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Galahad · Post by **Galahad** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 11:39 pm

This would fall into the Halp! category, I suppose.

I need a new computer. Normally, I'd be buying another desktop, but space restrictions in my room will not permit. Therefore, I need a laptop, but since I've never bought a laptop before, I don't know which models are good and which aren't.

In case it makes a difference: when I buy a computer I don't want to have to buy another one for a while, so I pick up something toward the top of the technology curve with plenty of graphics power...cuz I'm a game addict sometimes.

What would be halpful is recommendations from people who've had some working experience with various "brands" of laptop so I can get unhyped opinions.

Post by **rydi** » Tue Dec 21, 2010 10:58 am

I've taken a shine to my new netbook, but it isn't much for the gaming dptmnt.

I'd suggest HP, they have sales this time of year, and mine has done well for me. Steven would suggest Dell, Jason Mac, and Gideon whatever is most expensive by an independent producer

For more specific info than that, it comes down to personal needs, price ranges, and usage requirements.

Can you list vague preferences in the following categories:
max price
processor
ram/memory
Storage
size of screen
graphics
preferred OS

angelicyokai · Post by **angelicyokai** » Tue Dec 21, 2010 3:26 pm

I have no preference, but my Dell is okay. Here is a consumer site that can give you some reviews and hopefully narrow down what you are looking for. This screen is their top 6 by reviews, you can go to compare and then add/remove to see a great deal of laptops and macs

http://www.consumersearch.com/laptops

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Tue Dec 21, 2010 8:56 pm

The top of the technology curve, as far as I know, is held by Origin PCs, which are absurdly expensive. Alienware still makes a good game machine, but now they're dell and they're still pricey and they have serious overheating issues. Asus and Lenovo make a nice range of laptops that seem to handle performance well, but the bottom line is, if you aren't going to a specialty outlet company like alienware, voodoo, or origin, the main difference between the things you can get is the amount of bloatware on your computer when it ships, and what it looks like. Gateway has historically made very nicely performing gaming laptops, so they might be a good consideration. HP is shiny, usually well priced, but you can strike out with them and get into their "20% that need factory maintenance within 2 years" category. Cheyne and Haley have had good experiences with HP, my mother and I have had bad experiences.

Mac will sell you a computer if you pay them for it. I have nothing else good to say about their products.

Hope this helps.

BTW hi chet, long time no see

Galahad · Post by **Galahad** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 5:14 pm

max price: lessee, I usually wind up spending in the neighborhood of $2000...less is always better, but not if it means I wind up spending more down the road

processor/ram/memory: fast enough that I won't have to worry about it bogging down with the next gen games

Storage: it's probably been 10 or 11 years since I stored enough stuff to fill the hard drive that came with my computer

size of screen: I've been looking at the 17" screens...if I really want bigger I can set up to pipe it to my TV

graphics:

Please sir, can I have some more?

preferred OS: Windows

Post by **rydi** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 6:26 pm

Hmm. I would personally look at custom built HP's, they have really good coupons around the net this time of year, though honestly I'm not an expert on gaming laptops. HP has some nice high end stuff, but without hitting the $1500 range it's hard to get something that will play the most recent stuff at reasonable settings and not slowdown or overheat.

Might see if Steven knows anything...

arete · Post by **arete** » Sun Dec 26, 2010 2:22 am

Given that chet wants to game I would call Dell or hp. I would see who will give you the best deal.

For 1600ish you can get a hell of a Mac, but that is not going to be as good for gaming unless you want to do all the work to over come compatibility issues.

Galahad · Post by **Galahad** » Wed Dec 29, 2010 4:08 pm

I don't think I've met Steven...if I have it has been purged from my memory...

Post by **Avilister** » Thu Dec 30, 2010 5:41 am

I sometimes have that effect on people.

I recently purchased a Dell, an XPS 15 to be specific. It's video card should be able to play most of the more recent games at good to high video settings - I say should because I haven't had much chance to test it yet. I'm looking to probably buy Dragon Age: Origins next weekend for the PC and play it on that at work until school starts.

The price on it was within your range. I was turned off of HP by some of the reviews on their site - specifically regarding the keyboard's function key placement and the way they put the touchpad together. Zach has one of these more recent models and noted that it did take some adapting to get used to. I decided that it would be frustrating enough to simply shop elsewhere (I am also really picky about my input devices).

jimreaper · Post by **jimreaper** » Fri Dec 31, 2010 2:45 pm

I bought an ASUS 15" screen for ~1700. The graphics card was higher end than anything HP or a Dell Xps could provide. (1.5gig nvidia 460x)
8g ram (most reqs hover around 2-4 gigs atm)
upgraded cooling system
upgraded wireless antenna (6200)
4x blu-ray dvddrive
750g hard drive (with space for a solid state drive when they become cheaper)

that same lappy from Dell is an alienware m17 or m15 which range from 2100-2400 depending on your deals / your warranty.

the only benefit i could see for buying a dell is the renewable advance protection warranty (which includes accidents et al.)
If you do not intend to pay extra for a renewable warranty, then go with Asus
I used XOTICPC.COM and custom built a

***ASUS G53JW-A3 - Republic of Gamers Gaming Laptop
- 15.6” FHD 16:9 LED Backlit Wide screen (1920x1080) Super Clear Glare Type Screen
- ASUS Zero Bright Dot (ZBD) 30 Day Pixel Guarantee
- - Intel® Core™ i7-740QM, 1.73-2.93GHz, (45nm, 6MB L3 cache) - Standard
- IC Diamond Thermal Compound - CPU + GPU-
- nVidia GeForce GTX 460M 1,536MB PCI-Express GDDR5 DX11
- 8,192MB (8GB) DDR3 1333MHz Dual Channel Memory (4x2GB) - SPECIAL FREE UPGRADE!
- Standard White ASUS Logo Backlight
- Plasma Purple Backlit Keyboard Modification
- 4X Blu-Ray Reader + 8X DVDRW/CDRW Super Multi Combo Drive
- - 750GB 7200RPM 16MB Cache Buffer (Serial-ATA II 3GB/s)
- Internal 5-in-1 Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO/ xD-P)
- Internal Bluetooth + EDR
- -Intel® Advanced-N 6200 - 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless LAN Module
- No Network Accessory
- Built in 2.0 Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Asus G Series Matching Backpack made by Targus
- Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)
- Asus G Series Gaming Mouse
- Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit Pre-Installed + Drivers & Utilities Disk
- Yes, please create backup recovery DVD
- 2 Year ASUS GLOBAL Warranty 24/7 Support / 1 Year North America (N.A.) Accidental Coverage (Accidental Requires Registration)
$1,759.00

Galahad · Post by **Galahad** » Wed Jan 05, 2011 2:30 pm

I keep hearing and reading good things about the Asus and HP computers. The money will be here in a couple of weeks so it's almost decision time. The only other decision point is buying from a company with decent tech support for the inevitable "just in case."

Galahad · Post by **Galahad** » Wed Jan 05, 2011 2:31 pm

I wanted to add how much I appreciated everyone's advice.

Post by **rydi** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 3:15 am

np. It sounds like the asus is your best choice. It fits your desires and your price point. The HP is cheaper (w/coupons), but the graphics aren't as good, and you don't seem to mind spending a bit to get the better tech.

laptop dance