Cheapest laptop as a secondary device for Unreal Engine development

Development Platform & Builds
, , ,
1

Lately, I’ve had some issues with my old main desktop PC, up to a point in which I think it won’t work anymore. Although I was planning on buying a new desktop PC, it’s not something that I would like to do in a rush.

This situation has showed me that I need to have a backup device I can count on when this kind of issues happen, helping me in everything from recovering data from my main PC to keep developing while the issues are resolved.

So, I’m looking for the minimal specs a laptop should have to:

  • Compile a game.
  • Code with Intellisense on smoothly enough.
  • Run some really basic levels in the editor.
  • Run automation tests.

I don’t care if I have to run the editor in minimum, with poor graphics (obviously, ray tracing is far out of the picture), as long as I can implement new functionality and test it.

3D modelling related tasks are a nice to have, but not a need. Budget would be much more important.

Taking this into account, what do you think would be the minimum budget?

My limit, taking into account that it’s going to be a secondary device, would be 650$, but 500 $ or less would be great.

Do you think this is possible? If so, what would the specs look like?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

2

I don’t think laptop and budget go together.
I think the only reason someone should get a laptop in general is if they travel a lot and need it for a particular reason.

I would put that money into a new a PC, especially if the main one isn’t working well.

3

There are public auctions around where I live, you just bid online and go pick it up. It’s all brand new stuff that had a small imperfection, but still works good. I got a 230$ asus monitor with an 80$ bid and the only issue is a pixel is out right on the edge of the screen. It could be wise to look around for something like this in your area, it seems kinda shady at first but after you start buying stuff it feels like you robbing them.