I'm totally tech ignorant, to the point where as I'm trying to compare the minimum/recommended specs with the specs listed on computers online I can't tell if they match or not for the main part (especially the video cards). So forgive me if this is a dumb question, but I'm basically trying to find a SUPER cheap Black Friday computer deal so that I can play Skyrim. I played Morrowind and Oblivion on PC and loved both, so I want to keep it going for Skyrim. Right now I have a Mac, so no go on that. Since I use that computer for my freelance work and I can't afford to lose it, I'm too nervous to try to install Windows on the Mac, even though I know that's technically possible.

So my question is this. Are there any crazy Black Friday deals where I can find a desktop or laptop for like $200-$250 that will play Skyrim? I can't afford more than that, and much prefer playing on computer than on an xbox or playstation, though those are cheaper. I found a computer at Bestbuy that's crazy cheap (if I get to it in time).

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Gateway+-+Netbook+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Atom%26%23153%3B+Processor+/+10.1%26%2334%3B+Display+/+1GB+Memory+-+River+Black/3230231.p?skuId=3230231&id=1218388107554

It's going to go down from $999 to $149.

Specs:
Intel? Atom? processor N455
Features a 667MHz frontside bus, 512KB L2 cache and 1.66GHz processor speed.

1GB DDR3 SDRAM
For multitasking power.

Note: Optical drive not included
Compatible with optional external USB recordable CD/DVD drives (not included).

250GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)
Offers plenty of storage capacity.

Intel? Graphics Media Accelerator 3150
Features 64MB video memory for lush images.

Windows 7 Starter operating system preinstalled
Provides a stable computing platform.


So would this work? And if not, are there any other super cheap computers (even without a monitor!) that I can find? I can always use my TV as a monitor, or my Mac maybe, but I just need something that can play Skyrim.

Oh no, don't buy it. It's garbage also for $149

Yeah that's not gonna run Skyrim. Building your own PC is fairly cheap but you're gonna be hard pressed to run any modern day games on that budget.

That's a netbook with a very small screen. Even if it could run Skyrim it would not be very enjoyable. These things are made for internet surfing.

I know, it's a ridiculous budget. That's why I'm hoping I can score a crazy Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal, since I'm assuming that's kind of my only hope. Though like I said, I don't even need a monitor, so I still have some hope.

That's a horrible computer. I can't believe they claim it is originally $999.00 for that hardware.

It's possible to build a decent rig for $400, but lower than that and, well, you really don't want to go lower than that unless all you plan to do is youtube/facebook/email. You could possibly get a build like that for 350, maybe even 300 with the right deals and combos. You will have to build it yourself though. Honestly, that's really your only hope of running any modern game at a decent framerate with decent settings. Anything below that price point and graphics/performance is going to be noticeably worse than on consoles. In fact, there'd be little reason to own Skyrim on PC with a rig below those specs as there's no way you'd be able to run any mods.

whatever you dont buy that- you will be severely dissapointed. if money is that tight, just get it on a 360.

Cyber Monday, Newegg, build your own computer. WAY BETTER than buying any shoddy pre-built.

I dunno if I may get lynched for a wow related post, but scroll down to setup of the month at

http://www.mmo-champion.com/content/

some useful guides there.

I thought my computer was bad :S

I haven't upgraded my computer in years and I play skyrim fairly well

It is Best Buy, the people that claim an HDMI cable can be worth 200 bucks because it is "gold plated."

that netbook wont even run skyrim on low

Hmm, ok, maybe I'll do the newegg thing on Cyber Monday. I don't know that I have the knowledge to build a computer, but if they help and I just point to the Skyrim specs, hopefully I have a chance...

I could get a 360 (on sale Friday for $199, so affordable) but I just like PC gaming so much more for the few games I do play. I wouldn't ever play anything but Skyrim on 360 as well. Not generally a huge gamer but I just really like the Elderscroll games.

This. Figure a decent cpu is $100, case and modest power suplly $50, peripherals $50, mobo $100. Hard drive $50. Operating system $80. Then add a decent graphics card like a radeon 5770 for $100, and you are at $400, plus you need a monitor for $150.

Your best hope might be to find a packaged mid-tower computer/monitor deal in the $350 range. Make sure it has at least a slot for a video card and add that. Not going to happen on your budget.

Buy the love of God, don't BUY..that thing for 1k...you are getting Ripped off badly, If you want to get a good pc for under 1000, check out Ibuypower.com Pretty good rigs at decent affordable prices.

If your budget is tight, you might do better looking at refurbished systems (that have a warranty and gaurantee). Things like this:

http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/Online/InventorySearch.aspx?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh&brandid=2202&fid=3628

Which currently brings up:

Processor: Intel Core i5-2300 processor (6MB Cache, 2.8GHz)
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
XPS 8300
1 TB SATA II Hard Drive (7200RPM)
6 GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz, (2X2G/2X1G)
16X DVD +/- RW Drive
AMD Radeon HD 6450 1GB DDR3

For $500. You can build one yourself for less - though not a whole lot less. More pointedly you could build something noticeably better yourself for a little bit less; this might be the kind of option for you though. Check outlet sections for various brands and you should be able to find several deals like this.

You haven't seen ones and zeroes until you've seen them on a gold-plated cable.

Yeah... that will not run Skyrim or Oblivion. I doubt it would even run Morrowind.

You will be able to build it yourself for sure. It's really not complicated, I just built my first computer 2 months ago and did all sorts of research. Check out sites like techimo.com and tomshardware.com. The forums there were very helpful. My budget was 400 bucks(What I told my wife I spent) But I ended up spending more. You can also get lucky on ebay.

I5 2400
AMD 6870
Gigabyte MoBo
Seasonic 520w PSU
4gb Patriot 1333mhz RAM

The 999$ price is a placeholder. It means they aren't allowed to sell them until the day of the deal.

149 is pretty standard for a netbook like that anyways.

Just to clear a few things up...as has been mentioned, that won't run Skyrim. It's not because it's a "bad" computer as some have said, though. It's just not designed to be used that way. It's a netbook, so it's made to be small, light, and portable rather than powerful. For $150 it's not a bad deal, but it's not going to run modern 3D games (although I have one that's a bit older and it can run many games as long as they aren't too demanding).

You'll have trouble getting a computer that will run Skyrim for under $300, though.

Ok, one more computer possibility. The guy at Best Buy said this one would work, but I trust you guys more.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Lenovo+-+Laptop+/+AMD+E-Series+Processor+/+15.6%26%2334%3B+Display+/+2GB+Memory+/+250GB+Hard+Drive+-+Black/3720044.p?skuId=3720044&id=1218428668564

Lenovo - Laptop / AMD E-Series Processor / 15.6" Display / 2GB Memory / 250GB Hard Drive - Black

AMD E-300 Dual Core Processor with AMD Radeon HD 6310 graphics
Features a 1066MHz system bus.

2GB DDR3 memory
For multitasking power, expandable to 4GB.

250GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 rpm)
Offers plenty of storage capacity.

AMD Radeon HD 6310 graphics
For lush images with vivid detail.

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 64-bit operating system preinstalled
Provides a stable platform for word processing, Web navigation, gaming, media storage and more.

To be honest it would be a stretch. You might squeek by with that, though, I'm not sure. I know that some people were able to play Fallout 3 on specs like that, but it's pretty choppy outdoors.

That is an integrated graphics card which won't be able to handle Skyrim. You might be able to get it running with some .ini tweaks but it will look pretty crappy.

I would actually watch out for most of the laptops they put on sale for black friday. From working at a competitor to Best Buy, I have noticed that the laptops they sell on events like that generally have terrible quality parts and aren't actually an exceptional deal. You want to look out for anything that has been on clearance for a while, of which they may only have a couple models left.