Civ BE on laptop?

[forty2j]

I'm looking for some advice about buying a new laptop. I want it to run Civ V and BE but other than that I don't need it for anything other than word processing, internet surfing, etc. I've looked at the minimum specs for BE and see it suggests Intel HD 3000 graphics, but a lot of laptops I see online just say "Intel HD." Here are some options I've seen:

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/lenovo/g-series/g40/?sb=:000001C9:00012407:

http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/model/NX.MLQAA.001

http://us.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/model/NX.MCSAA.001

Does anybody have any advice on if Intel HD graphics is sufficient or do I need more to run the games properly? Thanks!

First, Intel HD 3000 is the minimum necessary to run Civ BE in the same sense that a candle is the minimum necessary to make toast. I would definitely recommend a couple steps up from that if you want to enjoy the experience at all.

Second, "Intel HD" is not the same as "Intel HD 3000"; additionally, the first two options you listed do not meet the minimum CPU required - they predate the "Core 2 Duo" series.

You should focus on the "Recommended" in the system requirements as the true minimum. "Intel Ivy Bridge" = "Intel HD 5000". A discrete GPU is still better. The third one looks capable, although I personally have had awful experiences with Acer computers. I recommend Asus (this one would be good: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4P01ZS5608) or you can look at the Lenovos posted above.