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The original was posted on /r/gaminglaptops by /u/mouseman1011 on 2023-08-25 17:58:18+00:00.
Hello, wise elders of PC gaming! I cannot overstate how confused I remain about this corner of the gaming world after 20 years of exclusively playing on consoles. (My last PC gaming experience was the original Medieval: Total War.)
I have one main ask of y'all, and it is this: What is the least expensive laptop widely available in the U.S. that will run Starfield? I logged an insane number of hours on Fallout 4 for Xbox, so I know a degree of glitchiness is baked into Bethesda games. However, I also recall that FO4 PC players reported fewer problems than console players, especially in areas of the game like downtown Boston.
So, leaving aside Bethesda bugs (especially launch bugs), what laptop should I get? Bethesda's FAQ recommends the following specs:
- OS: Windows 10/11 with updates
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X, Intel i5-10600K
- Memory: 16 GB RAM
- Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080
- DirectX: Version 12
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Storage: 125 GB available space
- Additional Notes: SSD Required
That FAQ also contains the minimum specs, and I don't understand the gameplay difference between the minimum and recommended.
If that's not asking too much, can someone also tell me what makes a PC gaming experience feel like a console experience? Presumably, I'll want a separate monitor and an Xbox controller. Is that it?
(Yeah, I know I could just buy a console, but this laptop will also be for work. Won't go into work requirements other than to say they are minimal--currently using a 2016 ASUS Chromebook!)
Thank you in advance for sharing your wisdom with a newcomer/interloper, and long live the Minutemen.