Best Laptop For OOTP23

boblight24 · 11-17-2022, 08:45 AM

Looking to buy a Chromebook or something similar to just use for OOTP. Any suggestions on the best one to get? Or any other ideas? Can't run it on my work laptop and home laptop is outdated (and really only used for Spotify and TV). Thank you!

Pelican · 11-17-2022, 11:28 AM

Based on my experience with a work (don’t tell) Dell laptop, if you have a choice go with the largest screen size and high resolution. In comparing to games played on my Mac with a larger screen, everything seems cramped on the laptop. I can’t use as many widgets.

The other consideration might be hard drive capacity, if you get into some extended saves with lots of data. I avoid anything like that on the laptop. The Mac has a huge hard drive and external one as well, so no capacity issues. The game plays well on both platforms, but the graphics are best appreciated with lots of screen real estate.

Situational_Lefty · 11-17-2022, 11:37 AM

I agree about the screen size. That is probably the most important thing to look for. I use a 15 inch laptop to play OOTP and it works pretty well. 17 inch would probably be better, but those aren't the most portable laptop sizes.

I tried playing on a 12 inch laptop before, and it was horrible. The game was playable, but everything was crammed together. It took a lot of enjoyment out of the game.

eriqjaffe · 11-17-2022, 12:21 PM

FYI, OOTP won't run natively on a Chromebook without a bit of extra work:

https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...d.php?t=298417

Pelican · 11-17-2022, 02:21 PM

At a certain point, it probably makes sense to play with OOTP GO, which, despite its limitations, is designed for a small screen. I’ve happily played GO on my Ipad, when there was no larger alternative for OOTP23; but only as a stopgap. Not much for longer sims. A Chromebook would probably be more like the Ipad [Apple fans would note lots of differences], and GO might be the best choice.

PSUColonel · 11-17-2022, 07:19 PM

I hate threads like this because I always feel guilty telling people what they should spend their hard earned money on. I myself like a MacBook Pro, but you probably don't need an expensive MacBook Pro to run OOTP. I think it also depends on what other types of things aside from OOTP you would like to accomplish with a machine.

So, my vote is a custom built MacBook Pro...but there is no way I could expect people to spend that kind of money on a computer. Mine was in excess of 5K, so don't go by me. I like it for Football Manager also....and that game really does demand a lot of system requirements if you want to run all of the leagues in full detail.

OutS|der · 11-18-2022, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSUColonel

I hate threads like this because I always feel guilty telling people what they should spend their hard earned money on. I myself like a MacBook Pro, but you probably don't need an expensive MacBook Pro to run OOTP. I think it also depends on what other types of things aside from OOTP you would like to accomplish with a machine.

So, my vote is a custom built MacBook Pro...but there is no way I could expect people to spend that kind of money on a computer. Mine was in excess of 5K, so don't go by me. I like it for Football Manager also....and that game really does demand a lot of system requirements if you want to run all of the leagues in full detail.

MacBook Air would work very well as well

kq76 · 11-18-2022, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eriqjaffe

FYI, OOTP won't run natively on a Chromebook without a bit of extra work:

https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...d.php?t=298417

Not that I've ever tried OOTP on a chromebook, but I wanted to highlight this post. You say your old home laptop is outdated, a chromebook will soon be outdated if it isn't already. I wouldn't recommend it.

I've been very happy with Lenovo Thinkpads for a decade or more now. I'd recommend getting the best one you can afford, especially one with the best screen possible (the larger the better and the more nits, for brightness, the better) with a backlit keyboard if you're often on it at night. You probably don't need to worry too much about the other specs.

Your Matlock avatar tells me you're probably not a millenial. I'd seriously heed the advice of others saying get as big of a screen as possible. Maybe even consider pairing a large external monitor with a laptop. The older we get the worse our eyes get and squinting at a small screen isn't enjoyable. Plus, as Pelican says, you can fit a lot more on a large screen.

jimmysthebestcop · 11-18-2022, 10:00 AM

technically it isnt about screen size but about resolution. 17 inch at 4k shows a ton more then 17 inch at 1080.

plus some budget laptops arent even at 1080 on 15 inch screens. resolution is very important

kq76 · 11-18-2022, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmysthebestcop

technically it isnt about screen size but about resolution. 17 inch at 4k shows a ton more then 17 inch at 1080.

plus some budget laptops arent even at 1080 on 15 inch screens. resolution is very important

Yes, of course, but the smaller the screen size the smaller everything is going to look at the same resolution and vice versa (the larger the resolution used the smaller everything is going to look on the same size screen). I'd be more worried about making sure I can easily see what I want to see than worry about fitting more on the screen and so I think people are right to focus on screen size. That said, I don't know much about budget laptops (I usually like to go mid-high) so maybe I'm not considering something I should.

boblight24, maybe before your final decision on the purchase let us know the exact model and options you're considering. I'm confident people here will give you good advice.

jimmysthebestcop · 11-18-2022, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kq76

Yes, of course, but the smaller the screen size the smaller everything is going to look at the same resolution and vice versa (the larger the resolution used the smaller everything is going to look on the same size screen). I'd be more worried about making sure I can easily see what I want to see than worry about fitting more on the screen and so I think people are right to focus on screen size. That said, I don't know much about budget laptops (I usually like to go mid-high) so maybe I'm not considering something I should.

boblight24, maybe before your final decision on the purchase let us know the exact model and options you're considering. I'm confident people here will give you good advice.

well there are budget 17 inch laptops that ARE 1600x900 i rather take a 1920x1080 15 inch screen in that case.

and most budget 15 inch screens are 1368x768

so you got to be careful when it comes to resolution. if its not at least 1080 dont buy and sometimes resolution is advertised like first.

Guthrien · 11-18-2022, 08:51 PM

I'm not sure if it's how CPU reliant OOTP is or something else related, but my MacBook Air runs circles around my monster desktop with latest gen Intel CPU for OOTP. My Mac Mini too. Maybe the team are just master MacOS developers.

Generally, I don't think Apple items are a 'bargain' per say, but the Air is often on sale and reasonably priced and is a dang fine laptop for everything else I use it for.

LooneyOne · 11-19-2022, 12:18 AM

It plays well with a Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro, 15" screen ..

Pelican · 11-21-2022, 01:24 PM

Agree with PSU Colonel awhile back that it's risky to make suggestions on what are major investments for some posters (me included). I know that Chromebooks, while severely limited in capability, can be an excellent investment, for example, for schools. And not everybody has the good fortune to orient their computer purchases to OOTP. That said, my Mac Mini has been well worth the investment (which was less than retail, due to Apple's generous trade-in credit for my previous Mini, which then gets recycled). Part of that is you are only buying a CPU, no peripherals like monitor and mouse and keyboard. But, many of us already have these (I did), and can use them with the Mini (I could - until I upgraded). Performance is great, not just for OOTP, but Internet, graphics, even MS Office now. End of sales pitch. The OP was actually looking for a laptop, considering a tablet, and there is lots of good advice on that above.

Ty Cobb · 11-22-2022, 07:01 PM

MacBook. Kills it.

ryanivr · 11-22-2022, 11:52 PM

The MacBook Air with M1 is 799 right now and is such an incredible value. Fast as hell, absolutely quiet, great battery life.

Recte44 · 11-24-2022, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanivr

The MacBook Air with M1 is 799 right now and is such an incredible value. Fast as hell, absolutely quiet, great battery life.

Seconded

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BaseballMan · 11-25-2022, 04:41 PM

you can always connect a laptop to a monitor or tv for bigger screen space.

Shackdaddy · 03-20-2023, 07:04 PM

connecting a macbook to any modern TV is easy if you also have an Apple TV device (4th generation of later).

uruguru · 03-21-2023, 12:20 PM

After OOTP destroyed the SSD on one of my laptops I pretty much only play OOTP on a laptop with a physical drive.

11-17-2022, 08:45 AM	#1
boblight24 All Star Reserve Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Beyond Is Where I Roam Posts: 554 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	Best Laptop For OOTP23 Looking to buy a Chromebook or something similar to just use for OOTP. Any suggestions on the best one to get? Or any other ideas? Can't run it on my work laptop and home laptop is outdated (and really only used for Spotify and TV). Thank you! __________________ "No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference." ~Tommy Lasorda "Good is not good enough, when better is expected." ~Vin Scully

11-17-2022, 11:28 AM	#2
Pelican Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 2,947	Based on my experience with a work (don’t tell) Dell laptop, if you have a choice go with the largest screen size and high resolution. In comparing to games played on my Mac with a larger screen, everything seems cramped on the laptop. I can’t use as many widgets. The other consideration might be hard drive capacity, if you get into some extended saves with lots of data. I avoid anything like that on the laptop. The Mac has a huge hard drive and external one as well, so no capacity issues. The game plays well on both platforms, but the graphics are best appreciated with lots of screen real estate. __________________ Pelican OOTP 2020-? ”Hard to believe, Harry.”

11-17-2022, 12:21 PM	#4
eriqjaffe Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2003 Location: Under The Christmas Fish Posts: 7,644	FYI, OOTP won't run natively on a Chromebook without a bit of extra work: https://forums.ootpdevelopments.com/...d.php?t=298417 __________________

11-17-2022, 02:21 PM	#5
Pelican Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 2,947	At a certain point, it probably makes sense to play with OOTP GO, which, despite its limitations, is designed for a small screen. I’ve happily played GO on my Ipad, when there was no larger alternative for OOTP23; but only as a stopgap. Not much for longer sims. A Chromebook would probably be more like the Ipad [Apple fans would note lots of differences], and GO might be the best choice. __________________ Pelican OOTP 2020-? ”Hard to believe, Harry.”

11-19-2022, 12:18 AM	#13
LooneyOne Minors (Single A) Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 80	It plays well with a Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro, 15" screen .. __________________

11-17-2022, 11:37 AM	#3
Situational_Lefty Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 265	I agree about the screen size. That is probably the most important thing to look for. I use a 15 inch laptop to play OOTP and it works pretty well. 17 inch would probably be better, but those aren't the most portable laptop sizes. I tried playing on a 12 inch laptop before, and it was horrible. The game was playable, but everything was crammed together. It took a lot of enjoyment out of the game.

11-17-2022, 07:19 PM	#6
PSUColonel Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 13,105	I hate threads like this because I always feel guilty telling people what they should spend their hard earned money on. I myself like a MacBook Pro, but you probably don't need an expensive MacBook Pro to run OOTP. I think it also depends on what other types of things aside from OOTP you would like to accomplish with a machine. So, my vote is a custom built MacBook Pro...but there is no way I could expect people to spend that kind of money on a computer. Mine was in excess of 5K, so don't go by me. I like it for Football Manager also....and that game really does demand a lot of system requirements if you want to run all of the leagues in full detail.

11-18-2022, 10:00 AM	#9
jimmysthebestcop Banned Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 1,727 Infractions: 0/2 (5)	technically it isnt about screen size but about resolution. 17 inch at 4k shows a ton more then 17 inch at 1080. plus some budget laptops arent even at 1080 on 15 inch screens. resolution is very important

11-18-2022, 08:51 PM	#12
Guthrien Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 193	I'm not sure if it's how CPU reliant OOTP is or something else related, but my MacBook Air runs circles around my monster desktop with latest gen Intel CPU for OOTP. My Mac Mini too. Maybe the team are just master MacOS developers. Generally, I don't think Apple items are a 'bargain' per say, but the Air is often on sale and reasonably priced and is a dang fine laptop for everything else I use it for.

11-21-2022, 01:24 PM	#14
Pelican Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 2,947	Agree with PSU Colonel awhile back that it's risky to make suggestions on what are major investments for some posters (me included). I know that Chromebooks, while severely limited in capability, can be an excellent investment, for example, for schools. And not everybody has the good fortune to orient their computer purchases to OOTP. That said, my Mac Mini has been well worth the investment (which was less than retail, due to Apple's generous trade-in credit for my previous Mini, which then gets recycled). Part of that is you are only buying a CPU, no peripherals like monitor and mouse and keyboard. But, many of us already have these (I did), and can use them with the Mini (I could - until I upgraded). Performance is great, not just for OOTP, but Internet, graphics, even MS Office now. End of sales pitch. The OP was actually looking for a laptop, considering a tablet, and there is lots of good advice on that above. __________________ Pelican OOTP 2020-? ”Hard to believe, Harry.” Last edited by Pelican; 11-21-2022 at 01:25 PM.

11-22-2022, 07:01 PM	#15
Ty Cobb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Grayling, MI Posts: 4,582	MacBook. Kills it. __________________ "You could not live with your own failure. Where did that bring you? Back to me." Thanos

11-22-2022, 11:52 PM	#16
ryanivr All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 907	The MacBook Air with M1 is 799 right now and is such an incredible value. Fast as hell, absolutely quiet, great battery life.

11-25-2022, 04:41 PM	#18
BaseballMan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 6,518	you can always connect a laptop to a monitor or tv for bigger screen space.

03-20-2023, 07:04 PM	#19
Shackdaddy Minors (Single A) Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Mesa,AZ Posts: 86	connecting laptop to tv connecting a macbook to any modern TV is easy if you also have an Apple TV device (4th generation of later).

03-21-2023, 12:20 PM	#20
uruguru All Star Starter Join Date: May 2022 Posts: 1,267	After OOTP destroyed the SSD on one of my laptops I pretty much only play OOTP on a laptop with a physical drive.