I can play the sims 3 on highest graphics but recently i installed the new sim city and I have to have it on the lowest graphical settings as even at normal it slows my laptop down MAJORLY. So if Sim city is not going to work at even the normal settings there is no chance in hell the sims 4 will even install without making my computer have a seizure on me and explode!

So I will have to consider buying myself a new computer, how many of you guys out there are planning the same? and what would you recommend?

I wouldn't be planning anything yet until they release the recommended specs. EA knows that the primary market for the Sims franchise aren't computer enthusiasts like me with custom built rigs, so they generally keep the required specs for the Sims games low so more people will buy it.

Not a laptop, but a good, solid, gaming PC that's got decent power now and upgradability down the line should be able to run TS4 just fine.

I'm still amazed at people who can play TS3 on a laptop on high settings. That'll definitely shorten the life of the laptop

Guuurrrllllll,I planning on buying one to. I like the convenience of a laptop because im attending uni, but since im in my last year I'm upgrading to a desktop, a decent one. If anyone can recommend a brand or website let me know.

Really? I can play the new SimCity maxed out at 1080p but not The Sims 3.

I can barely play TS3 on medium setting on my laptop and it still lags a bit. Fortunately my brother is building an awesome rig and it will kill TS4. I'll have to go in his room but it'll be worth it.

I have 6 year old computer, but updated in graphic cards, and has Windows 7 on it. What are the chances Sims 4 will work on that? Obviously no one knows the specs yet. But, it's crossed my mind that may have to pass Sims 4, if it requires a whole new computer. I need to win the lottery!!

So, what would be considered a top notch computer these days? I'm not talking about a kickass monster custom built and maxed out for hardcore gamers, but an off the shelf "more useful than an expensive paperweight" type model. I run TS3 on my 3 year old Gateway desktop with a i3 cpu and stock Intel HD graphics card, and it runs pretty good. I suppose TS4 will ask for something more than that, tho, no doubt. But I think it's highway robbery to have to upgrade your computer everytime a new game comes out.

My husband's PC is a little old now... But it was a powerhouse when he bought it. We've added some memory and I'm hoping that'll be enough, otherwise I'll have to save up some money! I wonder which PC brands are good but otherwise there's always websites like pcspecialists that do custom computers tailored to your needs. They even make PCs that are tailored to specific games which range from low settings - cheap to high settings - pricey. I remember a while back they had one for Sims 3.

IDK we'll see when the specs come out, we don't even know what the game looks like let alone how much it'll require to run smooth.

It will probably "work", but you should expect some serious lag.

It all depends on whether or not EA does a better job with making TS4 than they did TS3. My computer is 3 years old, and IP is Island Lagadise for me. You would think that a computer capable of running Crysis should be able to run TS3, but I guess not!

The game companies don't care. They're actually in league with the chip makers, computer makers and hardware companies to make sure they all are on the same page.

It goes like this: EA decides to make Sims 4. They ask Intel or Nvidia to come up with working plan to run their newest chip to match the game. That's where the insidiousness of the 'update your computer' comes from. All game companies do it-they actively work with each other's brands and hardware to make new games.

And that's where the specs come from. After all, how can they make money otherwise?

They have contracts with DRM makers, and others to produce products that make their game 'unique'. They won't go back on specs just because you want them to. That's not their business.

You're absolutely right! Why would anyone need to update or buy something new to use a word processor or check out their Facebook page?? Only graphics-intensive programs need super-ized processors, and games are the most graphic-intensive. Hence, it's highway robbery!

Nobody's forcing you to upgrade your computer or to even buy the game.

This is bunk. I had TS2 and TS3 alternately installed on a Netbook but upgraded to a desktop replacement laptop.

The issues running these games on a laptop are:

Keeping the heat managed - I use a laptop cooling pad for this
Get an actual graphic card w/as much memory as possible - I have 2GB on board on my video card AND I upgraded my BIOS to only use my actual video card rather than the crap switch application by Catalyst. Puhleeze.
Use an external mouse or controller - to save stretching your hand past anything uncomfortable

And before anyone says, "Oh just wait, blah, blah"...I'm still using the Netbook as my internet computer reformatted and my TS3 Acer is also going on a year old of intense Sims use - I have and run the demon-spawn usual suspect mods and 8GB of world-wide custom content (they do not get along, typically - you'd understand if you've ever witnessed the pink flash of Armaggedon in TS2).

Most of the problems are due to stretching a laptop or computer's capacity and the reason gaming companies consistently push the limits is because the new programming and graphics require newer machines. This is not rocket science. If you want screaming FPS and graphics, you have to have the hardware to support it.

Frankly, I hated TS3 until Supernatural. I waited for eons and bought TS3 w/Showtime and was so pissed, I put it down and went back to TS2 for almost a year.

According to EA support, I had to have a separate processor for each expansion pack. I chalked that up to the stupidity of the support person, not necessarily EA itself. The complexity of the programming, especially in TS3 is profound. That takes a lot of work on the part of a computer to run everything - however, I do use NRAAS mods to keep an eye on things not programmed to my liking. Once you get rid of the scripting errors thrown by, primarily, the wild animals and a few of the pre-programmed sims, everything runs well - and I'm an up/down viewer flipping between the God position and Sim focused. If it renders quickly for me in Evansdale County, then I KNOW my Acer is fast and furious because that hood will blow a game up.

I would wait with buying a new pc, unless you think you could use the better performance for TS3 (or other games) now. Otherwise wait untill the game is (at least) close to release. You will then buy more performance for the money compared to now.

No way in hell am I shelling out a few hundred dollars for a new PC just so I can play a game I'll get bored with in a few months. I have other things to spend money on that I kind of need more than a computer, like food and electricity.

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And I'm going to go ahead and assume whoever disagreed with this post is still living with their parents and doesn't have to pay for anything themselves, or is just rich enough to not have to worry about not being able to pay their bills every month. I only have $100 "emergency money" leftover after I pay all of my bills and buy food (~$1200/month) a month, it's not like I wouldn't buy a new computer if I could.

I've got to say TS3 eating up my computer so much. And there are so many lags beyond...whatever.

It's what TS team should think seriously about when releasing TS4.

Surely you jest! I MUST do it for the sake of the computer industry!

Well, I mean if you buy a new computer every time a new Sims game comes out, that's only about every 5 years, which I don't think is too bad, and you don't even have to buy a new one; you can just upgrade your current one.

Okay, you've got to understand something about me. I'm way behind on technology wonders, I do what I have too! So what is a Netbook? I've seen it refered to a few times now. How could it be useful for the Sims?

I bought my present computer because of Skyrim. I bought the one before because of Dragon Age: Origins. I bought the one before that because of Oblivion. I don't remember why I bought the one before that.

I never finished Skyrim or Oblivion - I got bored. (I love a good story but I find fighting more and more boring with each passing year. Here goes my hardcore status.) I managed to finish DA:O, after a few tries, only last year. I did finish quite a few other games (most of them strategies of various types, some simulations and even a RPG or two) and I also played Sims 2 and 3 a lot but I never bought a PC because of them, or the original game. I don't think I'll buy the next one because of TS4 either - I'll buy it for some other game, probably a RPG which I'll just have to have and which I'll never finish. It will be OK for TS4, though.

Ive never upgraded just for a game; that'd would be plain stupid "note; not calling anyone stupid even if they do", gaming corporations don't influence my purchases; that game will just have to wait until I have the rig to run it. I usually upgrade ever 3-4 years, I get the most out of everything I purchase.

There are plenty of small computer shops that can build a decent computer for almost half the price it would cost if you got one pre-built and it probably have a much better graphics card on it. It should last at least a few years.

I usually upgrade mine couple of years and have one rebuilt every few years and I can play almost any game on it.

I'm glad two of you find my post funny! But, you still didn't answer my Netbook question!