Best Gaming laptop?

JokkeJokke Bergen, Norway Icrontian
edited June 2011 in Hardware
Hi!

I'm looking for a gaming laptop, primarily because I will be moving around a little in near future, and wont be able to bring my desktop around everywhere. I currently have an Asus, unkown model, for office and school use.
I'm not very up to date on gaming laptops, in terms of capabilities and specs. I've been sniffing around Alienware, but I know they cost more than they're worth. I've also visited ibuypower and factorgaming.com looking for tips. I might but it while in the US, because of the prices. For a simple comparison, an 18" Alienware from the American Dell site cost NOK1000 less than a 15" from the Norwegian Dell site. The 18" then had a better processor, twice the RAM and free shipping. Makes sense, no?

I wish to be able to game Medal of Honor, Call of Duty and other new games with good graphics and other future games with decent graphics. I want a large screen, around 17"-18", preferably Full-HD. Blu-Ray is not a must, but the option would be nice. I would also require it to be somewhat robust, as I will be traveling around and bring it to sea with me.

I haven't really set a budget, but I can't imagine spending much more than $5000.

Comments

  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited May 2011
    For that budget, you can have basically any laptop in the world.

    Dell and HP both make awesome gaming laptops.

    http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-m18x/pd

    If you go HP, I recommend the <a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3467298-10428896&quot; target="_top">HP ENVY 17 3D series</a><img src="http://www.ftjcfx.com/image-3467298-10428896&quot; width="1" height="1" border="0"/>. I have some coupon codes if you'd like:

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  • NiGHTSNiGHTS San Diego Icrontian
    edited May 2011
    Take a look at http://www.powernotebooks.com/, they have a large selection of "whitebooks" which end up being rebranded (or used to be) by Alienware, Falcon Northwest, etc. You can use the above models Prime listed for comparison.

    In some cases you might find a better deal or more options. It's pretty impressive what they can pack into a "laptop" body (as you enter the 'desktop replacement' arena they become quite heavy and beefy).
  • JokkeJokke Bergen, Norway Icrontian
    edited May 2011
    Thanks for the tips guys. Let's say I buy one abroad, from a known manufacturer (Dell, Asus, Acer). If I choose a care pack or service plan will it still apply to Norway, if said manufacturer has a Norwegian office/branch?
  • NiGHTSNiGHTS San Diego Icrontian
    edited May 2011
    Alienware will send out service reps to your home for particular issues...whether that applies to Norway or not, I can't say for sure. One thing I thought of though was to check out the forums at notebook review for the models. They'll give you a heads up on any particular manufacturer defects/issues and fixes for them. A lot of service reps are often times tied into the forums there as well for direct communication.

    I can speak for one brand: Alienware, in particular, has a guy named Chris that frequents those boards. I own an m11x, which unfortunately has some design issues on the hinges for the screen. He's been the official/unofficial liason between Alienware, Dell, and the board members to help sort issues and get problems fixed fast.
  • TushonTushon I'm scared, Coach Alexandria, VA Icrontian
    edited May 2011
    Jokke wrote:
    Thanks for the tips guys. Let's say I buy one abroad, from a known manufacturer (Dell, Asus, Acer). If I choose a care pack or service plan will it still apply to Norway, if said manufacturer has a Norwegian office/branch?
    Most US bought laptops (this is only from recollection working at Best Buy) are not covered out of the country, i.e. if you buy it while at Expo IC, you'd have to ship it here to get serviced.
  • JokkeJokke Bergen, Norway Icrontian
    edited May 2011
    Hm, that's what I thought.
    Pros of buying in Norway: warranty and Norwegian keyboard.
    Cons of buying in Norway: price and availability of options.

    Right now I'm leaning towards Dell XPS or Alienware. Asus G53 looks interesting too.

    Are there any brands I should absolutely steer clear of?
  • _k_k P-Town, Texas Icrontian
    edited May 2011
    Acer does provide a global warranty but they are not necessarily in the realm of what you are interested in.
  • edcentricedcentric near Milwaukee, Wisconsin Icrontian
    edited May 2011
    I just bought a Dell XPS15.
    The screen is fantastic, CPU and memory are great, the GPU is OK.
    and the backlit keyboard is actually nice to use.
    I don't have any new games to try on it, so I can't give you hard numbers.
    Check out anandtech.com they have some very good review data.

    Here in the US it cost me about $1,500 delivered with taxes.
    I found it better to start with one of the higher level configurations and build from there.
  • TushonTushon I'm scared, Coach Alexandria, VA Icrontian
    edited May 2011
    edcentric wrote:
    I don't have any new games to try on it, so I can't give you hard numbers.
    Check out anandtech.com they have some very good review data.

    PCMark7
    Prime95
  • JokkeJokke Bergen, Norway Icrontian
    edited May 2011
    So far it seems I'll be going with the Dell XPS 17, i7 2.30GHz, Win 7 Ultimate, Nvidia GeForce 555M 3GB, 16 GB RAM, 500GB HD, and Blu-Ray drive. Total, with shipping and handling: $3080.
    For the XPS owners out there: is the keyboard back-lit?

    Also, in order to get 1920x1080 i need to get the 3D display and graphics card. Will everything be in 3D, or is this a feature I can turn on and off?
  • JokkeJokke Bergen, Norway Icrontian
    edited May 2011
    In addition to that laptop, I'm looking at the Asus G73SW, i7 2630QM, 2.9GHz, 8GB RAM, x2 500GB HD, nVidia GeForce GTX 460M 1.5GB, Blu-ray drive.

    and

    Kunshan P170, i7 2920XM 2.5GHz, 16GB RAM, 500GB HD, Blu-Ray, and the option between three graphics cards: nVidia GeForce GTX 460M 1.5GB, GTX 485M 2GB, and AMD Radeon Mobility HD 6970 2GB.
  • RyderRyder Kalamazoo, Mi Icrontian
    edited May 2011
    Are you buying from the US Dell site?

    Backlit Keyboard is included by default now, I believe. I have been pricing XPS (the 15") every week or so for awhile now.

    Do you need Windows Ultimate? Home premium does everything you need, I think.

    You can't get 16GB of memory unless you get the 3D panel. I just prices one out for you and if you don't "NEED" 16GB of memory, you can get one for less than 2000 bucks and no 3D.
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited May 2011
    Bonus of Ultimate: He'll have access to all the language packs
  • TushonTushon I'm scared, Coach Alexandria, VA Icrontian
    edited May 2011
    Bonus of Ultimate: He'll have access to all the language packs
    What would he need any other language than English for? It's the universal language ....



    /troll
  • PirateNinjaPirateNinja Icrontian
    edited June 2011
    Jokke wrote:
    In addition to that laptop, I'm looking at the Asus G73SW, i7 2630QM, 2.9GHz, 8GB RAM, x2 500GB HD, nVidia GeForce GTX 460M 1.5GB, Blu-ray drive.

    and

    Kunshan P170, i7 2920XM 2.5GHz, 16GB RAM, 500GB HD, Blu-Ray, and the option between three graphics cards: nVidia GeForce GTX 460M 1.5GB, GTX 485M 2GB, and AMD Radeon Mobility HD 6970 2GB.

    I absolutely love my Asus NV50 which is a bit outdated now, but it turned me in to an Asus laptop person. My next laptop will be an Asus. I have had horrible experiences with Dell, Sony, and HP relatively consistently. Could be just my luck though.
  • JokkeJokke Bergen, Norway Icrontian
    edited June 2011
    Yeah, I've had both good and bad experiences with HP. I've only had one Dell, 10 years ago. It was ok, nothing too good or bad. No experience with Sony. I currently have an Asus, and quite like it.

    Now, I'm not really sure I need a Blu-ray drive. Any inputs? Will B-R be the next big thing? When will B-R take over for the DVD completely?
  • TushonTushon I'm scared, Coach Alexandria, VA Icrontian
    edited June 2011
    Bluray already is the next thing and will be for at least the life of your laptop. If you are wanting HD capability in your laptop without having to download/rip it somewhere else, just get one now. The next thing after bluray will probably be something like HVD, but that has yet to reach market.
  • JokkeJokke Bergen, Norway Icrontian
    edited June 2011
    Right now, I'm thinking of going with this one:

    Kunshan X7200: Intel Core i7 980X 3.33GHz, 12GB memory, nVidia GeForce GTX460M, 500GB SATA 7200, and Blu-Ray.

    Kunshan is a line of custom computers built by the Norwegian company Multicom. I've bought quite a few things from there and they have good customer service.
    However, I was wondering a little about the graphics. The computer has the option of being upgraded to GTX480M or GTX485M. How much will getting one of those cards impact performance? Will it be a noticeable difference, or are we just talking a few FPS here? I'm also thinking of folding with this machine, how much will a better card impact folding? Do they even have graphics card folding clients for laptops? Sorry if my questions seem noob, but I'm just curious.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited June 2011
    The 485M would be a pretty decent boost. The GPU folding client will run on any recent NV or ATI mobile GPU.
  • JokkeJokke Bergen, Norway Icrontian
    edited June 2011
    Went for the Kunshan with the 485M. Got it with win7 Home. As I understand, I can upgrade from the Microsoft site later if need be? I'm so excited.
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited June 2011
    Game on! That's gonna kick ass.
  • JokkeJokke Bergen, Norway Icrontian
    edited June 2011
    Game on! That's gonna kick ass.

    http://3dmark.com/3dmv/3279925

    http://3dmark.com/3dmv/3280047

    Any idea why my computer would rate lower after installing new video drivers?

    The old laptop died during testing with 3DMark.

    With Passmark, my new computer scored 1450.2 and my old scored 417.1

    I started passmark on the old computer while i ran 3DMark on the new one. When 3DMark finished, I started passmark. The new one finished first...
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