So I need a new laptop.

[mrkittles]

Greetings escapists, I am going to university this year and hence I need a laptop. I cannot take my desktop computer with me, so I need to make my laptop A gaming laptop.

My problem: I have no idea about computers, all I really know is that I always need more RAM.
So I am wondering if you can help me, Im after a Middle range laptop, Im not sure about my budget exactly, so Il pay whatever that may be. Also can you recomend a good place to get one please? Im from the UK.

Preemptive thanks
Edit: spelling

 

[Armored Prayer]

What ever you do, don't buy Compaqs.

They freaking break so easily.

 

[CIA]

I'm in the same situation, but I have a solution. I will take my desktop and set it up in my room and then buy one of those tiny laptops you see nowadays for carrying around to access the internet or do work in the library.

 

[Neonbob]

Well, I have an XPS 1530, and I love the hell out of it.
My only real complaint with the computer is the tiny hard drive I had to settle for after upgrading the RAM and video card.
Make sure you get more than a 160GB hard drive.

 

[ae86gamer]

HP laptops are good and not that pricey. I'd go with one of those since you're going to Uni.

 

[dark_taint92]

if u want a laptop u can game on i rcommend this acer laptop
http://www.acerdirect.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_Aspire_7520-553G25Mi_LX.AM10X.024/version.asp?PID=
hope this helps

or if u really want to blow some money on a laptop get this alien ware one
http://www.alienware.co.uk/product_detail_pages/M17/m17_overview.aspx?SysCode=PC-EU-LT-M17&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT

 

[Snuggle]

I've got a Gateway P-6831FX. It's quite good for gaming and quite cheap too. It might be a bit too big for your needs thought at 17' and around 9-10 lbs.

 

[teutonicman]

Well I'd recommend going to a couple computer shop in you area and ask the sales associates about what computers would suit you needs. That way you get a number of opinion and find out which place would give you the most bang for your buck. For a computer brand I a Toshiba and have used Dell and Acer laptops extensively and they all worked well.

 

[Proteus214]

You may want to check out some of the newer models from Dell. Just stay away from Dell's older gaming laptops (ie first generation XPS) they tended to have heat flow problems that would damage the hardware after extensive use.

 

[TMAN10112]

There's not much you can really upgrade in a laptop (especially if you're a beginner), so you'd be better of buying a new one.

A few good examples:
-If money is no option
-One of the best you'll find in the $1000-ish range
-Somewhere in the middle

 

[Aunel]

I have the dell XPS 1530, it's awesome, I can play Crysis on medium on it no lag, it's very light and it's tough for a notebook.

 

[dark_taint92]

or if u really want to blow some money on a laptop get this alien ware one

NO. Never buy Alienware. Ever.

Their inflated prices are not indicative of increased performance. It's never worth spending more than $1000 on a laptop, and especially not worth it to spend it on aesthetics rather than components.

actually this laptops £899 i think its the cheapest thing on there site and plus i was kidding buying alien ware silly it costs to much but they look pretty

 

[Fudgo]

I always found that the best way to look for a laptop is to check out their specs, rather than just looking at a single one, since I found the specs can always be different to the ones advertised. A laptop with a dual-core 2.0 GHz CPU, 512 MB Nvidia 9600M GT GFX card (don't know about ATi cards), and 2-3GB DDR2 RAM is probably the minimum you should look when it comes to gaming. Though you should avoid HP, Dell, and Alienware laptops, as well as Intel graphics cards, since they're usually either low-end or overpriced for what their worth. And an external numpad is always nice to.

I have an Acer 6930G with a 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo CPU, 4 GB DDR2 RAM, and a 1 GB Nvidia 9600M GT graphics card which I got for £500, and it can play Crysis on a mixture of High/Very High Settings with no AA and 1024x768 res pretty well, though it does chug quite a bit on the part after the space ship as well as final boss battle.

or if u really want to blow some money on a laptop get this alien ware one

NO. Never buy Alienware. Ever.

Their inflated prices are not indicative of increased performance. It's never worth spending more than $1000 on a laptop, and especially not worth it to spend it on aesthetics rather than components.

I've just noticed, whenever someone mentions Alienware, you always seem to appear out of nowhere to denounce it whenever these kind of threads show up.

 

[Jinx_Dragon]

You know... I just wish you could upgrade lap top video cards with ease instead of being a lengthy and difficult process that is only possible with a handful of laptops to begin with.

 

[Avaholic03]

I advise against Compaq, Acer and Dell. I've had multiple problems with each manufacturer.

So far, HP has been the best bet for quality at a reasonable price.

But, I would suggest you consider CIA's proposal of getting a desktop and a netbook. Are you really going to be playing games in class? If so, why bother going in the first place? Keep gaming at home, and a minimalist laptop for any simple tasks you need to do in class.

 

[mrkittles]

But, I would suggest you consider CIA's proposal of getting a desktop and a netbook. Are you really going to be playing games in class? If so, why bother going in the first place? Keep gaming at home, and a minimalist laptop for any simple tasks you need to do in class.

that would mean getting a new desktop as well, would you say thats still the best thing to do?

 

[0p3rati0n]

Greetings escapists, I am going to university this year and hence I need a laptop. I cannot take my desktop computer with me, so I need to make my laptop A gaming laptop.

My problem: I have no idea about computers, all I really know is that I always need more RAM.
So I am wondering if you can help me, Im after a Middle range laptop, Im not sure about my budget exactly, so Il pay whatever that may be. Also can you recomend a good place to get one please? Im from the UK.

Preemptive thanks
Edit: spelling

F*cking MAC!!!! If you get a Windows then you'll regret it in about 18 months unless you plan on doing all the painful updates, memory/hard drive expansions and whatever other crap you need to do with a windows. MACs can be a little pricy but they are sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo wroth the time and money (trust me what the hell do you think im typing on?)

a macbook is in the range of $1000 (U.S. dollars) so IDK how much that is where you live sorry

 

[Avaholic03]

But, I would suggest you consider CIA's proposal of getting a desktop and a netbook. Are you really going to be playing games in class? If so, why bother going in the first place? Keep gaming at home, and a minimalist laptop for any simple tasks you need to do in class.

that would mean getting a new desktop as well, would you say thats still the best thing to do?

Yes. Desktops can be upgraded easily when a component is outdated. Laptops are more expensive and once they're outdated, you basically throw it away. Desktops are by far the best option for gaming. The portability that laptops offer is only useful if you need to do things on the go. A netbook can do most mobile computing tasks (internet, office, etc.) with no problem.

One awesome gaming laptop: ~$1000
One awesome gaming desktop ($750) + one netbook ($200) = $950

You still save money, and then you have 2 machines: a superior gaming machine and a ultra light laptop that isn't bogged down by the game installations and other processes.