HP Laptop for Aces High?

[Halo]

Doing the usual wild aerobatics trying to decide a good value upgrade computer that also will excel playing Aces High. Obvious solutions are gaming desktops, but I'm also tempted by new laptops, primarily the HP Pavilion dv7-7012nr. Any of you playing Aces High on this? Do you think it would be a good Aces High solution? 

Features include:
3rd gen Intel Core i7-3610QM processor, 2.3GHz w/ Turbo Boost to 3.3GHz
NVidia GeForce GT 650M graphics
8GB DDR3 SDRAM (2 DIMM)
750GB 7200RPM HD
$1200 on sale ($100 savings)
3 USB 3.0
17-inch HD 1920x1080

[titanic3]

Should run AH fine at max resolution with everything on except 8192 shadows/soft shadows and maybe max detail range.

Slightly faster than my Radeon 5570 and those are the settings that I play with. Though for $1200, it's terrible if you compare cost vs performance. Then again, it is a laptop.

[FLS]

The problem with most laptops is that marketing wants them slim and that makes cooling a problem.
Look at Alienware or the ASUS ROG gaming notebooks.

[SilverZ06]

I play on this HP laptop with similar specs
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834158138

I don't max it out but it plays just fine. I just hate playing on the laptop compared to my 27" monitor and desktop. One thing I do is set 4 plastic bottle caps under the feet to give the laptop a little more ground clearance while playing. It seems to help keep the temps down a few degrees but the fans will still run full. I have not had it shut down due to heat yet though.

[titanic3]

Don't they sell external laptop fans for a rather cheap price? Never had my own laptop but my sister has one and uses an external fan that she places under the laptop. Seems to keep it cool enough.

[Bizman]

Laptop stands with fans can lengthen the lifespan of a laptop. In "normal" use the fans are powered via USB, but I guess a powered USB hub would be the safest choice given you'd like to attach at least a joystick, too, if not a full set of flying gear.

OTOH I've seen too many brand name "gaming" rated laptops fried in "normal" use, i.e. surfing and tubing. Laptops just aren't made for constant heavy use such as gaming. They can perform fine at cons and other occasional tough situations, but they don't last long in daily addicted gaming.

That said, it's not my money. If you're prepared and willing to buy a new gaming laptop every year, you might even be able to find a buyer for the old one. I guess that you wouldn't like to use it as long as it would last with all those inevitable near-death symptoms. so right timed changing would be wise.

Figure out what you'd like to do with a computer and where. For the $1200 you can get a top gaming rig and a cheap laptop for on-the-road surfing.

[BaldEagl]

Even if you buy a laptop that runs everything maxed at an acceptable frame rate it's going to be a short term solution.  After the next graphics update or two you won't be able to run all the new eye candy and you won't be able to upgrade internal components like you could with a desktop.

[Bizman]

Oh, and yet one thing about gaming laptops: The GPU is most likely tailored for only that model, meaning the price of a spare would be stellar after the warranty time is over. I have access to some spare part stockist's price lists and I've seen a mediocre GPU cost €600 to a €900 laptop. The same model GPU for a desktop would've been around €100, available from several brand manufacturers.

So again, if you really want a gaming laptop, prepare to get rid of it before its warranty is void.

[ABDCWOT]

I use this....I've never had any issues.


http://m.tigerdirect.com/aHR0cDovL3d3dy50aWdlcmRpcmVjdC5jb20vYXBwbGljYXRpb25zL1NlYXJjaFRvb2xzL2l0ZW0tZGV0YWlscy5hc3A/RWRwTm89MTg5MDQ5OSZDYXRJZD0xNw%3D%3D


-abdc

[Triton28]

The problem with most laptops is that marketing wants them slim and that makes cooling a problem.
Look at Alienware or the ASUS ROG gaming notebooks.

+1

Can't directly blame my gaming (spent a lot of hours on AH since I started though), but I just fried an HD on a fairly new Lenovo laptop.  The way my laptop was laid out inside is not conducive to efficient cooling.

I am currently looking for a good tower setup, but am finding champagne taste on a beer budget to be an issue. 

[Bizman]

For the price of a decent gaming laptop you should get a tailored desktop including a big monitor which would outperform that said laptop. I've read that a certain AH'er in the USA has been delivering and planning very nice sets, not to underestimate your local builder shop.

A hint for making laptops run cooler is to raise it from the desk with self adhesive bumpers. They cost only a couple of bucks, don't use extra power like those fan equipped stands, don't need extra place and can't be forgotten anywhere when traveling with the laptop.