Gaming laptop for college
- Thread starter xFINGERZx
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I'd recommend checking out the Dell XPS 17 L702X, which gets a good write up in the linked review. It should weigh in just less than 1,000, although it depends on the exact spec you choose, of course.
The only downside is it's a fairly chunky portable, but if you want a laptop that can really play games decently, then you're likely to end up with some pretty hefty (or something pretty expensive!).
The big plusses with this Dell seem to be the sound and screen, which are obviously two important elements for gaming, as well as the raw processing/gpu power.
Anyway, hope that helps...
The only downside is it's a fairly chunky portable, but if you want a laptop that can really play games decently, then you're likely to end up with some pretty hefty (or something pretty expensive!).
The big plusses with this Dell seem to be the sound and screen, which are obviously two important elements for gaming, as well as the raw processing/gpu power.
Anyway, hope that helps...
Don't bother with the video CAM linked, only 3 of the 10 laptops listed have useable graphics cards (barely), while the rest have chips that are barely better than integrated (1 of them IS actually IntelHDgfx lol).
This model is much better than any of those: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...11-Latest-_-LaptopsNotebooks-_-34230096-L014D
Basically, at this price bracket ($700-1000), you'll end up getting something with a fast dual core sandy bridge processor (maybe a quad if you're lucky), and most likely an Nvidia GT 540m/AMD 5670/6650/etc. These components are usually powerful enough to max out most games you'll play with low or no anti-aliasing, but at the 1366x768 resolution these machines are most likely to have.
If you want more options I'll look around for more links to good deals.
This model is much better than any of those: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...11-Latest-_-LaptopsNotebooks-_-34230096-L014D
Basically, at this price bracket ($700-1000), you'll end up getting something with a fast dual core sandy bridge processor (maybe a quad if you're lucky), and most likely an Nvidia GT 540m/AMD 5670/6650/etc. These components are usually powerful enough to max out most games you'll play with low or no anti-aliasing, but at the 1366x768 resolution these machines are most likely to have.
If you want more options I'll look around for more links to good deals.
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hellokitty[hk]
Posts: 3,413 +146
Agreed, though I wonder what acceptable framerates are to you.
Route44
Posts: 12,015 +82
Or you can try a Sager/Clevo offering through the likes of Xotic PC, Malibal, PC-Digital, Power Notebooks, etc. If you want to learn a ton more about them from actual owners checkout the Sager/Clevo forum at Notebookreview.com
I was very skeptical at first but my son's friend had bought one for college/gaming and I decided to do further research. Here is what I eventually bought him for college/gaming from Xotic PC:
15.6"
i7 2630 quad core processor
Nvidia 540M video gaming card (also has optimus for non-gaming function video)
1900x600 screen resolution in matte and it is beautiful
4 gigs of RAM
320 gig harddrive @7200rpm
Intel 2630 wireless (can connect to both 2.4 and 5 GHz)
DVD-R,RW drive
2 USB 3.0 ports
Etc.
* I already had a brand new copy of Windows 7 64 so I didn't need to add the cost into the total price but if you do include it in the overall cost not only do they load it but they also give you the full Windows OS disk. All of the companies I listed do this.
Total Price Paid: $888.00 And yes it is solidly built plus you cannot beat the customer service or tech support.
I was very skeptical at first but my son's friend had bought one for college/gaming and I decided to do further research. Here is what I eventually bought him for college/gaming from Xotic PC:
15.6"
i7 2630 quad core processor
Nvidia 540M video gaming card (also has optimus for non-gaming function video)
1900x600 screen resolution in matte and it is beautiful
4 gigs of RAM
320 gig harddrive @7200rpm
Intel 2630 wireless (can connect to both 2.4 and 5 GHz)
DVD-R,RW drive
2 USB 3.0 ports
Etc.
* I already had a brand new copy of Windows 7 64 so I didn't need to add the cost into the total price but if you do include it in the overall cost not only do they load it but they also give you the full Windows OS disk. All of the companies I listed do this.
Total Price Paid: $888.00 And yes it is solidly built plus you cannot beat the customer service or tech support.
Can't believe i forgot about my favorite boutique shop, XoticPC 
These are some of the better deals on there, ranging from $720-889:
http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np5160-clevo-w150hn-p-2999.html
http://www.xoticpc.com/force-pbl21-compal-pbl21-p-3086.html
http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-k53sva1-p-3076.html
http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np5165-clevo-w150hr-p-3063.html
http://www.xoticpc.com/msi-x460dx-p-3150.html
http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np5175-clevo-w170hr-p-3000.html
And this one, starting at $901, is the most powerful one you can get for just under 1k:
http://www.xoticpc.com/force-16f2-msi-16f2-p-3078.html?wconfigure=yes
It come with a GTX 560m, considerably more powerful than the GT 540m the others possess. It also comes with a 1920x1080 screen, which will be much more useful for productivity, and for an extra $99, I'd recommend upgrading it to the quadcore i7-2630m, for any future CPU-intensive games you'll be playing.
Between the Sager NP5175 and the FORCE 16F2, I'd say both are good buys, you'd just have to decided whether you want a 17.3" or a 15.6" screen @ 1920x1080.
One thing I'll tell you is that while the Sager can be upgraded to a quadcore for less ($949 total vs $1004), you'll still end up with weaker graphics card (144 shaders vs 192 + higher clock speeds). If gaming is more your thing, then I'd probably stick to the FORCE 16F2, however, if gaming is second to productivity, then I'd say you might be better served by the Sager. You'll get a bigger screen, better cooling due to the larger chassis, and most importantly, you'll get Nvidia Optimus, a switcheable graphics technology that will greatly increase your battery life.
Hope some of this helps, I'll look into other sites as well if you're looking for more options.
These are some of the better deals on there, ranging from $720-889:
http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np5160-clevo-w150hn-p-2999.html
http://www.xoticpc.com/force-pbl21-compal-pbl21-p-3086.html
http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-k53sva1-p-3076.html
http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np5165-clevo-w150hr-p-3063.html
http://www.xoticpc.com/msi-x460dx-p-3150.html
http://www.xoticpc.com/sager-np5175-clevo-w170hr-p-3000.html
And this one, starting at $901, is the most powerful one you can get for just under 1k:
http://www.xoticpc.com/force-16f2-msi-16f2-p-3078.html?wconfigure=yes
It come with a GTX 560m, considerably more powerful than the GT 540m the others possess. It also comes with a 1920x1080 screen, which will be much more useful for productivity, and for an extra $99, I'd recommend upgrading it to the quadcore i7-2630m, for any future CPU-intensive games you'll be playing.
Between the Sager NP5175 and the FORCE 16F2, I'd say both are good buys, you'd just have to decided whether you want a 17.3" or a 15.6" screen @ 1920x1080.
One thing I'll tell you is that while the Sager can be upgraded to a quadcore for less ($949 total vs $1004), you'll still end up with weaker graphics card (144 shaders vs 192 + higher clock speeds). If gaming is more your thing, then I'd probably stick to the FORCE 16F2, however, if gaming is second to productivity, then I'd say you might be better served by the Sager. You'll get a bigger screen, better cooling due to the larger chassis, and most importantly, you'll get Nvidia Optimus, a switcheable graphics technology that will greatly increase your battery life.
Hope some of this helps, I'll look into other sites as well if you're looking for more options.
Darth Shiv
Posts: 2,371 +886
Running practically identical specs on my Dell XPS 15 except put a Vertex 3 SSD in it and running 8GB memory. The NVIDIA 540M can run Fallout New Vegas at 1080p at good framerates 90% of the time but I'd future proof with something better if I had the option.
The i7 2630 is a good chip - no complaints there.
Route44
Posts: 12,015 +82
Hi MarkE. You'll get some very good advice here but I also strongly suggest you check out Notebookreview.com forums. There are tons of consumer reviews/experiences from actual users of all kinds of brands. There is even a forum designed to help you with a template. Seriously, check it out.
* What is your budget?
* What is your budget?
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