Entertainment/Gaming Notebook Under $1300?

[ImprobableJoe]

Hey folks!

My current laptop is sort of crapping out on me, on account of it being four years old, and bought at a significant discount. So, that means I have the opportunity to buy a new one, without my wife killing me.

I've got about 6-8 weeks until I have the money saved, and while I should have about $1650 to spend, I would prefer to keep the price tag under $1300. Here's what I want, in order of priority:

** great monitor with good resolution
** solid graphics card
** relatively fast processor
** 17" or bigger monitor

I'm looking for firsthand experience if possible, at least when it comes to brand names. I can read the specs as well as anyone, but I want to know if anyone has bought any of the computers in my price range.

 

[e2iPi]

I just bought an Alienware M17. I payed about 1700, but I added some upgrades If I remember right, they start around 1200.
I've been quite happy with it.

i^2

 

[Otokogoroshi]

For what you need/want rock this baby.

http://www.alienware.com/products/M17-notebook.aspx?SysCode=PC-LT-M17&Subcode=SKU-DEFAULT

Alienware is the best place to go to fill your PC gaming system needs. They are now backed by Dell so their service warenty is even better than it used to be. Seriously I've never heard anyone complain about these guys and everyone suggests them.

 

[ImprobableJoe]

Something OTHER THAN ALIENWARE!

Sorry I wasn't specific before... but I need something that doesn't come in a case with a fancy logo... I have to be able to take it to work.

OK, yeah... I'm also tempted by the Alienware stuff... dammit! Even though their specs aren't that great!

 

[e2iPi]

The laptop I just replaced was an HP. Never had any problems, it was just around 2-3 years old, started to slow down under the weight of new software. I remember them as being relatively inexpensive.
At work we use Dell XPS laptops for just about everything, they seem to work great and they're pretty tough, too.

i^2

 

[ImprobableJoe]

Dell XPS laptops... at work?!?!? That must be sweet!

I'm pretty much down to a Dell, HP, or Sony Vaio. I'm going to get whatever BestBuy has on sale the week I go shopping.

 

[Pulsar]

I'm pretty much down to a Dell, HP, or Sony Vaio. I'm going to get whatever BestBuy has on sale the week I go shopping.

I'm thinking about bying a Dell Studio XPS 16 myself.

 

[ImprobableJoe]

I'm thinking about bying a Dell Studio XPS 16 myself.

Yeah? I've read that the video card is not particularly robust, at least not the one that comes in the model they sell at the big box stores. Other than that, they have pretty good specs.

 

[Pulsar]

Yeah? I've read that the video card is not particularly robust, at least not the one that comes in the model they sell at the big box stores. Other than that, they have pretty good specs.

Is that the 1GB ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics card? I've also read that it heats up quite a bit.
I haven't decided yet, but the (Belgian) Dell site offers a 240 euro discount on this one... very tempting

 

[ImprobableJoe]

Is that the 1GB ATI Radeon HD 4670 graphics card? I've also read that it heats up quite a bit.
I haven't decided yet, but the (Belgian) Dell site offers a 240 euro discount on this one... very tempting

No, its like a ATI 3650 or some such. The Dell website offers better... although I'm not sure why they aren't offering an NVIDIA card, since they have better performance and draw less power.

 

[ninja_lord666]

I've never understood pre-built computers for gaming. I mean, everyone knows that real gamers build their own computers so that they're modular and can be easily upgraded with new parts which brings me to my second confounding tid-bit. Gaming laptops? Isn't that extremely counter-intuitive? Laptops are almost impossible to upgrade, so you'll be forced to just buy an entirely new one every few years and end up wasting a lot of money. If you just stick with a desktop (especially one you built yourself), you'll end up saving a lot of money. Yes, I know laptops are convenient, which is why I want to get one (for non-gaming computer usage, of course), but a gaming laptop is just a waste of money. I mean, a high performance laptop would have very poor battery life, so if you wanted to do any serious gaming, you'd have to keep it plugged in, which would completely annihilate the convenience aspect, so you might as well just stick with the desktop for your gaming needs.

Also, newegg is a nice place to go for computer stuff.

 

[ImprobableJoe]

I've never understood pre-built computers for gaming. I mean, everyone knows that real gamers build their own computers so that they're modular and can be easily upgraded with new parts which brings me to my second confounding tid-bit. Gaming laptops? Isn't that extremely counter-intuitive? Laptops are almost impossible to upgrade, so you'll be forced to just buy an entirely new one every few years and end up wasting a lot of money. If you just stick with a desktop (especially one you built yourself), you'll end up saving a lot of money. Yes, I know laptops are convenient, which is why I want to get one (for non-gaming computer usage, of course), but a gaming laptop is just a waste of money. I mean, a high performance laptop would have very poor battery life, so if you wanted to do any serious gaming, you'd have to keep it plugged in, which would completely annihilate the convenience aspect, so you might as well just stick with the desktop for your gaming needs.

Also, newegg is a nice place to go for computer stuff.

I have a decent gaming desktop as a primary, I was just looking for something to lug around for school and work that I can ALSO play games on at reasonable settings.

Also, I love newegg, but I would never order a laptop or LCD monitor from ANYONE online, for fear of getting stuck with a half-dozen dead pixels and no way to return it for a refund or exchange.

 

[ninja_lord666]

I have a decent gaming desktop as a primary, I was just looking for something to lug around for school and work that I can ALSO play games on at reasonable settings.

Ah, yeah that makes sense.

 

[patduckles]

i gotta say this and im sorry but:

TOWER PC GAMING FTW

i just hate the idea of carrying a laptop PC around that is worth like ,£1000 just to play games. if i play games its at home if i'm away from home i got my trusty PSP and DS but i rarely play those out of the house now.

 

[borrofburi]

I this is it: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9172511&type=product&id=1218043606827
used to cost about 1200, but it's been about 3 or 4 months since I was considering getting it. It was pretty good stuff then, but I haven't payed much attention in the last 3 months.

 

[dizziness]

When you say 'gaming notebook' I get the same expression on my face as when people say things like 'creation science' or 'good games for mac'. There is no real existence, purpose or relevance for it. Why would you want one?

- I want to move my computer around.
Reformat your old one and use it for browsing.

- But I want to play games.
Use the 1300 bucks on a good stationary computer, if you already have one buy a better or second graphics card for better compatibility or a solid state hdd to reduce start-up time of applications. Possibly better cooling to make overclocking possible, if you haven't already (or if you have a DELL in which case you need to get a new computer).

- I play at a lot of LANs and it's useful to have a mobile computer for gaming at other people's houses.
It's more useful to have a smooth-running computer for enhanced gaming experience. You will never get the optimal conditions on a laptop and there is no real way to overclock it without heating issues.

Seriously, solid state, gfx and cooling. Much better investment.

 

[ImprobableJoe]

You guys are sort of missing the point... but I guess that should be expected. I'm a real person, not some weird kid with a $6500 PC and no car. :lol:

Anyways, I think I'm just going to get a portable laptop with a long battery life, and buy a fancy Swiss watch with the rest of the money.

 

[patduckles]

i would like to say there is a need for games on mac for kids who's parents have bought macs and wish to play games.