Poll: Gaming Laptops

[fix-the-spade]

In case you're wondering, my price range is probably around $1000, although I could conceivably go a little higher than that at some point.

No, don't do it. Even powerful laptops are best suited to being work tools, I have a 'gaming' Mesh Laptop that's fantastic for everything but gaming, where it's merely adequate and not much better than my six year old desktop. I use the desktop to work on too sometimes, but can't carry it around.

The biggest problem is overheating, once big loads start coming into the graphics card there just isn't the air space inside a laptop to cool it properly. Desktops always perform better than laptops, even when on paper they should be the same. Heat from the power supply can get to be a problem too, a big crotch burning problem.

You're better off buying (or building) a smaller desktop and having it properly specced and cooled. Then for typing essays and work things getting some kind of netbook or cheap laptop.

 

[Steak21]

Listen up.

Alienware laptops/desktops are not the way to go. If you want a laptop built for gaming, you go for a Sager.

http://www.sagernotebook.com/

I have one of these (for when i travel) and it is really good. Definitely the bang for your buck. Alienware computers are way to over priced.

 

[Nieroshai]

I've got one because I needed a good workhorse to run games and dev software, but you really are better off with a desktop because it's easier to upgrade a tower than a laptop. If you're just planning on running 4 or 5 games, though, a gaming laptop is fine in most cases.

 

[Hateren47]

Gaming laptops are never worth it. They over heat and have terrible battery life. If you really nee-ee-ee-eed a gaming laptop I suggest you look at the Asus G-series as they are reasonably priced compared to the likes of Alienware and are fairly reliable. It still runs hot and drains the battery but it's probably you best bang per buck.

And the new Asus G73Jh look pretty damn cool if I should say so.

Spoiler: Holy shi-

Is it worth the price? Not if you ask me. Get a desktop and a netbook instead

 

[atrain117]

The Alienware mx11 has no dvd drive.
also, don't get computers from alienware, they're overpriced and the best parts in them can bring the cost of them up to $2500+.

There are companies out there that give you much better value. Only problem is that there are no good laptops out there for 800$
You'd be better off looking in the 1500$ range.
I'd recommend:

http://www.xoticpc.com/asus-g73jha2-stock-p-2761.html

Asus G73JH A2
top of the line graphics, 1920 x 1080 FHD screen, intel i7, 8gb ram, 1TB SATA II HDD (2x 500GB in raid 0) and it looks like a stealth fighter. nuff said.
1500$

slightly cheaper:

http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/Battalion_101_FX-926Z_Gaming_Laptop
slightly worse graphics, 15.6 inch HD screen, 1200$, kinda clunky.

Cheapest:

http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/Battalion_101_CZ-11_Ultra_Gaming_Laptop
better graphics than m11x, 1920 x 1080 FHD screen, intel i5 520m 2.4 ghz, 4gb ram (1333mhz), 320GB HDD, and only $995.00

...and some people say gaming laptops are like unicorns, leprechauns, santa claus, and the tooth fairy. And that's totally true. It's 100% real.

 

[hannan4mitch]

If you want to game, DON'T get a laptop. A laptop's primary function is to be portable, and gaming laptops are far from portable. What I would do is have a cheap netbook you can carry around, and have a good desktop in your dorm as an actual computer for work. Make notes on your netbook and use a transfer cable to move them to your desktop.
EDIT: Or if that money has already burnt a hole in your pocket and it's starting to singe your 'nads, replace the desktop with an all-in-one.

 

[MetallicaRulez0]

While a Gaming Laptop would certainly work, at least for most games, you're really overpaying and not getting a product that can really compete with a decent Desktop. If you have to get a Laptop for college, then go for it. Just don't expect to be running Crysis on full settings without the thing spontaneously combusting.

 

[Hugo Artenis Rune]

I've an Asus lappy too, 4gb ram, 2.4ghz dual core, 350gb disk, 1600x900 res, 1gb nvidia card (cant recall model number at the moment - am in linux atm and can't remember how to check easily)..

Anyway - runs most stuff nicely - left 4 dead 2 runs at about 35 fps - 4x AA, 1600x900, all sliders maxxed out.. Seems to run most other games nicely too, though it struggles with crysis (have to 800x600 on that, dunnno why). Anyways - cost me £450.. Ahem, it cost my work 450

I agree with most people here and say that a desktop is the way forward for gaming. It's pretty awesome that my laptop can run l4d2 but it can only do this when plugged in (otherwise the battery gets murdered) so in effect if I want to play games I have to basically be at home or at my desk. Can't really play the games with teh machine on my lap either because it gets a bit hot and isn't comfy.

Of course, pulling out a 17" lappy and firing up Dirt 2 or something with all graphics turned up really makes console players jealous

 

[SturmDolch]

If you want to game, DON'T get a laptop. A laptop's primary function is to be portable, and gaming laptops are far from portable.

Maybe in 1999, or even 2005. But it's 2010. I hardly feel my laptop in my bag when I'm carrying it around all day to take notes. Then I come home, hook it up to the monitor, keyboard and mouse, and I have a machine capable of playing Bad Company 2 on medium and Starcraft II on high.

Yes, you will drain your batteries if you play games with your laptop unplugged. So don't. I don't see why you would. My regular battery life is around 3 hours, normal for a laptop. Asus laptops have a power utility on them where you can press a button to go to Battery Saving mode. It's great.

Isn't something that can run newer games on medium settings a gaming laptop? Granted, not a laptop designated for gaming, but a gaming laptop nonetheless.

Yes, I didn't mean that. I meant save the money you'd spend on an overpriced Alienware and buy an Asus instead. They don't look as flashy usually, so if you DO have the money, do buy an Alienware. But you'll get better specs for your bucks with Asus.

 

[Vet2501]

While I don't disagree with the above comments about desktops being better, I bought myself a new laptop last year after my old ond went defunct and it has yet to fail me in the gaming department.

The Acer Aspire 5739G only cost me £600 (sorry don't know what that would be in US$) and it can play every game I own at full spec, or just about. Battery life is good to begin with, if you're playing games on it you'll have it plugged in most of the time anyway, it's taken me a year to ruin the battery to short lifespan.

 

[Korten12]

Alienware is owned by Dell and Dell is a trash company with piss poor build quality and customer service.

.

my computer is a Dell XPS and the quality is amazing, I can play Crysis max settings with mods with no lag, many things without lag. So I guess your state varies becuase myn isnt piss poor build quality.

Unless your specificaly talking about Alienware.

 

[Glademaster_v1legacy]

Well if you have the money and space a desktop is the best in my opinion but laptops are fine and they can even be great. However, I'd recommend you try and build it or at least pick the parts for yourself with guidance from people here or friends if needed. So yes a laptop is acceptable just be very careful about overheating with laptops though that is a massive problem.

 

[Darktau]

Alienware is crap now, your paying for a label, best value for money I could find (UK though) was one of the VAIO series.

 

[Limzz]

For 1k you can get a laptop that will run games but it's not that fun imo. They don't look very nice, the thing heats up like a mother fucker, you'll want an external keyboard and mouse and maybe a fan and some speakers and blah blah.

 

[AugustFall]

Rather than upgrading whatever piece you need to in the future you will have to buy a new laptop.
Get a laptop for college sure, it's really handy but don't expect to game on it. A desktop is needed for that.

 

[godofallu]

I remember when I was getting ready to go to college for the first time, all those years ago.

I had bought a nice gaming laptop, sunk about $1800 into the thing. It ran ok, and was a good midline PC for about a year. Then it overheated and died on me forever.

The thing about laptops is they cost about 3 times as much, and last about 1/4th as long. In college you tend to plant your PC in one spot. Only 1/1000 people actually bring their computer to class, and those people are hated by everyone for the loud typing noises and because everyone in class can see they aren't actually taking notes but looking at facebook.

My advice, don't get a laptop. Especially if you want to be able to run games on it.

 

[yamitami]

Taking notes with a laptop is overrated. Unless you can type 200 words per minute (correctly mind you) then you're going to get the info down just as fast with pen and paper. Plus doing things like sketching out a particular concept go way faster on paper than trying to open the graphics program. Plus 90% of students who 'take notes' on their laptops in class are just playing solitaire or are on facebook, so a lot of profs won't let you have them in class anyway.

And really, even if they do let you have them, it's better to leave it at home. Even if you're a diligent student there will come a boring day when you open up wiki just until the prof finishes this one bit and then it's an hour later and you have no idea what's going on. It's the same issue that makes it a really good idea to turn your phone to silent, no vibrate, so you won't be tempted to text people. Otherwise you end up like the irritating freshman I sat next to in art history who bitched about the C she got on the first test when she spent literally all of every class texting under the table.

So yeah, regardless of what kind of computer you get I would strongly advise against any laptops in class.

However, laptops can still be useful in doing things outside your dorm room if different environments help you think. Like if the sound of running water clears your mind you can go write that paper by the fountain in front of the student union or such. Or if you have an annoying roommate who refuses to use headphones so you can't concentrate over the NIN or showtunes or whatever is annoying to you. That just depends on luck of the draw for housing, though, so you won't know if that is an issue until the second week of school or later. In my experience there are very few true horror stories and usually things like them not using headphones is solved by asking them to use headphones so you can work.

Basically, if you want to take it everywhere so you can work in the park or library or coffee shop, then get a laptop. If you get one, don't take it to class. If you're not as mobile then just get a tower since you'll be able to get more power for the same price.

So far as specs go, Alienware is very, VERY shiny but also very overpriced. They are the designer jeans of computers; you're not paying for the stitches, you're paying for the label. In Alienware's case you're not paying for the CPU, you're paying for the light up green alien head on the lid of the laptop or front of the tower. Go for the Levis.

One more tip: don't search for gaming towers/laptops. Search for graphic design and video editing first. They will have the specs you'll need without the extra annoying and unnecessary gimmicks 'gaming' computers tend to come with. Some will come packaged with design or editing software you don't need, but there should be enough options without the software to give you some choices. And never decide 'I am going to get THIS brand'. Always search on at least three different brands and compare specs and price. This is where Alienware fails the test.

 

[Gethsemani_v1legacy]

I've been gaming on this laptop for the last three years (and it is a Dell!). So far, I haven't encountered a game that it hasn't been able to run and most new games can be run on medium settings or mostly medium with a few lows.

The main problem I had started about 1,5 year ago when I started to suffer from overheating when running certain games (Empire: Total War being the main perpetrator). Cleaning the fans and buying a Cooling Pad with fans has helped remove that problem entirely though and thanks to the elevation of the pad, I know have a much better working position when typing or playing a game requiring extensive use of the keyboard.

As a college student myself, I fully endorse the gaming laptop. I think it speaks volumes that all of my gaming friends have all switched to laptops and are happy with their performance.