Author Topic: Buying a gaming laptop (Read 258 times)

VOR · « **on:** November 30, 2005, 10:38:38 PM »

I'd like you computer savvy guys to give me some shopping advice. As the thread title says, I'm in the market for a mobile gaming rig with a budget of about $2500. I've been shopping around different sites like Alienware, Dell, Prostar, etc. Of course, everyone's is the best in the industry.

Anyway, for gaming obviously I'm looking for processor, ram, and video primarily but the difference in notebook architecture vs. desktop arcitechture has me a little stumped. For example, some people are claiming the dell XPS with that newfangled centrino mobile technology is the best despite the processor being 2.0 GHz vs Alienware's nopebooks with desktop processors in the 3-3.8 Ghz range. Also, the new generation of notebook vid cards: ATI X800 mobile, geforce GO 6800 ultra, 7800...whgich will give me the most bang for my buck? I'm also concerned about overheating..who handles thermal issues best?

Anyone have a particular model they'd recommend? I'm looking for the best "value" while limiting my purchase to reputable companies that will stand by their product. Lemme put it to ya this way..if it was your money, who would you give it to and what would u buy?

Thanks guys!

Chairboy · « **Reply #1 on:** November 30, 2005, 10:50:11 PM »

Just a sanity check, you know that laptops are just about the worst way to game, because if you DO get something that plays games well, it's invariably crappy as a laptop.

You will spend too much money. If you want a gamer rig, consider investing in a shuttle form factor system and an LCD monitor you can bundle together to lan parties.

VOR · « **Reply #2 on:** November 30, 2005, 10:56:11 PM »

I hear ya chairboy, but something that will fit in a backpack is a bit of a must.

Sandman · « **Reply #3 on:** November 30, 2005, 11:01:47 PM »

Buy a machine for your backpack and build another to game on.

Delirium · « **Reply #4 on:** December 01, 2005, 01:07:28 AM »

Check our Clevo... you won't get a flashing looking plastic case in the outside, but the guts will be top notch for the price.

I still use mine, it has a desktop chipset that is as just as easy to upgrade CPU wise as a desktop computer.

Take a look...

CLICK ME

Vulcan · « **Reply #5 on:** December 01, 2005, 02:08:28 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Chairboy
Just a sanity check, you know that laptops are just about the worst way to game, because if you DO get something that plays games well, it's invariably crappy as a laptop.

You will spend too much money. If you want a gamer rig, consider investing in a shuttle form factor system and an LCD monitor you can bundle together to lan parties.

Chick in our office just bought one of these for ~ US$1000

A6Vc Specification
IntelR PentiumR M processor 700 Sequence
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional,
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home
15.4" WXGA (Color Shine)
Nvidia® GeForce™ GO 6200
512Mb, DDR2 533MHz, up to 2G
80Gb HDD
802.11b/g, a/b/g
1x 1.3M/0.35M Pixel built-in webcam, 1x SPDIF, 1x TV-Out, 1x Card Reader, Bluetooth™
354 x 284 x 35mm, 2.8Kg

Of course I prefer this (its the replacement model for my existing W1 series Asus):

Asus W2000V Notebook, Pentium M 770, 2.13GHz, 512MB DDR2, 80GB, 17" TFT, DVD±RW, WLAN, Firewire, Bluetooth, WinXP Pro, with Carry Bag & Mouse

At a glance...
CPU Pentium M 770
CPU Frequency 2.13 GHz
Hard drive 80 GB
RAM 512 MB
Screen size 17"
Native resolution 1680x1050
Wireless 802.11a/b/g
Bluetooth Yes
LAN 10/100/1000
USB Yes
Firewire Yes
CD/DVD drive DVD±RW
Modem 56K
Operating system WinXP Pro
Weight 3.3 kg
Category Laptop
Notes with Carry Bag & Mouse

Specifications:
- LCD: 17" WSXGA+ Colour Shine (Zero Bright Dot)
- Extras: TV Tuner
- CPU: Intel Mobile Pentium-M 770 2.13GHz
- RAM: 512MB
- HDD: 80GB 5400
- VGA: Radeon X700
- VRAM: 128MB
- ODD: DVD Dual With Dual Layer
- WLAN: 802.11b/g / Bluetooth
- OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
- Weight: 3.3kgs
- Warranty: 2 Years International
- Accessories included: FREE Carry Bag & Mouse

...and remember, Asus manufacture for the likes of Sony, HP, and Apple

VOR · « **Reply #6 on:** December 03, 2005, 06:52:45 AM »

You guys were right...for the $$ I can get twice the computer in a desktop than a laptop without the headaches of upgradeability and overheating. I've decided to go with an Alienware Aurora 7500.

Processor: AMD Athlonâ„¢ 64 X2 3800+ with HyperTransport and Dual Core Technology
Operating System: MicrosoftÂ® WindowsÂ® XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2
Power Supply: AlienwareÂ® 650 Watt ATX 2.0 Power Supply
Motherboard: AlienwareÂ® nForceâ„¢4 SLIâ„¢ Motherboard
Graphics Processor: 512MB PCI-Express x16 NVIDIAÂ® GeForceâ„¢ 7800 GTX
Memory: 2GB Low-Latency Dual Channel DDR PC-3200 at 333MHz - 4 x 512MB
System Drive: High Performance - 80GB Serial ATA 7,200 RPM w/8MB Cache

I didn't go for the state of the art processor because the price jumped substantially but the performance increase didn't seem to keep up. The motherboard will allow the AMD FX-57 processor tho, so in a couple of years after the prices drop we'll see. I went all out on the vid card since I love eye candy, and once again in a couple of years the price will drop and I can rig 2 of them together in SLI mode. Wish the ram would have come in 2x1GB configuration, but any way u slice it 2gb should keep me gaming happily for a while.

Anyway, on the budget I had allowed myself, I couldn't begin to touch this thing in a laptop configuration. For now, the old beat up Presario will have to do when I need a laptop, but when S.T.A.L.K.E.R. gets released (if it ever does) I should be ready.

rabbidrabbit · « **Reply #7 on:** December 03, 2005, 09:57:04 AM »

You can build your own box with the same specs as the alienware for half the price I'll wager..

mora · « **Reply #8 on:** December 03, 2005, 11:59:26 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by VOR
Processor: AMD Athlonâ„¢ 64 X2 3800+ with HyperTransport and Dual Core Technology
Operating System: MicrosoftÂ® WindowsÂ® XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2
Power Supply: AlienwareÂ® 650 Watt ATX 2.0 Power Supply
Motherboard: AlienwareÂ® nForceâ„¢4 SLIâ„¢ Motherboard
Graphics Processor: 512MB PCI-Express x16 NVIDIAÂ® GeForceâ„¢ 7800 GTX
Memory: 2GB Low-Latency Dual Channel DDR PC-3200 at 333MHz - 4 x 512MB
System Drive: High Performance - 80GB Serial ATA 7,200 RPM w/8MB Cache

Very nice rig, but where do people need that kind of power? I just got myself A64 3000+ and GF 6600 GT machine and it has even more performance than I need. It runs all games and most likely it will run AH well even after 2 years. I'll get a $200 upgrade after two years and it will serve well for a year or two after that.

Not that there's anything wrong in your puchase at all VOR.

VOR · « **Reply #9 on:** December 03, 2005, 12:21:55 PM »

You're right mora, I don't exactly need it right now. Next year, when game releases might actually take full advantage of things like dual-core processing it will be nice to have. I admit it: I'm a sucker for eye candy in my flight sims! I've never owned a system that would allow me to enjoy their full potential tho..always gotta scale some setting or other back to enjoy decent frame rates, etc.

I've always been a budget shopper when it comes to computers and this is the first "nice" system I have treated myself to. I considered building my own to save some $, but honestly I don't have the know-how to do it right. At best, I'd build myself a system that was fully functional and had nice "specs" but wouldn't be anything near to optimised.

Also I'm considering longevity. The thing hasn't even been shipped to me and it's already started depreciating, but as long as there isn't a drastic change in cpu architecture in the next few years this will be the last comp I buy for a good while.