Gaming Laptops: How to Compare, what to look for

Discussion in 'Computer Building and Components' started by Damon Howe, Jul 2, 2012.

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  1. Damon Howe

    Damon Howe Banned Banned

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    Asking for advice on how best to compare and contrast gaming laptops for use.

    My main priority is to, of course, be able to play games on this laptop. I ALSO want it practical for everyday use (which I believe all gaming laptops come with anyways, correct me if I'm wrong).

    I have a budget of $1600 (roughly) to work with, and here's my main concerns:
    RAM - does it have enough?
    Graphics card - is it up to date(ish)? will it run most games without a problem? (not looking for ZOMG HIGHEST QUALITY, but practical, high quality is preferred)
    Processor - The more I look at games I'm prepping for (MWO, want to play Civ 5, etc) the more I look at quad core. I know it's not "necessary"...but it'll certainly kick ass (and kick my budget).

    What all should I look for? Are there sites that compare the latest and greatest out there? Are there tells on brands that are good/bad to go with?

    As an example of how I'm looking at things, here's a build I'm currently looking at (sucks that its dual core, otherwise I might by it):
    http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/pdet.to?poid=2000019202

    Thoughts on this build inparticular?
     
    Damon Howe, Jul 2, 2012
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  2. Grim

    Grim Made Some Friends Thrall

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    Grim, Jul 2, 2012
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  3. Skoll

    Skoll Swine Fornicator Banned

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    You'd still be better off with a desktop, imo. And with that budget you could create a real monster.
     
    Skoll, Jul 2, 2012
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  4. Sardonic

    Sardonic Well Liked Viking

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    Yea, are you fixed on the idea of a laptop for any particular reason? If not, you should definitely just build a desktop.
     
    Sardonic, Jul 2, 2012
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  5. Grim

    Grim Made Some Friends Thrall

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    I travel for work. I'm usually only home 8 days out of the month. A desktop isn't really all that practical for me.
     
    Grim, Jul 2, 2012
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  6. Sardonic

    Sardonic Well Liked Viking

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    Well I meant Damon, I'm sure you have a good reason/
     
    Sardonic, Jul 2, 2012
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  7. Grim

    Grim Made Some Friends Thrall

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    I know man. I was giving one potential reason he was leaning towards a laptop based on my personal experience.
     
    Grim, Jul 2, 2012
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  8. Vargyr

    Vargyr Well Liked Thrall

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    www.sagernotebook.com

    Company's been around since before the 486DX 44Mhz processor was bleeding edge. They use quality components and don't slack on the extras. Price-points on the page for starting equipment on par with stuff you'll find on NewEgg. You add to them from there.

    I'm seriously considering a 15.6" notebook with some of the wiz-bang. $1400 or so for an i5M, 16GB DDR3, nVidia 620M, 256GB SSD and some other niftiness.
     
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2012
    Vargyr, Jul 2, 2012
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  9. Damon Howe

    Damon Howe Banned Banned

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    Mainly because idk what my future holds. In previous years college was a big reason for my laptop, but at this point idk where I'll go or what I'll do. Therefore, mobility is a big concern for me. I want to be able to pack up on a whim and go from place to place no problem.

    For instance, last summer my only internet access was from going to the local library and using their wifi. Can't do that with a desktop.
     
    Damon Howe, Jul 2, 2012
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  10. Skoll

    Skoll Swine Fornicator Banned

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    Valid point, Damon. This is my first desktop in YEARS because I've been living out of a duffel bag since I was 18. Laptops are just so much more pricier than desktops though. :sad:

    Like, this computer beats my laptop to a fucking pulp, and I paid almost 300 dollars less for it than I did the laptop when it was on SALE.
     
    Skoll, Jul 2, 2012
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  11. Orcinus

    Orcinus Veteran DovaOrca Berserker

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    I opt for using laptops for the same reasons that Damon has pointed out above.

    Much like my battlemechs, I emphasize flexibility and mobility when it comes to gaming rigs.
     
    Orcinus, Jul 2, 2012
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  12. Nightblade

    Nightblade New Guy Thrall

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    http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Origin-PC-Kepler-Geforce-GTX-680M-EON15-S,15866.html

    Thats a sweet looking laptop

    I have 2 ASUS G73JW's that run everything with i7 and nvidia 460

    I bought my dad a ASUS G74SX (i7 w/ nvidia 560)

    If I had to by one today I really look at the Origin or the new ASUS G75VW with the I7 3720QM and the nvidia 670

    Ive had great luck with ASUS laptops and I sell them to my customers and rarely have an issue

    They also include 2 years everything warranties, and process the warranties quickly. sent my laptop in and had it back in less than 10 days and they went thru and updated all the drivers that i had missed

    I have recently bought 2 ASUS G73jw's on ebay one for $750 that was brand new, and one for $650 that was used, and turned around and sold em and made $150 on each one

    my only grip with the G73's is the keyboard is a bit mushy but i m used to mechanical keyboard and you need to dust out the heatsinks monthly but Id still give the G73/G74/G75 series 5 stars
     
    Nightblade, Jul 2, 2012
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  13. Damon Howe

    Damon Howe Banned Banned

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    I'll look into the ASUS Nightblade, I've heard good things in the past about ASUS...do you have any place where I could get an accurate price on a G75VW?

    Also, @ Grimm...I've read some of the reviews and seen almost all of the 'Con's' include the keyboard. What do you think about it? I'd love to buy one, it looks right in my ballpark...but if the thing's going to be a typing satan from hell then I'm not so sure...
     
    Damon Howe, Jul 3, 2012
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  14. Nightblade

    Nightblade New Guy Thrall

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    Nightblade, Jul 3, 2012
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  15. Nightblade

    Nightblade New Guy Thrall

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    looked at Origin PC's site and while theirs looks nice its more expensive than the ASUS G75 at Frys similarly equipped
     
    Nightblade, Jul 3, 2012
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  16. Nightblade

    Nightblade New Guy Thrall

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    they changed the keyboard on the G74 and i like that one better than my G73 but its not a major irritant to me when im on the road, i use the Logitech Anywhere MX as my road mouse w/ a Razer Kabuto mouse pad and a thin hardcover book as im not a track pad person

    one other note just keep the laptop propped up as it cools better when the bottom can vent too
     
    Nightblade, Jul 3, 2012
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  17. Damon Howe

    Damon Howe Banned Banned

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    Hmmm...its the same price but the ASUS seems a step up...
     
    Damon Howe, Jul 3, 2012
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  18. Grim

    Grim Made Some Friends Thrall

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    The only problem I've had with the keyboard is with the right shift key. I'm a full on typist and I use the standard hand placement. My right pinkie isn't my strongest finger and I have to move my hand out of position a little to put a little extra pressure on the shift key to get it to register. Other than that, I've had no problems with any of the other keys. I love they way they feel.
     
    Grim, Jul 3, 2012
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  19. Damon Howe

    Damon Howe Banned Banned

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    Well thanks for the input guys.

    I've looked over both on newegg, and as much as I like the looks of the MSI the ASUS seems to be a step up in just about everything except the harddrive (which, since I don't download tons of music or pics, shouldn't matter) AND it's 150 bucks cheaper. I'll still take consulting, but after a few reviews I'm almost sold at this point.
     
    Damon Howe, Jul 3, 2012
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  20. Nightblade

    Nightblade New Guy Thrall

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    link em

    MSI is a good company too

    I ve preferred their mobos over asus for years due to their software packages
     
    Nightblade, Jul 3, 2012
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