The best route for a gaming laptop?

[Greco101]

Dell? Alienware? I'm sure a lot of you have them so I'm just looking for suggestions for a friend who has no room for a desktop but wants to game.

[Redundant]

Gaming laptops cons:
-overheating
-30min battery life
-bad keyboard
-1" + thick
-9lbs +
-overpriced
-etc

Pros:
-You can tell your friends you got an Alienware. 0.o
-Never mind, there are no pros!

Just tell him to get a 360 console and an 20" LCD. A lot cheaper and he'll actually have $ left over for games.
Then, he can get a normal laptop, like a Sony SZ, which has a good keyboard, 6 hour battery, and EDGE, Wifi, and Bluetooth built it. Not to mention it's small enough to actually carry!

Trust me, leave the gaming to the desktops and consoles. 8)

Good evening now, I'm going to go watch House M.D.

[progbuddy]

If he has no room for a desktop, have you ever considered a form factor? They make ultra-slim MicroATX barebones and sell them on newegg.

Link to one. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856110075)

If you do go with a laptop, Dell Inspirons are fairly nice. HP makes a few gaming laptops. Alienware is just a more expensive Inspiron with bells and whistles.

For a gaming laptop, definitely go with a 17" screen. Anything bigger is top-heavy, and anything less just isn't big enough.

[crenn]

If he has no room for a desktop, have you ever considered a form factor? They make ultra-slim MicroATX barebones and sell them on newegg.

Link to one. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856110075)

If you do go with a laptop, Dell Inspirons are fairly nice. HP makes a few gaming laptops. Alienware is just a more expensive Inspiron with bells and whistles.

For a gaming laptop, definitely go with a 17" screen. Anything bigger is top-heavy, and anything less just isn't big enough.

A 15.4" WXGA is actually just about right for gaming.

I'd like to point out that having a smaller computer has a problem, being able to upgrade. Heat is another issue you have to contend with. It's better to get something like a normal ATX case if you plan on gaming. Especially if it has a 120mm rear exhaust fan.

[progbuddy]

A 15.4" WXGA is actually just about right for gaming.

I'd like to point out that having a smaller computer has a problem, being able to upgrade. Heat is another issue you have to contend with. It's better to get something like a normal ATX case if you plan on gaming. Especially if it has a 120mm rear exhaust fan.

It all depends. Usually smaller cases are easier to cool, as there is less air needed to cool specific parts (larger cases require bigger fans because there is a larger air space). The layout of the case is another factor. Upgrading may be a problem, but it doesn't really seem like it (it's just a slimmer MicroATX case). You may need a low profile video card, but that's about it.

[crenn]

low profile=lower power.

And I've found smaller cases, aren't easier to cool, my CPU was very hot (I think it got upto 65c). Switched to a cheap $50 ATX case and the temp dropped about 10c. Part of the problem was the CPU though.

[Indybird]

Heres my recommendations-
I am assuming you (or your friend) don't want to spend $2000+ on a laptop, so here's what I view to be the best deals:
Dell Inspiron 17XX Series (http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspnnb_172x?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs) (1720/1721): Absolutely great deal, if customized right you can get some really nice configurations for under $1500.

Gateway NX860 Series (http://www.gateway.com/systems/series/529498113.php) (NX860X/NX860XL): A little higher end then the dell, but staying very affordable. The NX860XL is debatedly the best gaming laptop for $1500.

HP dv95XX series (http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_can_series.do?storeName=computer_store&category=notebooks&a1=Usage&v1=Entertainment&series_name=dv9500t_series) & HP dv9XXX series (http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_can_series.do?storeName=computer_store&category=notebooks&a1=Usage&v1=Entertainment&series_name=dv9000z_series) (dv9500t/dv9000z): Though they start a little higher than the others, you can still get just as good, if not better configurations for the same price range. The Intel setup (dv95XX series) has a little more performance.

Also here's a couple of good deals off of Newegg:
Fujitsu LifeBook N6460 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834110276)
ASUS A7 Series A7T-A1 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220176)
ASUS F3 Series F3SV-X1 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220163)

I'd recommend any one of these laptops, and I have read good reviews about a few. If these are out of your price range and yours is below $1000, then lemme know, and I'll do another search.

Hope that helps,
Indybird

[Greco101]

Thanks a lot for all the links/info guys. The problem with getting a desktop is he is down from his dads house up north and he just got a job down here where he now doesnt have his own bedroom.

He already has a 360 with the whole 1080p big screen and all that good fun stuff...

He basically just wants a nice laptop that can play games like bf2 etc... with decent settings.

[Zephik]

@Indybird or anyone who knows - With the 1720, you have some great upgrade options compared to the 1721. But I got a question about that. Do you know if you can buy it stock, then upgrade later? Such as with the GPU since you can purchase them usually off of Ebay. I've been interested in the 1720 for a little while now, but I can't afford to beef it up at the same time I purchase it unless I waited for a couple more months of saving up. Tia.

Sorry for the thread hijack. But in a way, I have also contributed to the topic of this thread. imo, the 1720 is the best gaming performance/price ratio.

[crenn]

@Indybird or anyone who knows - With the 1720, you have some great upgrade options compared to the 1721. But I got a question about that. Do you know if you can buy it stock, then upgrade later? Such as with the GPU since you can purchase them usually off of Ebay. I've been interested in the 1720 for a little while now, but I can't afford to beef it up at the same time I purchase it unless I waited for a couple more months of saving up. Tia.

Sorry for the thread hijack. But in a way, I have also contributed to the topic of this thread. imo, the 1720 is the best gaming performance/price ratio.

The answer is yes and no. The laptop would have to have the space inside and also the ability to dissipate all the thermal energy (aka heat).

I know of one of my friends who puts in new parts for his dell laptops. So it's possible, which parts to get etc.

[Zephik]

The answer is yes and no. The laptop would have to have the space inside and also the ability to dissipate all the thermal energy (aka heat).

I know of one of my friends who puts in new parts for his dell laptops. So it's possible, which parts to get etc.

ah, thats why I ask. I don't know if they make the integrated graphics laptops differently from the dedicated gpu laptops. I wish I knew someone who had both, then I could just look. lol

[crenn]

Look at the service manuals. I believe you can get them on the Dell US website.

[Quakken]

What about voodoo? http://voodoopc.com/default.aspx Huh? huh?

okay okay, you can have comparable laptops for half the price. Or less.

But you can have TATTOOS on them! that's DEFINITELY worth 500$!

[Luke122]

Voodoo's are built in Calgary, and are now partnered with HP. Back in 98, I worked for a college here and Voodoo was one of the technology suppliers before they went all boutique. :D Very cool company to deal with.. their sales rep was a riot.. he used to take us out drinking! I tried to get a job there in 1999, but they sadly werent hiring at the time. :(

Anyways, Voodoo's are cool but pricey, just like any boutique company.

I've got a Dell XPS m1210 with a 7400 in it. It's the smallest one they make, 12.1" display. I have played WoW on it no problem with almost everything maxed. I find the 12" display is fine once you get used to it.. if you really want to game on a big screen get a monitor to hook it up to.

If the small keyboard is a bother, get a fullsize keyboard to attach. I (and most people I bet) have a laptop for it's portability.. if they need to do serious work on it, they have a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers to plug into it on their desk. (Like me). I've always had good luck with Dell's for both support, price, and reliability.

[Quakken]

Yeah, voodoo is VERY overpriced, but if i was rich and wanted an exclusive laptop, i would go for voodoo. I'll bet they'll happily meet any of my demands for laptop service, as well as the fact they look cool, and are partnered with HP, whom i like because my father has been happily employed there for 27 years.

[.jrauck]

I have an Alienware Laptop and I love it. I would say Alienware most definately if he has the money, or the dell xps line which I think is more expensive than alienware.

[Luke122]

When I got my xps m1210, I spent $2200 CAD.. but I did get the best processor available, and 2gb ram.. and a wicked leather case... and the bigger battery.. :D

Yeah, it was pricey, but financing is $59/month, so whoop-de-doo

[Luke122]

Yeah, I think it's 5 years.. but there's no penalty for paying it out early, and I often make extra payments on it. The goal was to have it paid off by sept 14th, but I think i might slow that a bit, and pay it out by November instead. :)