Is a laptop worth that much money?

[KaosuHamoni]

I am in the process of saving up for a high end gaming laptop. I have been considering the Alienware M17x, but after personalising it, it came to just over 2000 pounds! Anyone know what i should get, and is that price really worth it?

Preferable specs:
i7 Quad-core
dual mid/high end graphics cards
500GB HDD
4-6GB Ram

 

[Sneaky-Pie]

If gaming is what you're looking for in a computer, never go with laptops.

Buy a desktop, or better yet, build your own.

 

[TheComedown]

If this is from the other thread you will be much better of going with a tower, cheaper, more reliable, upgradeable, easier to fix, don't cost an arm and a leg. As it goes, don't touch Alienware, they are stupidly overpriced.

Maybe try something like this http://www.ibuypower.com/ if you're not to keen on doing to much research.

 

[Alfador_VII]

That will be a pretty awesome machine, a little expensive because of the brand-name, but pretty good.

The thing is the battery life will be terrible, and it's not very light for a laptop. If you need a desktop replacement machine you can move around and use mainly while plugged into the mains, it's good.

If you actually want something you can use out and about, you'll want something smaller, and less powerful, and of course if you don't actually need portability, a desktop will be cheaper and more versatile.

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

If gaming is what you're looking for in a computer, never go with laptops.

Unless you just want low-spec games for when you're on a long journey or waiting somewhere.

 

[KaosuHamoni]

If this is from the other thread you will be much better of going with a tower, cheaper, more reliable, upgradeable, easier to fix, don't cost an arm and a leg. As it goes, don't touch Alienware, they are stupidly overpriced.

Maybe try something like this http://www.ibuypower.com/ if you're not to keen on doing to much research.

Sort-of not-really =P
I thought that as it was on my mind, i may as well post it

 

[f0re1gn]

Laptops are not made for gaming. My 4GB with a 256MB VGA can't run shit. It lags on Fallout 3, on Borderlands, on Batman: AA, it even lags a bit on HOMM 5!!

Laptops suck. If you need to combine it with work - buy a netbook for 300 pounds and a good gaming desktop for 1000 or w/e.

 

[PixelJunk]

Most tech is horrendously overpriced to the average users. It's an uninformed marketplace that uses misinformation as a means of profit. You're better off getting the parts yourself and putting it together. Try newegg.

 

[KaosuHamoni]

If this is from the other thread you will be much better of going with a tower, cheaper, more reliable, upgradeable, easier to fix, don't cost an arm and a leg. As it goes, don't touch Alienware, they are stupidly overpriced.

Maybe try something like this http://www.ibuypower.com/ if you're not to keen on doing to much research.

The problem with that site it that its american, and i am english (living in the UK)

 

[TheComedown]

If this is from the other thread you will be much better of going with a tower, cheaper, more reliable, upgradeable, easier to fix, don't cost an arm and a leg. As it goes, don't touch Alienware, they are stupidly overpriced.

Maybe try something like this http://www.ibuypower.com/ if you're not to keen on doing to much research.

Sort-of not-really =P
I thought that as it was on my mind, i may as well post it

Still for gaming(and not spending a fortune) DON'T touch Alienware and DON'T touch laptops if you want something to last.

 

[Chamale]

My laptop can't run any games more modern than 2007, and it stutters when running those. I advise you to get a gaming desktop instead, unless you really want to move it around regularly.

If you only have 2 main places you plan to use the laptop, it might be cheaper to buy 2 similarly powerful desktops and just move an external harddrive around.

 

[darksaber64x]

Never, ever get Alienware...

It's the same parts as a Dell XPS laptop, you just get to pay twice as much for the case to look different.

 

[TheComedown]

If this is from the other thread you will be much better of going with a tower, cheaper, more reliable, upgradeable, easier to fix, don't cost an arm and a leg. As it goes, don't touch Alienware, they are stupidly overpriced.

Maybe try something like this http://www.ibuypower.com/ if you're not to keen on doing to much research.

The problem with that site it that its american, and i am english (living in the UK)

You could get it shipped to the UK cept that would cost a fortune. Quick google search suggested this site from a forum user, http://www.awd-it.co.uk/Scripts/default.asp

But you still might want to have a look into CPUs & GPUs to get an idea of whats good for what and for how much so you know what your doing, but I should say this, if you don't care to know or look into any of this you might as well buy a console or spend way to much cash on a pre built machine.

 

[KaosuHamoni]

If this is from the other thread you will be much better of going with a tower, cheaper, more reliable, upgradeable, easier to fix, don't cost an arm and a leg. As it goes, don't touch Alienware, they are stupidly overpriced.

Maybe try something like this http://www.ibuypower.com/ if you're not to keen on doing to much research.

The problem with that site it that its american, and i am english (living in the UK)

You could get it shipped to the UK cept that would cost a fortune. Quick google search suggested this site from a forum user, http://www.awd-it.co.uk/Scripts/default.asp

But you still might want to have a look into CPUs & GPUs to get an idea of whats good for what and for how much so you know what your doing, but I should say this, if you don't care to know or look into any of this you might as well buy a console or spend way to much cash on a pre built machine.

I have a PS3, and have long aspired to making the leap over to PC gaming. I have settled with (at much length) a custom desktop, and a small netbook further down the line when uni is certified. =] Thanks all for your help

 

[Vrach]

If gaming is what you're looking for in a computer, never go with laptops.

Buy a desktop, or better yet, build your own.

^This. Just a waste of money. Get a desktop for gaming and a laptop for work should you need. A laptop with mediocre specs should be able to play some old games too (Civilization 3, Counter Strike, C&C Generals etc.), just in case you get bored and are away from your PC.

 

[thenumberthirteen]

A desktop would be best for gaming, and use the rest of the money saved to buy a laptop as well. Look at what you can get for £2000

<img height=250>http://www.cyberpowersystem.co.uk/images/cs/cmhaf932/01_400.jpg

Intel i7 960 Water Cooled
ATI 5870 Water Cooled
6GB Corsair XM3 DDR3 1333Mhz
1TB SATA-III 6.0Gb/s HDD
Asus P6X58D USB3 SATA3 MB
Advanced WaterCooling Large Kit
Coolermaster HAF 932 Case

I just looked that up in a couple of seconds. You could probably do better. A laptop would weigh a ton, need to be constantly plugged in, and you could fry eggs on the case. May as well get a desktop.

 

[Eduku]

Just out of curiosity, what is considered 'decent specs' (no, not Crysis on maximum settings...let's say being able to run games on medium to high-ish settings) and what is considered to be a good price for said laptop?

 

[Hateren47]

Just out of curiosity, what is considered 'decent specs... able to run games on medium to high-ish settings

I'd say at least a 2.5 Ghz dualcore for it to be decent. I'd demand more. Atleast 2GB DDR3 but more like 4GB. To be honest I don't know the first thing about mobile video cards except they a little more than half as powerful as their desktop counterpart, as they need to be clocked lower to not burn through the case and through your battery.

and what is considered to be a good price for said laptop?

"Gaming" laptops don't have good prices. If you find something that looks decent in the ad, 99 times out of 100 there is something the seller is not telling you.

OT:
Laptops are perfectly fine for most things but not for gaming. They are either expensive, bulky or have terrible battery life. Most of the time all 3 things apply. With £2000 I would get the fastest netbook I could find and upgrade the RAM as much as possible and then spend the last 1400-1600 on a desktop. Best of both worlds.