Second hand gaming laptop advice

[MissChief]

Looking for some advice around a laptop for my son. His current laptop has integrated graphics and ideally I'd want something that plays indie games, Team Fortress 2 and the like without any trouble and maybe newer games with lowered settings.

I'm thinking of something like a core i5 1st gen, 4GB ram and perhaps a GTX4xx or AMD equivalent graphics card, but I have no idea what I should be looking for or any specific model numbers etc. and the bay of E is hopeless as just about everything is described as a gaming laptop!

Or is it possible to build a laptop with an older spec anywhere? Looking for less than £500 ideally but cheaper is better! Doesn't need SSD or anything fancy really. Any help?

 

[Axeboy]

You should be able to get better than 1st gen for that value.

Something like a refurbished dell with a dedicated card would work well. You might also be able to pick up something with a 765m for that price which will perform better than the older series.

You wont be able to build older spec really but refurbished dell's are an option or you might come across some deals elsewhere that have 840m's etc that will also do a job.

 

[spengos]

I would look for an old Alienware on Ebay. For £500 you should get a something decent.

 

[Axeboy]

Diasgree personally. Alienware has an element of brand overpricing in my opinion.

I have owned a few but didnt keep any for long. At that value, its still significant enough to want a warranty and I find an old Alienware a bit of a liability.

 

[Axeboy]

If you shop around you can pick up a Clevo custom built laptop with a 840m for less than £500 as well.

Decent option, warranty etc

 

[spengos]

Diasgree personally. Alienware has an element of brand overpricing in my opinion.

I have owned a few but didnt keep any for long. At that value, its still significant enough to want a warranty and I find an old Alienware a bit of a liability.

They are a bit more expensive but you retain more of that value when you sell it on. If you plan to keep it forever then fair enough, but if it's potentially a short term thing or you can see the need to upgrade to a better one in a year or two then invest in something with a brand and will hold more value.