Re: Laptop Recommendations for The Sims 4
@MewHues I understand you'd like to get a cheap laptop if possible. But if your goal is to play with most or all packs (eventually) on high or ultra graphics settings, the decent options start over $600. The dropoff between laptops at that level and those the next level down is pretty significant, and it doesn't actually save much money, either.
As an example, this laptop's hardware can run all current Sims 4 packs on ultra settings, although only barely. Future packs may be more demanding, but the graphics card should always be able to handle high settings without any trouble, maybe a mix of high and ultra. (We really don't know what the game will look like in a year or two.) It has a small hard drive, but if this laptop is only for Sims, 256 GB is plenty. It's $650 at Target, with a $50 gift card that I'm sure you could spend on something useful.
The HP store offers the same one (except with a larger screen) for $630:
https://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/hp-pavilion-gaming-laptop-17t-5xx64av-1
This one is similar to the one above, except it has a hard drive twice the size, and more importantly, an Nvidia 1650, a much faster graphics card. The Nvidia 1650 may or may not quite be enough to run all current and all future packs together on ultra settings. Target is offering it for $750 with a $50 gift card included.
HP offers a similar model, except with a significantly stronger processor, not that Sims 4 would ever use that much power; and a 256 GB hard drive:
https://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/hp-pavilion-gaming-laptop-15t-7lu82av-1
This model from MSI ("coming soon" to this particular store) has the faster Nvidia 1650 and a 256 GB hard drive, plus the same processor as in the first HP. It's $700.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1542057-REG/msi_gf63_thin_9scx_005_gf63_i5_9300h_8gb.html
If you're willing to get an open-box model from Best Buy, the versions of this model rated "excellent" are around $650. I don't know if any are available near you, but it's worth checking out. This Asus has a 1650 and a 512 GB hard drive.
If you have more questions, please feel free to ask.
