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New Laptop Advice #1130404
11/01/17 06:13 PM
11/01/17 06:13 PM
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SharonB Offline OP
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Hello wave So, the doctor tells me I need to spend a lot more time with my legs propped up over my heart. This is due to all the swelling and now skin issues I'm having. They don't want me to spend long hours with my feet hanging down as I have been doing. This is definitely going to impact the time I spend on my desktop. I have no way to prop up my feet at my desk and especially not higher than my heart.

To make a long story short (shorter) I've been thinking I need a new laptop computer capable of at least playing any game big fish throws at it. I do also play some RPG's when the mood strikes, but I can probably use my current desktop for that if I limit my time and take lots of breaks.

What kind of cost am I looking at? I want a reasonably big screen - 17 inch? As powerful a video card as I can manage while keeping the cost down. Any ideas on some systems out there and/or the minimum I'm going to need to spend for a decent system? All advice will be gratefully appreciated. sherlock

Re: New Laptop Advice [Re: SharonB] #1130413
11/01/17 08:51 PM
11/01/17 08:51 PM
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Geo Offline
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You may want to think outside the box and consider a monitor stand for your present setup instead of a new computer. Going from a large monitor to a small laptop screen can sometimes be a letdown. They have all kinds of stands that can raise monitors up and down on a sliding pole or on swing arm so they can hover over you in your recliner. They are way cheaper than a laptop. However if you really want a laptop now is a good time to buy one. Many websites and stores will be offering "Black Friday" deals.

Re: New Laptop Advice [Re: SharonB] #1130415
11/01/17 08:56 PM
11/01/17 08:56 PM
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Draclvr Offline
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Geo's idea is actually a pretty good one. Combine that with a wireless keyboard and mouse and you could be good to go for way less that the $700+ you'd probably have to spend on a laptop. A 17" one would probably cost even more than that.


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: New Laptop Advice [Re: SharonB] #1130417
11/01/17 09:01 PM
11/01/17 09:01 PM
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Originally Posted By: SharonB
Hello wave So, the doctor tells me I need to spend a lot more time with my legs propped up over my heart. This is due to all the swelling and now skin issues I'm having. They don't want me to spend long hours with my feet hanging down as I have been doing. This is definitely going to impact the time I spend on my desktop. I have no way to prop up my feet at my desk and especially not higher than my heart.

To make a long story short (shorter) I've been thinking I need a new laptop computer capable of at least playing any game big fish throws at it. I do also play some RPG's when the mood strikes, but I can probably use my current desktop for that if I limit my time and take lots of breaks.

What kind of cost am I looking at? I want a reasonably big screen - 17 inch? As powerful a video card as I can manage while keeping the cost down. Any ideas on some systems out there and/or the minimum I'm going to need to spend for a decent system? All advice will be gratefully appreciated. sherlock


Sorry to hear of your troubles ! As for a gaming laptop , plan on spending at least $1,000 for anything decent . By decent , I mean a 17 inch 1080p screen , with dedicated graphics , & Win 10 Pro . Newegg had 17 gaming laptops for about 900 , but these were mostly with integrated graphics (Nvidia m , meaning "mobile" graphics) . Not knowing what your budget is , does put a bit of a damper on things . Perhaps a cheaper route , would be to hook up your desktop to your tv , & use a wireless keyboard & mouse , with some sort of table , (a tv tray or the like), across your chair .

Re: New Laptop Advice [Re: SharonB] #1130418
11/01/17 09:03 PM
11/01/17 09:03 PM
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Some Smart TVs even allow you to access your desktop content wirelessly.


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: New Laptop Advice [Re: Jenny100] #1130455
11/02/17 12:20 PM
11/02/17 12:20 PM
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SharonB Offline OP
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Thank you all for the good advice. It had not occurred to me to hookup my computer to my TV. I have a TV in my bedroom that is 40 inches and sits really near the bed. I already have a wireless keyboard and mouse. So it appears it's just a matter of attaching my desktop to the TV. I can use an HDMI plug, but that will mean moving my desktop into the bedroom. Should not be a problem. I am using the Roku sticks on both my TVs and my blurays are both wireless connections. Just need a tv tray table to work from and I'm all set. Am I? Did I miss anything? Will probably buy some kind of wireless setup eventually. Don't want to lower my video standards. Anything else I need to consider? think

Last edited by SharonB; 11/02/17 12:23 PM.
Re: New Laptop Advice [Re: SharonB] #1130463
11/02/17 02:11 PM
11/02/17 02:11 PM
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As long as your WiFi is a good connection, you can use your Roku to connect your computer wirelessly to your TV. You just need a Roku channel called Plex. I'm not sure you can game that way, but I know you can stream content to your TV from your desktop.

https://www.pcworld.com/article/256058/stream_media_from_your_pc_to_your_roku_box.html


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: New Laptop Advice [Re: SharonB] #1130467
11/02/17 04:04 PM
11/02/17 04:04 PM
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So far as I'm aware, Plex doesn't work that way Drac. In order to use your PC as a Media Server you have to install the Plex Media Server software and add their channel to your Roku.

I use it all the time for movies, but so far as I know, it only streams video content.

Re: New Laptop Advice [Re: Draclvr] #1130473
11/02/17 05:02 PM
11/02/17 05:02 PM
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SharonB Offline OP
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Thanks Draclvr. I added Plex to my Roku channels, but I don't think I can game that way unless I'm missing something. And gaming is my primary concern right now. I'm going to check out Amazon for a long HDMI cable so I can maybe keep my computer where it is. (Next to my 65 inch Samsung TV.)Then with a couple pillows propping up my legs on my recliner I should be good to go.

Re: New Laptop Advice [Re: SharonB] #1130474
11/02/17 05:03 PM
11/02/17 05:03 PM
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That's kind of what I thought. I know I can stream photos and videos and movies etc., but had a feeling it wouldn't allow you to access things like games.


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: New Laptop Advice [Re: Draclvr] #1130477
11/02/17 06:09 PM
11/02/17 06:09 PM
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SharonB Offline OP
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Just went to Amazon and ordered a 10 ft HDMI cable. I'm thinking that should be long enough. If it isn't or just doesn't work out I can return it. They also have a 25 ft cable. Delivery is scheduled for Sunday so we'll see how it goes. I'll let you all know how well or if this works for me. wink penguin

Re: New Laptop Advice [Re: SharonB] #1130481
11/02/17 06:29 PM
11/02/17 06:29 PM
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Draclvr Offline
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Now THAT'S the perfect solution! Let us know how it goes.


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: New Laptop Advice [Re: Draclvr] #1131204
11/09/17 03:50 AM
11/09/17 03:50 AM
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SharonB Offline OP
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Had to reorder a 25 ft HDMI cable as the 10 ft one wasn't quite long enough. That came and I've now hooked it up. IT WORKS! penguin But there are a couple issues.

1. The Windows screen fills my 65 inch screen. But the icons and text are too small to read from across the room. How do I fix that?

2. I tried one of my IHOG's, Mystery Trackers: The Black Isle. The picture comes in full screen, but half the page is missing. The right side of the picture is just a black area. You can see where it cuts the detective's badge neatly in half in the title page.

Assuming I can get the other half of the game to appear, I'm wondering how I'm going to be able to read the text on all my programs, and in my games. If I use the TV screen strictly for playing IHOGs. I'm still going to be spending a good bit of time at the computer desk and I won't be able to read any text in the game.

Any advice on how to fix the size issues? smashpc

Edit: I spoke too soon. I've tried a couple other games (newer) and they are playing fine with big full screens and large text. And I've gone into the control panel and pulled up appearance. I've enlarged the font and icon size to 150% and that has made some improvement..Some programs I can enlarge the font size to a readable view, others I can't. So I will go back and forth to the appropriate monitor to do what I need. It is good to know that now I can play most of my IHOGs on the big screen with my feet propped up.

My graphics card has 2 hdmi ports, so I can switch displays as needed. I want to thank everyone here again for this great advice. Now, how can I get Black Isle to display fully?

2nd Edit: Correction - I only have one HDMI port on my graphics card. But I'm going to use an HDMI Splitter to change the display on my computer/tv. I think I may have one or I can buy one.

As for Black Isle, I changed the resolution on my TV display from 3180 x 2160 down to 1920 x 1060 and it's made a world of difference. I never dreamed I could have that kind of resolution from my computer. Now Black Isle shows completely and the text is very easy to read. Also my other programs are very readable. I keep learning new things about my computer. laugh

Last edited by SharonB; 11/09/17 09:40 AM.
Re: New Laptop Advice [Re: SharonB] #1131231
11/09/17 11:52 AM
11/09/17 11:52 AM
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This is the greatest news ever!! I've been wondering how it was going. You now have the best of both worlds and can play with your feet elevated! Many thanks to Creeping Doom for the suggestion. This would also be a good suggestion for anyone who is vision-impaired.


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: New Laptop Advice [Re: SharonB] #1131233
11/09/17 12:22 PM
11/09/17 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted By: SharonB
2nd Edit: Correction - I only have one HDMI port on my graphics card. But I'm going to use an HDMI Splitter to change the display on my computer/tv. I think I may have one or I can buy one.

You sure you don't have a Display port you can use with your computer monitor? Most modern video cards have both HDMI and Display ports, and a modern computer monitor may also have both, though a TV may only have HDMI.

Re: New Laptop Advice [Re: SharonB] #1131300
11/10/17 01:36 AM
11/10/17 01:36 AM
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SharonB Offline OP
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Jenny I'm not sure what I have. I do know that my hdmi cable does not fit this second port. I found my sale invoice for this computer and it says I have HDMI and DVI ports on my graphic card. My computer monitor was bought separately and I don't know where the paperwork is for that. I know I have one HDMI port and the other port looks like vga (on the monitor) to me but I'm not sure. How can I tell? My monitor is a 27 inch Samsung bought in 2013 I believe soon after I got this computer. I looked under devices in control panel and it just says generic pnp samsung monitor.

Re: New Laptop Advice [Re: SharonB] #1131347
11/10/17 12:45 PM
11/10/17 12:45 PM
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Display ports look very similar to HDMI ports, but of course the cables don't fit. Here's a picture of the most common Display Port and HDMI port
https://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/03/displayvshdmi_primary-100028825-large.jpg
If you look closely, you can see the HDMI port is symmetric while the Display port is not symmetric.

My video card has one display port, one HDMI port, and one DVI port. My monitor also has connections for these three ports. Some expensive video cards have multiple HDMI or Display ports and some may lack DVI ports.

Anyway, when you said your cable didn't fit, I was wondering if you were trying to fit an HDMI cable in a Display port. I've done that, not realizing they were different ports until I looked closely.

Re: New Laptop Advice [Re: Jenny100] #1131439
11/11/17 02:40 AM
11/11/17 02:40 AM
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Jenny, I looked at the back of the computer again and you're right. There are 3 ports. One is DVI, one HDMI and I'm assuming the other is the display port. It does look like an HDMI port. I have now sent off for a displayport to HDMI cable, so we'll see how this goes. It should come Monday. Thanks for your help.

Draclvr, yes this is good news for anyone with vision problems. I'm really happy with the setup. happydance

Edit: slapforehead Got a text message that my cable was delivered to my door. It came by USPS, but they didn't knock or ring. Checked and the package wasn't there. Bummer! Can't contact them because it's Sunday. Left a message with the seller and will call the PO tomorrow to let them know. They probably delivered it to the wrong address. They told me originally that delivery would be Monday, then I got psyched when I heard it was coming today. Well, I hope I get it tomorrow! hardwall

Edit: hardwall Still don't have the cable. (It's Tuesday). Tried to contact the Post Office and they say that branch does not handle deliveries anymore. That's handled out of Rehobeth. They gave me a number to call and I tried that and got a message to input some code number. So I tried to contact Amazon and looked for a contact number. Whoa! All I was getting was books I could buy to tell me how to contact Amazon. Finally found a contact number for customer service and told them the problem They were very nice and responsive. They offered a refund to a gift card and to waive the oneday delivery charge. Now that is proper service. So they are supposed to call me within the hour when the refund goes thru and I will reorder the cable then. I wonder if the person who actually got the cable is finding a good use for it? think

Creeping Doom, many, many thanks for your suggestion. thanks This is way cheaper and much more doable than buying a new computer. I have a friend who likes my setup so much she is going to do it in her own home with her new TV! thumbsup


Last edited by SharonB; 11/14/17 12:39 PM.
Re: New Laptop Advice [Re: SharonB] #1132124
11/16/17 02:31 PM
11/16/17 02:31 PM
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SharonB Offline OP
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HOORAY!! joy joy2 penguin hamster dance Finally! My cable arrived and Jenny - you're so clever!! - you were right! It was a display port and the cable works! I had to change the display settings on the TV to duplicate displays so both screens would show the same thing. Now I have the best of both worlds and I owe it all to my friends on Gameboomers! This means the world to me so again, many, many thanks to all who tried to help me with this. praise

SharonB catrub

Re: New Laptop Advice [Re: SharonB] #1132134
11/16/17 03:58 PM
11/16/17 03:58 PM
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Yippee! Keep those feet up!


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: New Laptop Advice [Re: Draclvr] #1132151
11/16/17 07:20 PM
11/16/17 07:20 PM
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That's SO fantastic, SharonB !! bravo bravo bravo


Time : The Most Precious Commodity
Re: New Laptop Advice [Re: SharonB] #1132153
11/16/17 07:26 PM
11/16/17 07:26 PM
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I'm glad this solution worked out for you.

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