So I have a Compaq Presario CQ60 notebook PC. And I'm trying to run Skyrim. But the framerate slows way down during combat or when there are animations. Are laptops upgradable? More RAM? (2gb to 4gb) What about a new or plugin video/graphics card? Does anyone even know the prices or where to get them? Should I just take it into Best Buy and ask them? (where I bought it online)
Windows 7, Intel Celeron CPU 900 @ 2.2Ghz 64 bit, 17 inch monitor 1366x768 Mobile Intel 4 series express chipset family
Laptops are generally not very upgradeable as every company has it's own standard. There have been companies in the past that tried to make their's the standard, but they've always fell by the wayside. Usually you can always upgrade the amount of RAM and hard drive the computer has, but graphics cannot as they are soldered directly onto the motherboard. If you're looking for a gaming computer, I recommend www.ibuypower.com as the big brands usually compromise on other features without really giving the savings to you. Their cheapest laptop should run Skyrim just fine. Personally, if you already have a laptop, I would definitely suggest you keep your current laptop for travel while purchasing a desktop for games and general home computing. It'll be cheaper, more powerful, and more comfortable to use (falling asleep with it in a reclined lazy boy notwithstanding).
If you want to do anything more intensive than day to day business computing then do not bother with a laptop, about the only things upgradeable are the optical drives, the RAM and the HDD. I'd reccomend a desktop any day over a laptop for gaming, you have total freedom to purchase a PC that can give you more upgrade options over a longer period of time. Or if you feel really adventurous, build your own.
I got a desktop from ebay. I am posting from it now. basically a Dell 560-2133, 3.0Ghz, E5700, 4gb DDR3, 500GB hard. It has extra bays and pci ports to upgrade and mess around with. And it runs Skyrim better.
