Gaming Laptops

[Radelaide]

My laptop is an XPS m1530. Dell don't make them anymore, but they're decent machines if you give them the right equipment.

EG:
Hard Drive: 500 GB HDD
Processor: Intel Core Duo T8300 @ 2.40GHz
RAM: 4GB DDR2 RAM
Graphics Card: nVidia 8600M GT (Dedicated)
Operating System: Vista Ultimate 64-bit
Screen: Full 1680x1050 resolution.

Well, that's what I'm running and it is a nice little set-up. Runs sweet.

don't let anyone tell you they're shit. They're desktop whores

edit: okay, the only thing I can think of that I don't like about my laptop is the sucker overheats! If you're getting a gaming laptop, get a good fan for it to sit on.

 

[Gruthar]

Gaming laptops have their place, too. Although they're certainly never going to be as good as a gaming desktop, in terms of performance and value, they're still decent as you long as you don't expect to game on the battery. I start drawing the line at desktop replacements, but there are a few people who don't mind carrying around that bulk. I really don't understand what this crusade against gaming laptops is about.

I would use myself as an example. These days I spend a lot of time outside my home. I already have a decent desktop (well, more than one), but can't take them with me. And when I'm home, I don't really have time to play games, at least not this semester. At work, I have a lot of down time. I have a little bit of time in between classes. I would love to have a machine to be able to put in a few rounds on on those occasions where I have nothing to do. The ol' Centrino I'm typing on can't handle any game made after about 2000. It's basically an overweight netbook. So I'm keeping an eye open for deals. Most likely I'll go the same route I went with my Centrino; buy it broken and fix it.

The point is there are some decent laptops out there that can handle new games. Maybe not with all the eye candy enabled, but good enough. They don't all weigh 10 lbs or more. If you buy wisely (especially if you're not averse to refurbs), you can get one for around $700-800. Again, not as good as a desktop, but better than nothing for people for whom a desktop machine is not feasible.

Anyway, getting off my soapbox, I like the cut of Asus' jib when it comes to gaming laptops.

 

[Micklet]

Rizeon.co.uk. Its a small british company in the grand scheme of things, but they do some great work. They have bass models from which you can augment as you see fit to near on what you want. You can even leave out an OS, if you already have on spare and itl save you alot of money. I got one 2 years ago for 800 and it runs crysis on max settings, supreme commander rather smoothly and handles any of the new games coming out with ease. Of course I have a desktop too, but my god is this thing handy for college work and gaming on the go.

EDIT: the site itself seems to be down, but you can get in contact with the lads with the email addresses there. good luck.

 

[auronvi]

You guys probably even own iPhones. Shame on you.

iPhone hate and PC excuses

Look, my iPhone remark was tongue in cheek, I take it that your comeback is as well. So we're good in that front (I generally agree on your iPhone points, by the way, but my main complaint has always been that iPods are spectacularly overpriced).

As for your situation, I don't really have a problem with it, but you know that it is not the standard spiel you get from PC gamers. That would go more like this:

"PCs are more powerful and you get to set up your stuff however you want, and they are upgradeable and they look cool with all the blue neons strapped to it".

And okay, yeah, all of that is true, but they are also, again, terribly overpriced. For a reason, sure. The tradeoff is more power and flexibility, but if your reasoning is going to be that cost efficiency is key, then you want an Xbox, not a desktop gaming rig.

Laptops are just as overpriced as desktops, but not less convenient. They are a compact package, which is good for people like me, with space constraints. They are portable, which is good for people like me, who travel and move apartments a lot. They are typically easy to plug to a HDTV with HDMI and VGA outputs, so they can be fit in snug spaces in your media rack and used with wireless controls for handy, comfy couch gaming without sacrificing desktop working comfort. They are silent and power efficient.

And sure, expensive. Because you have to pay for all of that.

This is coming from a PS360PC owner (get that?). I don't see where you get where PCs are overpriced? They are if you try to keep on top of the technology on a month by month basis. For about $1000 I got my PC last year and yes I did splurge on a fancy case and some fancy lights but this thing is still a beast and I feel I got my money's worth.

Obviously I spoil myself and am conveniently in the need of a laptop and this forum convinced me not to go gaming rig with it seeing as I live at home with these 3 machines. If you really commute a lot to and from school/work or whatever and need a gaming PC I may have an option for you...

http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/LAN_Party_Xtreme/

^^ I would buy this over a laptop as far as portable PC gaming is concerned. And yes I would lug around a monitor with it because I would see myself going to school for a couple weeks at a time and not come home every other day or anything but if you are moving around that much I guess the laptop would be best. Just wanted to show another option, always wanted an excuse to get one of these.

 

[Gruthar]

SNIP

Look, there is a big difference between "getting your money's worth" and "not being overpriced". You get your money's worth if you buy a Ferrari, but as a car it is damn expensive.

That is my point. You have a PS3, a 360 and a PC. How many games overlap over two or three of those devices? 90%? How many are exclusive to the PC? 5%? Yet your PC costs more than both your PS3 and your 360 combined. That is overpriced. Worth it? Yes. But expensive.

And, if you've been following, that monster of a box you point at would actually make my problems worse (although maybe solve the problems of the OP). I need something small and classy to fit below my TV, not a huge blue box that makes you tear your eyes out with a spork.

And my problem is not commuting, it's moving. Literally changing apartments. And long trips. There is no way I'm packing that in my hand luggage bag when I fly around, is there?

Might just be semantics, but PCs are not overpriced. They are general-purpose machines, whereas consoles are only for games, with a few other multimedia features tacked on. Different roles and all that. PCs are correctly priced for what they are, just more expensive than consoles if all you'll use them for is games.

 

[Tairan]

I think theres a laptop called "Alien Ware" that can run most good games but they are very expensive, but still if u want a gameing laptop this is the one to go for

 

[Baggie]

Unless you travel more than once a week and need a computer all the time, then a gaming laptop is a good idea. Otherwise they cost too much and a desktop pc is cheaper and better.

 

[Tranka Verrane]

www.newegg.com - best site in the world for this stuff.

Only if by 'in the world' you mean 'as long as you live in the US'.

 

[auronvi]

SNIP

SNIPITY SNIP

Might just be semantics, but PCs are not overpriced. They are general-purpose machines, whereas consoles are only for games, with a few other multimedia features tacked on. Different roles and all that. PCs are correctly priced for what they are, just more expensive than consoles if all you'll use them for is games.

Ya, that's the other thing. I do a lot more than just game on my PC. So we say it costs 500 dollars for a PC that can do the basics (browse, word process, Solitaire) then add what it takes to game, another 300-500 dollars and what do we have there? A price of a console!

And my "huge blue box that makes you tear your eyes out with a spork." was directed more towards the OP for a solution. The thing is only a little bigger than a Gamecube. I did agree with you that if you move a lot more than a bi-weekly basis that a laptop would probably be the best choice.

loluanomad?

 

[Lightnr]

www.newegg.com - best site in the world for this stuff.

Only if by 'in the world' you mean 'as long as you live in the US'.

Haven't we established (since Bush) that "the US" and "the world" mean the same thing???

Hehe only joking but yes you are right, newegg is best for in the US. By "in the world" I meant to say there is nothing better (for in the US).

 

[Lightnr]

he's a gaming fag category and my social life is too imprtant to me.

Welcome to The Escapist.

Place of escapism for "gaming fags"!

I'm a gaming fag in disguise as a not gaming fag. I do rowing, clubbing, the lot.

Most people who are into playing Video games do those things. Just like most Asians are of average intelligence, and most black people who are not in the ghettos do not commit crimes. Down with such dumb stereotypes. Actually... most people who I know that are into games are much cooler and more outgoing than people who are not. So you can tell your retard "hall" buddies to go fuck themselves and not be surprised when they wake up one day living a miserable life because all they do is follow trends and believe in cliches.


- Edit: also - I thought everyone learned not to care what others think since 98% of the people on the planet are idiots. I guess some are slow learners.... *cough* looks at op *cough*.

 

[crudus]

Isn't this an oxymoron? I have only seen one real gaming laptop and it was thirteen pounds. That is not a laptop. It is a portable desktop. Get a desktop if you want gaming. More versatility, easier customization, better performance (i.e. easier to cool down).

 

[ObsessiveSketch]

My laptop isn't necessarily built for hardcore gaming, but it's a good machine that can handle most games quite well, including tf2, L4D2, and Assassin's Creed.

If you're getting it JUST for gaming, I'd recommend building or buying a desktop. If you need it for work or college and such, a "gaming" laptop isn't bad, but just a high-end laptop would probably work best.

(my laptop) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220563&Tpk=asus%20netbook%20n51

 

[Acaroid]

This Christmas, I'm gonna treat myself and get a new laptop, but I want a really good spec one. Does anyone have any good sites where I can get all that for quite cheap?

Basically in the laptop world you can get laptop that is a desktop repalcment, so it will fail as a laptop, being as it has little to no portablilty unless you are close to a powerpoint and want to carry the heavy bulk around

Or you get a light machine with no power and will fail at gaming.

really stick with desktops for gaming, it is cheaper and in the long run will be better for you (as you can easily upgrade it)

I guess you could get a Alienware m17x, i know you can get the price up-to $10,000+ if you try hard enough

 

[brucelee13245]

i have a Gateway fx laptop and it runs mostly everything. Crysis runs great at 1440 and so does mw2 and l4d2. Its playing newer games so its all i need. tho yes it is bulky its worth it.

 

[Borrowed Time]

Isn't this an oxymoron? I have only seen one real gaming laptop and it was thirteen pounds. That is not a laptop. It is a portable desktop. Get a desktop if you want gaming. More versatility, easier customization, better performance (i.e. easier to cool down).

Erm, considering while in college I regularly went around with 40lb+ in my bookbag, what's another 13lb? =P

OT - I've been looking into the whole "gaming laptop" idea myself for a while now. Unfortunately I just can't justify the cost issue. To get something halfway decent (as in able to play games that will be coming out in the next 2-3 years reliably) I'd have to shell out twice what it took to build my PC. I'm just not willing to part with that kind of dough over some portability. Not to mention I'd actually be giving up some tech, such as having to go with a dual core instead of my PC's quad, or halving my current hard drive space, or using a GPU that's at least an entire generation behind my current PC's. It's just not cost effective to me.

I looked at all of the different sites I could find, and not only did many of them have complaints about customer service, botched orders and shoddy workmanship, but they were almost all as overpriced as Alienware. I'd say (as many others here have) go with a desktop for gaming and get a netbook for portability. Also, realize you're not as cool as you think you are and people who will snub you for being a "gamer fag" :cough: shouldn't really be worthy of your time anyway. =P