground. While this all might be perfectly fine for your own personal situation, it is not the case for everyone else.

 

I never said that you can't get a dirt cheap computer together... Just that it isn't recommended for most people, particularly if they care about it working for very long, or being better than what they already have. I'm well aware that there are enthusiasts out there doing hobby projects with old hardware or making super-compact purpose built systems, but the majority of these are just that, for a hobby, not to replace or upgrade for use as a primary computer.

[thisaccountisuseless]

With Ubuntu, there is less of an upgrade push to get around vulnerabilities, but it is also not an interface that your average user is comfortable working with, and forces them into unfamiliar ground. While this all might be perfectly fine for your own personal situation, it is not the case for everyone else.

I never said that you can't get a dirt cheap computer together... Just that it isn't recommended for most people, particularly if they care about it working for very long, or being better than what they already have. I'm well aware that there are enthusiasts out there doing hobby projects with old hardware or making super-compact purpose built systems, but the majority of these are just that, for a hobby, not to replace or upgrade for use as a primary computer.

 

As far as purpose goes, I am poor and can't afford one of those fancy schmancy gaming rigs. if I could, I would spend it getting my underweight @$$ back to health. And as far as Ubuntu not being for the average user, they actually try to make it more new-user friendly. I read a lot of stories of husbands trying to convert their wives to Linux. Also, like you said, it would be XP restricted. That's why I chose Ubuntu, becasue XP has a limited update cap. Ubuntu can run on almost anything (within reason, of course) and continues to be updated. 12.04, which I have a copy of on an HDD lying around, is supported until 2017. And as far as "average user comfortable", who else was going to be using my computer? I've been using Ubuntu since 2009 and am quite comfortable with it.

[Vagrant0]

 

And as far as "average user comfortable", who else was going to be using my computer? I've been using Ubuntu since 2009 and am quite comfortable with it.

 

The average user being random people who might come to the forums, read a post like this, and assume that just because it works fine for your situation it will work fine for them since you never mentioned any of the downsides or restrictions related to your build. While these restrictions are not a problem for you, there are other people in this world, who use these forums, who look here to get an idea of what might be a good idea for computer builds.

 

Just because I am quoting your post does not mean I am talking to you, but rather am responding to the points that are being quoted for both conversation and for establishing counterpoints to your statements for the purpose of keeping the thread on topic and meaningful to others.

[thisaccountisuseless]

 

The average user being random people who might come to the forums, read a post like this, and assume that just because it works fine for your situation it will work fine for them since you never mentioned any of the downsides or restrictions related to your build. While these restrictions are not a problem for you, there are other people in this world, who use these forums, who look here to get an idea of what might be a good idea for computer builds.

 

 

Just because I am quoting your post does not mean I am talking to you, but rather am responding to the points that are being quoted for both conversation and for establishing counterpoints to your statements for the purpose of keeping the thread on topic and meaningful to others.

 

Well, then, the restrictions are, it's a $#!++y @$$ computer that's can't do $#!+. Another restriction is location and how smart you are, your resourcability (mine's high, I've been a scavenger my whole life and know where to get stuff) and your willingness to build a $#!++y @$$ computer.

 

I don't care that you're not talking to me, that's your choice. Keeping the forum on topic is good, I suppose. Ubuntu is fine for everyday, minimal tasking use, like internet or media. Gaming on Linux has always been a problem area, however there are quite a few linux-exclusive titles out there. Yes, you can install WINE compatibility layer for Windows programs, but the Linux kernel was not meant to handle those types of instructions.

 

"Usually right, occasionally left" That's funny, what is the left a reference to? Left-wing anarchy (I'm not being malicious here, it is a genuine interest)?