<t> To OP:<br/>
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My laptop is very similar in stats, in fact it's a little worse than yours (about a 5-6 year old Dell), and the game runs fine.<br/>
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I did turn the graphics options down, and I haven't played on a map larger than 700 stars and 10x10 grid. I have some choppy framerate ...

<t> Thanks. I'll try doing that with the R&D bases. I'm assuming I could make a design, order a base, then as soon as the mission's approved, check the obsolete button? Would that assure that only (1) base would be built according to my wishes?<br/>
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You mentioned a refueling point in the ...

<r> First of all, I just got this game after watching a couple people (Quill18, and GetDaved) show it off.<br/>
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I've played maybe a total of 6 or 7 games now, and I'm at the point at which I can confidently turn off almost all the automation (just leaving colony taxes and population policies ...