Getting a gaming laptop, looking for some advice.

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Vysarat

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The only computer I've used in the last 3 years is my current laptop, so I'm a bit out of the loop in regards to current hardware.
I'm looking for a nice 17" gaming laptop for under $1500. The Gateway P-7805u FX caught my eye; the HDD is smaller than I would like, but it has an empty second bay, so I can expand. Mainly I'm wondering if the video card is going to be good for current and future games (I'd like at least another year before I have to play all new games on the lowest settings). Also, would adding more RAM later on make a significant difference, or would the card not be able to make good use of it? Are there any significantly better video cards I can get within my price range?

I'm also considering the HP ProBook 4710s and the HP Pavilion dv7-2180us, but they don't seem to be worth the price difference. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
 
Tekara said:
As a laptop gamer myself, One of the best routes I can suggest is going through Dell with their complete care warranty. Gaming laptops are notorious for only lasting a few years before the video cards fry (ATI and Nvidia both), so having complete care will at least replace it and usually results in an upgrade when it does die since dell doesn't keep a laptop in supply for more than a couple years.
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I agree with the warranty thing -- my current computer is a three year old, 17" desktop replacement, and I've gone through 5+ video card replacements on it throughout that time. Though, the need for complete care depends on how you use the laptop. Used mostly as a desktop replacement, I'd recommend the conventional warranty with in-home replacement, especially if you're tech savvy enough to diagnose problems yourself. If you think it could be dropped or have something spilled on it, though, go ahead and upgrade.

So, while I can't comment on exactly what to get at this point in time, I'll agree that your warranty decision is going to be one of the most important parts of your purchase if you're intending to get any sort of longevity out of the computer. Gaming laptops have to deal with a lot of heat, which tends to cause components to fail after extended use.
 
I know normally BestBuy is the place to avoid, but ASUS and BestBuy have a hardon for each other with the ROG laptops... That said, my current laptop (in sig) was $900 back in April from BestBuy, the G50VT-X5.

Currently, this is the ROG ~$1000 laptop that BestBuy has:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9366651&type=product&id=1218092150636

Here's the newegg equivalent with a better processor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220576

I like it due to the GTX260M. However, it's only 15.6" like mine, but I find that a pretty good size. If you're plugged in at home, you can always connect it to a larger monitor. I plugged mine into a 22" for a while before I built my new rig and it was amazing.

If you insist on a 17", then the Gateway that you linked is pretty good. The HP laptops have significantly weaker videocards.

The 17" ROG laptops seem to be in the $2000 range right now (Core2quad, gtx260M). If you can snoop around and find one for $1500 (aka an older model), then it might be a good deal.

As far as dell goes, their highest option for a non alienware videocard is a HD 4650. That's significantly slower than a GTX260M / 9800M GTX. An equally configured laptop also costs more. The cheapest 17" alienware is $1700+

EDIT: I just wanted to comment on heat and gaming laptops. Yes, gaming laptops use more power and produce more heat than normal laptops. However, my current laptop heats up LESS than my old 15" Dell Inspiron. I believe laptop cooling has come a long way in the past few years. I had a friend who bought a 17" gaming laptop when I bought my dell and he had to have it on a laptop cooler the entire time. However, my ROG laptop has a GIANT intake fan on the bottom and all the heat is pushed out the side vent. The side vent can roast a chicken, just don't put your hand near it:eek:. That said, the top of the laptop stays cool. I didn't even notice it after hours and hours of fallout 3 over the summer.
 
Vysarat said:
T
I'm looking for a nice 17" gaming laptop for under $1500. Mainly I'm wondering if the video card is going to be good for current and future games (I'd like at least another year before I have to play all new games on the lowest settings). Also, would adding more RAM later on make a significant difference, or would the card not be able to make good use of it? Are there any significantly better video cards I can get within my price range?
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Bestbuy Asus G71GX-RX05 was a pretty good deal for what you were looking for, $1149 with GTX260M, 17'' (1440x900), P8700 (2.53ghz), 500gb hd (5400rpm), 6gb ram (800mhz) you might still find some on ebay.

A lot computer retailers are letting their vista laptops sell out, with them having already new ones with w7, so you might see more options soon. Including Asus G51J i7/GTX260m/1080p screen/backlit keyboard starting around $1400 but its 15''. MSI is also coming with their new line 740 for 17'' and 640 for 15'', both with i7 but weaker gpu with 240s. Sager 15 n 17 with i7s would be a little above your budget starting at $1600, but with GTX280m, and i7 and much better cooling.
 
Thanks for the advice,
I'm intrigued by this G71GX-RX05. I will probably get either it (if I can find it) or the Gateway I mentioned originally.
Dell and Sager both have some almost-there systems, but none that I'm completely satisfied with.

Another question: is there a significant difference between the 9800M GTS and the GTX 260M? The chart Tekara linked has the GTX ahead, but the benchmarks look pretty similar.
 
Vysarat said:
Thanks for the advice,
I'm intrigued by this G71GX-RX05. I will probably get either it (if I can find it) or the Gateway I mentioned originally.
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Bestbuy just released their new refresh line of Asus laptops with win7.

Asus G60VX-RBBX05 $999 P7450 / GTX260m / 16'' 1366x768 screen / 320gb 7200rpm hd / 4gb ddr2 / Backlit Keyboard / 6cell battery.

Asus G60Vx-RBBX09 $1199 P8700 / GTX260m / 16'' 1366x768 screen / Twin 320gb 7200rpm hd / 4gb ddr2 / Backlit keyboard / 9cell battery.

Asus G72GX-RBBX05 $1199 P8700 / GTX260m / 17.3'' 1600x900 screen / 500gb 5400rpm hd / 6gb ddr2 / Backlit keyboard / 8cell battery.

Asus G72Gx-RBBX09 $1299 Q9000 / GTX260m / 17.3'' 1600x900 screen / Twin 320gb 7200rpm / 6gb ddr2 / Backlit keyboard / 8cell battery
 
Asus G72GX-RBBX05 $1199 P8700 / GTX260m / 17.3'' 1600x900 screen / 500gb 5400rpm hd / 6gb ddr2 / Backlit keyboard / 8cell battery.

I was looking at this for myself and wife and had been doing quite a bit of research. I looked at Sager and when I tried to spec out a similar system it blew out to 1700+ ouch.

Anyone know of anything else I should look at with around these specs at this price point?

I wouldn't mind a 15" laptop with this hardware but the damn resolution sucks on some of them, 1600x900 is bad enough on this. I'm sad to see after years no progress has been made on making decent resolutions... my old Dell E1505 has 1680x1050 for no more money at that time.

I don't care about the HD as I'd like to swap in a SSD at some point.
 
Anyone know of anything else I should look at with around these specs at this price point?

I wouldn't mind a 15" laptop with this hardware but the damn resolution sucks on some of them, 1600x900 is bad enough on this. I'm sad to see after years no progress has been made on making decent resolutions... my old Dell E1505 has 1680x1050 for no more money at that time.
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Well MSI also coming with their new line of laptop, 15'' 640 and 17'' 740, they been rumored to come with a 240/250 video card, so its less powerful than the asus, but the asus from factory comes underclocked, so it might be pretty even at the end. But i really dislike MSI keyboard on laptop with a lot of not standard size keys, makes working for me a mess, its enough for me to adjust to a laptop, but the small keys are really annoying, but to each to its own.

I wouldn't mind a 15" laptop with this hardware but the damn resolution sucks on some of them, 1600x900 is bad enough on this. I'm sad to see after years no progress has been made on making decent resolutions... my old Dell E1505 has 1680x1050 for no more money at that time.
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1600x900 is pretty decent, not 1080p, but still is a great res for small screen. That said if you really want an 1080p screen you either gona have to sacrifice performance or go up in price. The next best thing for a little more money is

Asus G51J $1400 i7 720/ GTX260m / 15.6'' 1980x1020 / Twin 320gb 7200rpm hd / 4gb of DD3 / Backlit Keyboard / 6cell battery.

Here a video of it. ASUS G51J-A1 Video Review
 
Sweet, this is just in time.
The Asus G72Gx-RBBX09 and Fry's new Gateway are exactly what I'm looking for, leaning towards the Asus right now.
 
I also recommend the Asus. Its a very well equipped notebook for the price. There are some draw backs but for the price you can't complain.
 
Abula said:
Well MSI also coming with their new line of laptop, 15'' 640 and 17'' 740, they been rumored to come with a 240/250 video card, so its less powerful than the asus, but the asus from factory comes underclocked, so it might be pretty even at the end. But i really dislike MSI keyboard on laptop with a lot of not standard size keys, makes working for me a mess, its enough for me to adjust to a laptop, but the small keys are really annoying, but to each to its own.


1600x900 is pretty decent, not 1080p, but still is a great res for small screen. That said if you really want an 1080p screen you either gona have to sacrifice performance or go up in price. The next best thing for a little more money is

Asus G51J $1400 i7 720/ GTX260m / 15.6'' 1980x1020 / Twin 320gb 7200rpm hd / 4gb of DD3 / Backlit Keyboard / 6cell battery.

Here a video of it. ASUS G51J-A1 Video Review
Click to expand...

I ended up picking up the G51J for myself and got my wife a Viao FW560 (she really wanted bluray). Thanks for the help.
 
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