24 replies to this topic

[brucelong]

I am curious if anyone has used a Surface Pro with Minecraft and Computercraft. What did you think? I might replace my laptop with a Surface Pro, but I was curious what anyone else has experienced or thought. And please don't say "hey stupid buy an ipad theyre a thousand times better." Ipads can't run a full version of Minecraft. So, any thoughts?

[Kingdaro]

I seriously have no idea why anyone would suggest an iPad.

On topic, I've done some research, and apparently the Surface has an i5 processor, but a graphics card from Intel, and it's probably integrated, so gaming in general would be a pretty big no.

It costs about 1500 dollars, so think about if it's worth the price before getting one. In this case, it'll depend heavily on how much your current laptop sucks.

[brucelong]

Kingdaro, on 20 March 2013 - 03:25 PM, said:

I seriously have no idea why anyone would suggest an iPad.

On topic, I've done some research, and apparently the Surface has an i5 processor, but a graphics card from Intel, and it's probably integrated, so gaming in general would be a pretty big no.

It costs about 1500 dollars, so think about if it's worth the price before getting one. In this case, it'll depend heavily on how much your current laptop sucks.

My current PC is a Windows 8 Laptop(upgraded from 7) that has 3 GB of ram and a really bad AMD processor, with a integrated graphics chip.
The reason I said I would basically ignore anyone who mentioned a ipad is because there are always Apple fan bois who troll and say, "why would you want a surface get a ipad itll be 10000000 times better ect."

I am going to build a gaming rig, but after I buy the parts, when Surface Pros come down in price, I'm gonna consider it

[redeye83]

I would go with a AlienWare Gaming Laptop (Other providers are avalible) if your after something portable. I like the look of the surface as a tablet PC (Suck that Apple fan boys lol) but I wouldnt use it for gaming or typing more than a google/youtube search. I've used keyboards like that before and the tactile response was horrific!

[Tiin57]

I got an i7, 8gb RAM, Dell, GeForce 650M for $900 at Best Buy. Do that.

[Kingdaro]

^Woah, that's a laptop?

Jesus christ.

[Mailmanq!]

Do you require a laptop, because a desktop would be WWWWAAAAAAAAYYYYYY better and WWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY cheaper. Sorry for the caps and such, I thought it may convey a point more effectively.

[brucelong]

redeye83, on 20 March 2013 - 05:02 PM, said:

I would go with a AlienWare Gaming Laptop (Other providers are avalible) if your after something portable. I like the look of the surface as a tablet PC (Suck that Apple fan boys lol) but I wouldnt use it for gaming or typing more than a google/youtube search. I've used keyboards like that before and the tactile response was horrific!

I have looked into that, and my response is the weight and size. I travel a lot, and a huge gaming PC would suck for in the car or on a plane.
A Surface has handwriting recognition, and comes with a stylus. So you don't need the touch or type cover unless you are typing a document.
Also, I would be playing older titles on it like the sims 2, oblivion, and a little bit of light modded Minecraft. Leave the brand new games for my desktop.
I have seen people running portal 2 on it with success, so older titles should be fine.

[brucelong]

mailmanq, on 21 March 2013 - 03:21 AM, said:

Do you require a laptop, because a desktop would be WWWWAAAAAAAAYYYYYY better and WWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY cheaper. Sorry for the caps and such, I thought it may convey a point more effectively.

I am going to have a really nice desktop build, but i want a small device such as a Surface to play older games at with ok graphics on trips and in hotels.

EDIT: sorry for the double post. Didn't see this new post as i was typing my response ^

[brucelong]

tiin57, on 21 March 2013 - 01:01 AM, said:

I got an i7, 8gb RAM, Dell, GeForce 650M for $900 at Best Buy. Do that.

I'm curious, how big is that thing? And, does it run windows 8?

EDIT: sorry for the triple post saw all this just now. Boy, do I need to sleep more at night.

[overfritz]

A few things...
1) The Surface Pro is, in no way, intended for any form of gaming outside of online or very, VERY casual games such as Fruit Ninja.
2) If you're looking for a gaming laptop, customization is key. You'll want something that you could semi-easily modify in the future.
3) If price is a key factor (under a certain price), try to opt for an AMD APU such as the A8. A friend of mine uses it in his gaming rig, it gives him great FPS with Minecraft. He can also run all sorts of games at high graphics settings.
4) If you really, REALLY don't want an AMD chip, an i5 won't cut it. Opt for an i7 or the Gaming i7.
5) You will want a great graphics card as well. AMD Radeon's are some of the most popular ones - laptop versions to my knowledge are unheard of. But try for something non-Integrated if it's non an AMD APU.
6) Touchscreens on Minecraft not fun make.
7) Consider the OS you want. Are you familiar with Windows 8? Or is Windows 7 more your style? Think carefully - it will impact the usability of your machine.
8) I did a search on Newegg for Gaming/Entertainment PC's. They are ordered, from the link, from best ratings. http://goo.gl/fhOv1
9) For a good gaming machine that can run Minecraft quickly and smoothly, as well as serve the other purposes you want, I suggest at least 2.5 GHz processor, 4gb RAM, a dedicated graphics card w/ at least 1gb of 'memory', and 320+gb HDD or SSD. Try for a 500+gb HDD if you can.

That's all I have to offer - it is up to you, however, to make the decision.

PS: If you're looking for a touchscreen tablet at a decent, reasonable price that is also portable, go for the Dell Latitude 10" w/ Keyboard Dock. Do NOT get the XPS 10", that runs Windows RT, which is a severely locked down version of Win8.

[Tiin57]

brucelong, on 21 March 2013 - 03:28 AM, said:

tiin57, on 21 March 2013 - 01:01 AM, said:

I got an i7, 8gb RAM, Dell, GeForce 650M for $900 at Best Buy. Do that.

I'm curious, how big is that thing? And, does it run windows 8?

EDIT: sorry for the triple post saw all this just now. Boy, do I need to sleep more at night.

17-inch, and yes.

[Cloudy]

Just FYI, Minecraft has a touch screen mode.

[brucelong]

Cloudy, on 23 March 2013 - 10:40 PM, said:

Just FYI, Minecraft has a touch screen mode.

That's what made me interested in a touchscreen tablet for Minecraft.

overfritz, on 23 March 2013 - 03:13 PM, said:

A few things...
1) The Surface Pro is, in no way, intended for any form of gaming outside of online or very, VERY casual games such as Fruit Ninja.
2) If you're looking for a gaming laptop, customization is key. You'll want something that you could semi-easily modify in the future.
3) If price is a key factor (under a certain price), try to opt for an AMD APU such as the A8. A friend of mine uses it in his gaming rig, it gives him great FPS with Minecraft. He can also run all sorts of games at high graphics settings.
4) If you really, REALLY don't want an AMD chip, an i5 won't cut it. Opt for an i7 or the Gaming i7.
5) You will want a great graphics card as well. AMD Radeon's are some of the most popular ones - laptop versions to my knowledge are unheard of. But try for something non-Integrated if it's non an AMD APU.
6) Touchscreens on Minecraft not fun make.
7) Consider the OS you want. Are you familiar with Windows 8? Or is Windows 7 more your style? Think carefully - it will impact the usability of your machine.
8) I did a search on Newegg for Gaming/Entertainment PC's. They are ordered, from the link, from best ratings. http://goo.gl/fhOv1
9) For a good gaming machine that can run Minecraft quickly and smoothly, as well as serve the other purposes you want, I suggest at least 2.5 GHz processor, 4gb RAM, a dedicated graphics card w/ at least 1gb of 'memory', and 320+gb HDD or SSD. Try for a 500+gb HDD if you can.

That's all I have to offer - it is up to you, however, to make the decision.

PS: If you're looking for a touchscreen tablet at a decent, reasonable price that is also portable, go for the Dell Latitude 10" w/ Keyboard Dock. Do NOT get the XPS 10", that runs Windows RT, which is a severely locked down version of Win8.

I took all that into consideration when I looked at Windows 8 tablets. I have heard people say that they have played Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 on a Surface Pro, at lowest settings, and it was ok. Also, I have never had good experience with Dell stuff - always breaks and I've always had bad customer support.

And, yes, I do love Windows 8 - for Windows 8. I don't use any modifications to make it "better", or anything. I love it the way it is. Used it since launch.

[Cloudy]

You and me seem to be the minority I love it too!

[brucelong]

Cloudy, on 24 March 2013 - 12:00 PM, said:

You and me seem to be the minority I love it too!

High five!
<me sticks hand in air then remembers that I'm talking on a forum>
<me then has derpy face>

[brucelong]

Just bought the surface pro and got a touch cover. Oh my gosh is it awesome! I can play the sims 3 with all expansions up to seasons fine, minecraft at around 20-30 fps with about 7 mods.

And thats all I have tried. I did install skyrim, now i just have to try it sometime.

[brucelong]

redeye83, on 20 March 2013 - 05:02 PM, said:

I would go with a AlienWare Gaming Laptop (Other providers are avalible) if your after something portable. I like the look of the surface as a tablet PC (Suck that Apple fan boys lol) but I wouldnt use it for gaming or typing more than a google/youtube search. I've used keyboards like that before and the tactile response was horrific!

In response to what you have said about the keyboard, I think it's pretty good. I have made very few errors and I find the special keys very nice. As I have stated, it does play games pretty well for a tablet pc. However, they could have added more cooling, as it does get hot sometimes and makes me worry. But I can play the Sims 3 with almost all expansions pretty well and it does do HD. Hulu streams nicely as well. My only complaint was the cooling, and as long as your not holding it, its ok.

[Cloudy]

Nice! Glad it works

[ShadowedZenith]

brucelong, on 05 April 2013 - 03:50 AM, said:

redeye83, on 20 March 2013 - 05:02 PM, said:

I would go with a AlienWare Gaming Laptop (Other providers are avalible) if your after something portable. I like the look of the surface as a tablet PC (Suck that Apple fan boys lol) but I wouldnt use it for gaming or typing more than a google/youtube search. I've used keyboards like that before and the tactile response was horrific!

In response to what you have said about the keyboard, I think it's pretty good. I have made very few errors and I find the special keys very nice. As I have stated, it does play games pretty well for a tablet pc. However, they could have added more cooling, as it does get hot sometimes and makes me worry. But I can play the Sims 3 with almost all expansions pretty well and it does do HD. Hulu streams nicely as well. My only complaint was the cooling, and as long as your not holding it, its ok.

Tablets are a bit difficult to cool. Most of the time, its passively cooled or with very few fans inside just to pull off the heat. Without thickening it up a bit, I don't think you'd really be able to cool it very well.

Also, I'd like to add, after making my own start menu, I love Windows 8 also Overall, its performance feels more smooth than 7