Second Life Viewer Basic Mode

[Nyll Bergbahn Recognized Helper]

Well, I would call a gaming laptop one that that has a decent CPU (i5 or i7 or AMD equivalent), a minimum of 4MB RAM, preferably 8MB and a discrete mid-range or higher GPU that can run games at a reasonable level. The Acer I mentioned has an i7, 6GB RAM and a GPU at the lower end of mid-range cards. By all means drop those specs a bit and get an i5 with 4GB RAM and an entry level GPU such as a Nvidia 625M for example. It won't run SL as well but you should be able to get around fine. Going lower into Intel integrated HD3000/4000 chipset territory can be a bit of a lottery as onboard graphics generally find SL a bit of a struggle. You should be able to potter around SL at Low or Medium though but a few people have reported issues logging in on such systems.

Photoshop is kind to most systems http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/tested-video-cards-photoshop-cs5.html so no issues there even with integrated Intel chipsets.

[VRprofessor]

I have students who run SL on i3 and i5 based chipsets with no GPU.  I have snitched my wife's low end AMD based laptop and run SL on it. (I thought I posted on it, tried searching--I had no idea I talked so much....didn't find it.)

In low population sims, on low settings, you can run SL as long as you are not trying to do too much.  Even in low load areas your fps rates with an i3 are unlikely to run much better than 10fps.  But it will run.  Find a busy sim and you may well crawl along.

That said, my first three months in SL were on a really crappy laptop with about 7-8 fps rates in a lot of areas and I was pretty happy--ignorance really can be bliss.  Sure, I would crash every 30-45 minutes 'cause the computer couldn't keep up, but I was okay.  (Except for the time I was on a graphically heavy sim were I was getting about 1 frame every 3-5 seconds)  Now anything less than 25 fps and I start getting grumpy. 

The laptop I use now was a black friday special that I stumbled on at a really good price.  If you have some time and patience you may be able to find a good price. 

[braylasana]

It's necessary for both photoshop and second life for your computer to have 3D graphics capability.  Otherwise, you will not be able to see mesh in SL or be able to edit obj files in photoshop.  While second life will "run" on non-3d capable laptops, it doesn't run "well".  You might as well be running pocket Metaverse imo.

Minimum: 4 GB Ram. Dual Core, Quad preferred.  A 3d graphics card with its own ram. Laptops often share graphics ram with system ram.  Avoid this.

[friscolives]

I'll throw my two cents as I just bought a laptop for similar reasons, namely running Second Life.

I picked up a 15.9 in Gateway at Bestbuy for $349. To my surprise it runs SL fine. I am getting a smooth, stable picture ata good frame rate at mid to high quality. The thing I would advise is be sure to check the graphics--mine is using the new Intel 3000 graphics. It is a big difference maker.

My older laptop (not really old, maybe 6 months) used the same chip (Pentium i 3) but had the Intel 2000 graphics. It still runs SL, but not nearly as nicely as the Gateway. The Gateway is 4 GB ram as does the older computer ( A samsung). The only difference I see is the Intel 3000 graphics.

So, maybe you don't need to spend a fortune on the laptop and still be able to get decent performance.

[Teer Latzo]

Hi, I am using a HP with great specs (just over a year old), and the lag is horrid. My wife uses a Sony Vaio (pink one) she got for 899$, and SL works without a problem. I am now saving for a laptop, lol! Now I will add that we do use a wireless modem and I have heard that SL hates wireless. It must be on towers only, because like I said that sony runs SL the way it should be, no lag, glitches, or freezes. Good luck with the search

[friscolives]

I use wireless on my laptops as well, but lag has been minimal.

Really think the important thing when getting a lower priced laptop is the processor and graphics set. If you get a Pentium i3 you are off to a good start, as those are a lot better than the AMD processors in relation to Second Life. You should also find Intel 3000 graphics (also available on most newer laptops, but some research is needed to find which ones.)

Memory obviously helps. My laptop has 4 Gigs, not a lot, but it is running the program well.

[Havente Waydelich]

 After reading the information provided for me here, and doing a bit more research, and waiting I came across this gem:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834246626&Tpk=y480

lenovo IdeaPad Y480 (20934EU) Notebook Intel Core i5 3210M(2.50GHz) 14" 6GB Memory DDR3 1600 750GB HDD 5400rpm DVD±R/RW NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M LE

Thankfully it was on sale at $599, and I will tell you right now it is AMAZING. It runs Second Life perfectly, even better than my desktop -- which I fear has some kinks at the moment, which I need to figure out. 

So if anyone wants to know what runs Second Life, this product does, and it does it brilliantly.