Laptops & COH: A Modern Guide - 2nd Edition

[Ago]

Laptops and COH: A Modern Guide – 2^nd Edition
By Tock (formerly GM Tahquitz)
 

This is an update of the original guide I wrote in 2020.  You can read the original here, but I don’t recommend taking the hardware picks to heart anymore.  (Also, use “Find In Page” features in your browser of choice to hop to the subject of what you want to read instead of digesting the whole thing.)

Laptops and COH: A Modern Guide, 1st Edition --
https://forums.homecomingservers.com/topic/14023-laptops-and-coh-a-modern-guide/

INTRODUCTION

Well, it’s been a while.  And the first guide I wrote has served its purpose.  But things change. 

 

The great graphic card shortage has MOSTLY come to an end while the enthusiast and high-end cards suffer the same fate as gaming laptops (prices soar, not for demand or scarcity, but mostly because they realized there be whales out there: no one will stop buying them at the higher prices).  The card shortage has given way to the semiconductor shortage, which is starting to wane with the worst of the storm past, but still not enough to shake higher costs.  Manufacturing has been punched in the gut as tech giants shed jobs like crazy with bleak sales everywhere. No manufacturer has positive sales.

 

You’d think industry turmoil would result in lower prices, right?  Nope.  And I’m right there with you.  Particularly the last year and a half has been a lousy time to buy a new computer.  Low demand, rising prices, and folks buying anyway because they don’t have a choice.  It’s not going to let up.

 

Silver lining?  The last few years of inventory is in a closeout if you can stomach buying tech that was new and hot 2-4 years ago.  And there’s less trouble getting graphic cards for desktops these days.  But this isn’t advice for desktops.  You’re here for a laptop.  And I’m all about it.

 

Special Note for the 2023 Holiday Season

Everything is $150-300 higher than this time last year?  Yes indeed. 

 

According to industry metrics PC sales are in a slump trend.  Not just quarterly, but the entire year has been down for electronic sales (well, compared to the pandemic... this will reverberate for a while) so they're making less new systems to match the decrease in demand.  Very few current systems will actually be on sale for this holiday season, and likely the first half of 2024... (save for "Kohl's Pricing" -- lie about the MSRP to sell it at actual retail price and claim a discount where none exist.)  There IS still a glut of clearance inventory for prior years' overstock and refurbished/returned laptops, however, so if these are all a bit high for your budget, try to look for "Closeout" sales instead of New for the model you want... you're still the first owner, only it's unsold from prior year stock.

 

Downside to closeouts? Hesitate too long and it might be gone.  Same deal as Big Lots: first come, first served.  No more of an older model is going to be made, so the next closeout offering will be completely different.

 

MODE D’EMPLOI

Same as the last guide, I’m going to offer four qualifiers for every subject and an explanation why.  They are:

GOOD: A Good system will be able to play the game.  Frame rates may choke at points unless Minimum or Performance settings are used, otherwise detail may have to be turned down, or physical considerations may apply where others may fare better.  You can solo with a good machine.  RP, even.  But raids, task forces, and some of those parties HC Staff throw on occasion and this will run the game like a flipbook at points.  Average FPS will be less than 30.

BETTER: A better system will do fine with City of Heroes.  You can expect more solid frame rates at Recommended or Quality presets, a good amount of detail in graphic settings but usually not a lot of headroom to run Ultra Mode full blast.  In Task Forces and Raids, you have a good chance of keeping up… if you can tolerate occasional kludge. (Mothership Raids will still be chunky.) Average FPS will be around 30-45 FPS.

BEST: The best systems will be on par with a Desktop’s performance with City of Heroes.  Ultra Mode, if not at full blast with all sliders all the way on the right, can be realized with most settings left on and above 50%.  A well shopped system (not necessarily top tier) will handle a raid with no lag. You can lead a Task Force/Raid easier on such systems, network permitting.

NO GOOD: I’ll also point out what’s no good, or older hardware and technological dead ends that make the game a non-starter.

These will be offered in three areas that I’ve refined from last time: “The Easy Buy”, “The Big Tech Answer” and “The Great Outdoors.”  The Easy Buy I’ll point out with as little advice as possible what to think about buying if you need something right away.  The Big Tech Answer I’ll get into Microsoft, Apple and Google, and what they have to offer a well-to-do MMO gamer.  The Great Outdoors will be the largest part of the guide – how to shop for a laptop on your own.  (I promise, it’s not just a clever title. It can be a jungle out there.)

I will make the following assumptions of the readers:

1. You are new to buying computers.  If you bought a laptop before I advise trusting your gut and just using this as a reference. 
2. First, you are considering buying a NEW computer over a refurbished or used model.  A used computer isn’t a bad idea, but if you’re going to spend cash on a DC powered pizza box, why not get one that will last a while?
3. And like the last guide, if you’re going to get a new laptop, why not get one that plays it well?  Hardware that delivers sub-30 FPS and exceeds $400 will be dropped from consideration.  This is, unfortunately, a moving target due to a variety of factors.

WHAT WILL CHANGE

Admittedly, my first guide got a little long on the tooth.  Of course, the last time I wrote a guide like that before Homecoming happened it was on the Live Forums, and I was starting my career in technology.  Today, I’ve grabbed the last brass ring in that career, and I am seeing how far I can take it.  Perspective always changes.

 

So the first part that will change is me.  Less narrative, more fact.

 

The second part?  Hardware will be pared down a bit.  Except for the Graphics Chip which still matters the most.  But the rest isn’t as important anymore in the era of “architecture age over architecture family”.  The Core i-Series naming isn’t going anywhere, Intel seems married to it. (Ha, ha, loser, they totally proved me wrong.) And AMD would be foolish to cut and run from Ryzen this quickly, the same line that reversed their fortune and made them contenders again.

 

Third: Extra Credit isn’t needed for this guide.  The major salvos have been fired by the hardware industry already.  Chromebooks make a terrible choice for City of Heroes again.  32-Bit Systems are done as far as modern software development is concerned.  And for better or worse, BIOS is dead.  Long live the UEFI.  (I call it “Ooh-fie.”)

 

The year is 2023.  The Place? Paragon City.  This is… Babylon Five? 

 

…damn it, I need to stop watching TV while I write.  (My jokes, on the other hand, are still terrible.)
 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. THE EASY BUY – WHAT TO GET RIGHT NOW WITH NO FUSS
II. THE BIG TECH ANSWER – HOW MICROSOFT, APPLE, AND GOOGLE CAN HELP YOU… OR NOT
             The Big Pane
            The Bad Seed
            The Chocolate Factory
III. THE GREAT OUTDOORS – HOW TO FIND A LAPTOP ON YOUR OWN
             Price
            Processor
            Graphics
            RAM
            Hard Drive
            Battery Life
            Software
            Miscellaneous

With all that out of the way, on with the show…
 

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I. THE EASY BUY

WHAT TO GET RIGHT NOW WITH NO FUSS

This will be the shortest and sweetest part.  I’ll do the shopping for you, but it has three caveats:

• Pricing is effective at the time of releasing this guide.  At the time I write today, Oct. 14th, 2023, if you’re reading this past nine months, there’s an excellent chance that either the stock or model could be gone… if not refurbished.  Or that the price no longer applies.
• This ignores any brand-hate.  A fair deal is a fair deal, even if I don’t like the maker or their history.
• I won’t get into why.  That’s what the last section is for.

 

So, off we go.  Allons-y!

GOOD: HP 17” Laptop, Ryzen 3 7320U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD.  This laptop is literally everywhere, from Walmart to Office Stores, from College Bookstores to Best Buy.  The tricky part?  Getting the specs right because lower end models as well as more expensive models use the same body that have mixed results.  Try this one for $300.00 -- (listing on Best Buy.)

BETTER: Lenovo Yoga 6 has a Ryzen 7 7730U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD.  360 degree hinge with touch/pen input, so you can fold the keyboard under the screen and pretend it's a tablet (listing on Best Buy.) $899.

BEST: If you have $1,200 or more, any lower end gaming laptop should fit the bill for City of Heroes.  An example? 

• How about a Dell G15? ($1,149.)
• Or perhaps a Lenovo Legion? ($1,349.) 
• Or an Acer Nitro? ($1,299) 
• The ROG Zephyrus 14 has a good balance of cost-effectiveness as well as lighter weight (gaming power and as light as a MacBook Pro), and starts around $1,400. ($1,200 if you don’t mind a closeout from last year’s stock during tax season.)

If you want to address AAA Gaming titles as well as your COH fix (games that cost $60-90 off the shelf), your best bet would be to aim at least in the $1,400 range and find a RTX 3060 or RX 5600 or higher.  For OpenGL, remember that the top of the line does not guarantee results.  Plopping down for a Core-i9 with 32GB RAM, a 2TB M.2 NVMe and GeForce RTX 4090 laptop isn’t a shortcut for 240FPS raids.  A lot of users report that work is needed to optimize that outcome on bleeding edge systems.

 

Easy part finished.  Now, for the actual work.
 

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II. THE BIG TECH ANSWER

HOW MICROSOFT, APPLE, AND GOOGLE CAN HELP YOU… OR NOT.

THE BIG PANE (MS)

I say the above title with some affection, as Microsoft Windows is the most trouble-free way to run Homecoming.  And Microsoft devices are a quick way to get good performance in other uses while being able to game...  but their lineup is getting less diverse and not all devices will fare well.
 

GOOD: Surface Pro 8, 9, as well as Surface Laptops 4 and 5. These systems offer Intel Iris Xe graphics built-in, which is a step further down the “we’re trying to make a dedicated graphics card, honest!” yellow-brick road that Intel is dancing down with a scarecrow, lion, tin-man and a doggo.  (Dorothy did it better to be honest.)  You won’t be able to rock Ultra Mode at full blast, but the frame rates are steadily getting better.

 

BETTER: Surface Laptop 4 with AMD.  It has an underpowered, but still capable Ryzen 5 processor with Vega Graphics, so it performs at least as well as the above Good/Better laptops in THE EASY BUY.  Ultra Mode doable, but you got to choose looks over frame rate.  It’s also going fast, as it is the oldest of the “new” laptops offered by Microsoft on their website.  Expect this to disappear as a choice in less than a year when Surface Pro or others get a refresh.  Surface Laptop 5 is all Intel only, so unless MS does an about-face and brings AMD back to Surface Laptop 6, it’ll be a long road to have better results on Intel video.

 

And sadly, this seems to be the end of the line for Microsoft recommendations.  I can’t even make a “BEST” suggestion anymore.

 

NO GOOD: For new laptops anyway… Surface Go uses a Pentium Silver/Gold processor and video that is underwhelming, so that’s not going to work well.  Surface Laptop Go on the other hand, power efficiency over performance is the focus, so gaming will take a hit. Other models to pass on?

• Surface Studio Laptop 1 or 2? Double no. I mean it.  First, RTX A2000/RTX 2000 isn’t meant for gaming use (NVIDIA A series cards are centered on media production and video encoding, not gaming.  The game will start but run like it’s on a potato.)  Second, the price is over the moon for the form factor.  Granted the Surface Studio Laptop 2 added RTX 4050 and 4060 options, but even then, I can’t recommend anyone drop $1,800 for one when better hardware can be had for the same or less.
• Surface Book, which isn't sold new anymore, just mentioning this in case you find one on Closeout: they overheat.  Often.  Surface Book 2 and Surface Book 3 systems overheat so frequently that NVidia chips glitching out is a frequent outcome.  MS just replaces the warranty covered ones (well, those that are left) with Surface Laptop models instead.
• I can’t recommend Surface Pro devices before 7 any longer, since WDDM is as good as it gets these days.  Intel Iris and Iris Pro languishes without the right drivers, which Intel purged with the great "Un-32-bit-tenning" back in December of 2020. 
• You'll be hard pressed to find a Surface Pro 7.  They're discontinued and almost gone except for used sales.  (First model with replaceable SSD in the Surface Pro 7 Plus.)
• Don’t even try: Microsoft Surface Pro X.  Or the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 with ARM or Project Volterra (Windows Dev Kit).  That last acronym is all you need to know: Windows ARM systems are compatible with x64 apps in name only.  The performance is horrible for OpenGL or Vulkan apps.

 

And that’s the game for Microsoft devices.  It’s a shrinking pool of useable Surface machines to play COH on, and not likely to improve.

 

THE BAD SEED (APPLE)

Yup, tacky Apple joke.  (I dig on all OEMs equally, damn it.)  But guess what turned out to be a surprise nobody expected back in 2020?  Apple M1 actually kicking some butt at gaming that is away from the Apple Ecosystem.  This comes with some asterisks, however…

 

• The graphics compatibility is based on similar offerings from Intel on-board but uses an open source instruction set from AMD.  (Mesa, for the geeks.)  Many of the Ultra Mode sliders are off the table, but this is nothing new for Apple users.
   
• You may need to adjust some settings to make play practical (like Linux play, it uses Wine, so Borderless Windowed is your friend).  But it does work.  Since MacOS Monterey and Wine 7.0, it's been a lot less quirky.
   
• The duct tape holding it all together: Rosetta 2. However, like OG Rosetta, there is an excellent shot it won’t stick around for too much longer now that Intel hardware isn't being sold by Apple any longer.  It’s not a promise or a ticking time bomb; any Mac you buy new today will play CoH. But something to keep in mind on future models: if Apple sheds Rosetta 2 in favor of pushing new features, don’t be surprised.

 

Gamers aren’t fans of Macs for several reasons, but none of them are too dissimilar to Microsoft Surface.  Repairability isn’t in the cards, nor upgrades.  That’s to be expected.  And Apple has done a lot to discourage outside development where Gaming communities used to extend support to the Mac in the past. The point? AAA-Titles usually don't offer a Mac port anymore.  FPS/eSports isn't the entirety of Gaming, but that community embraces Windows first, and Linux a distant but shrinking second.  Mac isn't in that running anymore.

 

This isn’t meant to discourage folks from giving it a shot but to give a realistic idea of what to expect. If any of that bugs you, for the price, money spent on a Mac may make you happier on another laptop.

 

But if it doesn’t?  Good, here’s the recommendations.  For Apple Silicon machines, check out the Homecoming Launcher forum for updated guides.  (Still use an Intel Mac?  No worries, HC Launcher and Island Rum installers still cover your 2010's-released Macs.)

 

GOOD: Apple MacBook Air M2. (Be advised, Air models will slow the CPU when excess heat is present, which will affect gaming use.  A fan-based cooling mat may or may not help.) Also, Apple MacBook Air M1 is still on sale new from Apple and is just as usable.  (Mac Minis do well too, but again, none of that here.  This is a Laptop Guide.)

The base models of M1/M2/M3 will play the game no problem, but it has been noted that one step above the base config (ex: instead of 8GB RAM/256GB SSD, consider 16GB RAM/512 GB SSD) has a significant speed advantage (at least 12% or more depending on the task) over 8GB RAM/256 GB SSD. This is due to having less "memory pressure" in MacOS, combined with faster write speeds with a dual chip NAND SSD soldered to the motherboard vs. a single chip one.  This is kind of hard to know at a store front, you'll need to check reviews of the laptop internals and speed tests on review sites and YouTube.

 

"BETTER" and "BEST" isn't going to happen for this category.  Apple discontinued the 13" MacBook Pro in favor of a 15" model that at $1,599 and 8GB RAM I wouldn't advise.  MacBook Pro 14” and 16” machines will indeed run the game. But for the price at $1,800+... yikes. 

 

Also an important detail -- No Mac at any price can turn Bloom or DOF post-processing effects on.  Keep in mind that paying $999 for a MacBook Air M1 (which is very close to being discontinued) or paying ~$6,000+ for a tricked out MacBook Pro 16" with the latest M3 chip MAKES NO DIFFERENCE in graphics options on the Advanced Settings menu for the price.  The difference is raw processing speed and core counts, that's it.

 

NO GOOD: No iPad or iPad Pro with an M1 or M2 will run Mac Apps, let alone Wine.  But those are tablets, not laptops.  Go play Genshin Impact on them like everyone else does.

 

And now for the shortest offering…

THE CHOCOLATE COMPANY (GOOGLE)

…or what Google used to be nicknamed in Android’s younger days: I’ve waffled a bit on Chromebooks being used to play City of Heroes.  And it’s possible to find a Chromebook that technically can play the game.  But after testing several models (indirectly) I could get my hands on; I’ve returned to the same conclusion I had back in 2019.

 

NO GOOD: It's not worth it.

I’ve returned to this conclusion based on Google and OEMs making that last option harder.  Getting ChromeOS out of the way and using Linux is the best one can hope for performance-wise.  And that’s considerably harder to do for the newest models even with the right specs to play the game.

 

Don’t buy a Chromebook and expect to play City of Heroes on it.  From the mouth of a better qualified expert, MrChromebox has it down cold –
 

“Buying any Chromebook with the intention of running Windows or Linux is not a great idea. Many can't boot anything other than ChromeOS; Those that can boot Linux (or Windows) often have functional deficiencies -- DO NOT EXPECT EVERYTHING TO WORK OUT OF THE BOX. Older models may fair better compatibility wise, but there are still lots of caveats, and it's not recommended to buy a Chromebook as a cheap Linux device. The days where Chromebooks ran Linux well OOTB ended with the 2015 models.”

Finally, remember that Chromebooks exist with multiple architectures, including ARM models. Unlike Windows ARM, not even software emulation comes with most ARM Linux installations as a feature.  So ARM Chromebooks will not play City of Heroes, period.  Yes, there’s a hobbyist out there that will read this and say, “Challenge accepted.”  But out of the box, it’s not going to work out.  And telling someone new to Linux to try it is a recipe for pain.

Alright, feeling good.  Two of the three sections down.  But now, it is time for the section that’s in-depth reading.  You ready?  I’m ready.  I’ve been ready.  I met ready.  And we hit it off.  I’ve visited ready’s high school reunion, donated to its booster club, and I even took a pic with ready.  We’re buds now.

 

III. THE GREAT OUTDOORS

HOW TO SHOP FOR A LAPTOP ON YOUR OWN.

 

PRICE

So, in the prior guide, I had a big section on shopping.  This one, I’m taking a different tack: I’m factoring the price as a part of the laptop spec.

In this regard, I’ll give the following advice, and gently expand on it (no GOOD/BETTER/BEST here, it really depends on the specs involved):
 

• A laptop’s price has far less to do with its capabilities, and much more to do with its DEMAND.  This is the big secret in the industry.  Spending $2,000 to $3,000 on a laptop is no guarantee it will do everything you will want it to do.  Or even anything at times.  Most expensive laptops are geared for two outcomes: portability and battery life. (Battery life will make for funny reading in a moment.)  Likewise, if you know where and how to look, spending less than $400 can get you what you want if you don’t expect the device to do it all, and are specific on your needs. Spending on a cheaper machine doesn’t automatically make it garbage (although to be fair there’s a lot of garbage out there.)
   
• Spend on what you CAN’T expand later.  A laptop can be one-hundred percent on-board components with no ability to upgrade parts later (Macbook, Surface, and such are popular examples.)  Some not only permit upgrades, but they also modify the laptop case to make such upgrades far easier on amateurs.  RAM, Hard Drive and Wi-Fi door panels on the bottom lid make such replacements minutes away.  A LOT of them hide their expandability, requiring you to remove feet, use picks or a expired credit card to separate hooks on the case, and carefully disassemble the parts to gain access to your upgrade slots. Almost all of them stand firm on three parts: the screen, GPU and Graphics Card (well, chip.)  Almost all laptops make those components permanent.  If your decision is between one with less storage capacity and one with a weaker CPU, when in doubt, aim for CPU power. Storage can be added later (even if it’s in the form of USB.)
   
• Don’t spend when you are emotional.  If the one you want isn’t in stock, or the doorbuster sale for Black Friday became a bait and switch… (“Get this gaming laptop for $400, limit 3 per location.  Rest at retail price.” Boo…) Or let’s say the one you had your heart set on it turns out that it can’t game at all.  In all those cases it’s hard but close the wallet or purse right up.  Also, never let a salesperson pressure you.  Especially don’t let them summon other salespeople to surround you. If it helps, ask a friend to join you on the trip and let them talk you out of a bad sale.  Your friend doesn’t have to know anything about computers. Just the ability to read your emotions is enough.  If you’re not happy, make sure they talk you into walking away.
   

So, what’s a fair price for a computer? That is the tricky part.  You’re going to find machines in several classes of pricing.

 

• Value/Starter Computers: These are the entry level systems meant for students, young professionals, and people who need a simple computer to handle the basics.  Popular examples include HP’s “nameless” laptop (the HP 14, HP 11, etc.), Dell Inspiron, Lenovo IdeaPad, and most models of Chromebooks.  Processors can be as weak as Intel Processor (formerly Celeron/Pentium.  Silly move, calling your weakest processors your company’s name.) or AMD A-Series and Athlon X4 systems, and as good as Intel Core i3 and AMD Ryzen 3.  (But not much higher: if you find Core i5 or Ryzen 5 as cheap as the above, check what year they were made.  They’re possibly older than they look.)  Pricing centers around the $400 mark. Some less, some higher.
   
• Midrange Computers: These systems will have a touch more of everything: better port selection, more USB ports, bigger or higher resolution/High DPI screens (even in smaller sizes), better performance, and slightly better build quality.  Examples of these machines include HP Pavilion, Dell Latitude, and Lenovo Yoga.  Processors approach either the higher-speed dual core or multi core versions of Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5.  Pricing is usually from $600-800.

 

• Gaming laptops.  (BEST: This is the better place for spending nearly a grand.) While it is possible to find a low-end Gaming Laptop less than $900, the majority of them start higher.  Gaming Laptops are designed for three things: screen, ventilation, and graphics.  Where gaming laptops come up short?  Usually, weight, battery life, and portability.  Gaming Laptops have some parallels with desktop replacement laptops in that they tend towards larger size, heavier weight, and the need to be tethered to a desk or table close to a power jack.  All the major players offer a model from the big three: HP Omen, Dell’s Alienware line, and Lenovo Legion.  This trend is changing, however, with gaming laptops becoming lighter and more power conscious when games aren’t running.  Models include the Razer Blade, ASUS ROG Zephyrus, and the MSI GS. But they don’t tend to be cheap.  Expect to spend $1,200 to $1,800 on models that don’t need wheeled luggage to move about.
   
• Professional Laptops. (GOOD: Don’t expect great performance, but they’re not slouches either.) This is the most popular category of laptop out there.  Light weight, great battery life, big screens (or at least high resolution and high DPI), and a lot more durable than Value or Midrange laptops.  Models abound here: HP Elite, Dell XPS (used to be their gaming brand, but pivoted to the suits), Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, and most Apple MacBooks.  (I’d argue their cheapest one, Macbook Air, is the entry level to this category.)  At the $1,200-$1,500 end of the scale the differences are clearer than in the upper prices past $2,000-3,000.  (Usually, the more expensive, the more capacity and a slightly faster processor installed, if any difference at all.)
   
• Media Production or Workstation Replacement laptops.  (NO GOOD) These machines are usually only available to businesses or folks with high demands on equipment with price not being an object.  (Whether you’re a film maker, architect, or scientist, there’s an excellent chance you wouldn’t be spending out of pocket to obtain something like this for your work, but also just as likely that you can’t keep it when you change jobs or a project is through.)  Like older Gaming Laptops, they’re large, barely portable, and heavy.  Unlike them, if they come with a graphics chip, it’s usually CAD or video-centric and not meant to game on.  A true workstation replacement has over a dozen ports, slots, and usually a docking port to add even more with a docking station planted at a desk or cart.  Most recognizable models include the Dell Precision line, Lenovo ThinkPad P Series, and the HP ZBook.  (It can even be argued that Apple’s MacBook Pro 16” w/M1 or M2 Max model is in this camp.  The heft is there, anyway.)  Most start at $1,800, so spending that cash towards a gaming laptop will make more sense than one of these.

 

So, while ignoring the meaningful specs and keeping to generalities, hopefully the above helps to clarify that first bullet point in this section.  Just because a laptop is super pricey, does not mean it’s meant to be everything to everyone.  In fact, considering that most manufacturers expect a 4-7 year lifetime on all of the above models, such a laptop may not really exist.

 

You can drop a grand on a new machine tomorrow, and it will give you a better experience, may even be put together a little better, and it might have more features.  But it’s not going to necessarily last longer than a cheaper laptop as far as updates and driver support are concerned.

 

PROCESSOR

Second to price, but the most important spec.  In fact, no other factor drives the price of a laptop more. And now to negate that reasoning! 

 

THE PROCESSOR DOESN’T REALLY MATTER FOR THIS GAME.

 

For Homecoming, you don’t really need much.  A Core i3 or Ryzen 3 is plenty for the game.  But a cheaper processor may not be enough for your needs.  For most people, a Core i5 or Ryzen 5 meets the needs of most people.  (This guide was written on a Ryzen 5 laptop, in fact.)  Again, if you are seeing a similar price between two laptops that can game, and one has less capacity but a better processor, side with the better processor.  You can’t upgrade it later.  This is NOT the case with a Desktop system you can build.  But laptops, in 98% of cases you are stuck with the CPU you get. (I hear you, people coughing out "FRAMEWORK!" and "REBALLING! HEAT GUN!" Knock it off.)

 

GOOD: Intel Core i3, i5, i7, i9 (Note: ignoring "Ultra" because they're quite not "on the shelves yet"*) -AND- AMD Ryzen 3, 5, 7, 9.
As Homecoming rolls well on all the above, not going to bother breaking these apart to better and best.  If you don’t see the processor in this list, use these sites—

• Intel Ark: https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark.html#@Processors (That Ark, the database, not Arc, the graphics card. SMDH at Intel, there.)
• AMD: https://www.amd.com/en/products/specifications
   

If the processor was released before 2018, think twice about paying more than $400 for the system.  The only consideration to make?  Core i3 and Ryzen 3 will have less “headroom” to multitask (run Discord, Spotify or watch streaming video at the same time) or to run more than one client of Homecoming than the Core i5 and Ryzen 5 models and higher can do.  But you can still do it.
 

Mac aficionados: repeating the above advice for Apple laptops, Apple Silicon, such as M1, M2, M3 and all the variant Pros, Maxes, and Ultras all play COH well too.  Just remember when asked to install Rosetta 2, your only answer is yes.  Rosetta 2 is critical for Wine to function.

Not Advised: (They're not no good, but there's caveats...) Intel Processor, Celeron, Pentium -AND- AMD Athlons. Any computer made before 2016 would be a good idea not to buy at this point.  (See MODE D’EMPLOI above: assumption #2.  Get something that will last a few years.)

 

If nothing else: if the processor name has a "precious metal" of any kind in the name, it's either not going to work well with this game, or be way overpriced to bother thinking about it.  (Examples: Athlon Gold, Intel Pentium Silver... Yes, even Xeon uses the metal names now.)

 

GRAPHICS

This is the second most expensive factor on most laptops, with the following impact:
 

• Discrete Graphics: a laptop with discrete graphics has a non-integrated separate chip to process video and graphics output away from the processor.  Two advantages to this: your CPU doesn’t waste cycles running graphics on top of regular instructions, it just passes the GPU output to the screen.  And second, Discrete Graphics chips keep their own Video RAM and don’t take a chunk from your system RAM. 

Discrete Graphics Card Cheat Sheet!  (Wanna dig more?  Search these posts.)

Class of Laptop	Don't Get This!	Instead, Get This:
Value/Starter	Intel UHD Graphics or value laptops with no graphics stickers	Radeon Navi/Vega Graphics Intel Xe Graphics
Midrange	Intel UHD Graphics or Arc 330 GeForce tens digit under 3 Radeon hund./tens under 3	Intel Arc A350/370+ GeForce XX50+ Radeon X500 or X50+
Gaming	*	Intel Arc A5XX/A7XX+ GeForce XX60+ Radeon X600 or X60+
Professional	*	*
Media Production	Intel UHD Quadro or RTX AX000 Radeon Pro WXX00	*
Desktop Replacement	*	N/A

* = "Same as above"
X = This number indicates how new a card is.  Cards with lower X numbers are certainly older than higher numbered ones.  These indicate power efficiency and heat management moreso than actual performance.
N/A = Desktop Replacement laptops with Gaming Grade graphics chipsets are few and far in-between.  If you find one, enjoy your unicorn.
Not listed: Apple Silicon, paying less or more changes the frame rate capacity, not features.

 

This is unfortunately getting harder and harder to determine in some cases thanks to manufacturers, except in one case: Nvidia. It’s a safe bet in 90% of cases that any laptop with a Nvidia Geforce sticker has a discrete chip.  But you’ll usually pay a premium to get it over a non-Nvidia equipped model in the same line.  Radeon Graphics is available on gaming laptops, but you’ll really need to check the system specs.  Navi, Vega and any “not described” graphics support from AMD with a "Radeon Graphics" sticker on it anyway you can safely assume the next category…
 

• Integrated Graphics: integrated graphics are built-in to the CPU.  Unlike the above, the CPU spends time processing graphics along with all other instructions, and your Video RAM is actually a part of your regular RAM.  You can tell this when opening Settings in Windows 10/11, and look in the System panel on the “About” page at the bottom.  System RAM will be reported, with a lower number being given as “Useable”.  The unusable portion is being cordoned off by the CPU as Video RAM for the Integrated graphics.  Something to keep in mind.  Examples include: AMD Ryzen with Vega Graphics, AMD Ryzen with Radeon Graphics, and all Intel Graphics for laptops, regardless of name (including UHD, Iris, Iris Pro and Xe.)
   

So, is integrated graphics guaranteed garbage?  Not necessarily.  For MMO titles made in the 2000’s and 2010’s, you can save a few bucks picking an Integrated GPU laptop over a dedicated one.  If you want to play AAA Gaming titles, you’re going to need dedicated graphics.

 

(Folks paying attention can see a very clear line of shopping: if cash is not in strong supply, any laptop with either an Intel Core i3 and Xe Graphics, or an AMD Ryzen 3 and Vega graphics at a minimum will play the game well.  It just won’t be fast at heavy multitasking use.)

 

RAM

Unlike the Processor, RAM is becoming a necessary spec for laptops.  You’ll need to pay attention on this one:
 

• BEST: 32 GB – 64 GB is best in a Gaming Laptop (you can do higher capacities of course).  With Dedicated Graphics, the RAM is completely open to your operating system with plenty of room for gaming, browser tabs, and any kind of support apps.  If you aspire to be a creator or share your gaming on a video platform, this is mandatory if you want to be able to run it well.  Same as a desktop, a laptop motherboard has an upward limit on upgradeability. If you want to upgrade later and save money on a build, go lighter on RAM and switch it out in 1-2 years.
   
• BETTER: 16 GB is what mainstream gaming users should aspire to have in their systems as their standard.  Even on a cheaper laptop, if it uses Integrated Graphics, that means 12-14GB of useable memory in a 16 GB system over 4-6GB in an 8GB system.
   
• GOOD: 8 GB is the new minimum.  If you want to use Windows 10, 11, or MacOS, you’ll need 8GB of RAM to use most apps these days.  Multitasking isn’t an outlier any longer but the norm.  And most tabbed browsers flourish with more RAM available.  (Use Discord?  Here’s a secret: every server you join is a “tab” as far as Electron is considered.  Same RAM usage as a tab in Chrome.) Surface/MacBook models, this is especially true as RAM cannot be upgraded after purchase.  With MacOS or Windows 11, expect over 50% of this to be used for system memory (you'll have less than 4GB usable for programs.  This isn't bad for 8GB or a reason to move to 16GB if you're a light user, just know what you've got.  Windows 12, which hasn't been announced yet, may very well bump this even higher.)
   
• NO GOOD: 4 GB of RAM is not usable any longer.  If you find a system running Windows 11 on 4GB don't buy it.  You'll be gaming on a swap file which is still slower than RAM.  Used systems, Windows 10 may run the game but only a single instance and no other apps in use.  Windows 11, you WILL be using a Swap File to play.  This will rob performance, SSD or not.

 

HARD DRIVE

A few types of storage to consider:
 

• Platter Hard Drives.  On most laptops, these are on the way out, but they are still present on budget devices.  Even at 1-2 TB, these are cheaper than SATA/NVMe M.2, so pay attention to the specs.  Write speeds are SLOW, there's no such thing as a fast consumer-grade Platter HDD past 7200 RPM due to physics.  This won't change.
• eMMC Hard Drive.  (Ranging from GOOD to NO GOOD, depends on the individual system.  Lean towards NO GOOD without checking a review first.)  This is common in Chromebooks and Ultra-light laptops that cost less than $200.  The performance of an eMMC is barely faster than a platter hard drive, but not enough to have an appreciable benefit in gaming.  Unlike a Platter Hard Drive, eMMCs are soldered on board and CANNOT be upgraded. (While unlikely, if a laptop has a M.2 slot elsewhere, they CAN be ignored however.)
• SATA SSD Hard Drives are present on some laptop models. (BETTER)  These can be in the form of a 2.5” drive slot or as a M.2 device.  SATA is better than eMMC or Platter, but it is now considered middle of the road now (and less common) in comparison to…
• NVMe M.2.  (BEST) NVMe stands for “Non Volatile Memory express”, which uses a PCI-Express connection to connect your hard drive to the system bus.  It not only comes in capacity sizes, but also in physical sizing from 20mm all the way to 120mm, with 2280 being the most common size. NVMe has the fastest performance (even older standards of it compared to SATA.)  This is the current darling of the industry.
   

Consider a 256GB NVMe M.2 as the starting point.  If a cheaper model of laptop has a platter or eMMC hard drive (but has 512GB or 1TB storage) it will be slower to zone in when trying to hop across maps, missions, and iTrials.  Apple Silicon laptops sold since 2020 use NAND chips that are effectively in the same camp as NVMe, with most erring towards the middle end of NVMe (1,000 - 2,000Mbps).

 

BATTERY LIFE

It held true with the prior guide, and it holds true today.  Shall I say it again?

 

BATTERY LIFE IS NOT A FACTOR.

 

If you’re going to game on a laptop, it NEEDS to be plugged in to power, period.  Summing up the same points that haven’t changed since 2020?

 

• Battery optimization while unplugged means turning down Graphics performance.  This is done at a hardware level and cannot be completely mitigated in an Operating System or on your graphics driver controls.
• Laptops built for gaming have pathetic battery life WHILE gaming.
• The battery on the cheaper, heavier gaming models is only strong enough to move between AC outlets.  For the expensive ones that are lighter, the battery is meant to be used on non-gaming tasks.

 

So, what has changed?  If the laptop uses USB-C charging and accepts Power Delivery chargers, you may have a second option.  A Power Bank of sufficient size (20,000 mAh to 40,000 mAh) plugged into your laptop charging port could effectively add time gaming to a laptop without turning on Power Efficiency features.  Most laptops with Barrel Jacks and proprietary connectors for power generally will not work on most batteries, even with a PD adapter plugged into it.  (And concerning laptops with a RX or RTX dedicated graphics chip, if your laptop uses a DC power brick over 240 watts, PD charging isn’t even a possibility.)

 

Any difference in battery life between laptops you’re considering shouldn’t really be a factor.  Expect to be plugged in while playing COH, period.  Gaming on battery means turning graphics way down and taking a FPS hit no matter the machine.
 

SOFTWARE

Operating Systems: also not really a factor.

 

Windows 10 isn’t being sold to OEMs any longer as of the time this guide is being written.  Windows 11 has more RAM and graphical overhead than Windows 10, but as long as you are over 8GB RAM it is not enough to be appreciable to install Windows 10 on it until 2025.

 

MacOS post-Mojave the important spec to see on Activity Monitor is "Memory Pressure".  If the game is on and the chart is green, you're doing fine.  Red, consider closing apps while playing.

 

Bloatware: Every laptop is going to have pre-installed apps from the Hardware Manufacturer. It’s a part of the business.  Every app on the system by default pays the hardware maker for the placement.  The is a simple answer for a laptop that comes from the factory with Windows preinstalled -- download a Windows ISO on a flash drive on another system and wipe it.  (Like for like: comes with Windows 10, use Windows 10.  Comes with Windows 11, use Windows 11.  This is important: Hardware Compatibility Lists are different between the two.)  The stock ISO from Microsoft still has “paid placement” apps like Candy Crush and such, but those are “click to install” from Windows store.  If you never start it, it doesn’t download.  (Right click and "Uninstall" still gets rid of them.)

 

Drivers: Installing graphics and chipset drivers are critical for most systems.  In the past, it was common wisdom to install the drivers from your laptop maker and nothing further.  Today, exploits, game patches, and hotfixes come way too quickly for a laptop manufacturer to keep up with.  Head straight to the source and get your graphics drivers from NVidia, AMD or Intel.

 

Bottom Line?  Get the system you like.

MISCELLANEOUS

Build Quality:

 

If you spend less than $600 on a laptop, the general expectation is you’re getting an all-plastic machine and simple keyboard. (There are exceptions: Acer Swift.) It may not be as tough as a metal-cased powerhouse, but it works. However, things like trackpad gestures, N-Key rollover, and backlighting usually aren’t in the cards.  That doesn’t mean you can’t mitigate.  USB and Bluetooth accessories can help.

 

• Better Keyboard: Mechanical keyboards (good ones) usually start at $100 and go up with the mention of key switch manufacturers and response times.  You might find a model under $100, but there will be some catches (non-removable switches, keycaps, or little to no backlighting.)  If you don’t mind a cheaper model, there’s several Bluetooth models that have good response, backlighting and gaming performance that are easier to obtain.  I've been happy with my MX Keys Mini for several of my devices ($100, pairs up to three.)
   
• Better Mice: Trackpads and MMOs really don’t mix unless your wrists are something of legend.  You’ll need a mouse.  Corded mice will generally be cheaper, but Bluetooth and RF Mice in the last several years have improved well enough to make them worth a second look.  Most Logitech mice have a battery life of six to twelve months with either a single or two AA Batteries.  Ergonomic choices abound for less than $60, from claw-grip mice to trackballs.
   
• Cooling: for cheaper laptops that weren’t meant to game on (but you’re doing it anyway…) a cooling pad makes sense to keep your laptop a few degrees cooler than without one.  The king of the heap in most stores in this department (Belkin) is a bit overpriced in this regard.  You can find a solid ABS Plastic and Metal cooling pad for laptops with large fans and quiet operation for less than $30. 
  
  IMPORTANT: Same as the laptop, when using a cooling pad, have a table, lapdesk or flat board to place it on.  The airflow is better than your actual lap as computer fans are mini vacuum cleaners: any fuzz pills or debris on your clothes, blankets, or couch will wind up inside. Cooling pad or not, NEVER place a laptop with fans on a carpeted floor.  (Smoke?  Same deal.  Consider smoking somewhere else other than where your computers are.  Tar, ash and buildup will find it's way inside, whether you are a tobacco, candle or incense user.  Or even a pit master.  No judgment on my part.)
   
• Carrying Case: when picking a case to carry a laptop around, if you have only a power brick and mouse, finding a case the same size should be sufficient (14” laptop in a 14” case is fine.)  If you have more than that, consider buying a case 1-2 inches larger (even if it slides around, too much case always beats too little) or a backpack with excess storage (14” laptop pocket, rest of the bag holds everything else.)

 

A high-price system may have some of these areas covered and not need all the above.  But with the right accessories, even a cheap system can meet anyone’s needs.

 

Warranty:

 

• Pay attention to the sale warranty from the manufacturer.  Most machines are sold with 1y coverage at no additional charge.  (Limited, of course: Manufacturing defects, short term failures, or “DOA” – laptops that do not power on when unboxed, therefore Dead on Arrival.)
   
• If buying direct from the manufacturer, a 2- or 3-year warranty plan may be offered for an additional cost, but only at the time of sale.  If you don’t buy it at the point of purchase, or in a given enrolllment window (such as within 14-30 days of the sale) you can’t get it later.
  • Accidental Damage from Handling (ADH) may add coverage such as drops, cosmetic damage, or even water damage.  It doesn’t cover DOA (usually handled by the original warranty without it), any user-replaceable components such as USB and wireless accessories from the sale (mice, headsets), or loss/theft (no warranty covers that at any price).
  • These additional plans usually cover repairs, cross-shipped replacements of the whole laptop (new one arrives, you pack your old one in the same box and send it back in 30-60 days or pay for the 2nd machine), or a return carton for store credit to purchase a different model at equal or lesser value (rare, but in most plans as a severe case).
  • No manufacturer warranty exceeds 3 years.  When half of the computer's life is through, repairs from then on are on your own, or at cost (labor, parts AND shipping).

 

• Credit Card purchases offer a possible extended warranty for electronics bought with it at no additional fee.  This coverage depends on your card (go ask your card provider), but usually has three caveats:
  • It's automatic: applies AFTER your manufacturer limited warranty expires.  No enrollments or fees as long as you use the credit card to buy it whole.  (Can't split payment with cash or debit, it's all or nothing.)
  • Uses the same terms, but usually adds back in material defects and cost of repairs (repairs exceed the laptop's price?  Use this.)
  • Handled by the Credit Card company directly, not the OEM.  Usual remedy is sending the machine to them for reconciliation, and they issue a credit to your card to go buy something else.

Generally, this only applies to new sales and original sales (you have to be the first owner, so brand new unboxed from a retailer, or a closeout purchase.)  Used items whether "New In Box" or open item sales with as-is terms, refurbished, and private sales (such as CashApp, Venmo or PayPal payments for a laptop through that credit card instead of paying directly) usually are not covered.  And systems bought with a debit card do not count as credit card sales.

 

• Additional coverage may be offered, such as an extended warranty, but pay attention:
  • It’s usually from a third party, like Asurion or Square Trade (now Allstate). 
    • This isn’t offered by the manufacturer nor involving them, the party that is selling the plan may get consideration (commission) from the insurance company if you do buy it (such as Best Buy or Amazon). 
    • If you do buy it, calling the manufacturer about issues with an extended warranty will be ignored.
    • You can refuse this coverage and finish the sale without it. 
  • Read the terms.  Unlike a Manufacturer Warranty, Extended warranties are ALWAYS available for something after a sale, but it likely will NOT be as exhaustive as the Manufacturer Warranty. 
  • Coverage doesn’t always start at the sale.  Some plans start AFTER your manufacturer’s coverage is completed.
  • Be aware that there is the possibility of paying for too much coverage: Buying ADH from the additional provider doesn’t always mean your original warranty magically adds it if you didn’t, or that the extended warranty starts any earlier for it.  Most insurers call this a "Coverage Gap," which is mitigated in other industries, but in electronics it's usually the point.
  • Most importantly, YOU MAY NOT EVEN NEED IT.  If you can handle basic fixes for laptops and wind up never using the plan, the insurance company essentially made money out of your fear.  (If you're a fan of iFixIt, trust your gut.)

 

And that’s the guide!  Thanks for reading, feel free to add below any parts you want to explain further or disagree on, and hopefully this gets you the info you need shopping for new hardware.

Revisions--
July 1st, 2023: Apple WWDC changes, RAM notes on all systems, and some pricing shifts.
October 14, 2023: Updated models on "The Easy Part" just in time for the Chrismahanukwanzaakah Season, timelines and models from MS/Apple product reveals. Added Credit Card Insurance info, Graphics "Try These" suggestions, and tried fixing the fonts from the bold/big mobile display mess.

Edited March 29 by GM Tock
Apple suggestion changes, post MBP 13" end of life.

[WanderingAries]

So That's where you went! 😮 

[arkieboy72472]

I have a tricked out 2013 Mac Pro. Which OS will do better with COH: Win10 or Monterey (or some other version) or does it matter? I know it isn’t ideal, but it’s what I have.

Edited May 1 by arkieboy72472

[WanderingAries]

On 5/1/2024 at 4:27 PM, arkieboy72472 said:

I have a tricked out 2013 Mac Pro. Which OS will do better with COH: Win10 or Monterey (or some other version) or does it matter? I know it isn’t ideal, but it’s what I have.

 

You'll do better with a Native OS (keep temps down for one), so if You can run Monterey, then go for Manga's latest app.

[arkieboy72472]

3 hours ago, WanderingAries said:

 

You'll do better with a Native OS (keep temps down for one), so if You can run Monterey, then go for Manga's latest app.

Thanks so much!

[LightSide]

On 5/13/2023 at 2:12 PM, Tock said:

Don’t even try: Microsoft Surface Pro X.  Or the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 with ARM or Project Volterra (Windows Dev Kit).  That last acronym is all you need to know: Windows ARM systems are compatible with x64 apps in name only.  The performance is horrible for OpenGL or Vulkan apps.

Since the recommendation is to steer clear of ARM, I guess that the new surface pro 11 (Snapdragon X Plus or Snapdragon X Elite) would still not run City of Heroes very well?  For portability on the road, I really wish there was a tablet that was good at running City of Heroes, but I think I will have to surrender to reality and just not waste the cash.

Edited June 29 by LightSide